Our next story memorializes a man many of you may have come across. Peter Pickersgill's political cartoons and illustrations appeared in countless newspapers, including the Toronto Star, The Ottawa Citizen, Le Devoir and community papers across this province. Pickersgill was also a commentator on CBC's The Sunday Edition and Fisheries Broadcast...and he had a special dedication to outport Newfoundland - especially his beloved Salvage. Peter Pickersgill passed away earlier this week. Jeff Mierins was a good friend and associate of Peter's, and h spoke with Newfoundland Morning's David Newell.

it's March. The days get a bit longer, Spring is just around the corner, and for some, plans for traveling are in full swing. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it's that we need to take special measures to stay well - especially when traveling. But as our next guest will tell us, when we hop on board a plane or cruise ship, there is more than Covid to think about. Christina Tulk is a pharmacist based in Corner Brook.

Improve your cookout skills with tips from Gander's Chef Josh Boyd.

Justin Barbour is no stranger to long wilderness adventures. He goes by the name "Newfoundland Explorer," and he's earned it. Barbour has hiked 700 kilometres through Newfoundland wilderness and he's canoed a thousand kilometres through Labrador and northern Quebec. But his upcoming adventure will take things to a whole other level. Expedition Northeast is a never-before-attempted continuous crossing of northeastern Canada.

Anyone who has travelled from one end of Canada to the other will probably tell you that it's a beautiful trip...and it's a LONG one, whether you drive or take a flight. Marlene and Peter Tabaczuk started their ride cross the country on bicycle on May 28th in White Rock, B.C. They did it in memory of their late son and completed the trip this past weekend in St. John's.

This Friday is Family Literacy Day, a day to celebrate how important reading and literacy are in all of our lives. The Murphy Centre in Gander couldn't wait to celebrate. So they've organized a special PJ storytime TONIGHT. They have some help from several community partners. Diane Vey-Morawski is with The Murphy Centre in Gander.

From Broadway all the way back to Airport Boulevard...A new production of Come From Away, featuring some of the original cast members, is staging a summer-long residency at the Joseph R. Smallwood Arts and Culture Centre in Gander. Yesterday, producer Michael Rubinoff announced the cast and creative team behind "Come From Away, You Are Here."

The Blomidon Golf and Country Club in Corner Brook has been singled out for a big honour. Last week, Golf Canada named them as the recipient of the “Grassroots Junior Program of the Year” award, for their efforts to welcome young golfers to the sport. Wayne Allen is golf pro coach with Blomidon. Rosie Allen is a junior golfer.

Team Canada captured a World Junior Ball Hockey Championship last week in the Czech Republic, thanks in part to nine young women from this province. Assistant captain Alyson Thomas is originally from L'Anse au Clair and centre Jenni Simpson is from Glovertown.

Cast and crew of the Buenos Aires production of Come From Away came to Gander to see the show and to visit the places that inspired the musical. Patricio Whitis is the assistant director of the Buenos Aires show, and is a swing performer when needed.

Friday will mark six months since post tropical storm Fiona ripped through parts of the southwest coast. In Port aux Basques, the town is still rebuilding -- both homes and infrastructure. Leon MacIsaac is town manager in Port aux Basques. CBC's Caroline Hillier went for a drive with him.

Many people look to a hot cup of tea or coffee to give them a boost each morning. But a Steady Brook couple opt for something much colder. They jump into the Humber River - and they do that all year long. Wellness coach Jane Hogan started to do the all-weather dips for her own health, and now her husband Noel joins her. CBC's James Grudic took a dip in the river with the Hogans, then immersed himself in the warmer waters of a hot tub!

Dog owners know you're supposed to pick up after your pet, but lots of those dog poop bags still end up where they shouldn't. Professor Tony Walker at Dalhousie University in Halifax specializes in plastics and plastic pollution, and he's written a paper that's all about dog poop bags.

The RCMP has been granted an extension by a judge in Corner Brook to hold onto items they seized after Jennifer Hillier-Penney went missing six years ago. Bed sheets, pillow casings, gloves and other items are allowed to remain in police custody for another year. The items were taken from Dean Penney's home, from a cabin owned by the former couple, and from a vehicle in the weeks after Hillier-Penney's disappearance. But the latest update doesn't provide much comfort to Hillier-Penney's daughter, Marina Goodyear. She spoke this week with the CBC's Ariana Kelland, about her mom, the case, and Goodyear's relationship with the RCMP.

It's a lot more than welcome baskets...and now, it's even more than a Grand Seduction. A true arms race is heating up in rural Newfoundland as councils try to woo doctors to THEIR towns. CBC's Garrett Barry has been looking into this.

Last week, we brought you a story about proposed wood harvesting in an area south of Gander Lake. The two areas where the provincial forestry department wanted to allow cutting are within the boundaries of the Rodney Pond proposed ecological reserve. The Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council (WERAC) identified the area in 2020 as deserving of protection. The deadline for public comment on the proposal was last Thursday and, on Friday, the forestry department withdrew its application. Don Ivany is director of programs with the Atlantic Salmon Federation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Today is Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. The genetically inherited condition puts people at increased risk of a number of cancers. April Hallikas is from Deer Lake, but now lives in Alberta.. She has Lynch Syndrome, she's had cancer, and so has her brother. Hallikas also lost her mother and sister to cancer. Many of Hallikas' aunts, uncles, and cousins have tested positive for Lynch Syndrome. Bernice Hillier spoke with her and with Jane Green, who holds a PhD for her research on clinical and genetic screening programs for hereditary cancers. Green is now a professor emeritus at Memorial University.

The demand for affordable housing in this province is great, and the supply is low, so people are getting more and more worried about being homeless. Municipalities have a significant role to play in addressing the problem. Deatra Walsh is the Director of Advocacy and Communications with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador. Jen Crowe is the Manager of Strategic Initiatives with Choices for Youth. The organizations have collaborated on provincial research to address housing and homelessness in rural parts of the province.

Stephenville Mi'kmaw artist Marcus Gosse was feeling excitement and anticipation, as a one-ounce, pure silver coin displaying his art was officially launched. The Royal Canadian Mint contacted him in November to design the coin for their generation collection. He spoke with the CBC's Colleen Connors.

Last week on Newfoundland Morning, we spoke with Julia Hawkins of Summerford. She told us how the town issued removal orders to several residents who own livestock in the small town. Hawkins was given 30 days to remove her pony, Sparks, and its barn. For the past week, residents have been protesting at the Town Hall to be able to keep their farms and animal friends. Katie Anstey has been a part of the protests, and she spoke with the CBC's Gavin Simms.

With the new school year starting, you or someone you love may be looking for a little extra help with learning. A province-wide network of tutors is available - with free help, if it's needed. Aneesh Sasikumar is the executive director of the Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador. He’s spent the summer working hard to ensure the students who need help get it.

This is Pride Month, and we wanted to do something to increase understanding of the LGBTQ community. Quinn Jesso (she/her) is a member of the queer community who is sharing with us based on her personal experience. Today, she tackles the subject of gender dysphoria.

We've heard a lot about the health care situation in Bonavista in recent weeks. The closure of the emergency room there due to a lack of physicians has resulted in weekly demonstrations, and even a claim by one family that their loved one died after being diverted to Clarenville for care. The Town also announced it would offer incentives for doctors interested in practising in the area. Now the province is offering its own incentive packages in hopes of attracting new doctors. John Norman - the mayor of Bonavista - is hopeful the efforts will make a difference.

Each Spring, many towns in the province offer bulk garbage collection so you can get rid of the things you no longer need or want. For pickers like our own Chérie Wheeler, that's like a curbside buffet of free shopping. But finding treasure in someone else's trash may not come naturally to some people. So Chérie came back with tips on finding useful items on the curb - and some good etiquette rules to follow.

An attack against the ferry SS Caribou in the Cabot Strait during during the Second World War killed 137 people, including women and children. A German U-boat torpedoed and sank the vessel on October 14, 1942. Neil Burgess, president of the Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland & Labrador, spent the last three years researching all about the Caribou - and putting together an exhibition about the ship that will live online. He's launching the exhibit this weekend.

Between 1933 and 1945, over six million Jewish people were killed by the Nazi regime and its supporters. The Holocaust was a deliberate and systematic genocide of Jews that decimated almost two thirds of Europe's Jewish population. January 27th is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, dedicated to remembering and honouring the millions of live taken and impacted by the Holocaust. Rabbi Chanan Chernitsky is the Director of the Chabad of Newfoundland.

Hockey NL is starting a new initiative across the province to protect junior officials from verbal abuse. From now on, young hockey referees will wear a green arm band so that players, coaches and parents will know they are minors. The hope is, people will check their anger before they scream at a young referee. Ed Flood is the referee-in-chief with Hockey NL and over sees all officials in the province. Brian Sansome is with the Corner Brook Minor Hockey Association - where they've already started to use the arm bands on the ice.

It was a big hockey weekend in Corner Brook. THREE female provincial championships were held, all at once, at the Corner Brook Civic Centre. It's a first for hockey in the province. Tracey Hatcher is chair of female hockey with Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador. Makayla Bugden was a member of the Under-18 Western Warriors team. They spoke with Bernice Hillier on Friday.

The Canadian labour force in 2022 was nothing if not tumultuous. There were strikes across the country, services cut because of worker shortages and labour rights gained during the pandemic were rolled back. Newfoundland's Lana Payne became the first woman president of Unifor...the country's largest private-sector union...in 2022. CBC's Leigh Anne Power spoke to her about where the workforce stands as we head into a new year.

Let the bands play on. A Pasadena man who’d been ordered by his town to stop holding house concerts says there’s now a way to keep the music going.

The 1977 movie Orca, which was shot in Petty Harbour, tells the story of an angry killer whale that attacks humans and their boats, sinking some of them. Now, off the coast of Spain and Portugal, the movie seems to be coming to real life. Orcas have been attacking and damaging vessels, and researchers are trying to figure out why. DFO whale expert Jack Lawson speaks with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

With the high cost of groceries, it's not hard to believe that families are struggling.Charities such as food banks are doing their best to keep up with the demand. For the past few weeks, there's been a spring food drive across Newfoundland. Tina Bishop is with the Community Food Sharing Association, which helps to supply food banks across the province.

Most of us don't think too much about the names of our towns or cities. Mostly, they've just always been the same. But place names have the power to make people feel included, or excluded. Lauren Beck is Canada Research Chair in Intercultural Encounter at Mount Allison University. She's written a book called Canada's Place Names and How to Change Them.

There's a new book out that you might want to put on your summer reading list. If you're a hockey fan, you definitely WILL want to read the new book, Go Cats Go - it focuses on the long history of the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts hockey team. Roy Oldford wrote it.

You'd need more than a chairlift to catch up to White Hills in the Mackenzie Top Peak competition. The Canada-wide contest, which offers 100-thousand dollars to the winner, gauges how invested communities are in their local ski hill, by collecting votes and online examples of community spirit. It's the first time a resort from this province has made the top 10, and Clarenville's ski hill just finished Round One with a mighty lead. Keith Fillier is a town councillor in Clarenville, representing the town on the White Hills Board of Directors.

Walk into any airport, restaurant or supermarket these days and you'll notice that not many people are wearing masks anymore. And few people still bother to stand six feet apart or sanitize their hands in public places. But the Covid-19 death count continues to climb, and new variants are emerging. Dr. Lisa Barrett, an immunologist and professor at Dalhousie University, discussed how we can tell whether a pandemic is ending...or not.

In a world with volatile energy prices, inflation and a changing attitude toward the traditional workplace, it can be tough to predict the future. But, the Conference Board of Canada is doing its best to draw a picture of what this province will look like in 2045.Ted Mallett is the Board's economic forecaster, and he spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Beginning today, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador was scheduled to hear a case that could change the lives of thousands of people with claims to Mi'Kmaq ancestry. The plaintiffs in the case once held Indigenous status. A 2013 agreement between the federal government and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians took that status away. Now, the plaintiffs are in court to have that 2013 deal thrown out. CBC's Leigh Anne Power has been covering this story.

He'll walk your dog, feed your hen and even administer medicine to your horse. James Kelly is from the Clarenville area, and he recently started up a business called Muckypups NL...and he's covering all the bases when it comes to animal-sitting. CBC's Gavin Simms asked him about it.

On Monday, we heard from psychologist Dr. Tanya Lentz. She was critical of remarks made in the House of Assembly last month by Minister of Health Tom Osborne. He highlighted programs offered by his department, around mental health care. Dr. Lentz said the minister seemed unsure about what LONG TERM mental health care involved. We got Osborne's reaction.

Investing in the stock market is daunting for many. They ask: how much money do they need to get the ball rolling, and are online investment apps something we should trust with our hard-earned money? Erin Oldford is Associate Dean of Undergrad Programs and Accreditation at Memorial University. Nathan Young is a commerce student and a co-portfolio manager with The Fund, Memorial’s student-managed investment fund.

Protesters have been blocking access to a test site near Mainland on the Port au Port Peninsula for weeks now. The site is being developed by World Energy GH2 for a massive wind-hydrogen project. Last week, people opposing the project accused the company of creating problems with their supplemental water supply. World Energy GH2 says protesters have erected an illegal fence preventing contractors from accessing the area. On Wednesday, the company released a statement claiming vandalism and theft of equipment at the test site. CBC requested an interview with the World Energy GH2 about these claims but were told no one was available to speak. Corporal Jolene Garland is a media relations officer with RCMP NL.

If you have children or teenagers in your life, you know that it's hard to see them sick, or in pain. Parents and grandparents would rather be unwell themselves. Until now, there hasn't been a standard of care for how children and teens are treated for pain. Canada has just become the first country to consider pain management guidelines specifically for people under the age of 19. Christine Chambers is scientific director with Solutions for Kids in Pain.

We've heard a lot about drug overdoses in this province over the past month or so, about their devastating impact, and how they can be prevented. The Substance User Network of the Atlantic Region, or SUNAR, says people who use drugs or have used drugs need to be part of that conversation. Jill Harnum is the regional peer lead for SUNAR. Sylvia Newhook is a peer outreach worker, they spoke with CBC's Martin Jones.

An old building in the heart of Corner Brook has gotten a facelift and a whole new purpose. We'll hear how the mill's old HR building is now a state of the art Centre for Research and Innovation.

A new year is a chance for a fresh start and a new chapter. No doubt, that's something that many people on Newfoundland's Southwest coast are hoping for. The region was devastated by Hurricane Fiona in late September. Brian Button is the mayor of Port aux Basques.

More than a quarter of the people in this province do not have a family doctor. Without access to primary care, those patients put a lot of pressure on emergency rooms. When emergency rooms are closed or diverted, people have to rely on virtual care...or get no care at all. The provincial government recently announced a number of measures to make family practice more attractive for doctors. Dr.Shanda Slipp is a family physician in Corner Brook.

There was a major development on Thursday in plans for wind energy in Western Newfoundland. World Energy GH2 announced that it's bought the Port of Stephenville. The company wants to build wind turbines in several areas of the West Coast, and produce hydrogen and ammonia at a plant in Stephenville. Sean Leet, managing director and CEO of World Energy GH2 spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The global demand for newsprint continues to drop, but the general manager of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper says there's still a lot going for the province's only paper mill. Michel Girard was one of the guest speakers at last week's launch of the Centre for Research and Innovation in Corner Brook. In his remarks he mentioned the challenges and the opportunities facing the mill. CBC's Chérie Wheeler asked him about that during the event.

A woman in Springdale had a very personal reason for starting a new advocacy group earlier this year. Alisha Young is the founder of Fight for Access NL. Young uses a powered wheelchair to get around. Her challenges with accessibility helped inspire her new advocacy group, but the group is working toward overcoming more than just physical barriers.

For those of us who work Monday to Friday, it can be difficult to balance all the things we need to do in a week. Doctors' appointments, meetings with teachers and special occasion celebrations have to be squeezed in between hours at the office. That's why some countries are leaning toward shortening the work week to four days instead of five. 4-Day Week Global is an advocacy group that's behind several pilot projects testing out the shorter week. Dale Whelehan is the group's CEO, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Corner Brook author Shelly Kawaja won the BMO Winterset Award last week, for her debut novel, The Raw Light of Morning. The award is the most lucrative literary prize in the province, with the winner receiving $12,500. Kawaja was one of three finalists, alongside Lisa Moore and fellow Corner Brook author Meghan Greeley. We spoke with Kawaja.

In February, 2022, the Association of Psychologists in Newfoundland Labrador asked its members about their stress levels and mental health. Results showed that many psychologists - in both the public and private sector - faced burnout and considered leaving their jobs because of it. Now, results of a second survey of psychologists have just been released, and the numbers haven't improved. Janine Hubbard is president of APNL.

High school students are starting to prepare for their next steps. Two students in our listening area recently got some big news. Kaitlyn Breon of Deer Lake and Max Pittman of Corner Brook are two of the latest Loran Scholars. They tell us what the award means and how it affects their plans for after school.

Summers in Newfoundland and Labrador are short so you really have to soak up as much of it as you can. But no one can blame you if this week's humidity and heat warnings have made it a struggle. It certainly has been for Corner Brook writer Heather Huybregts.

On Monday's show, NAPE president Jerry Earle told us the province has a shortage of pilots to fly its fleet of water bombers. The union says government needs to hire at least six new people. Elvis Loveless spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

We're just hours away from the start of Labour Day weekend...the last long weekend of summer. And if you're like Corner Brook writer Heather Huybregts, it's a great time to enjoy every moment of it. But there's one big hurdle for the mom-of-two...department stores.

Things are slowly returning to normal in Nova Scotia. We hear from a Newfoundlander living outside Halifax about how the fires there impacted him and his neighbours.

Senior hockey is back on the West Coast, and if last weekend's home openers are any indication, so are the fans. The stands were full in Port aux Basques for the Mariners game, and in Corner Brook, the Civic Centre was actually sold out and turning people away when the Royals took on the Red Wings. That's more than 3,000 seats! Those two teams will face off again tonight in the Deer Lake Home opener. Andy Brake is president of the West Coast Senior Hockey League.

Yesterday, we heard about the recent death of Bonavista man Charles Marsh. He died in an ambulance that was heading to Clarenville when the Bonavista emergency room was closed. We also heard about Marsh's daughter- who said she believes that if the Bonavista emergency room had been open, her father would still be alive. Of course, this is a very distressing series of events--especially for Bonavista residents, who've been organizing weekly protests about health care in their region. And yesterday, Bonavista MHA Craig Pardy weighed in on the situation. He spoke with the CBC's Darrell Roberts.

A racer in this year's Cain's Quest says cancelling the snowmobile race was the safest and fairest thing to do. On Tuesday, organizers called off the rest of the endurance race because of heavy rain and deteriorating conditions. One team even went through the ice. Blair Roberts is with Team Southern Labrador Racing, from L'Anse au Loup. He and his partner made it safely to the Port Hope Simpson checkpoint before the race was cancelled, and they returned back home. CBC's Chérie Wheeler reached him on Wednesday and asked him about the race.

It's a whole play with more than 15 characters, performed by one person. It's called "Hamlet (Solo)," and it's playing tonight at the Corner Brook Rotary Arts Centre. Raoul Bhaneja has been performing the Shakespeare classic ALONE for over a decade. He says when it comes to theatre production, sometimes less is more. Bhaneja spoke with CBC's James Grudic as he was checking out the stage and doing some rehearsing.

There was news out of Stephenville town council last night, on the sale of the local airport. Ottawa businessman Carl Dymond first announced plans to acquire the airport back in September of 2021.But that process has dragged on, with officials blaming the delay on a historic bankruptcy proceeding that involves the airport. That insolvency process has finally wrapped up. Last night, Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose said another milestone has been reached, in making this transaction a reality. Rose made the comments as council voted to stop giving a monthly grant to the airport corporation. That cash was helping to keep the lights on, while waiting for the completion of the sale.

Falling through ice when he was a teenager in Northern Ontario almost killed him - and his dream of making music. But Indigenous singer-songwriter Aysanabee escaped and vowed to make it in the industry. His debut album - Watin - was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and earned numerous awards nominations, including a Juno, for Contemporary Indigenous Group or Artist of the Year. Aysanabee is in this province as part of the Writers at Woody Point festival.

The strike by paramedics and emergency medical responders in Newfoundland and Labrador resulted in an emergency meeting of the House of Assembly and the drafting of legislation to classify those employees as essential workers. That legislation was signed into law yesterday, despite criticism from the province's NDP and Federation of Labour. While the strike provided another example of a healthcare system in crisis, it also shed light on the potential impact a disruption in services could have on municipalities in this province.Deatra Walsh is a sociologist and researcher who recently tweeted on the situation. Her tweet read - "Make no mistake, when systems fail, municipalities have to pick up the pieces."

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are for people truly seeking an adventure. But more and more people are going into the wilderness in search of that unique kind of outdoor fun. Ryan Crocker thought it was time to start up a festival dedicated to one of his passions. Gros Morne Splitfest is set for April 1 and 2. He joined us on the line from Woody Point.

First Nations people in this province have some new representation on the national scene. Mi'kmaw from Newfoundland now have their own regional chief at the Assembly of First Nations, or AFN. In the past, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland combined had a regional chief to represent them. Qalipu chief Brendan Mitchell has been selected as the interim regional chief for Newfoundland at the AFN.

You could say that the Town of St. Anthony is swimming against the tide. Since before the pandemic, many places across the country have faced a shortage of lifeguards. But the pool in St. Anthony - population 2,200 - has seven, with more being added all the time. We spoke with a town councillor, a pool supervisor, and two lifeguards.

This Friday marks a major milestone for Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River. Events from 40 years ago are being remembered this week by the the band. On April 21, 1983, more than 30 Mi'kmaw men from Conne River occupied the provincial offices of the Department of Rural, Agricultural and Northern Development in downtown St. John's. The band was owed hundreds of thousands of dollars for more than a year, and the money was part of a federal-provincial agreement. The occupation was put down by police, but 11 of the protesters started a hunger strike. It ended on April 30, 1983 when the government commitment for funding was honoured. Newfoundland Morning's James Grudic was in Conne River to talk about this week's commemorations.

Late last week, the Province tabled Budget 2023 and called it "Your Health. Our Priority." It was aptly titled, as the government says it's making the largest ever investment in healthcare in this province - $3.9 billion dollars. The money is aimed at increasing timely access to care and at recruiting and supporting much needed healthcare professionals. Tom Osborne, the province's minister of Health and Community Services joined us to go over the numbers.

Gander Flight Training has 16 female students from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland taking part in this year's Air Cadet Flying Scholarship. CBC's Alex Kennedy brings us this story.

Meet a treasure hunter who'll tell us about the 500-year-old find he made here in the province and why he'll never sell it. Derrick Noble speaks with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Between a rock and a hard place. We'll hear how an injured swimmer was rescued from a precarious spot at Steady Brook Falls. Stephen Decker is with Bay of Islands Search and Rescue. He was one of the volunteers on the rescue call.

Hundreds of people on the Baie Verte Peninsula rely on Rambler Metals and Mining for their livelihoods.The gold mine, founded in 2012, has now filed for creditor protection, leaving employees and shareholders wondering what's going on. Last week the company applied to the province's Supreme Court for help in sorting out its finances. CBC's Leigh Anne Power has been following the story, and joined us from our Gander studio.

