By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

LONGLAC — A ceremony this week in Longlac to observe the renaming of a local road is another step forward, Greenstone’s mayor says. The municipality says about 25 people gathered on Tuesday to mark the name change of the thoroughfare formerly known as Indian Road. It has been renamed Nishnabe […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

IGNACE — The transportation of nuclear waste hundreds and thousands of kilometres to a proposed burial site is not covered in the project’s first formal public description. Environmental advocates and those opposed to the deep geological repository, or DGR, being planned in the Ignace area say they want to see […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Fort William First Nation issued a “reminder” this week about an ongoing recall of certain types of Pillsbury Pizza Pops products that have been linked to E.coli bacteria and some Canadians becoming sick. “Some recalled products may still be in household freezers,” a bulletin posted to the community’s website said. […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

The Indigenous business landscape in Northwestern Ontario has seen a year of business formation and diversification, which is moving beyond the traditional resource service model. Jason Rasevych, president and founder of Anishnawbe Business Professional Association (ABPA), said 2025 was a year of qualitative growth with a surge in technical trades, […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO — Representatives for the region’s municipalities are throwing their support behind new provincial rules they say can help fill needed labour gaps. The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, or NOMA, is backing new “as-of-right” rules the Ford government said went into effect at the beginning of the new year. […]

By Carl Clutchey
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Allowances for wetlands, some wildlife species like bats and turtles, as well as shoreline access, are included among 25 conditions that must be met before a residential subdivision that would overlook Lake Superior’s Black Bay can receive final approval. The proposed Grann Drive development, which would contain about 50 lots […]

By Natasha Bulowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s National Observer

From avian flu to diseases that kill off oysters and invasive pests decimating trees, Canada’s food safety agency is facing an ever-increasing list of challenges to its job performance that are multiplying with climate change. In a detailed statement to Canada’s National Observer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) broke […]

By Matt Prokopchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TBnewswatch.com

GRASSY NARROWS — The chair of a group of six First Nations says the latest step for a proposed nuclear waste site is yet another cause for concern. Rudy Turtle, with the Land Defence Alliance, says it’s the newest bit of news that’s worrying Indigenous communities concerned about the environment […]

By Sandi Krasowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chronicle-Journal

Thunder Bay’s waterfront business district saw the reopening of Red River Road this past year after extensive construction during 2024 to replace underground infrastructure and renew the streetscape. While construction is not yet fully complete, Kara Pratt, Waterfront Business Improvement Area executive director, said it has been encouraging to have […]

By Maggie Macintosh
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Winnipeg Free Press

Banaise-Kwe Henry is battling homesickness so she can return to the southern shores of Lake Huron to help raise her nephew and his peers in Anishinaabemowin. “Nigaan-inaabidan,” is the phrase that comes to mind for the 19-year-old when asked to describe her mission in Manitoba. “It means, ‘to think ahead […]

By Thomas Kent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a new way to tackle one of the world’s most persistent forms of pollution: microplastics that slip through wastewater treatment plants and into rivers and lakes, and eventually into the food chain. The team has engineered bacteria already found in wastewater systems […]

By Thomas Kent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Woolwich Observer

New federal food regulations taking effect last week will significantly increase the amount of vitamin D added to several everyday foods sold in Ontario, including milk and margarine, as part of a national effort to address widespread vitamin D deficiency and improve long-term bone health. Under updated rules announced by […]