Opinions
Let’s Chat: Blue Monday it was not
By Linda Tooth on January 17th, 2024
I have often wondered where the term ‘Blue Monday’ came from and why we are hung up on it. A U.K. travel company thought up the gimmick as a marketing ploy more than 10 years ago and it has stuck with us. There is no scientific evidence to support this so-called depressing day but let ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: He shaped the music scene in Medicine Hat, and he’ll be sorely missed
By Bruce Penton on January 17th, 2024
Medicine Hat’s musical community suffered a major loss last Saturday when longtime band director Bill Wahl passed away in Edmonton. Wahl, who formed the Medicine Hat Concert Band Society in 1985 and had been band director at Crescent Heights High School since 1971, faced a dementia challenge in his later years. A note to band ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MLA Report: Alberta recovery news
By Justin Wright on January 17th, 2024
This week, many Canadians were troubled to learn about the B.C. NDP’s new drug policy, which allows eligible youth who are already struggling with addiction to gain access to fentanyl through their so-called “safe supply” policy. This is something our United Conservative government does not agree with. Here in Alberta, we believe there is no ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City Notebook: Memorial Cup bid on the way? Who can say
By COLLIN GALLANT on January 13th, 2024
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Sports reporter James Tubb performed a public service last week arguing in a column that Medicine Hat has to – just has to – bid on the 2026 Memorial Cup tournament. Looking at the current roster, the spring of ’26 could be a lot of fun. Scuttlebutt says the local sport and event council ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: Stay cheery, we never know what someone else is going through
By Bruce Penton on January 10th, 2024
It’s always a treat to verbally engage with fellow walkers while out on Medicine Hat’s walking trails. The smiles, the fellowship, the realization that we’re both enjoying the activity and the fresh air. But once in a while – rarely, actually – approaching walkers turn their heads away. No response from a cheery ‘hello’ … ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: Time for a change
By Linda Tooth on January 10th, 2024
I recently had a conversation with someone who was at a point in their life where they felt deflated and broken with their career and were in desperate need of a change. Their health was starting to show signs of deterioration from the toxic environment they had been working in for approximately 10 years. I ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City Notebook: Third quarter, time to shine or show true colours
By COLLIN GALLANT on January 6th, 2024
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Halfway through city council’s term, there’s still a lot of debate about what sort of council it is, but an answer may already be emerging, or likely will in the next 12 months. Borrowing an adage from sports, a team will generally prove whether it’s a contender or not in the third quarter of ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: Freedom matters but do we really need new smokers?
By Bruce Penton on January 3rd, 2024
Who wins if Canada were to adopt a law to make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born in 2008 or later? It’s being considered, according to reports. Canadians who don’t take up smoking would win, because they’ll have a better chance of good health and more money in their pockets. The Canadian health-care ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: Holiday wrap-up
By Linda Tooth on January 3rd, 2024
I managed to stay off social media for one week. I must admit the first day was hard, but after that it was not a problem. Now, I did sneak a peek at Messenger during that week to see a video sent to me of a four-year-old family member singing Jingle Bells with the new ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City Notebook: Still here in ’24, despite AI
By COLLIN GALLANT on December 30th, 2023
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant “Why don’t you spellcheck?” is a question sometimes left on my phone, written in all-caps to my email or occasionally yelled from a passing car. It’s a good question with a surprising answer. We do spell check, but having written the equivalent of a high school or university term paper each day on a ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Economics 101: Increase in unemployment rate signalling a U.S. recession
By Eric Van Enk on December 30th, 2023
Our final chart of the year highlights U.S. unemployment which has begun to increase from recent lows. Throughout 2023, the U.S. economy generally outperformed expectations, driven by higher consumer spending which represents approximately two-thirds of the U.S. economy. The U.S. consumer continued to spend despite having to endure higher interest rates by drawing down excess ... Read More »
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