This is the time of year when many of us start thinking about improving our lives and our health. Often, that means joining a gym or taking up an exercise program. But, sometimes, making a big commitment like that can be intimidating. That's where "exercise snacking" comes in. Daniel Moore is a professor of muscle physiology at the University of Toronto.

Back in 2018, a Baie Verte group was looking for funding for its Little North Brewhouse project. But government turned down their bid. Now, five years later, the microbrewery is finally open. Ryan White is CEO of Little North Brewhouse.

Nurse practitioners in private practice say they could be helping more people if they were able to bill MCP for the patients they see - and they've wanted to bill that way for years. In recent weeks, the provincial health department has announced that RNs can now prescribe medications, and pharmacists are being allowed to bill MCP with their own billing code. But patients at private nurse practitioner clinics still have to pay out of pocket. Lacey Sparkes and Travis Sheppard opened up their private nurse practitioner clinic in Corner Brook in the winter of 2022.

In 2019, a midwifery program based in Gander was announced. The program would have a team of four midwives, providing a full scope of maternity services in the Central region of the Island. The plan was for other practices to open across the entire province in the short term. But for several reasons, not much progress has been made in providing complete midwifery services. In fact, the Gander program has seen a reduction in the scope of practice for midwives. Despite that, plans are still in the works for the development of midwifery programs in Labrador and in the eastern part of the Island. Brianna Thompson is the province's Chief Midwife.

It's not starting until the second week in March, but preparations for the provincial Special Olympics winter Games are well underway in Grand Falls-Windsor. The athletes will be ready, but the venues are looking pretty brown and green instead of white at the moment. Kim McDonald-Wilkes is program director with Special Olympics in Grand Falls-Windsor.

If you've lived in NL very long, you've likely shopped at, or at least driven by a Riff's store. The chain was started by James Riff in the 1930s, in the Grand Falls area. Kaywood Elliott is challenging people to see how many of the 20 locations they can visit in NL.

Gander-born director Brad Peyton has worked with some of Hollywood biggest stars...like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Jason Momoa. 2023 is shaping up to be his biggest year yet - with the new movie Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez, in the works.

it was a tense time in Campbellton over the weekend. There was a heavy police presence in the town, and the road through the town was shut down for more than 12 hours on Saturday. Cpl. Jolene Garland is media relations officer for the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The owners of a colourful new food stand in Corner Brook borrowed the name of a Newfoundland homemade musical instrument for their new food stand. CBC's Hillary Johnson We met the owners of Ugly Stix.

An expected early start to the cruiseship season in Corner Brook hasn't worked out as planned. A visit by the Seven Seas Navigator this week had to be cancelled again, due to the "drift ice limit." Huh? Jennifer Hartley is business development manager with the Port of Corner Brook.

In Canada, if you want to become a licensed doctor of medicine, you need to set aside at least 10-15 years. It's a four-year undergraduate degree, an acceptance into an accredited medical school and then four more years of study there. Then you study and take a licensing exam, followed by a residency which could last up to seven years, depending on your specialty. But if you attend MUN's Mini Med School, you can be a medical student for just five weeks. Okay, so you won't be a doctor after it - not even close - but you will have more knowledge about medical advancements and how they can affect your future. Vernon Curran is the Associate Dean of Educational Development and a professor of medical education with MUN's Faculty of Medicine.

We talk to the Director of Health and Fitness at the Humber Community Y about the influx of people heading in to get a healthy start to the new year.

Any of us who've lost a loved one would give anything to hear their voice again. Just one more conversation with a dear friend or family member would mean so much. We can't do that, of course, but something called a "wind phone" IS bringing comfort to some people in Deer Lake. The idea came from Dr. Melanie Young, deputy mayor of Deer Lake and chair of town council's health and wellness committee.

Friday was expected to be a very big day for three students in Grey River along Newfoundland's south coast. They make up the graduating class of All Saints All-Grade. They're also the first graduating class there in six years. The last graduation was in 2017, our guests were only in grade six. So before they got all dressed up for the big night, we got Karli Young, Brayden Rose and Michael Lushman on the line from Grey River. We also spoke with Brayden's mom Annie Rose, who's also been the school secretary for 26 years.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, you might want to look northward. There's a brand new festival starting tonight in Gunner's Cove, on the Great Northern Peninsula. The musical acts this weekend include Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Payne, as well as Sean McCann as a headliner. The festival is called Food, Fibs and Fiddles. Hear about it right from Danny Pond who created the festival.

When the National Hockey League announced a new sports drink partnership last summer, no one was happier than 15-year NHL veteran Mike Cammalleri. He had been looking for a healthier sports drink option during his career - so he invented BioSteel. Now the drink is so popular, stores can't keep it on their shelves. Cammalleri says it has come full circle: invented in the NHL, and now officially licensed by the league. He spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

People at a two-day Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting in Rocky Harbour this week have focused on how to help rural communities thrive. We spoke with Canada's Minister of Rural and Economic Development, Gudie Hutchings.

Mi'kmaw people in an area of Bay St. George are being invited to join an Indigenous band there. The Port au Port Mi'kmaw band recently held a meeting, and it's now holding a membership drive. The band serves the area from Kippens to Campbell's Creek. It hasn't held many community activities in recent years. but that may change soon. Mary O'Quinn is with the Port au Port Mi'kmaw band.

We talk a lot about young people, about what's concerning them, and what we think they need to be safe. We talk less to THEM directly, to see what they need, and what's on their minds. So we decided to do that. Mackenzie Long is a Second-year Social Work student at Memorial University, and Jessica Hulan is a Second-year Music School student. Both attend the St. John's campus. Blake Pope is a Third-year student at Western Regional School of Nursing in Corner Brook.

If you or someone you know is aged 15 to 24, is interested in politics, and wants a fun and unique experience, you'll want to hear this interview. The provincial Youth Parliament for NL is taking place again this May - and there are still spots available to take part. Benjamin Wheaton is on the board of directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Youth Parliament.

A new film tells the story of a small town with a whale of a problem. Hear about Trout River and the Blue Whale. Tom Cochrane is the director, Olivia Ball is the producer of the film.

Invasive species are nothing new in Newfoundland. Moose were introduced by the government in 1904. Eastern American toads came in 1960. Now, we have snakes. Andrea Gigeroff is a PhD student at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB, and she wants to hear your stories of snake spotting.

Rambler Metals and Mining has closed its gold mining operation on the Baie Verte Peninsula.The company is in financial trouble and is under creditor protection. For people in the region, the news is tough to take, because Rambler is the peninsula's biggest private employer. Rex Bowers is the mayor of Baie Verte.

Construction is underway for the Regional Recreation Centre in Corner Brook. The site is in the middle of Grenfell Campus, replacing the previous pool and recreation building. When the Centre is finished, it will house multiple facilities, such as swimming pools and a fitness centre. It's a nearly 25-million-dollar project and funded by federal, provincial and municipal money. Jim Parsons is mayor of Corner Brook,

The City of Corner Brook has just announced a new program aimed at helping women entrepreneurs grow their businesses. It's called the "Assistance to Women Entrepreneurs of Small or Medium Enterprises Program" - or "AWESOME." Business taxes could be waived for those who qualify in the startup years of a business. Pamela Gill is a councillor with the City of Corner Brook.

If you work on the ocean or on land in the marine industry, you might be a hero. That's the premise of Discovery Canada's new reality show, East Harbour Heroes. The filmmaker behind the program is Bay D'Espoir native, Wendell Collier. Here's his conversation with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

He's being remembered as a builder of the town., and as a victim of the town's hospital closures. 78-year-old Charles Marsh died last week. He was in an ambulance between Bonavista and Clarenville, while Bonavista's hospital was on diversion. Marsh's family says his death was needless.

If you've seen Son of a Critch on CBC Television, or Come from Away with the original Broadway cast, then you've enjoyed the work of Petrina Bromley. But those are just the latest and probably best-known roles she's had. Bromley has been making theatre and on-screen magic for many years. She's also had ties to Corner Brook, having worked with Grenfell Campus and Theatre Newfoundland Labrador. This week, she'll be back on the West Coast, with two shows at the Rotary Arts Centre.

We talk to the RCMP about recent reports of spiked drinks in Gander. Then we hear from a bar owner who is doing their best to protect patrons.

Most towns will do everything they can to keep, and improve, services in the local area. But the Town of Pasadena has been embroiled in controversy recently over how to do that. The Town is trying to make room for doctor's offices, something it feels is a priority. But that effort is having an impact on two other services: a family resource centre and the public library. And it's led to a lot of unhappy people.

Over the last few weeks, CBC's Martin Jones has been bringing us some lesser-known LGBTQ+ stories from around the province. And to close out his series, this week, we're travelling back to the late 1800s to meet the eccentric Charles Henry Danielle.

Shawn and Charlene Shears have seen a lot of changes since opening KOA Gros Morne more than 25 years ago.

Shanawdithit, the last-known of the Indigenous Beothuk people from Newfoundland, was only about 28 years old when she died in St. John's in 1829. Now, students at the College of the North Atlantic’s Digital Filmmaking program in Stephenville are getting ready to tell her tragic story...and they want actors to help them do it. The film is called "The Last Beothuk." Auditions will begin soon, and filming will start in late May. Peter Buckle is an instructor with the program, and the CBC's David Newell reached him in Stephenville.

The rain was supposed to taper off overnight on the Eastside of the Northern Peninsula. Now people in the area are left to deal with damage from flooding. We get an update from Ken Reid - the mayor of Roddickton-Bide Arm and Stephanie Fillier, the mayor of Englee.

Tuesday, Feb 21 is the United Nations International Mother Language Day. Across Canada, many Indigenous people have missed out on learning or speaking their mother language with pride. But there are signs that people are actively reclaiming their Indigenous languages, and the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network has been doing its part to help. The Canadian specialty channel has an award-winning campaign called "Speak With Pride." Lisa Ducharme is director of online content with APTN.

We're really feeling the heat lately, with heat warnings in many parts of the province. Hear from Dr. Monika Dutt about how to protect yourself from the punishing temperatures.

A harrowing, terrifying drive. One mom's 90 minute journey to get care for her sick daughter. CBC's Garrett Barry tells us how an emergency room diversion in Bonavista caused one family to take the highway to Clarenville when her daughter was seriously sick.

One of Corner Brook's own is being recognized by the province for helping others. He's being given the province's highest honour - the Order of Newfoundland. David Elms speaks with CBC's Hillary Johnson.

A Mi'kmaw chief in Newfoundland has spoken to CBC about the controversy surrounding the president of Memorial University. Mi'sel Joe is chief of the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River. Over the past week, CBC has brought you stories about the claims to Indigenous heritage that have been made by MUN president Vianne Timmons. She has publicly claimed that an ancestor several generations back was Mi'kmaw from Conne River. At times over the years, she has listed on her resume that she was a member of an unrecognized Mi'kmaw band in Nova Scotia. CBC has investigated and determined that any Mi'kmaw ancestor in Timmons' genealogy is nine or ten generations back. And Timmons herself has said she was not raised to know her Mi'kmaw roots, nor was she raised in the Mi'kmaw culture. CBC's Bernice Hillier spoke with Chief Mi'sel Joe and asked him for his view on how Vianne Timmons has handled the matter of Indigenous ancestry.

Minister of Health and Community Services Tom Osborne made a big promise: that government will keep both obstetrics units open in Central Newfoundland. Osborne revealed the news in an interview with the CBC's Troy Turner.

Fireworks can be beautiful and can add sizzle to a special occasion. But they can also harm pets, children with autism, or military members with PTSD. Canadian Forces member Dave Galant has started a petition to limit the use of fireworks in Gander.

Tom Osborne, provincial minister of health and community services, speaks with CBC's Leigh Ann Power about the plans for an influx of federal money to the province's health care system.

The history of the First World War is well known to many people, but our next guest is telling - for the first time - stories of soldiers you may have never heard about. Sarah Worthman is a freelance researcher focusing on queer history. Her new report is called "2SLGBTQ-plus Persecution and the First World War: The Untold History of the Canadian Expeditionary Force." It's a dark look an how queer people were treated in the military at the time. Worthman spoke with the CBC's Melissa Tobin.

It's an exciting day for movie lovers in Gander. For the first time in more than 15 years, the town will have a movie theatre. The Globe Theatre opens its doors this evening for its debut showing -- The Super Mario Bros. movie. The theatre is located in the airport and is run by the International Lounge Foundation. Stephanie Power is chair of the foundation.

For the past 10 years, Freezerland has been bringing the flavours of Newfoundland and Labrador to Brampton, Ontario. It's where any ex-pat could get their fix of salt fish, Pineapple Crush or Jam Jams. But now the two sisters from Newfoundland who own the business are ready to retire - and Freezerland is up for sale. CBC's Cherie Wheeler called the shop and spoke with owners Cassie Park and Amanda Osmond.

It's been a bumper year for the northern lights. People across the country, from Calgary to Toronto, to right here in Newfoundland, have been seeing the lights in unusual places this year. The aurora borealis, as it's called, has been particularly striking because of stormy activity on the sun. But it's probably nothing to worry about. Nathalie Ouelette is an astrophysicist at the University of Montreal.

It's the 20th anniversary of the commissioning of the HMCS Corner Brook and some crew members are in town to celebrate this milestone. CBC's Hillary Johnson attended the meet and greet at City Hall yesterday and spoke with Commander Eric Isabelle.

Mi'kmaw chiefs in southwestern Newfoundland are asking for the help of a mediator to resolve conflicts over wind energy. We hear from Jasen Benwah of the Benoit First Nation, and Peggy White of Three Rivers Mi'kmaw band.

A snowmobile racing event in Corner Brook on the weekend took place right in the middle of the city. The Western Sno-Riders' Snow Pitch 2023 featured riders racing around an improvised track on a softball field. For the first time, there were enough riders for a women's division.

A frequent flyer to Deer Lake Regional Airport won't be travelling there this year. WestJet usually offers direct flights to and from Toronto from April to October. But the airline has pulled out of many Atlantic Canada routes, at least for now. Deer Lake is still being served by Air Canada, PAL, Flair and Swoop. Tammy Priddle is CEO of the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority.

Northern Gannets were among the hardest hit by the avian flu last year. It became a common sight to see bodies of the bright white birds washed ashore - on the island of Newfoundland and in several other parts of the world. Scientists around the globe recently took part in a study of H5N1's impact on the species, One notable finding was that the virus turned the eyes of infected gannets from bright blue to black. Seabird biologist Bill Montevecchi was a part of the study.

A 17-year-old from St. John's is a bona fide Tik Tok sensation! Ty O'Dea's comedy videos have been watched more than 97 million times. He uses his quick wit, puns, and one-liners to entertain his million and a half followers. Ty and his mother, Lisa Lahey spoke with us about Ty's social media celebrity.

Nurse practitioners in private practice in Newfoundland and Labrador aren't seeing eye-to-eye with the health minister right now, and the Association that represents them is speaking out about it. We heard recently from nurse practitioners in private practice who have to charge patients out-of-pocket, instead of billing the public health care system. They'd like that to change, but health minister Tom Osborne told CBC that it's NOT something government is looking at right now. The Newfoundland and Labrador Nurse Practitioner Association represents ALL nurse practitioners in the province -- both salaried employees of the health authority, as well as those in private practice. Margot Antle is president of the Association.

If you want to catch a glimpse of what Rose Blanche, or Fogo, or St. Anthony looked like many years ago, our next guest can help you out. Yvonne Sullivan loves history and culture. She worked for more than 35 years in the Newfoundland Collection of the public library, so she knows where to find things. And she loves to share what she discovers, especially old photos.

A one-stop shop connecting customers and local food producers in Western Newfoundland. That's how Food First NL describes the Western Food Hub - a project aimed at addressing food insecurity in this province. The Western Food Hub is celebrating its Grand Re-Opening today in Corner Brook. Josh Smee is the CEO of Food First NL.

The Old Cottage Hospital in Norris Point will be the setting for a cultural exchange event this weekend. It's called "Stay Where You're At, 'Til I Comes where You're To" - and will include over a dozen international students from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. The two-day event will include cultural displays and presentations, music and more - not to mention a Newfoundland breakfast complete with fish cakes and toutons. Melissa Halford is the ESL co-ordinator who oversees English Language programming at Grenfell Campus. Joan Cranston is the co-ordinator for the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation. Both are organizers of the event.

One year ago today, Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russians expected to sweep into Kiev within days and install a pro-Kremlin puppet government. But Ukrainian president Volodomir Zelenskyy rallied his citizens, and the smaller country has been fighting back ever since. Early in the war, Newfoundland and Labrador filmmaker Brian O'Dea visited Ukraine to document the stories of those brave people.

Short-term rental sites such as Airbnb have gotten more popular in small Newfoundland and Labrador communities. They make things easier for tourists. But some people blame Airbnb's for the problems in the housing market. In April, the provincial government introduced regulations to govern short-term rental properties. But now, some property owners say the new regulations are confusing…and could spell trouble for the next tourism season. The CBC's Darrell Roberts broke that situation down for us.

You have to know our histories and folklore to properly understand who we are today. Dale JarvIs knows a thing or two about that. He's an author and the executive director of Heritage NL, and he was also the keynote speaker at this year's Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador Symposium. His presentation looked at how folklore is at the heart of regional identity, sharing stories and how we plan for the future.

Central Health wants to bring more midwives to Gander, to ensure its stalled midwifery program keeps going. The program started in 2019, but with obstetrics services diverted to Grand Falls-Windsor, midwives were no longer able to attend births. Last month, the provincial health minister promised that Gander's obstetrics unit will stay open. Brianna Thompson is the province's chief midwife with the Department of Health and Community Services.

Normally, softball players in Corner Brook are on the field warming up their arms for summer play, but they can't do that yet this year. The Fred Basha Memorial Softball Field was damaged over the winter, when it was used for snowmobile races. It's being repaired now, but players and organizers don't know if it will be fixed in time for their season. CBC's James Grudic went to the field and spoke to the presidents of the men's and women's leagues.

The Town of Bonavista has just revealed its NEW approach to short-term rentals, such as AirBNB. Two months ago, town council attempted to ban new people from getting in on the rental market. It has now relaxed the process and and re-opened applications, but with some conditions. CBC's Garrett Barry has been digging into the issue.

A colourful and joyful tradition from India was celebrated in Corner Brook last week. Holi is one of the most significant festivals in India. It's also known also as the Festival of Colours and the Festival of Love. Holi is celebrated on March 8th each year and marks the beginning of spring time. Part of the tradition is for participants to smear each other with colourful powdered paint. It's fun, but it also has a deeper meaning. CBC's James Grudic went to Grenfell Campus where people were celebrating Holi.

Gurdeep Pandher has been making people all around the world a little bit happier for years, with his positive attitude and bhangra dancing. He lives in Yukon, and he'll be in Corner Brook this week. On Thursday, Gurdeep will accept an honorary degree from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. He's bringing his talent of spreading kindness and positivity with him, and you can experience it in person if you are in town.

The new owners of the former Western Star building explain how they've tapped into the past to shape the sites future'.

With the ice floes closing in on the island, it was only a matter of time before someone spotted a polar bear. Wednesday morning, Sybil Rose of St. Carol’s woke up to find one outside her front door. CBC's Gavin Simms reached her at home on the Northern Peninsula.

A botanist and naturalist says tiny plants that grow in two barren parts of the Northern Peninsula and Port au Port Peninsula aren't found anywhere else in the world - which is why those barrens need protection.

Municipal water and sewer are things most of us in larger towns and cities take for granted. Our municipal taxes pay to keep our water taps flowing and our wastewater going where it's supposed to. But what does a municipality have to do to maintain those services? On the weekend, Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons made an address to the Corner Brook Kinsmen Club. He said, for one thing, that the cost of water treatment has gone up significantly in just the past year.

Strawberries are ripe for picking on the West Coast, and that can only mean one thing in Deer Lake. Hear from one of the organizers of the annual Deer Lake Strawberry Festival. This year is particularly special. It's their 40th anniversary. Christa Jones is on the committee that's making it all happen.

We've all seen the nine-dollar bags of strawberries and eight-dollar bags of flour at our local grocery stores. Many of us are able to avoid those prices by buying something else instead, as we wait for a sale. But for people who are struggling with even the lowest-cost basics, it's not so simple. That's why there's so much demand for help on Cortney Barber's "Neighbours In Need" Facebook page. She spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

A group of martial artists on the west coast have a new space to practise in. After years of using a borrowed space on good faith, Anchor Combat Academy has opened a gym of its own in Corner Brook. It offers classes in grappling, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as well as striking skills for people of all ages and abilities. CBC's James Grudic swung by to talk to owners Ben Cox and Colin MacMichael about their new academy....and as you can hear, things were kicking off.

Most of us take photos in the light of day, but two of our guests snapped some amazing pictures on Sunday under a clear night sky. Their photos were of the northern lights. Cheryl Patey saw them in St. Anthony Bight, on the tip of the Northern Peninsula, and Andrew Sheppard saw them from Millertown in Central Newfoundland.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are pulling out of Fogo Island. The national policing agency has told the town it will be serving the island from afar starting in September.That's when they plan to move staffing at their office on the island to a temporary part-time status. Andrew Shea is the mayor of the Town of Fogo Island.

There is little doubt that Gordon Pinsent will leave behind an indelible mark on the arts and culture of this province - and this country. He's appeared on too many stages and TV shows to mention - and won more awards than any one mantle can hold. Over a decade ago, he appeared on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, performing a dramatic reading of a memoir written by then 16-year-old Justin Bieber. We spoke with friend and 22 Minutes alumnus, Mary Walsh.

A judge has ruled in favour of the Musgrave Harbour town councillor who was removed from his position in 2022. Grant Abbott's council seat was vacated by council after he missed meetings for three consecutive months. Abbott was unvaccinated against COVID 19 and was not allowed to attend meetings in person. Council refused to give him an exemption so he could join the meetings virtually. Council also said the exemption was only for people who were away from the town for work, or who had medical or child care issues. Now, a provincial Supreme Court judge has overturned Abbott's removal and re-instated him on council. We spoke with Grant Abbott about the case.

For better of worse, a lot of things we use these days are considered disposable. You rip your shirt - you get a new one. Your toaster isn't working? Replace it. But a "repair cafe" in Corner Brook on Thursday evening will help give your goods a longer life. It works like this you show up with your item, and a volunteer with some expertise will help repair it for free. Samantha Young is with the City of Corner Brook, one of the partners in the Repair Cafe.

They started out on a Sunday afternoon berry picking trip in western Newfoundland, But the two people ended up having to stay outside in the wilderness all night long. Luckily, they were able to call for help, but just barely. Volunteers from the Bay of Islands Search and Rescue found them safe and sound. Adam Gaudet is the training coordinator with BOISAR.

A cook in Central Newfoundland says prank callers are costing money for the restaurant where she works. Kendall Saunders works at the Badger Diner in Grand Falls-Windsor. It's been getting a rash of fake orders for people who never show up, so now the diner is changing the way it does takeout.

Young baseball players in Gander weren't exactly out in the cold yesterday - despite the cooler temperatures. The Toronto Blue Jays Foundation donated 100-thousand dollars to the Minor Baseball Association... and they did it live, on Sportsnet. Rob Kelly is the vice president of Gander Baseball.

You may have had a hard time finding free lanes in community pools across the province today, thanks to Swim for Hope 2023. It's a relay, aimed at raising money for cancer research. Jill Hartle is the co-chair on the Gander Lakers Swim for Hope Committee, and Sydney Hartle is a member of the team.

