municipal matters
North Battleford issues $16.7M in building permits through June
North Battleford issued seven residential building permits in the second quarter, down from 17 a year earlier, while the total value of all building permits fell by $1.33 million.The city issued 27 permits worth $6.6 million during the quarter, according to its Engineering, Planning, Asset Management and Infrastructure...
6h ago
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new framework
Sask. unveils data centre framework to ensure projects deliver 'meaningful benefits'
The provincial government says its new data centre framework will ensure new projects deliver "meaningful benefits to Saskatchewan residents and businesses."The Government of Saskatchewan unveiled the framework on Thursday, noting that it was developed following feedback from businesses and the public.The fra...
8h ago
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What's Trending
municipal matters
North Battleford issues $16.7M in building permits through June
6h ago
Promoting music and culture
Submission for Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards 2026 are now open
Rider News
Shemar Bridges ready to go with Saskatchewan Roughriders
7h ago
Financial management
Saskatchewan projects $825M deficit in first quarter of 2026-27
8h ago
Battlefords
municipal matters
North Battleford issues $16.7M in building permits through June
North Battleford issued seven residential building permits in the second quarter, down from 17 a year earlier, while the total value of all building permits fell by $1.33 million.The city issued 27 permits worth $6.6 million during the quarter, according to its Engineering, Planning, Asset Management and Infrastructure...
6h ago
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GIVING BACK
Community giveaway helps families tackle back-to-school costs
For dozens of local families, getting ready for the new school year came with a little less financial pressure thanks to a community school supply giveaway.Chelsey Gladue said families began arriving almost as soon as she reached the pickup location."We had our first family come at about 2:20, and it seemed like a...
9h ago
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2026 BBEX
Kramer Auction Service, family headed to Hall of Fame as BBEX finalists named
Kramer Auction Service and the Kramer family will enter the Battlefords Business Hall of Fame as part of the 32nd BBEX Awards.The Battlefords Business Excellence Committee independently selected the Hall of Fame inductee and announced finalists Thursday in seven competitive categories. CI Assante Hein Financial Group a...
9h ago
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mental health and addictions
'A vital part of recovery': Saskatchewan funds 20 sober-living spaces in Lloydminster
Finishing addictions treatment can leave a practical question unanswered: where can someone live while continuing to recover?Twenty new second-stage sober-living spaces spread across four Lloydminster homes are intended to provide that stability. The Saskatchewan government announced Aug. 27 it is providing Oxford Hous...
11h ago
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Rustic Nine fundraiser
Two acres of sunflowers bloom in North Battleford as a thank-you to volunteer firefighters
Against a wall of green trees, thousands of sunflowers turn the front of Rustic Nine gold.But the field is about more than a pretty backdrop for photos. This year, owners Elaine and Victor Liebaert are using the two-acre field at their North Battleford golf course and event centre to raise money for the Saskatchewan Vo...
Aug 26, 2026
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"WE WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE FUN"
E-bikes are gaining popularity - but are riders following the rules?
E-bikes are becoming a more common sight around the Battlefords, and one local business believes the growing popularity is a sign that technology is moving beyond a niche market. At PT Performance Cycles, owner Tom Smith and Richard Nelson said demand for e-bikes has increased by about 50 per cent each year since 2023...
Aug 26, 2026
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Saskatchewan
health care
Rise Air, La Ronge EMS celebrate 30 years of medivac services
Thirty years of delivering essential medical care transportation was celebrated Wednesday at the La Ronge Airport. The event, which included an impressive list of dignitaries, marked the 30th year of a partnership between Rise Air and La Ronge EMS to provide medivac services to residents throughout Northern Saskatchew...
6h ago
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Financial management
Saskatchewan projects $825M deficit in first quarter of 2026-27
Saskatchewan is forecasting an $825 million deficit for the first quarter of 2026-27.That's $6 million more than the $819 million deficit the government projected in its 2026-27 provincial budget.According to Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Jim Reiter, the deficit "demonstrates our government's commitment to r...
