Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta reported a record number of new HIV infections in 2023, and doctors says the surge in cases has had unexpected impacts on HIV programs in the province. There were 507 cases of HIV reported in 2023, 73 per cent more than in 2022 and the largest year-over-year increase…

Talar Stockton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The City of Dawson is suing its own mayor, Bill Kendrick. The lawsuit was filed with the Yukon supreme court on Oct. 9. The claim shared with the News asks the court for an interlocutory and permanent injunction forcing Kendrick to immediately remove the encroachments from city-owned property. The…

Pearl Lorentzen Local Journalism Initiative Reporter A northern Alberta municipality is putting up billboards to hopefully get some tips on unsolved missing and murdered Indigenous people. In 2023, the M.D. of Opportunity and Bigstone Cree Nation raised $88,000 to help four local families find answers about their missing or murdered Indigenous relatives. This is to…

Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is stealthily privatizing ever-larger segments of health care, according to a provincewide coalition of activists. To illustrate their point, the Ontario Health Coalition and the Ontario Council of Health Unions are touring a Trojan horse through Northwestern Ontario. The large equine model made a stop…

Jim Dumville, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company announced that Ryan Alright, its president and CEO, has taken an extended leave of absence from the company. The announcement by the shareholders of the Hartland-based company in an Oct. 23 release follows Albright’s arrest on domestic violence charges by the Bangor, Maine, police…