Baking from scratch... We find out why the Western Environment Centre wants to teach you how to make sourdough!

An artist in western Newfoundland is using art to bring people in touch with their emotions. An art therapy workshop called Back to the Body was set for tonight at the Centre for Research and Innovation. Leader Robyn Anderson practices art therapy at Teleia Counselling and Wellness in Corner Brook.

A western Newfoundland athlete is putting in extra training time right now. 15-year-old David Adey will head to the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island this weekend. But Adey isn't just competing in one sport. He's taking part in both cross-country skiing and biathlon. Adey is the only person from Team Newfoundland and Labrador who's competing in two sports.

Bill 24, legislation to end a strike by employees of privately-owned ambulance companies, passed late last night. That was after hours of debate in an emergency sitting of the House of Assembly. It means more than 100 ambulance workers who were on strike since Friday will now be back on the job. Bill 24 met with some resistance from the provincial NDP, who blocked the proposed legislation twice yesterday. Also expressing concern over this is the province's Federation of Labour. Jessica McCormick is the group's president.

It was an eventful weekend for some snowmobilers on Newfoundland's west coast - with some tense moments for a fortunate moose. Steady Brook's Devon Knight was out riding with some friends on Sunday, when they came upon the animal that was stuck in a deep hole in the snow. The CBC's Chérie Wheeler spoke with Knight about the rescue.

Carl Barrett of Corner Brook finished a race earlier this week that sounds so extreme, it's hard to believe it's real. Expedition Canada is an adventure race in B.C. that is 580 kilometres in length. It includes trail running, mountain biking, paddling, orienteering, and rappelling. Barrett did the race as part of Team Four-Ward Motion.

Doctors say about 15 percent of people who get Covid-19 still have symptoms more than three months later. They call the phenomenon "long Covid" but, until now, there really hasn't been a clinical definition of what that means. Last week, researchers at Harvard University Medical School published a paper that outlines what qualifies as long Covid and what doesn't. Tanayott Thaweethai is the lead author of that paper, and he spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

What do Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Adele, Michael Buble, Rufus Wainwright and Weezer have in common? They've all worked with Greg Wells, an award-winning producer and songwriter whose work has helped sell over 130 million albums. Now, Wells can add a new name to his credit list: Country singer Justin Fancy from Conception Bay South. We spoke with Justin.

Planet earth is beginning a new geological age, or epoch, scientists are calling the anthropocene. This new stage reflects the warming atmosphere, changes in plant and animal populations and severe weather. When a new geological age starts, scientists look for a place that clearly shows the transition from one to the other. For the anthropocene, that place could be Crawford Lake in Ontario. Francine McCarthy is a professor of earth science at Brock University, and an expert on Crawford Lake. She spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

This week, an Angus Reid poll reported sixty percent of Canadians don't want King Charles III to be Canada's monarch. That comes as the UK will mark the coronation of its new sovereign on Saturday, May 6. Whether Canada still needs a symbolic monarch has been up for debate ever since Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died last year. But even if Canadians decide they don't want the monarchy, it turns out it wouldn't be a simple thing to separate from it. Allan Hutchinson is a constitutional law professor at York University, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Stepping up to help youth in Gander. The Town's Open Door Community Network is looking to fill board of directors and volunteer positions. We find out more about those positions and why filling them is important to young people in the area.

We're all familiar with walking a dog, but what about walking our cats? According to one cat owner, it can be very beneficial, but not without risks. Amanda Sharpe lives in Corner Brook with her two cats - technically "indoor" cats but, most days, they do get some outdoor time -- on a leash. CBC's James Grudic met up with her while she took one of her cats out for a walk.

The small outport of Gaultois on Newfoundland's south coast typically flies well below the radar... but it's been generating a lot of talk in the past few weeks. The isolated south coast town is in the midst of a resettlement vote, which ends Thursday, April 6. And while some folks might be holding their cards close to their chest, former Toronto City Councillor Jane Pitfield is openly against resettling. Jane reopened the Gaultois Inn in 2011 and has kept it going every year since, from April to October. CBC's Gavin Simms reached out to Jane Pitfield, who lives in Quebec now.

The past couple of weeks have been extra cold in Atlantic Canada - Not just on land, but on the water, too. And that makes for lots of ice. Brad Durnford is the Superintendent of Icebreaking Operations for the Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region. They oversee all the icebreaking requests for Atlantic Canada. Now they're working around the clock to keep the ports and passages clear.

The province's teachers' union is bringing members together this week to talk about issues facing the profession in this province. The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association will focus on its top priorities. Trent Langdon is the president of the NLTA.

Back in October, the provincial government announced that a one-time cost of living relief cheque would be sent to anyone who filed their income taxes and made less than 125-thousand dollars last year. Estimates from the government say that cheques have been mailed out to about 96 per cent of eligible people. The remaining four percent are still waiting for theirs. Paul Lane is the independent MHA for Mount Pearl-Southlands, and he has some concerns about the late cheques.

There's a new wind energy project being proposed. in central Newfoundland. The Exploits Valley Renewable Energy Corporation - OR EVREC - is a subsidiary of the company Abraxas. It's preparing to submit a bid to the provincial government in March. The company is leading public information sessions this week. Adam Buckle is Chief Financial Officer of Marine Group of Companies, and James Eadie is CEO of EVREC.

You've probably heard of renting a bouncy castle or a chocolate fountain for a birthday party. But a woman in Centreville is offering up something much more lively than that. She's renting out her baby goats. Keayra owns Blaze's Backyard Homestead and Hatchery.

The province's Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and Agriculture is asking people to let them know if they see dead or sick bats over the winter. Government says it's looking for to help prevent a lethal disease called white-nose syndrome, which has been known to kill several species of bats while they're hibernating. Jessica Humber is an ecosystem management ecologist with the provincial wildlife division, and she spoke with CBC's Hillary Johnson.

Most of us probably have some old printed photos at home that we look at - once in a while. The folks at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port au Port West want to help make people's photos more permanent. They're hosting photo-scanning parties - inviting members of the public to bring in their old pictures and have them scanned. CBC's James Grudic went to the church to find out about it.

Some students at Fogo Island Central Academy had a hair-raising experience yesterday - or should we say, hair-razing experience. A group of them helped raise money for Shave for the Brave. The organization helps Young Adult Cancer Canada provide programs and supports to young people battling cancer. Brooklyn Dawe is a Grade Six student and cancer survivor - and a pretty incredible fundraiser. Kristen Gill is the principal at the school.

The provincial PC party won't know who its new leader is until this fall. But the people of the province now know who TWO of the candidates will be. Lloyd Parrott had previously announced he would seek the party leadership. Yesterday, Stephenville-Port au Port MHA Tony Wakeham announced he intends to run.

New construction is happening in Flat Bay. The community is getting a brand new and much-needed band office. Unlike many communities in the province, Flat Bay doesn't have a municipal council, and the local Mi'kmaw band looks after services for the town. Joanne Miles is chief of the Flat Bay Band.

Students at Memorial University campuses are anxious today. Their professors will be on the picket line. In the last half-hour, we heard from MUNFA, the MUN Faculty Association. Neil Bose is provost and VP academic at Memorial University.

Our new series called "The Road Less Travelled" will take you to sites that hold a special something, but have been a well-kept secret all this time. Come along with us as we explore those rare gems in Newfoundland and Labrador that few have heard - or visited. Andrea O'Brien speaks with CBC's Hillary Johnson.

ICYMI, from Mar. 24: Polar bears seem to have been plentiful on the island of Newfoundland in recent weeks. "Plentiful," of course, is a matter of perspective. At the very least, there had been a fair number of sightings, from the Bonavista Peninsula, to the Baie Verte Peninsula, to the south coast of Labrador. Perry Tucker lives in Clarenville, and he recently visited his hometown of Ship Cove on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Davy Holden is a popular TikTok creator from the county of Kilkenny, Ireland, who is fascinated with the Island of Newfoundland. He creates content on the history of the island and the connections between it and his Irish heritage. Holden's TikTok profile features videos on elements of Newfoundland culture - including the accent. He's even planning to visit Newfoundland this summer to film a documentary about the Island.

When you're out and about and "nature calls" - you head for the nearest public washroom. But what sounds simple can be a challenge - and even potentially unsafe - if you're a trans person or outside the gender binary. Kaiden Dalley has personal experience with that and is working to create change, Dalley is originally from Bishops Falls and now lives in St John's. They have created an online map for gender- neutral washrooms across Newfoundland and Labrador.

People who've bought tickets at the Civic Centre in Corner Brook are being warned about what's being called a "security incident." The company that handles ticket sales for the Civic Centre has discovered some suspicious activity in its computer system. The incident also means some ticket sales for events at the Civic Centre are halted for now. Bernice checked out the details.

Drink-vending machines are nothing out of the ordinary in a shopping mall. But this one makes juice from fresh oranges -- squeezed to order. The Owner of Fresh Vend in the Corner Brook Plaza met CBC's James Grudic there for a chat, and some juice.

Leo Burke Academy in Bishop's Falls has signs on the walls encouraging people to be kind - simple but powerful goals. Students and faculty have been honoured with the 2023 Inclusive Education award from Inclusion Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Italian master Michelangelo made sculptures from marble. Newfoundland sculptor Morgan MacDonald makes his sculptures from bronze. But, this week, a class at Grenfell Campus is molding sculptures from something more unusual. They're using mycelium, which is the living root structure of a fungus. Professor Robert Hengeveld invited CBC's Chérie Wheeler to drop by and check it out.

When you call 911, you expect your call to be answered quickly. These days, it's often answered by the local volunteer fire department. Firefighters are responding to medical and police calls more often these days, especially when local emergency rooms are closed. Now, communities want their volunteers to be paid for answering calls that usually go to ambulance or police services. Mike Tiller is the mayor of New-Wes-Valley, and he's been rallying other towns for support on the issue. He spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

On Thursday's show, we heard from Bonavista Mayor John Norman. He said the town council is so concerned about the lack of physicians for their health centre, they're hoping to offer incentives to attract and retain doctors. Those include signing bonuses, and deals on prime building lots for a single dollar. Tom Osborne is the province's minister of health. He spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power about the initiative.

Technology is one of the fastest growing sectors in our province. With more jobs opening up, we'll need more people trained for them. Tech NL is travelling around the island this week to promote a new program called "Find Your Future In Tech." Robert Smith is engagement co-ordinator.

Last year this time, word of the avian influenza was just beginning to spread across Newfoundland and Labrador. The virus ended up wiping out thousands of seabirds along our shores in the summer… especially turr and gannet populations.To get the latest on the impacts of the avian flu, we contacted local seabird biologist Bill Montevecchi.

The recent faculty strike at Memorial University disrupted many regular classes for over two weeks. For students - and parents - that's a lot of missed time. They've been calling for a refund for the classes they paid tuition for, but missed, because of the strike.The university has agreed to arrange partial refunds. Dr. Neil Bose is the acting president of Memorial University in St. John's. Mary Feltham is the president of the Grenfell Campus Student Union in Corner Brook

SPCA shelters across the province are never without cats or kittens looking for a new home. But at the Exploits Valley Shelter in Grand Falls-Windsor, some have been waiting for more than six months for a forever home. Eight male cats have been dubbed The Forgotten Boys - and although they're adorable, they haven't attracted much interest from adopters. Martin visited the shelter to meet the cats and spoke with Sarah MacLeod, the social media liasion for the Exploits Valley SPCA.

The community centre in Conne River has a new space where people can access traditional medicines such as sweetgrass. it's called the Medicine Room and it is a quiet place where people can gather their thoughts, pray, and smudge. Susan Quann is the tourism and culture supervisor for Miawpukek First Nation. She showed CBC's James Grudic around the new medicine room last week.

Affordable housing is a problem in just about every town in the country, and the issue is top-of-mind for the SaltWater Community Association. It's based in Bonavista, where finding a place to rent has become near impossible. First, we spoke with Laura Sheppard, chairperson for group. Then we heard reaction from Mayor John Norman.

80-year-old Mi'kmaw activist, chief, and elder Calvin White of Flat Bay is now a published author. His new book, One Man's Journey, comes out today. It chronicles his life and the Mi'kmaw movement in Newfoundland.

The Clarenville Caribous are on a roll...with a big win last night in Ontario. A goal in overtime against the Dundas Real McCoys has earned them a spot in the Allan Cup Final on Saturday. The Allan Cup is Canada's national senior hockey championship, a trophy that has been handed out since 1909. But it's been on hold since 2020 because of the pandemic. the CBC's Leigh Anne Power touched base with Caribous' general manager Ivan Hapgood before Thursday's big game.

It was an exciting night in the Town of Lewisporte - an evening 27 years in the making, in fact. The Town and it's Heritage Society decided to crack open a time capsule that was sealed back in 1996. Yesterday, former Lewisporte mayor Betty Clarke joined us to tell us about the time capsule. This morning, she's returned to reveal what was actually inside it!

More houses condemned in Port aux Basques. Mayor Brian Button gives us the latest update on the fallout from Fiona.

Terry Fox's courage on his 1980 Marathon of Hope inspired the entire country. Now, a paralympian and captain of Canada's national sledge hockey team is using that inspiration to perform his own marathon of sorts. Tyler McGregor was scheduled to be in Deer Lake today, to circle the outdoor rink a total of 42 kilometres and continue his Skate Sledge for Hope.

The Targa Newfoundland Race the Rock auto race is revving up for another year. It's the first time in four years for the event, and this year, they're adding a new class of cars - electric vehicles. The race isn't until September, but organizers are already expecting it to be one of the biggest events to date. Paul Smith, the marketing and PR director for Targa Newfoundland spoke with the CBC's Melissa Tobin.

Forecasters said back in May we're in for an average hurricane season. Now they say that's not exactly true. Learn what we can expect on the hurricane horizon.

The high price of oil has fueled people's interest in other forms of heating, including heat pumps.1Click Heating and Cooling has been in the heat pump business in NL for the past couple of years, and it says it's noticed a steep increase in demand in just the last six months. Tim Angus speaks for the company, which goes by the name Total Energy Solutions in this province.

Picking partridgeberries in August can be pretty controversial. Most people say those berries just aren't ready until the first frost. But, until 1952, it wasn't just bad form to pick partridgeberries in August. It was actually illegal in Newfoundland and Labrador. Clarenville lawyer Greg French has been looking into a few curious laws from the province's history.

The federal government is trying to crack down on pricey virtual medical services. It's trying to stop private clinics from charging patients for most virtual visits. That's welcome news to a leading virtual clinic in THIS province. Todd Young and his Medicuro clinic have been seeing patients virtually since 2017. He does it without charging his patients, but he says provincial policies mean that some patients ARE being forced to use those expensive Canadian services.

Scary ghost stories as a part of Christmas? An actor in Corner Brook is going to resurrect the tradition, which dates back more than a hundred years.

Corner Brook went on to take the men's title, while Happy Valley-Goose Bay won the women's championship at the Provincial Broomball Championships in Stephenville last weekend. It was a rare weekend in the spotlight for broomball, a sport that has been fading away for years. But while participation has plummeted, a small number of soft-shoed, ball-bashing diehards are determined to keep it alive. Terry Roberts looks at a game that might soon be swept into the sporting history bin.

Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia was surrounded by smoke and fire this week, and residents have had to evacuate their homes. The fires are still out of control, and people are waiting to see if they can go back home, or if they’ll even have a home to go back to. Shelley Penton-Rideout is originally from Joe Batt’s Arm, and she now lives in Hammonds Plains. She and her family had to get out in a hurry on Sunday, and they were still waiting today to see what will happen.

ICYMI: The Town of Pasadena has reached out to a homeowner to resolve an issue related to house concerts. We first brought you the story last week on Newfoundland Morning. Jan Stephen is a resident of the town and had been inviting people into his own home for live musical shows. He had been charging them a fee. The Town said Stephen was operating an unlicensed concert venue, and that he did not have a permit for what appeared to be a home based business. Jan Stephen was in the process of appealing the Town's order. But a resolution seems to have been found. On Monday, Pasadena Mayor Darren Gardner spoke with Bernice.

The provincial and federal governments are putting 157 million dollars on the table to convince people in Newfoundland and Labrador to switch to electric heat. The idea is to give homeowners cash to switch over to mini-splits, heat pumps, electric furnaces and more. Bernard Davis is the province's environment and climate change minister.

This weekend is an important weekend for the Sri Lankan community in western Newfoundland. They'll be celebrating Vesak Day -- an important Buddhist holiday. One of the big traditions for Vesak Day is decorating with beautiful homemade lanterns. Lanthika Dhanapala brought one to the studio with him. He's an international student from Sri Lanka studying at Grenfell Campus.

A modern medical centre for a modern approach to health care. Deer Lake is getting a new health centre. Melanie Young is the deputy and also a family physician. She speaks with CBC's Cherie Wheeler.

It's been years in the works, but a secondary processing plant for milk could soon break ground in western Newfoundland. Plans for the facility passed the environmental assessment process on March 31. The company behind it is called The Real Dairy Company of Newfoundland, which is made up of 11 local dairy farmers and an Irish dairy company. The The Real Dairy Company plans to process raw milk to make butter and skim milk powder at a facility to be built in Deer Lake. Brent Chaffey is a dairy farmer in Bay St. George South and one of the farmers involved in the company.

A lot of scientific evidence proves that spending time in nature is good for us. The fresh air and exercise help us physically, but the peace and beauty can also improve our mental health. Now a researcher at Exeter University in the UK is taking that a step further. Doctoral candidate Alex Smalley is studying sunrises and sunsets...and why humans respond to them more strongly than other natural phenomenon. He spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Renovations to build a dream kitchen have turned into a nightmare for a Gander family.Tony and Ann Marie Norman bought TWO kitchens from Ikea early last year. But the company stopped shipping large orders to the province before all the pieces were delivered. Almost a year after they first ordered their kitchen, the family is still without all the materials they needed to finish the reno. The CBC’s Heather Gilllis brought us the story.

Government announced in late May that it is moving ahead with consultations for ten proposed protected areas, including several in Central Newfoundland. One area that some people want protected is NOT within the boundaries of a proposed protected area. "Charlie's Place" is the name given by Mi'kmaw people to an area between the northwest and southwest Gander Rivers. So where does that leave Charlie's Place?

Police are warning some cocaine on the streets in this province is laced with fentanyl. We talk to an expert about the dangers of fentanyl and what to do if you think someone has taken it. Jane Henderson is a Harm Reduction Consultant with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services.

There's a new face around Qalipu First Nation head office, as the Mi'kmaw band's new manager starts his new role. Charles Pender will oversee the work of an organization that is bigger and has a broader reach than most of us realize.

For post-secondary students, the challenges of finding affordable housing is becoming a serious problem. Recently, Grenfell Campus Student Services in Corner Brook put out a call to the community for prospective landlords or anyone with a spare room. Right now, on-campus housing is full and there's a waitlist of about 50 students. Ian Sutherland is the Vice-president (Leadership and Governance) with Grenfell Campus

The Murphy Centre is a non-profit that provides literacy and career programming in NL. The Centre is based in St. John's but has a satellite office in Gander - with another set to open on Fogo Island. The Gander Centre has a full month of programs and seminars planned for May -and best part, they are available to anyone and FREE of charge. Claire Hutchings is the provincial literacy program coordinator with the Murphy Centre. Diane Vey-Morawski is a literacy program instructor at their satellite centre in Gander.

On Thursday, we spoke with a representative of Labrador Marine, about recent cancellations of the Strait of Belle Isle ferry - the link between Labrador and the island of Newfoundland. Heavy ice pressure in the Strait has led to 34 cancelled departures so far this year. Elaine Chubbs of St. Lewis, Labrador was on her way to medical appointments in Corner Brook recently. She waited days for a crossing, and ended up going back home. Chubbs told us about the physical and emotional strain of the cancellations.

The Gander and Area SPCA is looking for people's help with four rabbits that were abandoned in the town. The shelter was alerted to the domesticated animals, which had been seriously neglected. Now, the SPCA wants people to let the authorities know if they have information about the rabbits. Bonnie Harris is the manager of the Gander and Area SPCA.

Pride Grand Falls-Windsor is spreading its message of love, acceptance, and empathy while advocating for the culture, heritage, diversity and rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Lexi MacDonald is with Pride Grand Falls Windsor. CBC's Hillary Johnson also caught up with Two Spirit Inuk Knowledge Holder Cole Kippenhuck, who is leading the conversation at a two-spirit Indigenous information session being held tomorrow.

Turning back the clock. Find out what it means when the Supreme Court says the Federation of Newfoundland Indians must go back to 2009 to reassess rejected membership applications. Helen Darrigan is one of the three people who organized and raised money for the case. She spoke with CBC's Darrell Roberts.

Gabriel Jeddore isn't quite three months old, but he's already a bit of a social media star. His dad, John Nick Jeddore, is a Mi'kmaw physician from Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River. he wants his son to learn to speak their traditional language...so, since Gabriel's arrival, Jeddore has been posting adorable baby pictures with Mi'kmaq captions online.

The Salmonid Interpretation Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor - known locally as "The Salmon Ladder" - is a great place to view the mighty fish as they swim upstream this time of year. But there's a lot more than that going on at the facility.

You may have seen a picture circulating online in the last few weeks, featuring Pope Francis wearing a big, puffy white parka. The shot generated lots of reaction...but it's not real. It was created by artificial intelligence, or AI. artificial intelligence apps can now make movies, write poems and create art. The problem is figuring out what's real and what's AI. The topic is covered in Memorial University's new Master of AI program. Oscar Meruvia-Pastor teaches in the program, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The Dymond Group of Companies has closed a deal to buy Stephenville International Airport, nearly two years after announcing a list of ambitious plans for western Newfoundland. Official documents were filed last Friday, transferring ownership of the airport to Dymond. Stephenville Mayor Tom Rose told us about his hopes for the town.

Edwin "Hockey" Gale and his wife, Geraldine of the Codroy Valley own a historic wool carding mill, in the community of Millville. Now, Heritage NL has designated the mill as a heritage site - and the couple are thrilled. They spoke with the CBC's Hillary Johnson.

If you've been trying to buy a house this year, you know that in this province, it's definitely a sellers' market. But high interest rates and inflation have been making a dent in things this year. This week, the province issued its report on the most recent home sales. Bill Stirling is CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Realtors.

As the head of Music NL, Rhonda Tulk-Lane has a pretty busy schedule. But she's taken on a new role this year, as the vice-president of the Canadian Council of Music Industry Associations, or CCMIA.

The idea for a palliative care hospice in Central Newfoundland started almost a decade ago, when a group of healthcare professionals from there saw a gap in the system. And now, ten years later, that idea has come to fruition. Peggy Hamilton is the newly-appointed executive director of the Lionel Kelland Hospice in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Last week, we heard from two nurse practitioners in private practice. One year after opening their nurse-practitioner-led clinic in Corner Brook, they still can't bill the public health care system for the patients they see. Their patients have to pay out of pocket. All of this is happening while the provincial health department expands services for which other health professionals - pharmacists for example - ARE able to bill the public system. We spoke with Tom Osborne, the province's health minister.

Since Sunday, people in Clarenville have been told they should not drink -- or otherwise consume -- town water. A motor vehicle accident near the town led to concerns about a possible fuel spill into the Shoal Harbour River. John Pickett is mayor of Clarenville.