8h ago
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new framework
Sask. unveils data centre framework to ensure projects deliver 'meaningful benefits'
The provincial government says its new data centre framework will ensure new projects deliver "meaningful benefits to Saskatchewan residents and businesses."The Government of Saskatchewan unveiled the framework on Thursday, noting that it was developed following feedback from businesses and the public.The fra...
8h ago
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Counter Tariffs
Ottawa tweaks tariff reprisal after industry input
Canadian businesses continue to weather U.S. President Donald Trump's latest duties while they await the planned reprisal from Ottawa to take effect.Late Wednesday evening, Finance Canada issued a statement saying it had been receiving feedback from Canadian industries and is making some adjustments to the list of coun...
16h ago
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Hitting all the right notes
Sask. talent dominates lineup at Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival
Waskesiu will become a hub for music lovers this weekend. Upwards of 5,000 people are expected to flock to the Hamlet within Prince Albert National Park, as the townsite prepares for its largest event of the year. The ninth installment of the Waskesiu Lakeside Music Festival begins on Friday evening and wraps up Sunday...
16h ago
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Tariff fallout
Some businesses seeing tariff impacts now, consumers may feel it later
Some Saskatchewan businesses are already paying more for inventory because of the Canada-U.S. trade disputeAt Windsor Plywood in Prince Albert, owner Ray Kokotailo said the biggest impact so far has been on steel and aluminum products, with the cost of some steel products rising by about 30 per cent."We have defin...
Aug 26, 2026
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Local Sports
Rider News
Shemar Bridges ready to go with Saskatchewan Roughriders
It's been a busy couple of weeks for Shemar Bridges.The wide receiver was back at practice for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, preparing for an Aug. 15 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders after dealing with an injury all season.But he was released by the Ti-Cats on Aug. 19. On Aug. 25, it was announced that the former C...
7h ago
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Riders now 6-and-4
Penalties, mistakes lead to 30-16 Riders loss to Lions
A number of miscues and costly penalties were something the Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn't shake in B.C. as they lost to the Lions on Sunday night.The 30-16 loss to the B.C. Lions (5-5) was Saskatchewan's second in a row, as they have now dropped to 6-4 on the season."I have to do a better job. This is two game...
Aug 24, 2026
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Game weekend
Woods relishing first season with Riders ahead of B.C. return
A phone call with Corey Mace made it clear where Josh Woods wanted to play football in 2026.The linebacker spent five seasons with the B.C. Lions but elected to join the Saskatchewan Roughriders this off-season."Off that first phone call with Mace, I knew this was somewhere I wanted to be," Woods said. "...
Aug 21, 2026
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PREPPING FOR HOCKEY SEASON
A look at the off-ice part of a North Stars offseason
With the 2026-27 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season approaching, the Battlefords North Stars have been working throughout the off-season to prepare. From securing sponsorships and planning community events to ordering new jerseys and off-ice equipment, the North Stars have covered their bases ahead of the upcomin...
Aug 20, 2026
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A CHAMPION FROM THE BATTLEFORDS
Battlefords' Wrench reflects on road to WCBL, championship with the Saskatoon Berries
In his first season with the Saskatoon Berries, Battleford-born left-handed pitcher Brody Wrench can call himself a Western Canadian Baseball League champion. "It was a really special season. The guys really came together and Saskatoon supported us so well all season. It made the whole experience amazing, and it w...
Aug 18, 2026
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Lasting legacy
Respected Sask. veteran and famed boxer passes away
A respected veteran, famed boxer and a key member of the organizing committee for Back-to-Batoche will be laid to rest this week.Claude Petit died on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the age of 90. His wake service and funeral are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday at the Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation Veterans Memorial Hall...
Aug 18, 2026
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Battlefords Profiles
Promoting music and culture
Submission for Saskatchewan Indigenous Music Awards 2026 are now open
The SIMA Awards are back for 2026, and this year promises to be more exciting than ever. As a platform dedicated to celebrating Indigenous talent, the awards recognize the contributions of Indigenous artists across various genres. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this is your chance to shine.The...
