News

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Bassano RCMP has released a list of guidelines for ice fisherman after two separate reports of vehicles partially falling through the ice on Crawling Valley Reservoir in February. In a news release highlighting significant events last month, Mounties say they received reports of vehicles falling through the ice on Feb. 14 and then Feb. [...] Read More »

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com Medicine Hat Fire Services says it responded to 15 calls Sunday, with 10 directly related to blowing winds of up to 100 km/h mixed with snow that resulted in falling debris and damage to city power lines and trees. Among the 10 weather related calls firefighters responded to four electrical hazards caused by trees [...] Read More »

zmason@medicinehatnews.com The Alberta government released more information this week about changes to the province’s disability benefit framework. In a news release Monday, the Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services shared more details on the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, a new disability income assistance program introduced in February 2025 to augment the Assured Income for [...] Read More »

zmason@medicinehatnews.com An omnibus bill was tabled Tuesday to update several laws related to Alberta Budget 2026, including consolidating caregiver supports and levying a new fee for the tourism sector. Budget 2026 proposes a deficit of $9.4 billion for the coming fiscal year, more than double the current deficit. “These uncertain economic times require cautious and [...] Read More »

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com A new report from the Pembina Institute is calling for the Alberta and federal governments to remove obstacles the province has placed on renewable energy generation over the course of ongoing talks about emissions policy. The November memorandum of understanding being Alberta and Ottawa suspended clean energy regulations pending a negotiated agreement on carbon [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Nunavut MP Lori Idlout’s decision to cross the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government at 170 seats — two short of a majority — with three byelections still to come on April 13. Idlout said in a media statement that she decided to cross the floor [...] Read More »

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed … Nunavut MP Idlout defects from NDP to Liberals The NDP says Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to join the Liberals, pushing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government closer to a majority. Idlout’s move follows defections [...] Read More »

TORONTO — Michael Groves thought he had appendicitis. In January 2021, he went to the emergency department with abdominal pains, but after testing, medical staff ruled it out and he went home. A couple of days later, Groves, who lives in Ottawa, saw blood in his stool, so he told his family doctor. Both the [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Nunavut MP Lori Idlout crossing the floor from the NDP to the Liberals puts the government at 170 seats, with three byelections set for April 13 that are poised to be the deciding factor. The two Toronto-area byelections were triggered by the resignations of former cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland and Bill Blair — [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Five gun control advocacy groups have told the RCMP they’re “alarmed and disappointed” the force has not yet disclosed basic information about the models and legal status of the firearms used in the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting. The RCMP has responded by saying the information is subject to an active investigation, meaning [...] Read More »

Over 200 Blood Tribe members took part in The Blood Tribe Resource Fair Thursday in Standoff. The event was the first of its kind, says Levi Little Moustache, Director of Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training (BTEST). “The event today was a collaboration of all the HR departments (including) all the departments under Blood Tribe, [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com Misconduct allegations from more than five years ago finally culminated in a disciplinary hearing for Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh this week. The Lethbridge Police Commission held the hearing Thursday at City Hall to address misconduct allegations against Mehdizadeh regarding an incident that took place in March 2021. The allegations were made [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDjmanio@lethbridgeherald.com A perpetual challenge for not-for-profit organizations is funding for their charitable work. In support of its continuing mission, Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is hosting an inaugural gala called “Spring to Light” on April 25 at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Center, featuring Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and author Rick Mercer. “This [...] Read More »

Some Lethbridge homeowners might be surprised to see an almost 14 per cent increase in their education taxes when they get their property tax bill this spring. According to the Government of Alberta website, education property taxes are increasing for 2025-2026 after being frozen in 2024-2025. For Lethbridge residents, this will amount to a 13.8 [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com Efforts to raise $30 million to improve cardiac care in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat are paying off. Three new donation commitments totalling $350,000 mean a fundraiser to establish the Southern Alberta Cardiac Centre of Excellence has reached about a third of its goal. Campaign manager Jordan Cleland said Wednesday about $10 million has [...] Read More »