When life throws you lemons, you make lemonade. Or in the case of Judith Graile and Wes Hyde, you make a documentary series about overwintering in Newfoundland on a sailboat. CBC's Gavin Simms reports.

A St. John's psychologist says Newfoundland and Labrador is lacking when it comes to long term mental health care. Dr. Tanya Lentz, head of the private Neurospark clinic, says the province has been focused mainly on immediate crisis response and emergency situations. Lentz says those things are important, but so is long term continuity of care to prevent emergencies in the first place for people with serious illness.

The Canada Games are set to begin in a few days. We hear from two members of Team NL who play table tennis. We'll find out why they love the sport and why we should NEVER call it ping-pong.

George Faulkner is a legend in the hockey world in this province. He was the first Newfoundlander to play professionally, when he was signed by the Shawinigan Cataracts in 1954. George is 89 now and has won a lot of accolades over the years, but recently he won the heart of Barbara Paddock. The two met at Hollett's Retirement Home in Grand Falls-Windsor, and, last month, they were married. The CBC's Troy Turner visited them.

Okay, so it may sound like a surprising cinematic focus, but an International Fly Fishing Film Festival is hitting the silver screen at Corner Brook's Rotary Arts Centre tonight. The event is being organized by fishing outfitter company Tight Loops Tight Lines, and SPAWN - the Salmon Preservation Association for the Waters of Newfoundland and Labrador. Organizers are definitely hoping to reel in a crowd. Kastine Coleman is a SPAWN board member, and also operates Tight Loops Tight Lines.

When Judy White was growing up in Flat Bay, she never imagined that one day she'd be sitting in the Upper Chamber of the Canadian Parliament. But last week, the Mi'kmaw lawyer was one of two new Senators appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Government of Canada has compiled a list of 31 so-called "critical minerals." Those resources are desperately needed for new, green technology, such as that used to make electric vehicle batteries. Newfoundland and Labrador has a long history of mining, but many of the critical minerals here have lain dormant because of low demand. But that's all about to change. James Conliffe is a geologist with the provincial government.

Memorial University students are headed back to class today, as a two-week strike by faculty members has ended. But questions remain on how the disruption in the semester will affect missed assignments and overall grading. We're joined by two students from our region. Jessica Hulan is from Grand Falls-Windsor, and in her second year at MUN. Megan Scott is from Channel-Port aux Basques, and in her fifth year of studies at Grenfell Campus.

The frequent closure of the emergency room in Bonavista has caused many people in need of urgent care to travel to Clarenville for treatment. Town officials and concerned citizens have been lobbying for a solution to the closures - and now there is some encouraging news about that facility. John Norman is the mayor of Bonavista, and he spoke with CBC producer David Newell.

Some more natural areas of the province might have protected status in the years to come. That's because the provincial environment department is pressing ahead with consultations on ten new protected areas. The areas were among those proposed by an advisory council back in 2021, in a report called Home for Nature. The Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council, or WERAC, recommended the protection of 32 sites in all. Now, this is an important step toward putting protection in place for some of them. Bernard Davis is Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

We all have places that are important to us, holding a special attachment to our families and our history. Discussions in Corner Brook on Monday and Tuesday will explore how those places become "somewhere." Peter Ride is dean of the School of Fine Arts at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. Jenny Brake is an artist, as well as Western Vice-Chief of Qalipu First Nation.

Snowboarding has grown a lot since the sport started in the late 1960's. It first became an Olympic sport in 1998. and this year, the province has its first ever snowboarding team, hitting the slopes for the Canada Games. Finn Howell of Pasadena and Meredith Hayden of Steady Brook are two of the athletes. Caroline Swan is the chair of Newfoundland and Labrador Snowboard Association.They spoke with the CBC's Melissa Tobin.

White Hills ski resort was crowned winner of the Mackenzie Investments Top Peak contest on Saturday. Dozens of ski hills started the competition, but online votes sent the Clarenville faciIity into the top three finals. Over the weekend, judges chose the resort for the top prize of one-hundred-thousand dollars. Keith Fillier is a Clarenville town councilor and is on the board of directors at White Hills.

People in Newfoundland and Labrador have a fond affection for resettled communities - and it's not just people from this province who feel that tug on the heartstrings. A couple from Ontario has worked for years to preserve a building in the resettled village of Petites, on the south coast of Newfoundland. Julia and John Breckenridge are trying to restore and maintain the old Bethany United Church, originally a Methodist church when it was built more than 160 years ago.

You can experience this province's awesome scenery on foot, on a new trail network taking shape at the very tip of the Northern Peninsula. It's called the Iceberg Trail. Christopher Mitchelmore is with St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc., the organization behind the project, and he's a fairly recent hiking convert.

This Pride Month, we wanted to do something to increase understanding of the LGBTQ community. Quinn Jesso has kindly agreed to help us with that. This time, she's talking about misgendering.

Farmers in this province have a visitor this week - and she's here to learn from them. Rebecca Lee is executive director of Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada. She's been visiting farms all week, and making connections with farmers.

A fundraiser in St. John's on Saturday will benefit a young Massey Dr. woman who lost most of her vision a few years ago when she was in high school. "Wheels for Wishes" will provide Kylie Matthews with a guide dog through the CNIB Guide Dog Program. We spoke with Kylie and her mom, Tracey Matthews.

"Recognizing those people who go unseen." That's the theme of this year's International Overdose Awareness Day. We'll talk to a parent who worries her daughter who's addicted is at risk of becoming another overdose statistic.

On April 15, 1912, the world's most famous passenger liner struck an iceberg off the Grand Banks and sank. Ever since then, people in this province have had a fascination with the doomed vessel, RMS Titanic. Next month, some students from Memorial University's Marine Institute will get to explore the legend first-hand. Joe Singleton is the interim head of ocean technology at the institute.

The RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation West (JFO West) want help from the public to fight drug trafficking and organized crime. They've started an initiative asking the public to look out for possible illegal drug activity. The idea is simple - if you see it or suspect it in your neighbourhood, call JFO West with the tip. Corporal Jolene Garland is the media relations officer with RCMP NL.

*CAUTION: STORY CONTAINS DISTURBING DETAILS* People in the small town of Carmanville, in Central Newfoundland, say a lot of disturbing things have happened there since Newfoundland and Labrador Housing opened a temporary emergency housing shelter. Local residents say there aren't enough supports in Carmanville to help the people who are living in the facility. Charlene Goodyear lives in Carmanville, and Paul Pike is the minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing, which oversees the facility in Carmanville.

Provincial health minister Tom Osborne announced last week there will be two new mobile clinics coming to help offset doctor shortages in some areas. Find out what the plan is for mobile clinics coming soon.

One of Canada's most influential singer-songwriters has died. Gordon Lightfoot passed on Monday this week at the age of 84, and his death is being mourned all across Canada. Geraldine Hollett, lead singer of the group, The Once, got to meet the legendary songsmith backstage in 2012.

A new podcast on politics and news in this province is rolling out soon- thanks to freelance journalist Justin Brake. He faced charges for his coverage of Indigenous-led protests at the Muskrat Falls site back in 2016, charges which were dismissed after an almost four-year court battle. Now, Brake is launching his new podcast - "berrygrounds." with The Independent and a podcast network called the Harbinger Media collective.

Members of sports teams form a special bond with the people they play with - on the ice and off. The Grand Falls-Windsor Blades are rallying around their teammate, Jeremiah Gill and his partner, Alexandria Hemeon. The other three teams in the Central Newfoundland Hockey League are joining in, too. Brandon Jewer and Josh Gill are Blades players - and Josh is Jeremiah Gill's brother (recording has a temporary sound quality problem).

37-year-old Matthew Ralph is the definition of a fighter. He's about to start treatment for a brain tumour - his FOURTH time battling cancer since 2008. This most recent occurrence left him with a form of aphasia, a condition that impacts language and communication centers in the brain. To make matters worse, Matthew has also been fighting to get sick leave benefits while he receives 30 rounds of radiation therapy. We spoke with Matthew's mom, Penny, who recently posted an open letter on Facebook about her son's struggle to get those benefits.

They're heading back to the rink, and hockey fans can't wait. The West Coast Senior Hockey League will start up again this weekend, Jan. 6 and 7.

On Monday's CrossTalk, Bernice hosted a show about wind energy. John Risley of World Energy GH2 and NL energy minister Andrew Parsons were among the guests. The show also heard from people both for and against the wind energy project proposed for the Port au Port Peninsula. Louise Comeau is director of climate change solutions with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. She has written about wind projects, and Bernice asked Comeau how companies and governments should go about consulting with communities near proposed wind turbine sites. Then Minister Parsons responded to some of Comeau's comments.

An elderly man in Deer Lake says he wants his money back. 93-year-old Charles Samms gave his neighbour $100,000 in 2020. Samms says it was a loan, but Jason Lush says it was a gift. Lush was an RCMP officer at the time. The CBC's Ariana Kelland went to Deer Lake for the story.

Final arguments start today in a court case that could bring major changes for Qalipu First Nation - AND it could have implications for First Nation groups all over Canada. The Friends of Qalipu Advocacy Association is challenging the supplemental agreement between the Qalipu First Nation and the federal government. That agreement changed the criteria for membership. Darrell Roberts has been covering the case, and he joined us to talk about it.

The Fish, Food and Allied Workers' union has a new president. We'll speak with him about where the industry is going in 2023.

There's been a new development in the process to protect Charlie's Place. It's an area of Central Newfoundland between the Northwest and Southwest Gander Rivers, not far from Glenwood and Appleton. Last year, Indigenous people and other residents of the area spoke out against a plan for wood harvesting in the area. They want the area to be recognized as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area. Now, as a short-term measure, the advisory council WERAC is calling on the provincial government to grant emergency protection to Charlie's Place. Graham Wood is co-chair of WERAC, the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council.

There could be a big new expansion coming to the salmon hatchery in Stephenville. Mowi, the company that owns the Indian Head Hatchery is holding a public information session tomorrow to tell people all about it. The session is part of the environmental assessment process to get government approval. The thing is, the project already HAD that approval, until a successful court challenge by an environmental group stalled things. Now, Mowi, the company that owns the hatchery, is once again pressing ahead. Ian Roberts is director of communications for Mowi in Canada.

So, you're a new medical school graduate and you need to find a residency. If you're not sure where to look, the Canadian Resident Matching Service, or CaRMS, can help. The not-for profit group connects employers with new doctors. This year, most of the residencies across the country are filled...except in family medicine. John Gallinger, the CEO of CaRMS, spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Playwright Meghan Greeley, who's originally from Corner Brook, is no stranger to critical acclaim. Her plays have been widely published and performed. Now, she'll be passing on some of her vast knowledge about writing plays. Greeley just started a position as Memorial University's Writer in Residence, and we reached her in St. John's.

The snow crab season in most areas of the province opened this week. The quota is up just over eight percent since last year, which should be a good thing. The problem is, the prices are nowhere close to last season's, which means it's not profitable for some crews to head to sea. Jason Sullivan is a harvester in Bay Bulls.

The shortage of child care in this province doesn't really hit home until you start looking yourself for care for a little one, if you're a child care provider, or if you want to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. Faith Butt and Victoria Dredge are both graduating students in Early Childhood Education at College of the North Atlantic.They and their classmates did some research recently.

Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot was laid to rest in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario on Sunday. The musician passed away last week at the age of 84. Even late into his life, Lightfoot had continued to tour, play, write, and record new music. For the last two decades, most of his new music was recorded at Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton, Ontario. It was supervised by recording engineer and music producer Amy King - who is originally from Grand Falls-Windsor. She spoke with the CBC's Jonny Hodder.

A Corner Brook man is taking on some of the best chefs in the country this weekend. David Vatcher is the only chef from Atlantic Canada competing in the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa. The charity event is in epic culinary battle that tests the creativity of chefs, as well as challenging their palates and their plating skills. But unlike TV cooking competitions, where you only cook enough for a few judges, these chefs have to cook for HUNDREDS of people, under strict conditions. CBC's Cherie Wheeler stooped by Best Coast Restaurant and asked David Vatcher about it.

A new arts space in Corner Brook is giving young people some real life experience in the music industry. Laughing Heart Music is offering workshops and mentorships so young artists can build skills, such as sound recording and marketing. It gives them a taste of all the facets of the music scene. Scott Sheppard is the youth coordinator.

The provincial budget announced measures to tackle the high cost of living - but are they helping those really in need? We hear from the province's Housing and Homelessness Network.

Today marks the start of Pride month across Canada. Today at 9 Wing Gander, the military was scheduled to raise the Pride flag, in support of the LGBT community. It's an important step for an organization that has not always been accepting of anyone who was gay, bisexual or transgender in the Forces. Gregory Lick is the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces. He was preparing to part in the flag raising ceremony.

Like many news outlets, the independent community newspaper Wreckhouse Weekly in southwestern Newfoundland attracted many of its readers thanks to its content being shared on Facebook and Instagram. Now, the parent company for those social media platforms, Meta, is blocking news content. Rene Roy is editor-in-chief of Wreckhouse Weekly.

It's day two of the strike at Memorial University. Faculty are picketing outside the St. John's Campus and Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. For students, it's another day of being caught in the middle of the labour dispute. We spoke with three students about how they are affected by it all. Jessica Hulan is from Grand Falls-Windsor, and in her first year at MUN. Mackenzie Long is originally from St. George's, and is now in her first year of studies in St. John's. Megan Scott is from Channel-Port aux Basques, and in her fifth year at Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook..

Many of us "think" we're open to talking about mental health. But the truth is, it can be hard to admit you're struggling, and it can be challenging to know where to turn. Quinn Jesso is mental health promotion coordinator with the Community Mental Health Initiative. She has organized a mental health symposium for Wednesday, Jan. 25 in Corner Brook. That is Bell Let's Talk Day, but Jesso believes we should talk about mental health all year long.

Many of us have had a taste of what life in isolation is like - thanks to Covid-19. But when it comes to REALLY living in isolation and off-the-grid, few of us have more credibility than Mike and Georgina Parsons. They are the only two people living in the resettled community of Little Bay Islands. Mike and Georgina have taken to social media to share details of their life - and to answer questions about it from the public. They joined us to answer even more of those questions.

The family of a Stephenville man who's been missing for six months is pleading for help. 30-year-old Tyler Hennessey hasn't been seen since September. His family and the RCMP are asking the public to share any information that could help in locating him. We spoke with Corporal Graham Dawe, senior investigator with the RCMP Major Crimes Unit, and with Lisa Hennessey, Tyler's sister.

A family in Bonavista wonders when their loved one might start to refuse medically necessary treatment, because those highway trips are too much pain. We'll hear from Peggy Phillips.

People in the community of Mainland on the Port au Port Peninsula thought that the watershed of LeCointre's Brook was recognized as a protected public water supply. But, last fall, residents were caught off guard as heavy equipment rolled in to build an access road and construct temporary wind monitoring towers for a wind energy project. The brook, it turns out, is NOT designated as a protected area after all. For the past ten days, people have been blocking off an access road to prevent work by the company, World Energy GH2. Dwight Cornect is on the local service district in Mainland.

This week, we are re-visiting Port aux Basques. The CBC's Caroline Hillier spent time in the community and will be bringing us stories from there all week. When Brian Button was elected mayor of Port aux Basques, he thought he was signing up for just a few hours of work a week. But that changed six months ago, with the arrival of Post Tropical Storm Fiona. CBC's Caroline Hillier met him at his office in Port aux Basques.

From our Mon., Feb. 21 show: Homelessness is on the rise in this province. If you're in such places as St. John's or Happy Valley- Goose Bay, it's a little more visible. But just because we don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. Kimberley Beers is with the Housing and Homelessness Network in Gander.

Some of the province's peskiest insects are on the move. European fire ants are tiny, red critters with a nasty, painful sting. They're not native to NL, but you can find them around St. John's and in just two places in Corner Brook. But now it seems they've set up shop in a new neighbourhood. Barry Hicks is an entomologist.

January marks Alzheimer's Awareness month, and while Alzheimer's and dementia are diseases that many are familiar with, The Alzheimer's Society of Newfoundland and Labrador wants people to know about the help that's available...and how they can better support people who are affected by the disease. Shirley Lucas IS the CEO of the Alzheimer's Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.

For the past few years, many organizations and institutions have been trying to do better when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Government agencies, universities, even the CBC are doing meaningful work to try to bring about change. This September, the University of King's College in Halifax will offer free tuition for up to three Mi'kmaw students for the school's journalism program. It's just one part of an overall initiative at the school. Bill Lahey is the president of The University of King's College and he spoke with the CBC's Melissa Tobin.

Want to learn about printmaking? Can't get to a printshop? No problem. Art activist Andrew Testa takes his Printshop in Tow to Corner Brook City Hall's rooftop this month.

Friday is Red Dress Day, a day to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in Canada. In Corner Brook, Qalipu First Nation is holding a ceremony called "Say their Names." There, they will share the stories of 27 Indigenous women and girls from this province who've been murdered or gone missing. Lezley McCarthy is with the band and she spoke with CBC's Chérie Wheeler about it.

Volunteers have kept Bay of Islands Radio up and running for a full decade. But they'll be putting a journalist on the payroll very soon. The non-profit community radio station, based in Corner Brook, has received funding to hire someone full-time for a year. That's thanks to the Community Radio Fund of Canada's Local Journalism Initiative. Kevin Young is treasurer of Bay of Islands Radio and the host of THEIR weekday morning show

A new support line for first responders in this province was announced this week. The dedicated Warm Line is specifically designed for paramedics and other first responders. It will be staffed by emergency personnel who can relate to their experiences. Brad Glynn is the executive director of Lifewise NL.

Humans can beat the summer heat and humidity by going inside and turning up the AC. But Newfoundland seabirds don't have that option. That's why the record heat this year is damaging their populations. Bill Montevecchi, seabird biologist at Memorial University, spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Now that the salmon season is open, you're sure to see anglers out on the province's rivers. But before they could cast their first flies of the season, they had to tie them! Kastine Coleman and her business partner, Terry Byrne run "Tight Loops, Tight Lines," and they offer fly-tying lessons in the off-season. They held a class for young people last week, just before the first day of the season. The CBC's Alex Kennedy was there.

The union representing some ambulance workers in Central and Eastern Newfoundland says its members are ready to strike. Hubert Dawe is with the Public Service Division of Teamsters Local 855, the union representing those workers. He spoke to CBC's Alex Kennedy.

Merv Wiseman spent decades with the Canadian Coast Guard, and was a search and rescue coordinator at the maritime rescue sub-centre in St. John's. Hear how he was taken aback by the lack of safety preparedness from the people operating the Titan submersible.

There's a convention in St. John's this week...and it's all the buzz. The Newfoundland & Labrador Beekeeping Association is hosting N-L Bee-Con 2023. Beekeepers, scientists, industry players and others are meeting and sharing knowledge. The Canadian Honey Council is even there (there is one, you know.) Donna House is a Board member of the provincial association.

Yesterday on the show, we told you about a rally that happened in St. John's. About 100 people demanded that the provincial government work to prevent people from dying of suspected overdoses. There was a call for legislation to force substance users into treatment. Shift Recovery is a group based in Grand Falls-Windsor that offers peer-support for those dealing with addiction. Fred Habib is the chairman of that group, and Mark Gray is a facilitator.

A new group is inviting tourists to see the province through an Indigenous lens. The Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association is connecting visitors to our province's vibrant Indigenous culture and helping business owners along the way. Caroline Swan is the executive director.

Making a difference in their lives and the lives of others. That's the mission statement of the Loukoumi Make a Difference Foundation - a non-profit focused on young people and their participation in community building. Today, the president of that Foundation - Nick Katsoris - was in Gander to unveil a special 9/11 mailbox at the Town Hall. Residents and tourists are encouraged to create letters for families who lost loved ones during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

It was a packed house at the Classic Theatre last night in Grand Falls-Windsor. The Town and the Grand Falls-Windsor Community Healthcare Coalition held an open discussion about the future of health care in Central Newfoundland, as well as the Provincial Health Accord. The information session allowed people to share concerns and ask questions. The event was moderated by mayor Barry Manuel, who was joined by councillor Holly Dwyer. Cyril Farrell was also on last nights' panel, as the chair of the Grand Falls-Windsor Community Healthcare Coalition.

An idyllic afternoon kayaking on the Lower Humber River interrupted by an unexpected visitor last week. Hear the story about the seal that almost made his way to Deer Lake. Janet Weldon speaks with CBC's Hillary Johnson.

Professors at Memorial University could be off the job as early as January 30. The union that represents academic staff at the university has set that date as a strike deadline. Earlier this week, MUN professors voted 90 percent in favour of strike action. Ash Hossain is president of the Memorial University Faculty Association.

Marcus Gosse's newest project is in a different medium for him - wrapping a car in Mi'kmaw art. The Mini Countryman bearing Mi'kmaq symbols is now on display at the dealer in St. John's. Marcus Gosse spoke with CBC's James Grudic.

Plans for wind-testing towers in the Codroy Valley are raising concerns for outfitters in the area. The towers are part of the planning stage for a proposed wind energy project. But outfitters in moose management area 9 say the towers — and eventually turbines — will have a negative effect on their livelihoods. Outfitter Art Ryan spoke with the CBC's Bernice Hillier.

Kelsey Hogan set big goals for herself - like running a 162-km ultramarathon earlier this year in Madagascar. Melissa Tobin asks the Steady Brook native for tips in setting big goals... and keeping them!

We're really proud here at Newfoundland Morning to bring you lots of conversations about mental health - about long wait times, and the challenges of finding quality resources and programs. For 15 years, Karen Cohen has been the CEO of the Canadian Psychological Association, and she will retire from at the end of this week. Cohen has worked to dismantle the barriers to access mental health care in Canada.

This week marks the 40th anniversary of a hunger strike by members of Miawpukek First Nation. People in the community held a two-day event on Monday and Tuesday to remember the anniversary and honour those who stood up for their rights back in 1983. People fasted, took part in storytelling and cultural events, and capped it off with a traditional feast. CBC's James Grudic.

On the West coast of Newfoundland, Qalipu first nation has a new partner visiting and working with them. The Rural Development Network is an Alberta-based organization that advocates for people in rural areas, and they're here to better understand the housing needs of Qalipu First Nation band members. It's called the First Nations Data Collection program. Project Manager Taylor Sparklingeyes was in Newfoundland this week,meeting with members of the Qalipu band. Here's some of her conversation with CBC's James Grudic

From Corner Brook to Kenya: find out why MHA Eddie Joyce spent his Christmas in Africa.

Just about everyone knows how important honey bees are to the ecosystem. But what about bumblebees? Author Andrus Voitk realized he didn't know much about those fat and fuzzy pollinators, when he struck up a conversation with a curious six-year-old in Rocky Harbour a few years ago. So he decided to literally write the book on the subject. Voitk is the author of Oliver's Guide to Bumblebees of Newfoundland.

You've likely heard of sledge hockey, but the sledge - the piece of equipment used in the sport - can also be used by anyone, to help make the ice more accessible. The Steele Community Centre in Gander has a sledge that anyone can take out on the ice...and it's hoping to get more of them. CBC's Melissa Tobin met up with Jerry Knee, community events coordinator with the Town of Gander.

If a dog is man's best friend, a goldendoodle might be man's most popular friend. We'll find out what it is about the fluffy hybrids that have pet owners lining up to get one. CBC's Leigh Anne Power reports.

