By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

More than $1.3 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), will support workforce expansion and population retention efforts across Northern Ontario. On Friday, Patty Hajdu, minister of jobs and families and minister responsible for FedNor, announced that a portion of the funds — $959,500 — will […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY – City staff are, once again, not recommending allowing ball pythons as an exotic pet. Administration will present their report to city council on Tuesday, saying they do not support exempting ball pythons from the list of restricted animals based on several considerations, including the animal’s welfare, environmental […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

A combined passion for animals and culinary is what fuels Fort Frances local Martine Calomino to repeatedly put together bake sales that fundraise for cats and dogs in the district. The Town of Fort Frances is home to two distinct organizations aimed at finding permanent homes for animals, Best for […]

By Liam Oliver Neilson
Staff writer
lneilson@fortfrances.com

In keeping with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, several local agencies are preparing to host a household items giveaway. Every International Women’s Day is given a theme to inspire action within communities. Previous iterations have seen slogans such as “Accelerate Action” in 2025 or “Inspire Inclusion” in 2024. This […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY —Lakehead University’s School of Nursing will create five new primary care nurse practitioner education spots this year thanks to funding announced by the province. The province announced this week it is investing $30 million to expand the primary care workforce across Ontario, including a $1.3-million infusion in Thunder […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
SNnewswatch.com

NESKANTAGA — The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has decided not to conduct an assessment of the Eagle’s Nest mine project in the Ring of Fire, and at least one First Nation chief in the region is unhappy with the decision. A thorough impact assessment must be done because […]

By Jacqueline M. St. Pierre
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Manitoulin Expositor

NORTHERN ONTARIO — Bill 72, Ontario’s Buy Ontario Act arrives wrapped in the warm language of resilience, its promise simple and seductive: keep supply chains close, keep dollars at home, keep Ontario strong. But in the North, where distance is a fact of life and economies grow along different fault […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Potential impacts on ground-water, tourism, mental health, as well as the prospect of truck crashes involving radioactive materials, are among a myriad of concerns being formally raised in response to a proposed underground nuclear waste storage site near Ignace. The concerns are included in the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s […]

By Andrew Fung
FSRA’s Executive Vice-President, Pensions
From the Ontario Community Newspaper Association

For young families and those just starting out in their careers, the thought of retirement might be the furthest thing from their minds. The hustle and bustle of daily life is the priority – preparing dinner, getting the kids to activities like hockey, gymnastics, dance, or taking the dog for […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
NWOnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — Ontario First Nations leaders continue to push for resources to improve housing. That’s according to Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, who helped open the 23rd edition of the First Nations Housing Conference on Tuesday. “Before the tariff war that has impacted … the economy in different ways, […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

A three-stage development plan for the Northern Road Link project is entering its final stage with its fifth series of open houses underway. Qasim Saddique, project co-lead representing Marten Falls First Nation, was on hand for the first of the open house sessions at the Italian Cultural Centre on Tuesday […]