Carol Thomson, Saskatoon Media Group

Nutrien’s third quarter earnings were down 70 per cent, from $82 million at the end of September last year to $25 million this year. The company’s third-quarter report says the earnings are lower mostly because of lower potash selling prices globally and retail earnings. However, sales volumes for the third quarter and the first nine months of the year were the highest on record. Sales volumes for potash topped over 11.1 million tonnes in the first three quarters of the year, compared to over 9.9 million tonnes for the same time period last year.

The United States has one. Europe has one, and now Canada has one too. The Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory at Western University in London, Ontario celebrated its official launch last week. Dr. David Sills is the Executive Director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, which is under the umbrella of the Severe Storms Laboratory. He says the goal is the improve detection and documentation, to try to mitigate harm to Canadians and their properties.

Plan ahead for Hallowe’en safety. That advice from CAA Saskatchewan covers everything from costumes to Trick or Treating and drivers being aware there will be more kids on the road. A news release from the provincial CAA urges parents and caregivers to think about costumes that are bright or reflective at night, and suggests older kids who won’t be trick or treating with an adult, to go out as a group, because it’s safer and groups are more visible to drivers.

Elections Saskatchewan reports that 60,745 people voted on Tuesday across the province, for the first day of Voting Week. That compares to 41,458 on the first day of voting in 2020. This doesn’t include the numbers from the voting at personal care facilities on Tuesday.

Dr. Michael Boda, Chief Electoral Officer of Saskatchewan, says there are about 5,000 workers trained and ready to serve the province’s over 800,000 eligible voters. Voting Week continues through Saturday and then after a break on Sunday, the final day is Monday.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Saskatchewan says with more than 880 locations across 61 ridings and polls open today through Saturday and then again on Monday, there are plenty of opportunities to vote. The deadline for applying to vote by mail has come and gone, but Dr. Michael Boda says more than 32,000 voters have applied, which is less than in the 2020 election during the pandemic.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Saskatchewan says with more than 880 locations across 61 ridings and polls open today through Saturday and then again on Monday, there are plenty of opportunities to vote. The deadline for applying to vote by mail has come and gone, but Dr. Michael Boda says more than 32,000 voters have applied, which is less than in the 2020 election during the pandemic.

Construction of BHP’s Jansen potash mine in Saskatchewan is ahead of the original schedule with first production now just over two years away. That’s for Stage 1 of the project, according to a report from international mining giant, BHP.

Jansen 1 is 52 per cent complete and first production is expected in late 2026, with a two year ramp up period. Because of a longer than usual summer, the mill’s foundation has been completed. Jansen 2 is two per cent complete with first production expected in 2029, followed by a three year ramp up period.

Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan or AISK, pronounced ask, is an incorporated not-for-profit organization with the goal of bringing together everyone interested in AI to learn, and to discuss what it means for society, for education and jobs, along with AI’s opportunities and challenges.

It’s a seller’s market right now in Saskatchewan for homes. There are fewer homes for sale and yet sales were on the rise in July across the province, according to the Saskatchewan Realtors Association’s monthly report.

A man wanted who escaped police custody in Dinsmore has been found dead. From the initial investigation of the Outlook RCMP, 58-year-old Michael Edstrom’s death appears not to be suspicious. The Saskatchewan Coroners Service continues to investigate. Edstrom had been wanted for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court