The curtain rises on Come From Away, the Musical, at the Gander Arts and Culture Centre Friday night. And while that's happening here, the play's success is helping launch a new musical theatre hub in Ontario that could lead to the country's next big success. Michael Rubinoff is producer with both projects, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The old saying "they don't make 'em like they used to" applies here. To many of us, birch bark canoes are relics from the past... the kind you might find hanging in a museum. Well, not to Noel Joe of Conne River. He grew up watching his father and his uncles craft canoes. Noel even joined them on an epic canoe trip across the ocean to Saint Pierre and Miquelon as a teenager. Noel Joe is the guest speaker at a First Light knowledge sharing event in St. John's on Wednesday.

For the last several years, we've brought you stories about family doctors leaving the province. The shortage of GPs has meant emergency room closures, long waitlists, and thousands of people without access to basic health care. The provincial government has offered bonuses and other perks to solve the problem. Meanwhile, two brand-new doctors have chosen to start their practices in a rural area. Dr. Cody Diamond is from Botwood, Dr. Allison Best is originally from Fogo Island, and they'll both be seeing patients in Twillingate.

Lots of people in this province would love to have a pet, but taking care of one properly can be too expensive for some. That's why the Gander and Area SPCA wants to help make pet ownership a possibility for people with minimal incomes. The group is continuing a program called "SNIP", which lowers the cost of spaying or neutering your animal. But they need to replenish the fund, in light of ongoing need. Bonnie Harris is Manager of the Gander and Area SPCA.

The provincial government has revealed what wind energy projects could mean for the province's finances. Last week, it announced a fiscal framework that sets out a fee structure for such things as using Crown land, or harnessing the wind to produce electricity. The announcement also includes a plan to charge projects based on how much water they use. Andrew Parsons is the minister of Industry, Energy and Technology.

A dog owner in Central Newfoundland had a real fright this week, after she gave her pets a treat. Jessica O’Brien of Buchans bought bully sticks (made from the penis of a bull) for her two dogs, but when one dog started acting strangely, O'Brien took a closer look. That's when she found nails inside the chew stick.

Having the freedom to go to a workplace that's free from sexual harrassment. It should just be a given, right? Sadly though, many people have first-hand experience of sexual harrassment while on the job. Today, the Journey Project is hosting a seminar in Gander for employers, managers and supervisors. The session is designed to help create a sexual-harrassment-free work environment. Sarah McHugh-Wade is the Sexual Harrassment in the Workplace Lead with The Journey Project.

Whether you're going camping or staying home to barbecue in your backyard, don't forget about fire safety over the May 24th weekend. That's especially true, considering the dry Spring we've had so far in many parts of the province. Derek Simmons is the deputy chief with the Corner Brook Fire Department.

When Hurricane Fiona swept into Newfoundland's southwest coast last fall, it destroyed or damaged houses and vehicles. A woman in Port aux Basques died in the storm surge. Fiona also took away people's treasured possessions, scattering them on the shoreline and in the ocean. But residents are getting some of them back, one by one. Peggy Savery of Port aux Basques lost her home and all her belongings, including some of her family's keepsakes. But she reclaimed some of them recently, thanks to alert friends and neighbours, people such as Tammy Kettle. She's been volunteering her time scouring the shoreline to help recover belongings lost in Fiona.

The Green Party has never been very active in Newfoundland and Labrador. It has run candidates in the province in some federal elections, and in the last campaign, there were Green Party candidates on the ballot in every riding in Newfoundland and Labrador. The party has never won a seat here, but it still believes its views can appeal to some voters. The national Green Party's deputy leader, Jonathan Pedneault, is in the province this week.

A cross-country skier can be a powerhouse on the trails. But a cross-country ski club near Stephenville has become a powerhouse for real. Whaleback Nordic Ski Club has just done some renovations that will not only make its ski chalet more energy efficient...it can actually supply surplus power back to the provincial electrical grid. Doug Fowlow is co-chair of the Whaleback Renovation Committee.

Hear about a summer day camp that promises loads of time exploring nature. The Twisted Tuckamore Forest School is offering outside activities, rain or shine. Tara Cashen and Sam Vassallo are the co-owners.

We had an update to a story we've reported on in the past - about Fox Island River in the Port au Port area.The only road to the small community runs along by the ocean, and the roadbed has been eroding. In places, the pavement has collapsed completely. Now, repairs are being talked about. The road is mentioned as part of the 225-million-dollar Multi-Year Provincial Roads Plan. Jeff Leroy is chair of the local service district of Fox Island River.

Welcome to a Mi'kmaw cultural event in western Newfoundland! The Elmastukwek Mawio'mi ("Corner Brook-Bay of Islands Gathering") is coming up this Saturday. People are invited to learn and share Mi 'kmaw traditions and culture. Sherry Dean is an organizer.

The Innu Midwifery Program has now begun in Sheshatshiu. It's a federally funded program offered by the Innu Roundtable Secretariat, which represents the three Innu communities in the province. A small class a students will get comprehensive training to become midwives. Gisela Becker is the Innu Midwifery Implementation Coordinator. Emma White and Kim Bridle are two students in the program. I (Martin Jones) had the chance to speak with them about the program and why its important to train in Labrador.

January is Stalking Awareness Month. In Canada, the crime is called Criminal Harrassment, and it can be extremely stressful and scary. Men and women can be victims of a stalker, but Stats Canada data shows that about eight out of ten victims are women, and nine out of 10 stalkers are men. Paula Sheppard-Thibeau is the Executive Director of the Corner Brook Status of Women Council.

A novel idea; we get some summer reading suggestions from some professional book lovers in the province. Chelsea Humphries is a librarian at Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook. And Emily Hepditch is the author of The Woman in the Attic which won NL Reads in 2021.

Police in Corner Brook have had two reports this month of someone drilling holes in vehicle gas tanks. In both cases, the RNC say the vehicles were parked outside the hospital in Corner Brook. Vehicle gas tanks had holes drilled in them for the purpose of stealing gasoline. And it's not the first time it's happened. Last fall, the RCMP warned about similar incidents outside Deer Lake Airport. Chelsey Bath of LaScie says her truck was vandalized in exactly the same way last summer in Corner Brook.

Big blue skies…GIANT icebergs, grounded just off some of the most beautiful coastal vistas anywhere... Twillingate is the iceberg capital of the world. Right now, Chris Scott of Twillingate Adventure Tours is one of the tourism operators working long hours, to give global ice-hunters one of the most thrilling experiences money can buy.

There was a heated exchange at a public meeting of Corner Brook city council on Monday night, which led to the removal of councillor Charles Pender from the chambers. The order was by made by Mayor Jim Parsons. Council was debating the city's proposed new code of conduct. The new code was supposed to be adopted by all municipalities by March 1. Four councillors have opposed the proposed document at council meetings on Feb. 13th and Feb. 27th. On Monday night, things came to a head. We spoke with Mayor Parsons, then Councillor Pender.

On Monday, Ottawa announced changes to the air passenger protection regulations - dubbed as the 'passenger bill of rights'. Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the changes would ensure that airlines are held accountable for upholding commitments to their passengers. The changes also include an increase in fines from 25-thousand to 250-thousand dollars. Critics, though, say there are still loopholes in the legislation. Woodrow French is an air passenger rights advocate.

Photos of a ship under construction in China were popping up on the internet this week. The vessel was also attracting attention here in this province, because of its familiar lines and logo. It's intended to be a new ferry for Marine Atlantic, which the company will lease. Murray Hupman is president and CEO of Marine Atlantic.

Celebrating Mi'kmaw culture at St. Michael's Elementary.

You might say that some restaurants in Bay St. George have a "beef" with their competition. A friendly contest started today, to see who will win the title of "Best in Da Bay." It's a big burger challenge involving nine restaurants in the Bay St. George area - and it's all for a good cause. Rae Miller is chair of the Long Range Small Business Committee, which is running the competition.

We've heard a lot about the spike in drug overdoses happening in NL over the last month. One important way to save the lives of people who are addicted is to make more Naloxone kits available. But people need to be taught to use them. St. John Ambulance is offering a free opioid poisoning response training program. Heather McCarthy is an instructor.

There's no place like home, and for some people in Gander, there's no place to BE at home. We have an update on people who are homeless who are now being displaced from hotels in the town.

This is the 50th anniversary of the Corner Brook Winter Carnival. Many events have become carnival traditions, including "Hottest Man In the Coldest Season." It's a pageant, of sorts, for men in the city. It's all meant to be a bit of fun, but one contestant says it's also a real way to challenge beauty standards that men face. This is Daniel Tucker's first time in the pageant.

They grew up in India and build their careers in the kitchens of luxurious hotels all over the world... And now have settled with their families in Grand Falls-Windsor. We meet the chefs behind EAT - East Atlantic Tandoor - Aravind Muthusamy, Ranjani Aravind, Vaithiyanathan Marimuthu.

In any school in this province, many people work to help students succeed. We often think about teachers and administrators, but school counsellors also play a big role. This is Canadian School Counselling Week, which highlights the important work they do. Janelle Doman and Hilary Wheeler are both school counsellors at CC Loughlin Elementary in Corner Brook. Hilary is also an instruction resource teacher at the school.

A couple from Port aux Basques is making a fresh start after post-tropical storm Fiona. And Lori Dicks and her husband Claude are doing it pretty far from their hometown. You may recall that we spoke with Lori last fall after she lost her home and her home-based salon in the tropical storm. Bernice reached her in Marystown.

It's two days of talks, workshops, trade show and more. The Newfoundland and Labrador organization of women entrepreneurs - NLOWE - will hold its annual conference in St. John's on April 18th and 19th. But for those not able to attend in person, there's programming ongoing as well. Jennifer Bessell is NLOWE's CEO.

Students at Memorial University campuses will know later this week if their semester will be interrupted. Professors at the university who are members of MUNFA, the MUN Faculty Association, will take a strike vote on Wednesday. Last week, the president of the Grenfell Campus Student Union, Mary Feltham, expressed concern about where any kind of job action would leave students. Neil Bose is provost and VP academic at Memorial University.

A visual artist based in Corner Brook has taken the art of knitting and transformed it into an incredible collection of intricate drawings, Meet Michelle MacKinnon, the artist behind "To Keep Your Toes Warm While You're Home".

His blades are sharp and he's ready to race. We'll meet Newfoundland & Labrador's ONLY competing speed skater at this years Canada Winter Games.

12- and 13-year-old girls from NL will play baseball far from home this week. They're in Kentucky at the "Baseball for All Nationals," an international girls' tournament. Bernice Hillier spoke with some of the players and their coach earlier this year, at an indoor practice.

When women go to the doctor with pain or other ailments, they say they're very often not taken seriously. And much of the research that happens into diseases and treatments tends to be general, or focused on men. That's why Kate Clancy's research is different. She's a biological anthropologist at the University of Illinois. Clancy is looking at Covid-19 and its vaccines because women are reporting changes to their menstrual cycles after illness or inoculation.

John Thompson and his daughter, Sarah Thompson, are busy with the start of another season of summer dinner theatre. But they're in two different places, each doing their own thing. John is artistic director of Queen Street Dinner Theatre in Grand Falls-Windsor. Sarah Thompson is the owner of New Found Family Drama Company in Corner Brook.

Many hands make light work...and beautiful art. We'll stop by St. George's where the whole community is lending a hand to decorate a new teepee for the powwow grounds.

Comedian, actor and podcaster Trent McClellan spoke with CBC's Hillary Johnson about why he started The Trent McClellan "Dirt Road Kid" Scholarship at Corner Brook Regional High.

The Community Food Helpline has served more than 11,000 clients from more than 80 communities around this province. The phone food aid service started in 2019 - but it's closing at the end of March. That’s partly because, if you were to call and ask for help, you’d have to wait a really long time for someone to call you back - as long as seven weeks sometimes. Josh Smee is CEO of Food First NL.

A cancer diagnosis comes with a multitude of fears and hardships. And some stigma, researchers are finding. We talk to a MUN researcher who helped lay it all out in a new study.

Bring on rent control - That's what the province's New Democrats are telling us. Hear it from leader, Jim Dinn speaking with CBC's Leigh Ann Power.

Jan. 28 was Data Privacy Day - a day to better understand the importance of keeping your personal information private. To celebrate the day and its importance, the province's privacy commissioner, Michael Harvey, released a new video - aptly called "Know Your Privacy Rights."

Tyler McGregor was just a teenager when he lost a leg to cancer to save his life. But that didn't stop him from skating and playing hockey. McGregor even went on to play sledge hockey in the Paralympics. Now, he's using his skills on the sledge skate to raise money for the Terry Fox Foundation. McGregor is skating a marathon - 42km - in each of the 10 provinces. CBC's James Grudic met up with Tyler McGregor in Deer Lake.

A man in Western Newfoundland has been ordered to stop holding concerts at his house. The Town of Pasadena has issued a notice to Jan Stephen that his house is considered an unlicensed concert venue. But the homeowner is appealing that order, saying his house is not a business and he makes no money from the events.

15 students from across the province have received RISE ("Research Inspired Student Enrichment") Awards for 2023. The awards recognize Level Two students who excel in STEM ("Science, Technology, Engineering and Math") courses. Three of the recipients are from central and western Newfoundland. Jenna Hamilton of Exploits Valley High in Grand Falls-Windsor, Lucas Brooks at Indian River High in Springdale, and Jacey Matthews, studying at Templeton Academy in Meadows.

Tourism season is swinging into high gear as we're moving into June. That means many travelers are looking for hotel rooms. In Gander, several hotels have been accommodating about 40 homeless people over the winter. Now, as visitors need the rooms, homeless people must go elsewhere. John Abbott is the provincial minister of Seniors, Youth and Social Development, and it's his job to find somewhere for displaced people to go. He spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Just the thought of doing mathematics is enough to make many of us feel a bit unwell. But, in Bonne Bay this week, some researchers are using math to STUDY disease. They're at a summer school on infectious disease modelling. Amy Hurford is an associate professor at Memorial University and organizer of the summer school.

There was hardly a dry eye in Lewisporte Tuesday night as the whole town honoured a local hero - 44-year-old Mike Austin. He was born with chromosomal translocation - a condition that affects his balance, his fine motor skills, and his speech. Austin has been a Special Olympian for two decades and has won national and provincial medals in track and field and snowshoeing. But Mike is best known as the man who never misses a single hockey game at the local stadium. So the whole town got together and named the stadium in his honour. We spoke with Mike Austin, his dad, Norm, his mom, Evelyn, and Lewisporte mayor Krista Freake.

A business owner in Red Bay, Labrador says she's being harassed by the town council but the former mayor says it's the the other way around. We hear from them both.

Mayor Ken Reid gives an update on the road washouts in Roddickton-Bide Arm and Englee after heavy rains yesterday.

They've hired one of the biggest bands from the 80's to play their small town high school reunion. We spoke with former students of R.W. Parsons Collegiate in Green Bay South, about events taking place in July..

Preserving and commemorating the 2SLGBTQ+ histories of Newfoundland and Labrador... That's the mission statement for the NL Research Initiative. The non-profit organization is focused on telling queer stories, empowering storytellers and providing academic workshops and mentoring. The group is about to launch the NL Queer Archive. Sarah Worthman is the executive director of the NL Queer Research Initiative.

Students at Memorial University campuses across the province will encounter picket lines today. Professors at the university are on strike. The Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association, or MUNFA, was not able to reach a collective agreement with MUN. That's in spite of negotiations throughout the past week. Ash Hossain is president of MUNFA.

An area of Central Newfoundland that's proposed to become an ecological reserve is now being considered for an entirely different use. And Thurs., Jan. 26 is the deadline for you to say what you think of that. Just before Christmas, the provincial government put out an Environmental Assessment Bulletin that included a proposal to cut wood in two areas south of Gander Lake. But some of those areas are within the boundaries of the proposed Rodney Pond Proposed Reserve, identified in 2020 as an area deserving of protection. Suzanne Dooley is conservation director of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

It came down like a ton of bricks. Now, what's left of the smokestack from the Grand Falls-Windsor paper mill is being given a new purpose. The idea is to create memory walls, and there's something very special about the bricks being used. Hear it from Allison Miller, president of the Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society.

It was a shocking sequence of events in Campbellton over the weekend, and residents of the small town in Central Newfoundland are still reeling. RCMP have confirmed there was a home invasion, and then a house and car were set on fire, leaving one person dead. Maisie Clark is the mayor of Campbellton.

Grand Falls House in Grand Falls-Windsor is at the end of a long, tree-lined driveway overlooking the Exploits River. It was built in 1909 and boasts 12 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, with electricity and steam-powered heat. The House recently received provincial heritage designation - with eyes on national recognition down the road. The Grand Falls House Foundation oversees the maintenance of the home and recently issued an expression of interest to anyone looking to develop the property in a new and exciting way. Peggy Bartlett is the chair of the Foundation, and Roger Pike is the chair of the property committee with the Foundation.

The new acute care hospital in Corner Brook is almost complete. Construction started in the summer of 2019, more than a decade after NL's government first promised a replacement for Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Video Journalist Colleen Connors gave us an update.

Gander Airport's International Lounge is legendary. Famous people such as Queen Elizabeth the Second, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe have been through there in the past. Now, the new International Lounge Foundation hopes to create a vibrant new future for the area. The lounge space is transitioning into a place for air travelers as well as everyone else. The foundation is a new non-profit group, set up to explore and pursue ideas for the future of the space. Stephanie Power is the chair, and Jessica Waterman is the vice-chair. They both sat down with the CBC's Melissa Tobin to explain more of their goals.

Icebergs are already showing up along the coast of Newfoundland. Perhaps you're planning a road trip this weekend to see some of them. Or perhaps you're surprised to hear about bergs already, considering that "iceberg season" is usually a little later in the spring. Toby White lives in Back Harbour in Twillingate. Lorraine Tulk is co-owner of Riversea Lodging and Lounge in Pollard's Point, in White Bay.

As of April 1, this province no longer has four regional health authorities. Now there's a new, province-wide health board in charge of making policy for improving the health care system. It's a big job, but Bob Andrews feels up to the task. He's a lawyer by trade, but he's been part of various healthcare groups for decades. He's chairing the new integrated board, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Some people in southwestern Newfoundland are looking ahead to an event that will celebrate all that the region has to offer. The Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing what it's calling a Lifestyle Expo. It will be a three-day event in May to focus on the region as a place to live, to work, and to play. Of course, the initiative is being launched while the area is still in the shadow of Hurricane Fiona, and its devastating impact five months ago. Rene Roy is on the Lifestyle Expo committee of the Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce.

May 1 is a very important day for pagans. It marks Beltane, one of the two ancient fire festivals in the year. Wendy Linehan, a practicing pagan who lives in Whitbourne, spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

On yesterday's show, Unifor president Lana Payne spoke with us About some of the issues causing unrest in the workforce over the last year. This time, she focuses on the year ahead and what she hopes to achieve in 2023. Here's that part of her conversation with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Residents around Beothuk Lake in central Newfoundland are going to bat against Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, in hopes of protecting some of the last remnants of the extinct Beothuk culture. The lake has been a hydroelectric reservoir for over 100 years, with water levels controlled by NL Hydro. Millertown Mayor Fiona Humber and residents all around. the lake say the utility giant is keeping the water too high, leading to rapid erosion. The CBC's Ryan Cooke spoke to Humber at the edge of Beothuk Lake last week.

It's been three years since community theatre groups in this province were able to get together with one another. The annual provincial drama festival was put on hold when the pandemic started back in 2020. But, beginning on Monday, the show will finally go on, with the festival's return to Grand Falls-Windsor. Volunteers across the whole province are working out all the kinks before the curtain rises. Melinda Anthony is chair of the host committee in Grand Falls-Windsor and a member of Northcliffe Drama Club. Lynn Sooley is with the Avion Players in Gander, and Sarah Thompson is with The Off-Broadway Players in Corner Brook.

When Clifford Lilly appeared in an episode of Land and Sea, they called him the Historian of Exploits. The Lewisporte man has been writing and curating the stories of the region for over 20 years. Today, the community was scheduled to commemorate that work, with a living tribute at the town's public library. It was to feature 26 books and historical collections, as well as an original painting, all done by Lilly. Martin Jones met Clifford Lilly in Lewisporte, along with Myrtice Alpen, who was organizing the event.

Pride - a time to celebrate the resilience, talent and contributions of LGBTQ+ people and communities. There's a lot more to LGBTQ+ history and Pride than rainbows and parades. That's what prompted our own Martin Jones to investigate the lesser known LGBTQ+ stories and people that have impacted this province.

Right now, Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadan. It's a time to pray, to gather with people, and to reflect. This often happens in a mosque - if there's one nearby. For a few years now, Muslims on Newfoundland's West Coast have been talking about how to establish a mosque in Corner Brook. This past weekend, there was a community meeting to talk about the need for a mosque, and the next steps to make it happen. Shahid Shahidullah was at the meeting. and he spoke with CBC's James Grudic.

Limestone barrens on the Port au Port and Northern Peninsulas. And virtually untouched forests in Central Newfoundland. Those are just a few of the natural landscapes that could become protected areas. The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced last week that it will hold consultations on 10 proposed protected areas. The decision to act comes more than two years after a report said new protected areas should be established. That report, from May 2021, was by the Wilderness and Ecological Reserve Advisory Council, or WERAC. Graham Wood is co-chair of WERAC.

A beautiful Sunday afternoon turned into a nightmare for a Newfoundland man living in Nova Scotia. Brad Holwell and his family were among the thousands of people who had to evacuate their homes because of raging wildfires nearby. Holwell is originally from Lewisporte and now lives at Stillwater Lake, in the Haliburton Hills area of Nova Scotia.

A "funny play about life, the universe and beagles." That's the description of a theatre production on now at the Grand Falls-Windsor Arts and Culture Centre. "The Antidote for Life" is written and performed by Berni Stapleton.

An annual beard-growing contest in Corner Brook has a unique competitor this year. For the first time ever, the Elks Lodge Carnival beard-growing contest has a female participant. Anissa Bennett has polycystic ovarian syndrome which, in some cases, causes abnormal facial hair growth. Last fall, after years of bleaching or removing her facial hair, she decided to let it grow. Now, she's one of six contestants in the beard-growing contest. We spoke with Anissa Bennett and with Alf Ford, president of the Corner Brook Elks Lodge and another participant in the contest.

Two Botwood brothers with degenerative heart conditions are calling on the NL government to provide more support. Tony Edison is a recent heart transplant recipient, who is recovering in Toronto. His younger brother, Craig, will need a transplant down the road, but for now he's coping with the exorbitant costs of medical travel. The CBC's Troy Turner is following this story.

A family in Sally's Cove was forced out of their home on Saturday, when heavy rains led to flooding. Marilyn Roberts, her adult daughter, and her granddaughter were in a hotel this morning, but they don't know what comes next.

The movie Peter Pan and Wendy just landed on Disney Plus this morning. But some folks in Bonavista were lucky enough to see it Thursday night, ahead of the streaming release. Parts of the movie were filmed on the Bonavista Peninsula, so it got its own movie premiere at the Garrick Theatre. Shianne Strathie was one of the locals who was out to see it on the big screen.

Many of us take it for granted that if we get lost in the wilderness, there will be a local ground search and rescue group that will drop everything to find us. But some areas of the province, such as the Labrador Straits, don't have a group like that. That's about to change. Roger Goobie is executive director of the provincial search and rescue association.