Jun 30, 2026
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30 Years of Sharing Success
SIGA releases financial results, record-breaking profits as a gaming operator
SIGA hit a record $418 million in gross revenue, and $167 million in a final distribution of income for its 2025-26 fiscal year. June 23, 2026 - Saskatoon, SK - The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) is reporting record-breaking profits for the fourth year in a row, achieving $418 million in gross revenue and ...
Jun 24, 2026
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Winnings
Lucky guest at Gold Eagle Casino hits $1.9 million Smoke Signals jackpot
The Smoke Signals Progressive Jackpot must hit before it reaches $2 million and for Yvonne Greenwald, it was as close to the limit as possible.Yvonne, from Unity, Sask., became Saskatchewan's newest millionaire on Wednesday when she officially won a total of $1,924,070.69 at the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority's (...
Jun 16, 2026
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Canada
B.C. ends fire state of emergency after 20 days, thousands of evacuations, one death
BOSTON BAR - British Columbia has ended a provincial state of emergency that was imposed on Aug. 8 in response to wildfires that sent thousands of people fleeing and resulted in one death. The state of emergency had previously been scheduled to end on ...
5h ago
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Banman is 6th B.C. Conservative to quit this month, calls leader Findlay unelectable
Bruce Banman, who gave the B.C. Conservatives official party status in the British Columbia legislature when he crossed the floor to join colleague John Rustad in 2023, has joined the rush out of the party's caucus to sit as an Independent, and urged o...
5h ago
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Canada recruits dozens of foreign scientists, researchers, poaching many from U.S.
VANCOUVER - Canadian universities have recruited dozens of foreign scientists and researchers, many of them poached from prestigious U.S. institutions, in the first intake of a program to attract world-leading academics. The hiring of the 64 new recrui...
6h ago
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Air Canada suspends two employees after RCMP drug trafficking investigation
MONTREAL - Air Canada says it has suspended the two employees arrested by the RCMP on Wednesday in connection with alleged cocaine and cannabis trafficking out of Montréal-Trudeau Airport. The airline would not comment further on the arrests. The RCMP ...
7h ago
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Anti-immigrant speaker blocked from entering Canada in time for Hamilton event
OTTAWA - Austrian anti-immigrant speaker Martin Sellner says he was not granted an electronic travel authorization in time for a trip to Hamilton to speak at a nationalist conference. In a video posted on X, Sellner says Canada not granting him permiss...
7h ago
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Wasp attack warnings as swarms surge in B.C. amid warm weather and abundant food
VANCOUVER - When the wasp swarm attacked a climber on a trail north of Vancouver this week, her reaction was so severe she needed helicopter evacuation. But Maria Masiar, search manager with Lions Bay Search and Rescue, said the wasps weren't done, att...
8h ago
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World
Death toll from flash floods rises with rescuers in Nepal and China working to find hundreds missing
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - The death toll from massive flash floods has risen to 469 in Nepal, police said Friday, as rescuers work to find hundreds of people still missing in the area on the Nepal-China border. The previous death toll was 3...
1h ago
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Judge again blocks Trump mail ballot executive order in ruling that's likely to be swiftly appealed
A federal judge on Thursday halted - at least for now - attempts to implement President Donald Trump's executive order limiting mail voting. The move stalled the directive for a second time only about a week before the first mail ballots ...
3h ago
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Controllers warned Marine One pilots about communication issues week before dual takeoff, NTSB says
Air traffic controllers in Washington and the pilots of President Donald Trump's helicopter met to discuss communication issues one week before a jet was allowed to take off just as Marine One left the White House, federal investigators said Thursday. ...
10h ago
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Trump signs order renaming Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in the United States
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Thursday he is renaming Lake Ontario to be known as "Lake America" in the United States as he exacerbates his trade war with Canada. The Republican president signed an executive order that upd...
11h ago
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Jury weighs whether Lindsay Clancy is criminally responsible for killing her children
PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - Jurors in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial began deliberating a verdict Thursday, tasked with deciding whether she was in control of herself when she killed her three children, or had lost her grip on reality due to mental illness...
12h ago
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UEFA prepares criminal complaint in Swiss courts against FIFA's Infantino over World Cup sell-off
MONACO (AP) - UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement over his failed plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors. The governing body of European...
12h ago
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