January 30th, 2026

News

Local News

  • Province cracking down on predatory towing practices

    Alberta’s government is implementing rules to establish a clear, provincewide standard for towing and storage operators to better protect consumers. Starting April 1, tow truck drivers will be required to communicate all towing and storage costs and obtain consent before towing begins. Those who violate this rule will risk penalties ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, [...] Read More »

    17 hours ago
  • Pair charged for trying to sell stolen items through online marketplace

    newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Nickolas Grunwald, 44, and Coutney Scouten, 33, are both facing charges following a break-and-enter in Forty Mile County sometime in early January or late December. Bow Island RCMP initiated an investigation Jan. 19 after the victim of the break-and-enter saw his property for sale on the online market Kijiji. Mounties suspect the break-and-enter occurred [...] Read More »

    17 hours ago
  • Veiner Centre hosts workshop to beat winter blues

    newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com The Unison at Veiner Centre will partner with Medicine Hat Family Service to hold an information session aimed at boosting mood and energy over the winter months. The Wellbeing Workshop titled “Beating the Winter Blues” runs Feb. 11 in the Veiner Centre boardroom, and will provide participants with practical strategies that can be used [...] Read More »

    17 hours ago
  • MHPSD’s Alternative Learning Team uses both targeted and responsive support to approach de-escalation

    newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Members of the Medicine Hat Public School Division’s Alternative Learning Team recently provided a presentation to the College of Alberta School Superintendents on strategies for de-escalation and intervention. The ALT started during the 2017-18 school year, and its members provide targeted and responsive support for students with complex behavioural, emotional and communication needs. The [...] Read More »

    17 hours ago
  • Landowner seeks AER investigation of Smith’s top energy adviser

    zmason@medicinehatnews.com An Alberta landowner has submitted a request for investigation to the Alberta Energy Regulator, alleging that Premier Danielle Smith’s top energy adviser may be breaching conflict of interest rules. Dwight Popowich, a landowner in Two Hills with an orphaned well on his land, submitted a similar complaint to the Alberta ethics commissioner in July. [...] Read More »

    17 hours ago

National News

  • Actress Catherine O’Hara: Canadian acting legend

    A quick look at Canadian actress Catherine O’Hara, who died Friday at the age of 71. Born: March 4, 1954 Died: Jan. 30, 2026 Hometown: Toronto Early days: O’Hara began her career at Second City Toronto as a waitress, joined the sketch comedy troupe’s cast in 1974, replacing Gilda Radner, and later was part of [...] Read More »

    7 hours ago
  • Avi Lewis leads NDP fundraising contributions, followed by MP McPherson

    OTTAWA — NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis received the lion’s share of donations over the last quarter, beating out the only sitting NDP MP who is also vying for the job. Elections Canada reports Lewis secured $723,000 in donations from October to December, while NDP MP Heather McPherson raised $316,000. Prime Minister Mark Carney raised [...] Read More »

    7 hours ago
  • Immigration minister says struggling universities must ask provinces for help

    HALIFAX — Canada’s immigration minister says universities and colleges struggling to balance the books after federal cuts to the international student program will have to turn to their provincial governments for financial help. Lena Diab told a crowd in Halifax on Friday that there were more than one million foreign students in Canada at the [...] Read More »

    8 hours ago
  • Canada denied Jeffrey Epstein permission to visit B.C. in 2018: documents

    OTTAWA — The Canadian government denied convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein permission to enter the country in 2018 due to his criminal past, newly released U.S. government documents reveal. On Friday, the U.S. Justice Department released some 3.5 million pages of documents related to Epstein which include correspondence from his personal email address with the [...] Read More »

    8 hours ago
  • Insurance policy doesn’t entitle family to additional rebuilding costs: Supreme Court

    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada has sided with an insurance company in a dispute over coverage for a family whose home on the Ottawa River was declared a total loss due to flooding. Trillium Mutual Insurance Co. acknowledged that the loss of Stephen and Claudette Emond’s house in April 2019 was covered under [...] Read More »

    8 hours ago

Southern Alberta News

  • First resource fair a hit in Standoff

    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 »

    10 months ago
  • Police chief’s 2021 lunch subject of disciplinary hearing

    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 »

    10 months ago
  • Everything falling into place for first LFS gala to be a success

    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 »

    10 months ago
  • Changes to addiction care won’t work, say NDP, Friends of Medicare

    LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com The Alberta NDP and Friends of Medicare advocacy organization have raised alarms about the provincial government’s proposed legislation that will allow people suffering from addictions and mental illness who are deemed a threat to themselves or others to be treated against their will. On Tuesday, the government introduced Bill 53, the Compassionate Intervention [...] Read More »

    10 months ago
  • Education property taxes set to increase in spring notice

    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 »

    10 months ago