The hot weather and humidity this summer are taking their toll on people's basements. Hear from with an industrial hygienist who will tell us how to prevent mould, and how to treat it if you get it anyway. Nikki Davis is an industrial hygienist with her own company in St. John's.

People in Corner Brook are celebrating a milestone. The 50th winter carnival gets underway next Friday. These days, the celebration is ten days full of fun activities, outdoors and indoors, not to mention a hot breakfast every day of the week. But, back in 1972, Carnival had a more humble beginning. Bob MacLeod was was of the founders of Corner Brook's Winter Carnival. He spoke with the CBC's Troy Turner.

Today is Old Christmas Day! We dig into some more obscure traditions from this province to celebrate, and hear all about twelfth cakes, twelfth buns, "berry ocky" and more.

Professors at Memorial University could be off the job any time now. Members of MUNFA, the Memorial University Faculty Association, are in a legal strike position. Any gap in the winter semester will have an impact on students' learning. Mary Feltham is president of the Grenfell Campus Student Union.

A local artist is using performance art to tell stories of women in the fisheries. Robyn Love is from the west coast; her art can be seen around the province including at the Bonavista Biennale. Her latest work involved donning a handmade black dress with a flowing train behind it, complete with a headpiece. On her face... is a mirror, and she wants you to look into it. Yesterday she wore that costume to go in a grocery store, and pick at the frozen fish...CBC's James Grudic went there to find out why.

While many students are enjoying a summer away from studying, a student in western Newfoundland has spent it doing research. Sarah Mercer goes to Grenfell Campus Memorial University, but this summer, she's practically been living at the historic Our Lady of Mercy in Port au Port West. Mercer has been researching the building's history and lending a hand with tours and upkeep of the place. She spoke with the CBC's James Grudic.

The view from the top of Marble Mountain is one of the best on the west coast of the island. But getting up the hill in the summer is a serious trek that few will tackle. Now, there's an easier way to get there. The staff at the mountain have started running the Lightning Express chairlift -- at half speed -- for summer rides.

January is the month many people start a new fitness routine...and a new gym in Gander is focusing on one of the hottest workout routines - CrossFit. The gym is called CrossFit YQX, and it opened its doors just before Christmas. CBC's Melissa Tobin met up with coach and owner Jennifer Hierlihy.

The mayor of Campbellton hopes that the string of concerning events that took place in her community recently will inspire more people to become volunteer firefighters. Last weekend, there was a home invasion, a burned vehicle, a house fire and a sudden death - all of which are still under investigation by the RCMP. The mayor said the local fire department really stepped up, but it still needs help. Duane Antle is the president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, and he told us about the need for volunteer firefighters in communities throughout the province.

Trading in the burgundy for the Red, White and Blue. We ask Stanley Cup winner Alex Newhook about his trade from Colorado to Montreal. Here's his conversation with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Parents in Stephenville still don't know whether their children will have the opportunity to start early French immersion this coming fall. The school district told parents that the threshold for the number of students needed has not been met. A final decision about the program will be made in late April. It's not the first time this issue has come up in the community, in an area that has a rich French heritage. CBC/Radio-Canada reporter Patrick Butler spoke with Wendy Brake, a parent in Stephenville, and Dan O'Brien is the assistant director of programs for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.

The stories we tell shape the world we live in. But a professor at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University believes stories are a way to better understand the pandemic, and all that unfolded during and after it. John Bodner is an associate professor of folklore in the Social Cultural Studies program at Grenfell Campus. He's offering a new course this term called “Folklore and the Pandemic." From conspiracy theories, to the body and health beliefs, the course covers a lot of ground.

In the coming weeks, people in Corner Brook may see an unusual object overhead. It's a drone that will be flying over the city, looking at the trees, to better understand what's growing and what needs planting. The City of Corner Brook is getting in on a Canada-wide program called 2 Billion Trees. Kirstin Mercer is the City's Sustainability Development Coordinator.

"The Weir," by Irish playwright Conor McPherson is on stage this weekend in Corner Brook. Bernice was told the show has ALL the elements that will draw theatregoers, make them laugh -- and possibly break their hearts. Mark Bradbury, artistic director of Hard Ticket Theatre in Corner Brook, has wanted to bring the play to the stage for a very long time. He's playing the role of Finbar. Allison Crowe plays the role of Valerie.

Today is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate women worldwide, with the theme of Embracing Equity. Women in Gander are doing that, in part, at a sold-out gala event this evening at the International Airport lounge. Comedian Vicky Mullaly will be entertaining the people who gather there.

You'd expect a church to care for people- that should go without saying. Now an Anglican church in Western Newfoundland is taking it one step further. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook is putting a focus on caring for caregivers. Catherine Short is the dean of the Anglican diocese of Western Newfoundland and the rector at the cathedral.

LISTEN: They've signed on the dotted line. Hear from the president of the province's nurse's union about their new contract with government. Yvette Coffey speaks with CBC's Hillary Johnson.

NL has been wet and cool this month, for the most part. Entomologist Barry Hicks says bugs are anxious for more consistently warmer days.

It was the day salmon anglers had been waiting for. The Atlantic salmon recreational fishery started Thursday. So, bright and early on the first day of the season, we asked one avid angler if we could catch up with her before she headed out. Kastine Coleman is owner of Tight Loops, Tight Lines, which offers guided fly fishing trips as well as salmon and fly casting schools. She's been hooked on salmon fishing since she was 10.

It seems as though there's a problem getting the crab fishery underway every year in this province. But this year, however, was more difficult than usual with a low price and harvesters refusing to fish. On Friday the harvesters and plant owners finally agreed on a plan to get the season started. Doretta Strickland is on the FFAW executive and works at the crab plant in Triton.

The arrival of thousands of small fish to our province's shores always causes excitement. The Little Bay Capelin Festival is happening in the Green Bay area on July 15.

The Change Islands United Church opened in 1896. Since then, congregations have worshipped, gotten married, been baptized, and said goodbye to loved ones there. There are some buried in the church's cemetery. Sadly, the Church held its very last service on Sunday, August 20. Netta Bown was a member of the congregation and church board for years. She was also married in the church.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation has a new program called Wild Salmon Watersheds.The group is using donations from private supporters to focus on areas where salmon stocks are actually doing well. They want to make sure climate change doesn't destroy healthy river systems. One of the first three watershed areas the group is working on is on the Terra Nova River in this province. Kris Hunter is with the ASF.

Some first responders in this province have started a work-to-rule campaign. The paramedics, emergency medical responders, and dispatchers are employed by companies that fall under Fewer's Group of Ambulance Services. And they serve more than a dozen communities right across Newfoundland. The workers have been in a strike position since November. Hubert Dawe is the business agent for Teamsters Local 855.

For some people, the word "justice" can include a sense of retribution - the righting of a wrong. For others, it's often used interchangably with "fairness" - someone getting what they rightfully deserve. "Justice" is explored in a new photo exhibit curated by The Journey Project, called Visions of Justice: A Photo Journey. It includes original photographs, created by survivors of sexual violence. Ashley MacDonald of the Journey Project organized the exhibit and joined Martin Jones at the Gander Arts and Culture Centre art gallery.

Geneticists have been studying the population of Newfoundland for decades. The gene pool is limited, because of our small population and historically isolated communities. That means it's easier for scientists to identify genes that cause hereditary diseases, and to work on treatments for them. Now researchers are taking that work into the future...by looking at the past. Ed Gilbert is a lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Lynn Healey is COO of Sequence Bio, a St. John's company researching our genetics.

Gordon Pinsent worked in construction, sold soap and spent time in the army. His career in the arts would come later, but would span decades, on stage, screen and radio - and garner every major acting award in Canada. Pinsent was the personification of kindness and grace - a true icon. He passed away on Saturday, surrounded by family, at the age of 92. The arts community embraced him as one of their own - but so did the town of Grand Falls-Windsor, where Pinsent was born. Barry Manuel is the mayor.

Search and rescue - you might not think about it much, until you need to. After getting rescued, people usually go back to their lives and their loved ones. They don't always get a chance to meet the people who saved them. That's why Bay Of Islands Search and Rescue put on their first-ever reunion, in Corner Brook's Margaret Bowater Park on Sunday. CBC's James Grudic was there.

ICYMI, from Fri., Feb. 3: In the world of celebrity chefs and haute cuisine, you often have to be famous to get a table, and the bill at the end of the meal can be a mortgage payment. For those in that world, Daniel Boulud is considered to be one of the best chefs on the planet. So imagine getting a phone call to come to Montreal and cook with him - side by side! That's exactly what happened for the executive chef of the Fogo Island Inn, Chef Timothy Charles. We spoke with Chef Charles about the invitation and about what he plans to create while in Montreal later this month.

William Fitzgerald, the man known throughout the Northern Peninsula as the "patient's doctor," has died. He spent over 40 years as a general surgeon at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony before retiring in 2014. But outside of the operating room, Fitzgerald was making further impacts in the community. He was also named to the Order of Canada in 2003. Boyd Noel is a former mayor of St. Anthony who knew Fitzgerald well.

For years, Bonavista has been the poster child for rural community success. The town - led by Mayor John Norman - has converted old buildings into new homes and businesses. New entrepreneurs and families have moved in, and tourists have flocked to the community. But now, the lack of health care services - as shown in the case of an emergency room that will be closed most of this month - is threatening that success. Mayor Norman spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Caring for someone with dementia is never simple. Making decisions about long term care can take a huge toll on individuals and families. It's even harder when people can't agree on what a patient needs. Jocelyn Hancock's mother has been in long term care in Forteau for three years. Hancock says the staff are planning to move her mother to a different facility - far from her family, She spoke with CBC's James Grudic.

Cross-country skiing may seem like an individual sport, but two parents in the province say it's actually a family affair. Between Corner Brook's Jamie Merrigan and Trevor Coates in Clarenville, the two families make up one-third of the province's cross-country ski team. Merrigan is a provincial coach with two children competing in the Canada Winter Games during the week of February 27. Coates is the wax technician, who also has two children on the team.

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labour, or commercial sex act. It's a horrific crime that often targets and exploits vulnerable populations. Many of us get our understanding of human trafficking from the movies, but the crimes are very real AND are happening right here in this province. Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The Support-Empower-Access (SEA) project of the Association for New Canadians was hosting an anti-trafficking summit. Geraldine Ankrah is the lead for the SEA project.

A St. John's woman has a bold vision for kitchen scraps and food waste from all over the province. Viviana Ramirez-Luna is aiming to build a Newfoundland and Labrador Community Composting Network. The plan is to run this network as a co-op. Ramirez-Luna says it could help divert food waste, create healthy soil, AND create good jobs in communities. Ramirez-Luna also runs a zero-waste consulting business called "Planeet Consulting."

Some people says it's not spring in Newfoundland unless there's a dispute over the price of crab. So, as the snow melts and the temperatures warm, harvesters and buyers have once again failed to reach a deal on price. The Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, or SEA-NL, represents vessel owners in the fishery. They want the public to come buy crab directly at the wharf this year. Pam Patten, a fish harvester and president of SEA-NL, spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Many of us would say we've had our fill of talking about COVID-19. But,In this province, people are still being hospitalized, and some are still dying, because of the virus. Others suffer from long COVID symptoms or post-COVID syndrome, and the long-term impact for all of us who've had COVID is unknown. Keith Muise of Stephenville feels so strongly about the risks, that he helped to organize a COVID Awareness Week for April 3 to 7. We spoke with him and with Rod Russell, a professor of immunology and virology at Memorial University's Faculty of Medicine.

Firefighters in the Codroy Valley have had to deal with a string of grass fires over the past month. And that includes one they had to get under control early this morning. Brian Osmond is chief of the Codroy Valley Volunteer Fire Department.

The Lions Club in Port aux Basques was a big part of the disaster emergency response after Fiona hit southwestern Newfoundland in September of 2022. They arranged donations, raised money, and gave out water. Last weekend, the club brought back the local winter carnival, to help raise people's spirits.

Imagine, getting a house call for what ails you. It might seem like something from the far-distant past, especially with today's stretched health care system. But nurse practitioner Brandon Durnford in Grand Falls-Windsor is offering that service right now - and the demand is hot.

A visit to the Memorial University campus in Corner Brook right now will mean encountering a picket line. Professors at Grenfell Campus who are members of Memorial University Faculty Association in Corner Brook are on strike, along with their fellow faculty members in St. John's. Memorial University says it believes its latest offer is fair and balanced. But MUNFA members say it doesn't address the issues that are most important to them. Rachel Jekanowski is an assistant professor of English at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University - and a spokesperson for the MUNFA in Corner Brook.

Early childhood educators in this province are getting a pay bump. As of next week, people in that industry will be paid according to a wage scale, where their pay will go up the longer they work in that field. It's part of government's plan to increase childcare spaces in the province. Education Minister John Haggie made the announcement yesterday at the pre-kindergarten class at Gander Academy. Then Christine Penney, long-time early childhood educator at the Peter Pan Pre-School and Childcare centre in Gander, gave her reaction to the news. She is a long-time early childhood educator at the Peter Pan Pre-School and Childcare Centre in Gander.

Last week we learned of plans to expand the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's west coast patrol area. Right now they operate in Corner Brook, but they plan to move into the Humber Valley and the Bay of Islands. Some people worry it will mean less police presence in their communities, but Humber Arm South Mayor Erica Humber-Shears hopes it will mean more patrols in her community.

February 1st to 7th is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, dedicated to fostering a better understanding of what eating disorders are and the impact they have. This year's theme is “Transforming the Narrative from Asks to Action.” In this province, the Eating Disorder Foundation has several events planned to spread the word. Paul Thomey is the executive director of the Eating Disorder Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

An update now on a story we brought you in mid-March. It was about a dispute at Corner Brook city council that led to the expulsion of a councillor from council chambers. The issue was the City's new Code of Conduct for elected councillors. A Code was supposed to have been adopted by all municipalities in the province by March 1st. Things have settled down, and Corner Brook city council has since adopted its new Code of Conduct. We spoke with Mayor Jim Parsons.

We get a lot of emails here at CBC. But one Bernice saw last week caught her eye. It was about age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. February is AMD Awareness Month, and the condition is a personal concern for Bernice because she is being monitored by her opthalmologist for signs of macular degeneration. Larissa Moniz is director of research and mission programs with a charity called Fighting Blindness Canada.

Late last week, Gander lost one of its brightest lights. Averill Baker was known in the community as a gifted musician, a mother, and the wife of MP and Senator George Baker. But, perhaps more importantly, she was known for her kindness and interest in all those around her. Jackie Watkins knew Averill Baker through her work as a political assistant to the local MHA and as a long-time member of the Gander Kiwanis Club.That organization was very close to Baker's heart.

Geeks from all across the province are meeting in Gander this weekend. Gander Geek Fest kicks off on Saturday at the Steele Community Centre. The two-day event includes gaming, collectibles, writing workshops and the popular costume competition. Shannon Francis is one of the Geek Fest organizers.

"Ghost gear" has been haunting our waters for years. But after Fiona ripped through the southwest coast last September, more nets and fishing gear were taken out to sea. For nearly six months, the Clean Harbors Initiative -- led by diver Shawn Bath -- has been cleaning up the mess that Fiona left behind. Bath and the group want to stay -- but they may not be able to. CBC Producer Caroline Hillier had this story from the southwest coast.

Tales of giant squid, pirates and even a cat that stopped a Nazi prison break - those are just some of the topics considered in a podcast about the mysterious and untold stories of Atlantic Canada. It's called the Backyard History podcast, created and hosted by Andrew MacLean.

The court case to determine whether the Qalipu Mi'kmaw Band's membership rules are fair is in its second week in St. John's. The plaintiffs are six people who identify as Indigenous, but who lost their status when the rules changed in 2013. They say the new "points" system to determine membership is discriminatory and illegal. Indigenous people across the country are watching this case because it may have implications for other First Nations groups. Tamara Pearl is a Cree lawyer from the One Arrow First Nation and a professor at the University of Alberta Law School. She spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Pharmacists in this province will now have an expanded scope of practice. The provincial government made that announcement this week, citing it as an "innovative solution to help address the recruitment and retention challanges" in healthcare. The expansion will also give pharmacists the chance to assess specific conditions and extend prescriptions for a longer period of time. Janice Audeau is the president of the Pharmacists Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Changes are coming to policing in western and central Newfoundland. Soon, the RCMP on Fogo Island won't be staffing their building. As well, The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary will take over policing the Bay of Islands, the Town of Massey Drive, and communities in the Humber Valley as far east as Pasadena. John Hogan, NL's minister of Justice and Public Safety, explained the changes.

Big changes will be made to parts of the Trans Canada Highway on the island. The provincial and federal governments are spending 306 million dollars, to add more stretches of divided highway. Elvis Loveless is the provincial minister of transportation and infrastructure.

Members of a drivers' club who took the ferry to Newfoundland are hitting the roads and turning heads. The sleek, three-wheeled vehicles are car-motorcycle hybrids called "Slingshots." Organizer Wade Hale of Toronto is on a visit home to Lewisporte, and he's helping raise money for the Salvation Army.

We've heard a lot about plans for wind energy and hydrogen production in this province in the past year...and now the College of the North Atlantic is getting into the game. Starting in September, the CNA will offer two new courses: Wind Turbine Technician and Hydrogen Technician. Jason Rolls is vice president of academic and applied research and a spokesperson for CNA’s academic programming. He spoke with the CBC's Melissa Tobin.

Brenda Anderson of Meals to Give and Allison Laite, cook and caterer with Johnny's Place in Glenwood, talk to CBC Newfoundland Morning about the generosity of strangers.

A new store in Corner Brook is taking a shot at preserving an old way of doing things. The owner has been a photographer since the 1980s. These days, he's up on the new technology - he sells new cameras and accessories. But he also sells photographic film. CBC's James Grudic went to the store to find out why.

A leader in the province's Mi'kmaw community is getting a special honour today. Odelle Pike will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University during Convocation in Corner Brook. Pike has spent many years volunteering for Indigenous organizations, both provincially and in Atlantic Canada. Most recently, her work with the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network has led to a new transition house in Stephenville that's currently under construction. But before Pike was to cross the stage at Convocation, she spoke with us.

A company on Newfoundland's West Coast hopes to expand its coffee business to other parts of the country. Gros Morne Coffee Roasters started out with one small roaster, in a cabin near Bonne Bay Pond. Since then, it's moved to a commercial building in Deer Lake with a big, state-of-the-art roaster. But it's not done growing yet. Last week, the company received a provincial grant worth more than $41,000, to help get its products in stores outside the province. David Mosher is one of the owners of Gros Morne Coffee Roasters.

Winter is coming to an end soon, but things may be just ramping up at Marble Mountain. The government-owned ski resort near Corner Brook will soon start making the transformation into a year-round attraction. Richard Wells is general manager.

Bay St. George is getting a new transition house to help women and families escape domestic violence. The funding was announced earlier this week in Ottawa when the federal government committed 103 million dollars to build Indigenous women's shelters across the country. The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network will run the new shelter, which is already under construction in Stephenville. Odelle Pike is with the group..

This is Pride Month, we wanted to do something to increase understanding of the LGBTQ community. Quinn Jesso is helping us out with that, sharing based on her experience. Today, the subject is pronouns.

Retired military veterans, Canadian Rangers and RCMP members have another chance to join the Qalipu Mi'Kmaq band. We'll chat with a former Mountie who's pretty thrilled with that news.

How well do you know your world geography? Most of us leave it behind when we finish school, bt if you want to brush up on your skills, the Gander Public Library has just the thing. And we know you know where Gander is! All this month, the library is hosting world geography lessons, free to anyone who's interested. Jenn Lane is assistant librarian.

This week is Mental Health Week in Canada - a week aimed at celebrating, protecting and promoting mental health. We may try to maintain good mental health, but we often don't fully UNDERSTAND it. A group called Quality of Care NL wants to help change that. As part of their Healthy Discussions series, they're hosting a webinar called 'Demystifying Mental Health.' Robert Wilson is the manager with Quality of Care NL.

A plan to expand MUN's medical school could help with the doctor shortage in this province. But is it enough to help people in rural Newfoundland and Labrador? Hear from John Norman, the mayor of Bonavista and Rex Bowers, mayor of Baie Verte.

A farmer from Central Newfoundland has started a new national association to help the hydroponics industry across the country. MackenzIe Warford owns Papa's Farm in Springdale. He was struggling to find an organization anywhere in the country that specialized in hydroponic farms like his. He found other farmers looking for the same help, so they joined forces to create the Canadian Hydroponic Association. Warford is the founding president.

The new school year will soon be underway for children in NL. While many students are relieved to be back learning and reconnecting with friends in the classroom, others have anxiety about it. Janine Hubbard is a Clinical Child Psychologist.

Airials Gymnastics and a new non-profit group in Gander have planned a night you might want to add to your list for February 14. They're hosting a Valentine's Day Cabaret at the Gander International Lounge, showcasing fine food and featuring spectacular acrobats. It's all in an effort to build a social enterprise, to help people who fall through cracks in the housing system. The CBC's Melissa Tobin dropped by a recent rehearsal. She spoke with organizer Joanne Power and several of the athletes.

What was meant to be some fun at a Corner Brook Winter Carnival event turned sour for one participant. Daniel Tucker spoke to us last week about taking part in the Hottest Man in the Coldest Season competition - a lighthearted pageant of sorts for men during Winter Carnival. The event has been a popular carnival tradition for years, but Tucker says things got uncomfortable when another contestant got out of hand. (*Please note: Tucker describes how he was treated and what was said to him, which may be upsetting to some listeners.)

The Hodder Memorial Center in Deer Lake will be rocking tonight. For the first time in three years, the Herder Memorial Trophy will be up for grabs in a playoff series. The Deer Lake Red Wings take on the Southern Shore Breakers in Game One this evening. Darren Langdon is a former NHL player and current coach of the Red Wings. He spoke with CBC's Alex Kennedy.

Behind every great hockey player is a dedicated coach - and one of the dedicated coaches in the Alberta Junior Hockey League was born right here in NL. Sara Diamond grew up playing hockey in Bonavista and recently stepped behind the bench as assistant coach of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

Icebergs, and eagles and capelin - there's a lot to take on off our coast this time of year. Hear from Skipper Bob Bartlett about what's attracting tourists to Trinity.

If you were around in this province in the 1980's, you may have seen an Inuit art print in a school textbook. The piece called The Enchanted Owl was created by the well-established visual artist Kenojuak Ashevak. An exhibition of Ashevak's work is opening this weekend in Trinity Bight, at the English Harbour Arts Centre. William Huffman is the exhibition curator.

A group of volunteers in Central Newfoundland is helping feral cats find new homes. They say the population of cats in their area has been out of control, especially at the Green Bay landfill in South Brook. Hope Roberts has been rescuing the animals at the Green Bay Kitty Rescue for three years. When she first started, there were more than one-hundred cats living in the dump. Now it's down to single digits.

Gurdeep Pandher came back to Corner Brook this week, to bring the joy and positivity he's famous for. The Banghra dancer and motivational speaker from Yukon is in the city to receive an honorary degree from Grenfell Campus on Thursday. Last night, he led an outdoor community dance in the city's downtown. People of all ages and backgrounds came out to learn some Bhangra moves, and to have a laugh while they did it. CBC's James Grudic was there.

