By Abdul Matin Sarfraz
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

Senior members of the Trump administration praised Canada for wildfire coordination on Friday at the G7 meeting in Toronto, while downplaying climate science and pushing forest management as the main solution to cross-border smoke. At a press conference in Toronto, administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin said recent […]

By Steven Sukkau
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Sun

Two Manitobans whose lives were forever changed by dangerous driving are sharing their stories with young people across the province this month, as part of Manitoba Public Insurance’s annual Friends For Life speaker series. Jon Tiessen was hit head-on by an impaired driver while driving home from watching a hockey […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY — The grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation says he’s waiting to see how the upcoming federal budget will tackle longstanding First Nations priorities. Alvin Fiddler helped open the 2025 NAN Chiefs Fall Assembly in Thunder Bay on Nov. 4. In his opening address to the assembled […]

Times Staff

Visitors to the Rainycrest Long-Term Care Home are being warned of an outbreak of respiratory illness in the facility’s west wing. Riverside Health Care, in conjunction with the Northwestern Public Health Unit, declared the outbreak Thursday, immediately implementing visitor restrictions and masking protocols. Residents may only have two visitors or […]

By James Matthews
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
jmatthews@fortfrances.com

Fort Frances is weighing whether or not to increase insurance deductibles, but at least one councillor believes a possible increase should be held off a little longer. During Monday night’s meeting of Fort Frances Town Council, Councillor Wendy Brunetta said council should reconsider the idea of increasing insurance deductibles. A […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

TORONTO — Ontario’s premier and Indigenous affairs minister say support for mental health in First Nations is not tied to signing resource development deals. Doug Ford and Greg Rickford were among those on hand at Queen’s Park on Oct. 29 to sign a new partnership agreement with Webequie First Nation […]

By Clint Fleury
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY –  Without an increase in larger-scale housing projects, the city won’t meet its 2025 housing target of 675 units, according to the city’s director of development services, Joel Depeuter. “We are currently not on track to meet that target, though we expect to meet, to exceed last year’s performance,” Depeuter […]

By Mike Stimpson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thunder Bay Source

TORONTO — Ontario’s mines minister says its new streamlined permitting process for the resource sector is necessary, but that’s not how North Spirit Lake Chief Brandon Rae sees it. To the contrary, he told a news conference Wednesday at Queen’s Park, “what it really does is weaken consultation” and silence […]

By George Lee
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Macleod Gazette

When it comes to Alberta’s schools and classrooms, you don’t need a task force to know which way the wind blows. That was part of Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi’s message — minus the metaphor mangling — on Monday in his first-ever question period exchange on the floor of the Alberta […]

By Ed Hitchins
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Energeticcity.ca

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John resident Edwina Nearhood continues to crush barriers, enjoying life as a grandmother and making banana bread in the afternoons. What is extraordinary about Nearhood’s story is the fact she became blind following a heart transplant in September 2022 when she “traded her […]

By Connor McDowell
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Brandon Sun

Ranchers have finished the year with a strong sense of optimism, according to the president of the Manitoba Beef Producers. Following another season of high sales prices, cow producers are feeling hopeful and positive about their industry, Matthew Atkinson, organization president, told the Sun. “It’s an optimistic group of folks […]