By Sonal Gupta
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

As Ontario moves to fast-track mining in the Ring of Fire, legal experts and Indigenous leaders warn that the province’s rush to cut red tape could cause environmental destruction and a wave of lawsuits — potentially slowing the very development it seeks to speed up.   The Ford government’s newly-tabled […]

By Celeste Percy-Beauregard
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Hamilton Spectator

Aperol spritzes weren’t on the agenda when four Catholic trustees visited Italy over the summer — but they did indulge in mojitos, beer, Baileys and whisky, albeit not on the taxpayer’s dime. The elected representatives of Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) racked up $127,000 in travel and art […]

By Wayne Doyle,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Barrietoday.com

Few warnings have the impact and clarity like the one that can be found on the last page of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition’s (SCGC) information package that promotes the benefits of expanding the Greenbelt.  “Ultimately, what happens to our environment happens as well to us and our community,” it […]

By Kezia Royer-Burkett
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Burlington Local-News.ca

At the Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG), controlled burns are more than just a land management tool; they are a deeply sacred process that restores ecological balance and honours the land itself. For David Galbraith, the director of science at RBG, controlled burning is part of an ancient understanding of how […]

–Allan Bradbury photo

There was lots of hand clappin’ and toe tappin’ as Rum Ragged brought some salty sea air to the Townshend Theatre on Thursday night. The show was the last of Tour de Fort’s ‘24-’25 season and next season’s lineup was announced before the show. For more on that, see tomorrow’s […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

In addition to major road work being undertaken on Third St. West and the eastern side of Scott Street near the Memorial Sports Complex, the Town of Fort Frances is undertaking several additional projects as the weather warms. Town of Fort Frances Manager of Operations and Facilities Travis Rob says […]

From the Fort Frances Lakers
Press release

FORT FRANCES, ON – The Fort Frances Lakers are excited to announce Luke Judson as the new Head Coach of the hockey club. Judson will take on head coaching duties in addition to his role the Lakers’ General Manager for the 2025-26 season. “I’m looking forward to stepping into the […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Construction on a new veterinary training centre at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus is to begin this summer under a plan to boost the number of vets willing to practise in Northern Ontario, particularly in regard to care of farm animals. Under a plan announced on Tuesday between LU and […]

By Mike Stimpson,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

THUNDER BAY — The new Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) president has, by his reckoning, “had a long apprenticeship” for the top job. Outgoing eight-year president Wendy Landry announced to the 2025 NOMA conference on Wednesday that Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas will take the helm. “I’m somewhat excited,” Dumas told Newswatch after […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

THUNDER BAY – The NDP, Liberal and Conservative candidates in Thunder Bay–Superior North all say they want to see the rich Ring of Fire deposits mined in partnerships that include First Nations. The Ring of Fire is a crescent-shaped area 400-plus kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, in the James Bay […]

By Maggie Macintosh,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

Students and tigers and polar bears, oh my! Assiniboine Park Zoo is winding down its free classroom residency programs for 2024-25 as staff prepare to accept applications for the upcoming school year. A 21st century zoo is as much an educational facility as it is a place for animal caretaking, […]

By Maggie Macintosh,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

The Manitoba government has ordered a high school that has been “ungrading” for the last five years to revive — at least partially — its zero-to-100 marking scale. A new directive calls on the Louis Riel School Division to ensure all of its Grade 9-12 campuses include percentages on midterm […]