Twillingate has a solid reputation - historic fishing town, beautiful tourist spot, and a great place to see icebergs.Now, it’s moving to establish itself as a sanctuary of sorts - a “dementia-friendly” community. Justin Blackler is the mayor.

There's some fresh reading material available from Western Newfoundland these days. It's a brand new literary magazine called Horseshoe. And, right now, it's looking for submissions from fiction writers and poets for its second issue. Adam Beardsworth and Tom Halford have teamed up on the project.

A retired Canadian Forces member who has PTSD says staff at the hospital in Corner Brook went above and beyond to help him AND his service dog. Greg Janes went to the emergency room to seek help with pain management. Now, we've all heard stories about confusion over service animals, and people even being refused access in some public places. But Greg Janes was pleased at how his service dog was treated.

Over the last few weeks, wildfires have been raging in Nova Scotia, Alberta and other parts of Canada. Meanwhile, much of this province has had damp, cool weather, and the fire risk has been low for the most part. Two water bombers from this province have even gone to other provinces to help. But the union representing water bomber crews says there aren't enough people to operate all those aircraft if we need them. Jerry Earle is president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees, or NAPE.

Springtime driving means there's no snow on the roads - finally. It also means that motorcycles are back on the road, and drivers - and riders - need to be extra careful. There have already been serious accidents between vehicles and motorcycles in our province this season. Sean Kelly is president and CEO of SafetyNL.

The summer heat can affect your dog as much as it does you, maybe more. James Kelly owns Mucky Pups dog walking and pet-sitting service in Clarenville. He told us how to keep your canine cool, and advised us to keep your dog on a leash.

There's been a fair bit of activity in the mining industry in this province in recent years. There's development of gold and other minerals on the horizon. New Found Gold is one of the companies that's been at the centre of mining exploration, as they search the Queensway gold project near Appleton. That's about 15 kilometres west of Gander. Today (Friday), the company had scheduled an open house at their new core processing facility in the industrial park in Gander. Greg Matheson is chief operating officer of New Found Gold, and he gave CBC's Melissa Tobin an early tour of the company's Gander operation.

Senior hockey fans in the province are in for a treat. A championship that includes teams frorn more than just the Avalon East Senior Hockey League is back on for 2023. The history of the Herder Memorial Trophy goes back over 80 years in this province, but the pandemic sidelined the competition. This coming April, though, players from the West Coast Senior Hockey League will face teams from the Avalon East League for the first time since 2019. Andy Brake is the West Coast Senior Hockey president.

A couple from Greenspond recently had a serious mishap. As they drove home in wintry weather, their vehicle went off the road. Thankfully, RCMP arrived on the scene, and the officer who responded went above and beyond to help Denise Hayes and her husband. We spoke with Denise Hayes and Constable Gilbert Hiscock.

Two of Corner Brook's most experienced martial arts instructors are retiring after 20 years of teaching. But Bennett's Tae Kwon Do academy WON'T be shutting down - just changing hands.

ICYMI: If you have a Smartphone, chances are you spend a lot of time scrolling. Data Reportal says the average person spends more than two hours a day on social media. There are many downsides to spending too much time on a screen, but satire could have benefits to your cognitive health. The CBC's Melissa Tobin has looked into the subject of satire on social media.

This is Pride Month. Quinn Jesso is a member of the queer community who is sharing based on her personal experience. Today, she talks us through: how to be an ally.

Last week, we heard from Bonavista mayor John Norman, about the Town's plans to attract doctors to the community. The Town is offering up its own signing bonuses and a plot of land to each doctor who agrees to practise there. Provincial health minister Tom Osborne says communities are welcome to take on any recruiting initiative they want. But Fogo Mayor Andrew Shea doesn't think it's a good idea for his town.

Every kid's hockey dream of representing Canada on the world stage is about to come true for Michael Dyke of Gander. He's been named to Team Canada for the Masters Ball Hockey World Championships this summer - and he's coaching the game internationally.

Last week on the show, we invited a panel of university students to discuss issues and headlines that were important to them. This morning we wanted to keep the conversation going, but this time we focused on Level Three high school students - what they're talking about, what's on their minds, and what keeps them up at night. So, parents, listen up! Ashley Keeping is a student at St. James Regional High in Port aux Basques. Gavin Burry attends Gander Collegiate, and Billie Wicks is at Clarenville High School.

During the natural wonder of Spring, the birds return from their winter homes, and trees, plants and flowers all come to life. But then, pollen and allergic reactions show up, too. Christina Tulk has some advice on how to deal with seasonal allergies. She's a pharmacist in Corner Brook,

A new research study in the province wants to hear from nurses who are fairly new to the profession. The study by Memorial University's Faculty of Nursing is hoping to connect with nurses who graduated in 2020 or later -- since the start of the pandemic. The idea is to learn what their experience has been like in terms of mental health and well-being. We all know that nurses in general have faced staffing shortages and burnout while on the front lines of COVID-19. But what about newer nurses? Robin Burry is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Nursing at Memorial University.

The verdict is in, and it's a win for people who lost their membership in the Qalipu Mi'Kmaq band...sort of. Keith Morgan is the lawyer representing the plaintiffs in the case.

There were almost as many federal ministers at Gander International Airport yesterday as there were flights. Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development, and Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, were there. They announced a 4.6-million-dollar investment into the airport. The money will go to build a new cold storage facility that can store up to 75 tonnes of fresh or live seafood. The CBC's Melissa Tobin was there and spoke with Minister Hutchings and Gander International Airport CEO Reg Wright.

Horseshoe Press at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University is a new player on the provincial publishing scene. Its debut book, The Photographer, is a collection of three short stories by first-time author Mervyn Dean..

It's been a rough few years for the restaurant industry in this province. First, there were pandemic restrictions, then a labour shortage, and now soaring food costs. But with tourism season on the horizon, restaurants in the province hope business will start to heat up over the summer. Steve Morton is co-owner of Cafe 59 in Pasadena, Gina Noordhof owns The Norseman restaurant in L'anse aux Meadows, and Fred Habib manages Donnini's Pizza & Donair in Grand Falls-Windsor.

The Arts NL 38th annual Arts Awards show was the first live awards show in over two years. The show also encompassed a variety of performances, from comedy routines to beatboxing to a taste of musical theatre. CBC's Hillary Johnson was in attendance to take it all in.

Powerlifting - a sport of pure strength. Just three movements - the squat, bench press and deadlift, all performed with a barbell. Lucas Wiseman is a competitive powerlifter originally from Mount Moriah, now living in St. John's. He's just competed at the provincial championships this past weekend. Lucas has also competed locally and abroad, travelling as far as New Zealand late last year.

Celebrating the successes and impact that women are having in their lives and communities...That's what the Gander Women's Centre is planning to do when they hand out their first annual Impact Awards next month .The awards are open to anyone in Gander and surrounding areas, and the Centre needs your help in nominating people who you think deserve one. Lori Oram is the executive director.

In 2019, then-health minister John Haggie announced a midwifery pilot project based in Gander. The plan was for other practices to open across the province in the short term. But staffing issues and a pandemic later, little has advanced in providing midwifery services. Women and families in Central and across the province are wondering if the program will even survive. Maud Addai is a midwife here in the province who works with Central Health. Martin spoke with her about the current status of the program and the challenges in recruiting for it.

Sleep, glorious sleep! We all know we need it for a healthy brain. Scientists have understood for some years now that spinal fluid washes through the brain during deep sleep, removing waste and leaving the brain refreshed for the next day. Now, a team of researchers have triggered the flow of spinal fluid in the AWAKE brain.It's a new development in understanding how the brain maintains itself. Laura Lewis, an associate professor at MIT, spoke with CBC's James Grudic.

For two decades, Writers at Woody Point has been drawing in authors and book lovers from across the country. The literary festival has brought in such high-profile writers as Pulitzer prize-winner Annie Proulx [Prue] and Canadian literary giant Margaret Atwood. It also highlights the talent closer to home, such as Lisa Moore and Michael Crummey. The festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Stephen Brunt is the artistic director of Writers at Woody Point and a founding member.

Dr. Seuss once said "Teeth are always in style." One of the first features we notice in a person is their smile, so taking care of it - and our entire mouth - is important. But it's more than just an aesthetic concern; improper oral health is also connected to certain chronic diseases. April is Oral Health Month - and this week is National Dental Hygienists Week, so it seemed like a perfect excuse to invite registered dental hygienist Nicole Kielly back on the show. She was on a series we aired last year on dental and oral health, called Tooth Talk.

If you haven't heard the names "Harry and Meghan" in the past six months, you've either been living off the grid, with no outside communication - or you've purposely tuned them out. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been in the news a fair bit, after their Netflix series last fall, and Harry's book, called Spare, came out this winter. Today, at Grenfell Campus, some faculty and staff will be dissecting their story and putting it in some context. Oh, and they'll be having some fun while they're at it, and YOU are invited. The event at Grenfell Campus library is being called "Spare-y and Meghan." Edwin Bezzina is the event creator, and a historical studies professor. He enlisted the help of Royal watcher Crystal Rose, who is public services librarian at Grenfell Campus.

Search and rescue personnel - and the people they've been sent to find - are brought together by emergencies, sometimes even tragedies. It often happens for a short and stressful time. But the organizers of an event that's planned for Corner Brook in June hope to bring some of those people back together, to spend a little more time with one another. Bay of Islands Search and Rescue is inviting the public to a reunion on Sunday, June 11, at Margaret Bowater Park. Sean Street is co-ordinator of the search and rescue unit. Alan MacDonald lives in Massey Drive, and was rescued by the group after he had a serious snowmobile accident in January.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary operates mainly in Corner Brook now, but it's planning to expand its services to the Humber Valley and the Bay of Islands over the next year. Right now, the RCMP patrols communities in those areas. Perry Sheppard is the mayor of Cox's Cove, one of the towns the RNC will patrol in the future.

There's a lot of talk in the province about wind energy. Newfoundland and Labrador is now allowing wind farms which are land-based, and which can be used to create hydrogen energy. One of the companies hoping to do that is World Energy GH2. But there are still many questions about how wind energy could work in Newfoundland and Labrador and how it will impact the local environment. Energy NL, a lobby group for the province's energy sector launched a campaign this week called "Wind at our Backs," to try to answer some of those questions. Charlene Johnson is the CEO of Energy NL.

Nothing draws a crowd to a hockey game like a hometown hero. That's what the Newfoundland Growlers are counting on, after signing Gander native Adam Dawe to a pro contract. Dawe spent 4 1/2 years playing university hockey in Maine and Connecticut. Now he's living the professional dream and taking hockey as far as he can...including scoring a hat trick in only his fourth Growlers game. Adam Dawe spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

When you go to the grocery store, do you ever notice that fresh fruit and vegetables sometimes don't look very..."fresh"? NL imports 90 percent of the fresh food we eat, so there can be a big gap from the time food is harvested to when it gets on your plate. Dan Rubin is the founder and chairperson of Food Producers Forum. He says a new survey conducted by the Food Producers Forum proves the province has the capacity to grow fresh food here. The CBC's Jessica Singer spoke with him.

Rents are on the rise and affordable housing advocates say the government needs to step in with rent control legislation. CBC's Leigh Anne Power has been looking into how that might work in this province.

An online tool you might not know about could help you save a life. It's a province-wide map that shows where to get a naloxone kit near you. Naloxone is used to reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. It could come in very handy, as authorities in recent weeks have warned about a potential increase in the use of dangerous narcotics. There have been drug overdoses this month in Newfoundland an Labrador that appear to be related to opioids such as fentanyl. Jane Henderson is provincial harm reduction consultant with the NL Centre for Substance Use. Tracy Parsons is acting director of analytics and data access with the NL Centre for Health Information.

It's been just over a week since Canadian entertainment icon Gordon Pinsent passed away. The actor and writer was beloved right across the country, although he has a special place of honour in the town of Grand Falls-Windsor. Pinsent was born in what was called Grand Falls in 1930. Townspeople loved him - and he returned the sentiment. Back in 2022, CBC's Troy Turner spoke with Gordon Pinsent about his hometown.

Ambulance workers across much of the province went on strike today. There were signs this morning that workers with seven private ambulance services were ready to escalate their labour dispute. CBC reporter Ryan Cooke joined us just hours before the strike began.

On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced that private health clinics will be used in that province to reduce long waiting lists. The clinics will provide services such as cataract surgery, MRI scans, and CT scans. Ford says all those procedures will be covered by the province, with no cost to the patients. But NL's NDP leader, Jim Dinn, says it's a solution that will cause more problems than it solves. He's written a letter to Premier Furey about this issue of privatization.

For this next story, our guests might want us to say: "patent pending." That's because their idea for a new product is innovative and -- for many of us -- badly needed. Three students from Corner Brook Regional High won top prize last week in a provincial skills competition. Their product concept is called Wrest, and it's a way to reduce the time people spend on screens. We spoke with Ryan Brake, Clare Coleman and Makayla Bugden.

When you think about going to see a musical concert, maybe you picture a big arena, or, in this province, an Arts and Culture Centre. But, in a number of small towns around this province, some of the best places to see live shows are small, volunteer-run venues. They are, in many cases, older structures that have been restored and given new life. David Bradley is with the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation, which runs the Garrick Theatre in Bonavista. Jeff Anderson is with Friends of Writers at Woody Point, which runs the Woody Point Heritage Theatre. Kathy Hodder is with the Eastport Peninsula Arts and Heritage Society, which runs the Beaches Arts and Heritage Centre in Eastport.

Driving around your town this month, you probably notice two things: Buds are starting to come out on the trees and people are getting ready for bulk garbage collection. That's where municipalities haul things like old appliances and furniture and other household items to the landfill without extra charge to you. For most people that's a chance to clear out some of the junk and clutter they've been accumulating throughout the year. But for people such as CBC's Chérie Wheeler, it's as good as Christmas. And apparently she's not alone.

Making safe and informed choices - that's the goal of a new youth drug education strategy created by the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University. The program will focus on grade school students and allow them to be active its implementation. Lisa Bishop is a pharmacist and an Associate Professor with the School of Pharmacy.

Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries are set to launch a new service called LinkedIn Learning. The program is an online tool that offers professional and personal development courses for anyone with a library card. Topics include business, technology, leadership skills and more. Rachel Head is a Literacy Services Librarian at the A.C. Hunter Public Library in St. John's.

(NOTE: Some of the details in this story are disturbing, and not suitable for children). Over the past few months, CBC has brought you all sorts of stories about the need for mental health supports, about the housing crisis, and about RCMP staff shortages. This story involves all of it. People who live in the small town of Carmanville say they’re not equipped to support the emergency shelter set up there. The shelter was established in May for the Newfoundland and Labrador housing clients who had been living in hotels across Gander. Carmanville residents say they’re not opposed to the shelter -- but they want the people who live there to get the help they need. The CBC's Cherie Wheeler was in Carmanville last week.

Hiking is a popular pastime for many people in this province. But where do you begin - especially in winter? That's one reason Karen Saunders started her new company. Hansford's Hiking Adventures is based in Eastport, along the Damnable Trails. The CBC's Melissa Tobin strapped on her snowshoes recently and joined Karen for a walk in one of her favourite spots.

It has been a rough couple of weeks for people who rely on the Strait of Belle Isle ferry. Ice in the Strait has been so thick that on many days, the ferry has not sailed. People on both sides are becoming frustrated at the delays. Some have even decided to abandon their journeys and return home. Captain Austin Daley is general manager of Labrador Marine.

Research teams across Canada have partnered up in a special research project to learn what role the ocean can play in climate change. Memorial University of Newfoundland, and its many researchers, is one of the partners involved. Hear about it from Kris Poduska, Professor of Physics and Physical Oceanography in the Faculty of Science at MUN.

Going to classes at university doesn't typically involve encountering a picket line. But it's the reality right now for those students at Memorial University who still have SOME classes going ahead. Professors who are members of the Memorial University Faculty Association (MUNFA) are starting their second week on strike. At Grenfell Campus in Corner Brook, the Student Union, or GCSU, has been supportive of the professors. Mary Feltham is president of the Grenfell Campus Student Union.

A well known arts group on the west coast is changing its name. We find out why Gros Morne Summer Music is becoming Camber Arts.

There have been a lot of changes to rules about selling and using tobacco products since the 1990s, but some people say they're still not enough. The Canadian Cancer Society says Newfoundland and Labrador has the highest prevalence of smoking among the provinces - and teen vaping is also higher than the national average. The Society wants to see the legal age to buy tobacco products raised to 21. CBC's James Grudic spoke with Rob Cunningham, the senior policy analyst for the Canadian Cancer Society.

People in Steady Brook are under a boil water advisory because of e coli in their town's water supply. The bacteria was first discovered there late last week. Bill Dawson is the mayor.

It's only Spring, but the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor is already making plans for this fall. It's launching a new youth program in September to get kids interested in STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Holly Dwyer is a town councillor

Over the years, the runways of Gander International Airport have handled the world's biggest and heaviest aircraft. Some of those planes end up there from time to time, but most days there are three to four flights. This summer, the WestJet logo will NOT be visible on the runways, as the airline gives priority to some routes and pulls out of others. Reg Wright is president and CEO of the Gander International Airport Authority.

When hurricane season comes each year to Atlantic Canada, we all need reminders of how to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our property. Allie Murchison-Maguire is a communications advisor with the Canadian Red Cross in New Brunswick.

Imagine going to your public library, grabbing a great book or two, and FREE tickets to go skiing or to a museum. Maybe you leave with the chance to see a sporting event, or a great theatre show. Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries is launching its new Connect Pass program today. It means increased access for you and your family to exciting activities right across the province. We spoke with NLPL Collections Librarian Anna Swanson.

There's a new object of intrigue in the night sky right now. Well - it's not new, but the last time anyone saw it was way back in the stone age. It's a comet! On a good night, with the right eyes, you might see it. Hilding Neilson is an astronomer and is with Memorial University's department of Physics & Physical Oceanography. He spoke with CBC's James Grudic about the comet passing through our solar system.

Something just doesn't feel right about throwing a perfectly good glass bottle or a jar into the garbage can. That's especially because we've gotten so good at recycling plastics. But we keep trashing glass in this province, because it's got nowhere else to go. If a local co-op called Newfoundsand gets its way, we'll soon be able to give glass a second chance. Dave Saunders is co-founder and president of Newfoundsand, and he spoke with CBC's Gavin Simms.

A former Corner Brook resident is doing her part to help families impacted by the Nova Scotia wildfires, by helping their pets. Sonya Higgins runs an animal rescue in Nova Scotia. Since the wildfires started in that province, she's been helping co-ordinate the rescuing of animals that were left behind when people had to flee their homes with little notice.

Sparks the Shetland pony has lived peacefully in the town of Summerford for the past decade. He's even become a bit of a local celebrity, as someone walks him on a leash around town. But now, his owners are now being told their beloved pet pony has to hit the dusty trail. The Hawkins family were handed papers from the Town of Summerford on Friday, stating that the animal and its barn have to be removed in 30 days. Julia Hawkins recently gave the pony to her daughter.

The Central Cancer Survivor's Choir brings the healing power of music. The group, which formed in Central Newfoundland in 2000 has 15 members. It's part musical group, part therapy group. Glenn Mouland is the director and Jackie Thompson does public relations.

It's National Trucking Week, when drivers are recognized for their essential contributions to keeping the country's freight moving. Barry Warren is the President and co-owner of Dooly's Trucking in Gander, and he's been in the business for 40 years. He told us about the twists and turns he's seen, as he prepares for another change on the horizon.

Recently on Newfoundland Morning, we told you about a temporary emergency housing facility in Carmanville. Residents in the area were concerned that people housed in that location needed more social supports than what existed in the town. Cyril Tobin, executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network, says housing and support services must go hand-in-hand. He spoke with the CBC's Troy Turner.

You probably can't find many mushroom varieties at your local grocery store, so why not go right to the primary source? The Western Environment Centre is holding workshops to help you find and identify species of edible mushrooms, while going easy on other forest organisms and creatures. Katie Temple, executive director at the Centre, spoke with the CBC's Hillary Johnson.

The roar of motorcycle engines will fill some streets in Corner Brook for a brief time on Sunday. The Kinsmen Club of Corner Brook has organized a bike meet in memory of a dear friend. Tom Coombs. He was a member of the Kinsmen organization and a motorcycle enthusiast, and he died nearly a year ago at the age of 64. Now, his friends are raising money to fight multiple myeloma. Greg Barnes was a close friend of Tom Coombs and is a member of the Kinsmen Club of Corner Brook.

This is Sexual Violence Prevention Week in Newfoundland and Labrador, and organizations across the province are marking its importance. Status of Women Central in Grand Falls-Windsor has been holding its Take Back the Night March for over 20 years, to raise awareness and to support survivors of sexual, domestic, race- and gender-based violence. We spoke with board member Valetta Alcock and Executive Director Jackie Thompson.

Plans are in place for an almost 800-kilometre-long walking and bicycling trail on the Great Northern Peninsula. The province will spend seven-million dollars to build and market the Great Coastal Path as a top adventure tourist destination. Gerry Byrne is the MHA for the district of Corner Brook and the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills. He spoke with the CBC's Hillary Johnson.

Part 2/3 this week: World Energy GH2 is one of the companies proposing to build a wind-to-hydrogen project in this province. World Energy GH2 has been out ahead of other companies on a number of fronts, including wind-testing towers and its environmental impact statement. World Energy GH2's plan is not yet approved, and the deadline for public comments on the EIS is October 11. Sean Leet is CEO of World Energy GH2, and David Pinsent is the company's environmental assessment manager.

We're coming up on the one month anniversary of Hurricane Fiona - Post-tropical Storm Fiona, when it hit our shores. Some homeowners on the island's southwest coast are still waiting for answers after their homes were damaged by waves last September. Dozens of houses were destroyed by Fiona, and other homes in vulnerable areas were also later marked for demolition. Yet, two homeowners in Burnt Islands directly affected still don't know what's going to happen for them. Bernice spoke with them and looked into their situation. Afterward, she spoke with local MHA and cabinet minister Andrew Parsons.

There's a new baseball coach in Western Newfoundland, and he's got quite a bit of experience to pass on to young players. Enyelbert Soto, a former professional baseball pitcher, was born in Venezuela and played six years in Japan. Now, Solo is the new head coach at the Corner Brook Minor Baseball Association. Darren Hancock is the Vice-President of the Corner Brook Baseball Association, and the two joined us in the studio.

Part 1/3 this week: Talk about getting your ducks in a row. And quickly...One of the companies proposing a wind energy project in this province is out ahead on a number of fronts. World Energy GH2 wants to build wind towers in several areas of southwestern Newfoundland, and to produce hydrogen for export. The plan is not yet approved, but in just the past few weeks, the company has submitted its environmental impact statement, and the provincial government has issued a recommendation letter that sets the stage for Crown land approval. Sean Leet is CEO of World Energy GH2. David Pinsent is the company's environmental assessment manager. This is the first of three parts, airing this week on Newfoundland Morning.

