Local News
Show Review: Paperback Stage doesn’t miss a beat as it returns with enthusiastic performance of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on December 23rd, 2025
asmith@medicinehatnews.com The Paperback Stage has returned from a long hiatus, but their rendition of C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has been well worth the wait. With the script adapted from the book itself by the production’s artistic director, Richard Grafton, it is a rare occurrence that a review can comment ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Looking to the future, Stampede raring to go forward with major improvements in 2026
By BRENDAN MILLER on December 23rd, 2025
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com With an aging wooden grandstand still “barely standing” and the motivation to attract more tourism dollars and hold larger conferences and events in the city, the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede is looking forward to working with elected officials in 2026 as it continues to seek funding for repairs and expansion. Stampede officials say ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Operating hours altered at city facilities over next week-plus
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 23rd, 2025
The City of Medicine Hat will see building and operations closures through the final days of 2025. City hall will be closed Dec. 25-28 and open for regular hours Dec. 29-31. It will be closed Jan. 1 and open again for regular hours Jan. 2. There will be no waste collection Dec. 25 and 26, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Year in Review: Ag industry chugs forward during tougher times
By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on December 23rd, 2025
asmith@medicinehatnews.com While drought conditions continued for much of the region this year, 2025 was a year of innovation for southeastern Alberta. Rain did arrive later into the early part of the growing season, but for many farmers the precipitation came both too little and too late to prevent reduced yields. In Cypress County, the consistent ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Year in Review: Corruption, confusion and contagion – 2025 a landmark year for Alberta health
By ZOE MASON on December 23rd, 2025
zmason@medicinehatnews.com It has been a historic year of upheaval for health care in Alberta. The system-wide overhaul the province dubbed a ‘health-care refocusing’ was announced in 2023 and began in 2024, but 2025 was the year organizational changes came to fruition. Between the changing face of health care in the province, high-profile inquiries into service ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Corb Lund files notice of intent to reapply for anti-coal petition
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 20th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Country singer Corb Lund has filed a notice of intent to reapply for the issuance of a citizen initiative petition after his previous petition was struck down by a change to the Citizen Initiative Act. Lund’s petition puts forth the proposal: “The Government of Alberta shall prohibit by law any and all new coal ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!County mayor welcomes rural police funding changes
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 20th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Mayor of Cypress County Dan Hamilton is encouraged by the changes the province announced Thursday to the funding model for rural policing. Hamilton has been outspoken about the failures of the current system, which has increased the cost of policing in Cypress County by just under $800,000 since it was introduced in 2020. Costs ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Provincial health officials give update on severe flu season
By ZOE MASON on December 20th, 2025
zmason@medicinehatnews.com Alberta’s top health officials are advising Albertans to get vaccinated amid the height of a severe flu season. Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Adriana LaGrange says this year’s flu season is somewhat unusual as circulating strains are not an exact match for this year’s vaccine, which is contributing to the high volume ... Read More »
1 responseYear in Review: Smith talks 2025, says policies good for her riding
By ZOE MASON on December 20th, 2025
zmason@medicinehatnews.com As a landmark year for Alberta politics comes to a close, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat and Premier Danielle Smith spoke with the News to reflect on the year in policy for Medicine Hat. Major shakeups to health care, a chaotic municipal election and changes to the energy market consisting of regulatory restructuring and a ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Year in Review: Students, schools make strides despite challenges
By BRENDAN MILLER on December 20th, 2025
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com As the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education celebrated delivering 115 years of education in 2025, the school division held an official groundbreaking and blessing ceremony for its new Holy Trinity Academy K-9, expected to welcome students in 2027, and launched a unique academy toward careers in policing and firefighting. Earlier in May the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Caring for the Caregiver, Veiner Centre hosting free workshop
By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 20th, 2025
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The Unison at Veiner Centre is hosting a free presentation and informative session in the new year that will focus on supporting caregivers and finding a better understanding of the toll of caring for a loved one. On Jan. 15 the free Caring for the Caregiver workshop will be held in the North MP ... Read More »
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