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Jennifer Stahn
Final report on residential schools survivors signals time for government to act
OTTAWA – When Justice Murray Sinclair formally ends the six-year Truth and Reconciliation Commission later this morning with the release of its final report, he'll be setting a high bar for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Christmas wish list: Auroras, full moons and meteor showers
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The next two weeks could be everything you wished for if sky watching is at the top of your Christmas list. The northern lights seem to have been making a lot more appearances this year, and another storm is expected to hit Earth this week, as early as this evening. Unfortunately Environment Canada...
Boston company aims to shake up fur industry with roadkill fashions
BOSTON – Pamela Paquin's source for fashion is either "tres chic" or will make you shriek.
Temperatures cooling off in the Okanagan this week
OKANAGAN - The temperatures will drop back below 0 Celsius this week after a long run of weather warmer than seasonal normals in the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for the mercury to stay around 2 C to 4 C throughout the region today, Dec. 14, but then the overnight temperature will drop to as...
Warm weather sticking around just a bit longer in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - It seems our stretch of well-above seasonal normal temperatures is coming to an end, but we still have a few slightly warmer days ahead of us. Environment Canada is calling for a high of 3 Celsius today, Dec. 11, in the Vernon and Kelowna areas, with a high of 4 C expected in...
Canada’s maple syrup output fell again in 2015 as El Nino raises questions about spring
MONTREAL – A late spring caused Canada's maple syrup production to fall for the second consecutive year in 2015 — and El Nino is threatening to put a dent in next spring's output as well.
IOC to begin independent auditing of money given to sports organizations to avoid scandal
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The IOC will launch an independent auditing of the money it gives to sports organizations in a bid to prevent the type of corruption scandals that have engulfed the governing bodies of soccer and track and field.
Sea otter that recovered from gunshot wounds dies at Vancouver Aquarium
VANCOUVER – A much-loved sea otter that won the hearts of Vancouver Aquarium's staff and visitors while recovering from gunshot wounds has died.
Kelowna kitchen fire quickly contained
KELOWNA - Residents were able to quickly put out a kitchen fire with the extinguisher they had on hand, but crews still needed to open up the walls when they arrived last night. The kitchen fire was called in around 7 p.m. yesterday, Dec. 9, and when crews arrived at the house in the 200...
Dollarama to increase prices, test credit cards in B.C.
MONTREAL – Dollarama is taking the first steps towards accepting credit cards as it prepares to introduce higher priced items next year, with the discount retailer saying it will accept the cards at more than 80 stores in British Columbia starting in early 2016.
First test-tube puppies in the world a success, now five months old
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A team of veterinarians, scientists and lab workers gathered around a surrogate hound and watched her give birth to seven half-pound puppies, the first dogs ever conceived in a test tube.
Former Olympian Bauer sues CFSA, doctor over concussions suffered in training
VANCOUVER – Former Olympic aerials skier Veronika Bauer is suing the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association for negligence in relation to a series of concussions she suffered while active in the sport.
Despite good intentions, Canada earns ‘fossil’ tag at Paris climate talks
OTTAWA – This clearly wasn't what federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna had in mind when she told delegates to the Paris climate conference that "Canada is back."
First airlift of Syrian refugees to arrive Thursday in Toronto, says Trudeau
OTTAWA – The federal Liberal government's first airlift of Syrian refugees will arrive Thursday in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.
Ivan Henry’s lawyer makes case for B.C. to pay at least $30 million
VANCOUVER – A man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years on sex crimes convictions deserves compensation of $30 million or more, his lawyer has argued in British Columbia Supreme Court.
Blasting activity end of Rosalee Lane
WEST KELOWNA - The City of West Kelowna is advising the public that blasting activity related to subdivision construction north of Rosealee Lane, to the southwest of the Rosewood Drive neighbourhood will occur over the next few months with expected completion by April 15, 2016. A blasting permit has been issued to Kara Vista Development...
North Face co-founder and environmentalist Douglas Tompkins dies in Chile kayaking accident
SANTIAGO, Chile – Douglas Tompkins, the co-founder of The North Face and Esprit clothing companies who bought up large swaths of land in South America's Patagonia region to keep them pristine, has died from severe hypothermia in a kayaking accident in Chile.
Transport agency reprimands Air Canada over ‘paternalistic’ deaf-blind policy
VANCOUVER – The Canadian Transportation Agency has ordered Air Canada to officially change what it calls a discriminatory policy prohibiting deaf-blind people from travelling solo.
Drugs, weapons issues at B.C. group homes that cared for teen who died: report
VICTORIA – Newly released government documents say drugs and weapons were among the concerns at former private group homes operated by a company that cared for an 18-year-old before his death.
Canadian Tire takes aim at Walmart in latest Christmas light troubles
TORONTO – Canadian Tire is accusing Walmart of ripping off the design of its made-in-Canada clip-on Christmas lights and is demanding that the mega-retailer cease and desist — the latest bit of bad news for people looking for electrical holiday finery.
Snowfall warning for Interior highways
THOMPSON-OKANANAGAN - With a snowfall warning in place for the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3 we can expect to see significant snowfall on highway passes before the end of the day. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for higher elevations as a Pacific frontal system begins moving across Southern B.C. today, Dec. 9. The...
Let the choir sing: Transgender singers discover their voices in Boston chorus
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – In the world of vocal groups, where singers are separated along bold gender lines with little room for grey, the Butterfly Music Transgender Chorus stands out.
Ikea monkey awaiting arrival of new roommates as sanctuary expands
On the eve of the Ikea monkey's third anniversary at a sanctuary, workers are building enclosures for two potential roommates.
Family of late Steve Montador is suing NHL over concussions sustained while playing
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The family of the late Steve Montador is suing the NHL over concussions and other brain injuries the defenceman suffered during his playing career.