Last spring, people on the Baie Verte Peninsula were disappointed to learn that Rambler Metals and Mining was going into bankruptcy protection. The company ran the Ming copper and gold mine on the Peninsula and employed hundreds of people, both directly and indirectly. Now the property has a new owner. AuTECO is an Australian junior mining company with big plans for the region. CEO Darren Cooke spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has approved the sale of the Rambler gold mine on the Baie Verte Peninsula. The mine employed hundreds of people in the region, but its former owner entered bankruptcy protection last spring. Now, Australian junior mining company Auteco Minerals is taking over. Investors say, unfortunately for them, the sale price doesn't cover the losses shareholders sustained when Rambler went under. Martyn Lewis is one of those investors, and he spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

Grenfell Campus, Memorial University has come a long way from its start as a junior college. It's now a degree-granting institution, with undergraduate and masters degrees, and students enrolled in PhD programs. Budd Tucker was a psychology graduate at Grenfell in 2001 and now holds a PhD in neuroscience. He completed post-doctoral work in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and is a professor with the Institute for Vision Research at the University of Iowa. Today, Tucker is the keynote speaker at a celebration of the 30th anniversary of psychology degrees at Grenfell Campus.

People on the Baie Verte Peninsula are in mourning today. A ship carrying four crew members sank off Fleur de Lys last night. The Canadian Coast Guard confirmed the sinking, but didn't provided further details about the type of vessel, what happened to it, or any information about crew members. But people in the community have confirmed to CBC that lives have been lost. Father Camillus Ekodobe was in Fleur de Lys last night to provide support. He's a Roman Catholic parish priest based in Baie Verte.

It's been a hot, dry summer across much of Canada, and the Northwest Territories have seen some of the worst of it. Wildfires have been raging across the territory since the spring. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced at various times, including the 20,000 residents of the capital city, Yellowknife. In the midst of it all, you will find firefighters from across the country helping out - including four firefighters from this province. Jason Glode of Newfoundland and Labrador has been incident commander, or I.C, overseeing the firefighting efforts.

Part 3/3 this week: Today, we wrap up our conversation with World Energy GH2. CEO Sean Leet and Environmental Assessment Manager David Pinsent have been telling us about the company's proposed wind-to-hydrogen project. The plan by World Energy GH2 to build wind turbines and a hydrogen plant in southwestern Newfoundland is not approved yet. The deadline for public comments on the environmental impact statement is October 11. World Energy GH2 wants to make and export hydrogen fuel - but who's buying? Bernice asked Sean Leet what's happening on the sales end of the company's proposed project.

Chances are, unless you personally know a diabetic, you'll find it hard to believe how managing the disease affects every aspect of life. Mandi Buckle knows the reality of it all too well. She's been a Type 1 diabetic since the age of two. Her son, Oliver, was diagnosed in June of last year at the age of four. I invited them to our studio for a conversation. Mandi Buckle did most of the talking, but Bernice Hillier started by saying hello to Oliver and asking him to explain what diabetes is.

We've heard a lot this year about artificial intelligence software - especially Open A-I's chat bot, Chat GPT. With another school year in full swing, there are a lot of questions about how these types of software will change how people learn and work. A librarian at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University decided to have a conversation with the chat bot -- and she published it, too. It's called: A Human Librarian Interviews Chat G-P-T. CBC's James Grudic went to the Ferriss Hodgett Library to find out why.

A new program that's about to launch in this province hopes to provide a safe space for people who are exploring gender identity and gender expression. Gender Journeys is a collaboration among NL Health Services, Quadrangle NL and Lifewise NL. Lee Kelly is a program facilitator with Quadrangle NL, and Angel Roberts is a certified peer supporter with Lifewise NL.

This Saturday night, West St. in Corner Brook will be closed to traffic and filled with people. The CB Nuit after dark arts festival is happening. This year's theme is "Illuminate." Layla Radwan is a 10-year-old presenter at CB Nuit and she's creating something called "The Tree of Light." Robin Peters is a theatre student at Grenfell Campus who's presenting "Everyday Beacons." They joined Bernice Hillier on West St. for a chat.

The Invictus Games is an international, multi-sporting event that showcases the athletic abilities of wounded and ill military personnel. Athletes compete, and they find support for their recovery and rehabilitation. Events include athletics, swimming, powerlifting and cycling, wheelchair rugby and archery. Scott Snow is originally from Gander and is in Germany, competing at the Invictus Games.

If you checked the Globe and Mail bestseller list this week, you may have noticed a familiar name at Number Five. The new novel, Rage the Night by Newfoundland and Labrador's Donna Morrissey is flying off the shelves. The book centres on the 1914 Newfoundland sealing disaster, and a lost young man who's caught up in it all. Rage the Night almost didn't happen because Morrissey and her husband have been dealing with serious health problems. CBC's Leigh Anne Power spoke with her.

This is one of the best times of the year for hunters in this province, as moose hunters are hoping for a successful season in the woods, Many have already been out a couple of times in pursuit of a trophy animal. But for one man visiting from Ontario, his hunting trip was over almost as soon as it began. Art Jameson spoke to the CBC's David Newell.

Those poor insects. The creepy looks or menacing movements of many species can make humans spray, squish or run. But Memorial University and Nature NL are challenging people to get up-close and curious. The "Insect Apocalypse? Citizen Science Insect Monitoring and Outreach" is going on now. Catherine Scott is the project co-ordinator and an honorary post-doctoral scholar in MUN's Faculty of Science. She spoke with Hillary Johnson.

There was good news recently for some people who have to travel for medical reasons. People who live in all of the Labrador-Grenfell Health Zone can now benefit from a new Flight Voucher Program if they're flying for specialized medical help covered by MCP. Earlier this year, medical travel assistance was expanded for people on the northern tip of the Northern Peninsula. People there can now get the same reimbursement for medical travel as people in Labrador. Lisa Dempster is Minister of Labrador Affairs.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government would remove GST from the cost of building new rental units nationwide. The provincial government supported the decision by removing its share of tax as well, so new builders could save fifteen percent on materials. To find out whether the move will help ease pressure on the housing market, CBC's Leigh Anne Power spoke with Alexis Foster, CEO of the Canadian Homebuilders Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Everything's coming up roses for a Hampden couple who bought tickets for Come From Away in Gander, but instead of seeing the show, they won a million dollars.

Kits used to collect evidence after a sexual assault aren't available at all health care facilities in the province, according to a women's group in Western Newfoundland. Find out why the Corner Brook Status of Women Council believes it's vital for that to change.

This coming Sunday marks one year since Hurricane Fiona hit Port aux Basques. The storm is still taking a toll on people there. You probably remember seeing pictures of a small blue house, teetering on the water's edge. The sea eventually claimed that house and swept it away. It was home to Peggy Savery and her family, and a year later, they're still living in town. They bought a house up the hill, further away from the water. Peggy Savery sat down with CBC reporter Malone Mullin to talk about the past year:

Come hill or high water, their boots were made for hiking. Hear how a week-long hiking festival in Gros Morne became a point of summit and merrymaking.

Managing diabetes as we age. Hear from two researchers from MUN who have found our ability to cope with life stress generally is a good indicator of how we cope with the disease. Dr. Sahar Iqbal is a researcher and associate professor with the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University. Cindy Whitten is a clinical research scientist and manager of applied health research with NL Health Services.

Jonny Harris is up to 100 shows, and he's "Still Standing." Harris and the crew at the popular CBC show are about to kick off a brand new season, the show's ninth season. The show, of course, takes us to small towns across the country and highlights how diverse we are, while showing us how similar we can be, too. Jonny Harris spoke with Martin Jones.

It's another mega-project, one that will transform the Port aux Port Peninsula and much of western Newfoundland. Three hundred or more wind turbines towering over the landscape, connected by roads and transmission lines. And 140 thousand tonnes of hydrogen produced for export every year. It's no surprise that many residents are worried about what this means for the natural beauty and ecology of the area. But the opposition runs much deeper than that single concern. Jamie Fitzpatrick spoke with several opponents of the World Energy GH2 wind-to-hydrogen proposal.

Taking the "air" out of AirBnB. We'll speak with a host in Catalina who says the company's service fees and bad communication are forcing her to go it on her own.

The province's outfitters association is putting its money where its mouth is. They're offering more cash on top of the government bounty already available to people who hunt coyotes and wolves. Coyotes and wolves are predators that are threatening woodland caribou on the island. The province keeps a close eye on the caribou population. As part of its wildlife research, the province offers a bounty of 25 dollars for every coyote or wolf carcass brought in by licensed hunters. Now the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association is stepping up to do its share as well. Brad LeDrew is president of the outfitters association.

It's been a heartbreaking week on the Baie Verte Peninsula. A fishing vessel with four men aboard sank off Fleur de Lys on September 12th. One man managed to make it to shore, the bodies of two men were recovered, and one man is still lost at sea. People deal with their grief in a multitude of ways. For my next two guests, they poured their sense of loss and heartache into a song. We'll hear the song in just a moment. But first, let's hear from the songwriters. Greg Noftall penned the lyrics. Randy Lewis put the words to music.

A single father in Pasadena is struggling to give his son the care he needs - while also taking care of himself. Chris Brake has been the sole caregiver for his son for over a year. When he separated from his ex-wife, he thought he'd be able to care for his son with the help of some respite care. That never happened, and he has been struggling. CBC's James Grudic reports.

As we've been hearing, not everyone wants to see hundreds of giant wind turbines in western Newfoundland. Objections to the World Energy GH2 proposal sound familiar, because we have heard them during other large-scale industrial projects. People worry about threats to the natural beauty and ecology of the area. They say it's being rushed through, without enough public consultation. And they don't trust government, or industry. Which raises the question: what would a just and equitable mega-project look like, to these critics? Jamie Fitzpatrick asked them.

How's this for a throwdown? This year, Lee Stewart issued the Riff's Challenge, in which he challenged people to visit every location of the iconic NL department store Riff's - and there are LOTS of them, spread widely all over the province. Think of it as a bucket list item - and you could most likely buy an actual bucket at each stop.

Restaurants in NL are in trouble. Challenges such as the high cost of ingredients and fuel, as well as a shortage of workers are forcing some owners to increase the price of meals. Many restaurants are just breaking even, and some are closing. Richard Alexander, Atlantic vice- president of Restaurants Canada spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

To make a long story short...a new festival is happening in Rocky Harbour this weekend, and it's focused on storytelling. François Trépanier is organizer of the first-ever Rocky Harbour Storytelling Festival. He's also interim chair of the Rocky Harbour Business Association, which is also new.

For anyone who lives in Gander, it's not unusual to see people in uniform. Dozens of members of the Canadian Armed Forces live and work in town. This summer, the base at Nine Wing Gander got a new commanding officer. CBC producer David Newell met Lt. Col. Rhea MacLean last week.

The words "wind energy" seem to be on everyone’s lips these days. The province is promoting its potential, and the re-branded Energy NL is talking it up. Across Newfoundland, people either support, or oppose, or are just curious about wind energy. Now, citizens' advocacy group Council of Canadians is adding its voice. Helen Forsey is a member of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Council.

Reading an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS, sounds simple enough. At heart, it's a document that explains what a proposed project might mean for the environment. Government often requires an EIS to be filed and reviewed before a project can go ahead. But in reality, the document can be long, complex, and full of technical language. A deadline is coming up for public comment on World Energy GH2’s proposed wind project, but the company’s EIS is thousands of pages long. People in St. George’s and Corner Brook can get some advice on that at upcoming public presentations. Camille Ouellet-Dallaire is an assistant professor at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University.

Earlier this week, CBC Newfoundland Morning brought you coverage of the one-year anniversary of post-tropical storm Fiona. Adam Walsh and Bernice Hillier hosted a province-wide morning show from Port aux Basques (hear our full broadcast at cbc.ca/newfoundlandmorning). As extreme weather events become more and more frequent, the Canadian Red Cross says people everywhere should do some basic planning to be ready for a storm or other natural disaster. Bill Lawlor is interim vice president and he spoke with CBC's James Grudic.

One of Corner Brook's newest small businesses is on wheels - literally. It's a coffee shop, that's on a bicycle. The odd-looking vehicle has been around town for the past week or so. The owner set up shop at the Reid Street community garden on Tuesday. CBC's James Grudic went there to check it out. 

Lots of people LOVE old photos - the way people dressed, the way communities have changed... it's all so interesting. A Mi'kmaw band in the Bay of Islands looks forward to seeing many old photos this weekend. The Elmastukwek First Nation in Benoit's Cove is doing a photo album project, and they're looking for people's help with it on National Day For Truth and Reconciliation this Saturday. Kathy McCarthy is secretary of the Elmastukwek First Nation band, and Erica Samms-Hurley is a descendant of the band's first chief, Wilson Samms.

Picture it: You're standing in the kitchen window with a cup of tea, and suddenly, a bird visits the feeder outside. How often do you know what that bird is? Starling? "Greyjay? Something else? Jared Clarke can help you out with that. He's a full-time birdwatcher and bird expert.

NL's housing crisis is devastating for the people most affected. But hotels and private shelter operators are making money off the shortage of housing. These businesses are the only safety net available when someone has nowhere else to go. Through access to information requests, CBC News has obtained some details of how much money the province is spending on temporary housing. And that information is shedding light on the geographic spread of homelessness, which is unlike anything we have seen before. Ariana Kelland was in our St. John's studio.

New research at Memorial University could change the road to recovery for people with neurological disease symptoms. The research uses robotics to help patients recover and measure how well they're doing. Dr. Michelle Ploughman is a professor of biomedical sciences at MUN.

Vehicles pulled off on the side of the Trans Canada with white buckets on their hoods are sure signs that blueberry picking season has arrived. If you're looking to buy blueberries, you can be sure to get some there. Some of you, of course, pick your own. But, this year, many people say that the blueberries were scarce, even in your favorite spots. We thought we'd "pick" an expert to tell us what might be going on. David Percival is director of the Wild Blueberry Research Program and manager of the Wild Blueberry Research Centre at Dalhousie University.

This IS the season for all things pumpkin, and, today, there's a special meal being served up in Corner Brook that is making full use of some locally-grown pumpkins. We're talking giant pumpkins -- 450 pounds each -- grown by Joie de Vivre farm in Irishtown. Adrian Reid is one of the farm's owners. Madison's Restaurant in Steady Brook is turning the pumpkins into a hearty pumpkin soup. Erica Park is food and beverage manager at Madison's. Virender Singh, known to most people as Viru, is executive chef at Madison's.

Business owners in Lewisporte are feeling frustrated and on edge lately.That's because there have been NINE robberies reported in the Town in the last few weeks. They're not just limited to businesses, either - residents have also reported sheds and properties are also being targeted. Haley Kinden owns Kinden's Bakery and Cafe told us her location was broken into last week.

When you turn on your taps, the last thing you want to see is murky, discoloured water. But poor water quality is the reality for many communities across the province. One affected community is Irishtown-Summerside, on the north shore of the Bay of Islands. Peter Parsons is the mayor.

A Grade Three class in North West River, Labrador is gearing up to explore other parts of the province - without leaving their own classroom. Laura Pittman has been teaching at Lake Melville School for four years and wanted to try something new with her students. But she needs the help of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to do it. Pittman is asking people across the province to send postcards to her students, to help them learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador. She spoke with the CBC's Hillary Johnson.

The term "social enterprise" wasn't used much in 1997, so not everyone immediately understood the idea of the new, not-for-profit group that owned its own shrimp quota and invested all the money back into the community. St. Anthony Basin Resources Incorporated, or SABRI, had to manage the quota for the benefit of 16 Northern Peninsula communities - from Big Brook to Goose Cove. Now, more than 25 years later, SABRI has been honoured with a provincial award for Industry Leadership and Excellence. Wayne Noel is long-time chair of the board.

It's not every day that people in Newfoundland and Labrador watch closely for a decision by the federal environment minister. But members of the Environmental Transparency Committee were doing that last week, and they didn't get the answer they'd hoped for. The committee is concerned about a proposed wind energy project in Western Newfoundland. World Energy GH2 wants to build hundreds of wind turbines and a hydrogen/ammonia plant. The committee had asked the federal environment minister to give the wind energy project extra scrutiny, in the form of a federal impact assessment. But the Minister said no. Duran Felix is with the Environmental Transparency Committee.

You can play it year-round, and it gives you a healthy and inexpensive option for recreation. More and more players are taking part in disc golf, and courses are available in Corner Brook, Stephenville and St. Johns. Johnston Miller, president of Corner Brook Disc Golf and events director for Disc Golf NL met up with CBC's Alex Kennedy, to teach him a thing or two about disc golf.

There's a lot to know to be a moose hunter. Of course, you need to do a Hunter Education course and a Firearms Safety course. That's before you even apply for a license. But what about once you've got a moose down? Kaleb Nieuwenhuis is giving a seminar in Corner Brook tonight (Wednesday), on field dressing a moose. He's a former butcher, now a college instructor, in the agriculture technician program at College of the North Atlantic.

Last year, the provincial government announced community health hubs in Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor. They were supposed to provide primary care for the thousands of patients who are without a family doctor, and to reduce the demand on emergency rooms. Doctors at the hubs have no overhead expenses, but they do have nursing support and they work limited hours. Dr. Sarah Clancy has been running her own practice in Grand Falls-Windsor for ten years, but now, she's had enough of government delays on promised supports. She's closing up her practice in December. She spoke with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

This province's highest honour, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, was presented this week to seven people. One of them, artist Jean Claude Roy, should be even better known to all of us than he is. That's because he has visited more communities in this province than most Newfoundlanders and Labradorians ever will. Roy has painted harbours and hillsides from Harbour Le Cou to Happy Valley, and just every other nook and cranny He emigrated from France in 1971, and still divides his time between this province and France. Bernice Hiller asked Jean Claude Roy how he decided to visit every community in the province.

One of Corner Brook's youngest competitive martial artists has just returned from a national competition with a gold medal. She's just 12 years old, but this is her fourth competitive win in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She's so advanced that she can roll with other players who are MUCH older than she is - including her dad. CBC's James Grudic went to Anchor Combat Academy in Corner Brook to talk to them.

Andrew Thornley of Campbellton put a message in a bottle, threw it into the ocean and hoped and dreamed that someone would find it. He was a Grade 5 student at Greenwood Academy. On the note, he wrote about living on a farm and about all the animals that surrounded him. Nearly three decades later, Andrew Park of Scotland tracked him down to say he had found his message-in-bottle. Thornley is not in Grade Five anymore, but he still lives on a farm. And CBC surprised Andrew Thornley by having Andrew Park secretly listening to the interview!

When you think of Thanksgiving dinner, there's the turkey, of course. And, in Newfoundland, there's probably salt beef and pease pudding, as well. But many people would say it's not a full, traditional meal without the cranberries. Corey Reid has been growing them on his farm near Botwood for nearly15 years. The CBC's Leigh Anne Power dropped by to talk to him at this year's harvest.

You may have heard a few stories from the most recent Gull Island Gathering in Labrador. Hundreds of Innu came together to pitch traditional tents, play games, and just spend time with loved ones on the land. And 95-year-old Mary Odele Penashue wouldn't miss it for the world. She's the oldest Innu elder in her community of Sheshatshiu, and at the Gathering this year, she was giving thanks for her many, many children and grandchildren -- including her great-great-great-GREAT-grandchildren. With translation help from her granddaughter, Florence Penashue, Mary Odele spoke with CBC's Andrea McGuire in Innu-Aimun.

Corner Brook writer Heather Huybregts always thought she was destined for greatness. But, as you'll hear, awkwardly handling a puppy in her arms has left her still waiting for her moment.

Back in 2012, a wildlife fence stretching over 16 kilometres was installed on the Trans Canada Highway between Gallants and Barachois. It's just one of many attempts to keep moose off the province's highways. Of course, there's still work to be done. Just last week, a 54-year-old man died after hitting a moose on the highway near Birchy Narrows. We spoke with John Abbott, NL's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

This province's highest honour, the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, was presented last week to seven people. On our program, we've already heard from two of the recipients who are connected to our area, Dave Elms and Jean Claude Roy. We caught up with the third inductee who's rooted in our Newfoundland Morning region. Andrus Voitk has a passion for natural history, and he's done a great deal to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the many species of mushroom that grow naturally in this province. Voitk wrote the first field guide to the fungi of Newfoundland and Labrador, and he's even had two species of fungi named after him.

Eelgrass grows on the seabed, 40 metres under the water. it's home to numerous species of fish and other creatures, and it helps the planet's marine ecosystem. Researchers in Gros Morne will be learning a whole lot more about eelgrass over the next three years. The Atlantic Healthy Oceans Initiative and the Ecology Action Centre are doing the work, along with Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. CBC producer Hillary Johnson reached two people involved with the project.

The thing about artists is that they see the world with different eyes than most of us. Take Alli Johnston, for example. She took notice of what was left of an old bridge that used to connect Exploits Islands in Central Newfoundland. And, where most of us might see only rusty old rebar, she drew inspiration for art. The result is an installation of textile art called "The Bridge." It opened at the Craft Council gallery in St. John's last week.

Imagine a woman whose broken jaw was wired shut for so long that she now has trouble speaking. But in order to win a one-way trip to colonize Mars, she has to tape a 60-second video on why it would be her ultimate escape. That's the premise of a new novel called Jawbone, by acclaimed Newfoundland and Labrador writer Meghan Greeley.

ICYMI: If you could ask cats around the province what they're grateful for this Thanksgiving, Mission Kitty would be at the top of their list. The non-profit organization in Labrador West has helped cat rescue groups all over Newfoundland and Labrador - and it all started because of one very special cat, Jingles. His passing in 2016 initially inspired a small online fundraising effort, which led to the startup of a thrift store in Wabush last year, and now an upcoming expansion. Colette Beals is the founder of Mission Kitty.

The Gander Tombolo Multicultural Expo is back for another exciting weekend. The event celebrates cultural diversity in our community and has something for the entire family. Zainab Jerrett is the executive director of Tombolo Multicultural Festival Newfoundland and Labrador.

Moose on our highways are no joke. Hear from a man who really wants to reduce moose collisions in the province. Eugene Nippard is the founder of the Save Our People Action Committee.

Enamored with mega-projects. A political scientist looks at wind/hydrogen projects proposed for this province, and weighs in how politicians are approaching the idea of this brand new industry.

The RCMP often warn people about scammers out to steal their money. Last week in Gander, several seniors were targeted in the so-called "grandparent scam." Thanks to police warnings though, one of the victims recognized the ploy and reported the thief.

This week, in an unexpected move, the NHL has banned the use of "pride tape;" a rainbow hockey tape some players have used to express inclusion. Kurt Weaver is with the You Can Play Project, which advocates for LGBTQ+ people to be welcome in sports. Kristopher Wells is a co-creator of Pride Tape. They speak with CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

A case of animal hoarding has the Corner Brook SPCA overwhelmed. Find out what's happening with the abundance of animals. CBC's James Grudic reports.

She got her moose and she got it in style. Meet the young hunter who won an all-inclusive guided hunting trip in the province.

Grand Falls-Windsor is focused on the fabric of the community -- literally. Hear how the town's sewing and quilting lessons are helping people find their happy place.

For several years now, if you were pregnant and in the Gander catchment area, you were likely diverted to Grand Falls-Windsor to deliver your baby. James Paton Memorial Hospital had a chronic problem in recruiting and keeping obstetrical staff. Eight months ago, the provincial government announced that it plans to fix the problem and permanently reopen the Gander OBS unit. To find out how much longer people will have to wait for that, the CBC's Leigh Anne Power called Joanne Pelley, the health services vice president for Central Newfoundland region of NL Health.

Tony Wakeham is the new leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. He captured the victory by a narrow margin over Eugene Manning -- on the second ballot. Wakeham is the MHA for Stephenville-Port-au-Port.