Scott Boulton

Saskatchewan's mid-year report is showing that the province is in an even better financial situation than it budgeted for.

The original budget, posted in March, predicted a gradually shrinking deficit which would start this year at $462 million.

While none of the expenses have dropped significantly, the government's revenues have skyrocketed past what was predicted.

The new estimate has come with a billion-dollar surplus, with the increases largely coming from higher-than-expected natural resource prices and taxes.

The SHA released a new letter recently which dives into some of the recommendations being made for children this season.

They say that respiratory viruses such as COVID, influenza A, RSV, and the common cold are spreading throughout southeast Saskatchewan communities.

As this will be the first winter where many kids will be in school since the start of the pandemic, the SHA sent out a list of recommendations for children.

That includes: 

The provincial government has received confirmation that a provincial plan has been approved to replace the federally imposed carbon tax on industrial emitters in the province, effective January 1, 2023.

The Saskatchewan Output-Based Performance Standards Program meets the requirements for the 2023-2030 federal carbon pricing benchmark, including the addition of the electricity generation and natural gas transmission pipeline sectors.

Unseasonably warm weather has thrown off the usual winter season, with positive temperatures in the forecast that could be a concern for farmers.

They managed to get through a 2022 growing season that was somewhat fine, depending on what region you were in.

Now, the warmer temperatures will be taking away much of the snow cover that winter crops, such as winter wheat, rely on for protection.

Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says that as a whole, this system isn't going to be too disruptive for those crops in the short term.

The provincial government has received confirmation that a provincial plan has been approved to replace the federally imposed carbon tax on industrial emitters in the province, effective January 1, 2023.

The Saskatchewan Output-Based Performance Standards Program meets the requirements for the 2023-2030 federal carbon pricing benchmark, including the addition of the electricity generation and natural gas transmission pipeline sectors.

The provincial government has received confirmation that a provincial plan has been approved to replace the federally imposed carbon tax on industrial emitters in the province, effective January 1, 2023.

The Saskatchewan Output-Based Performance Standards Program meets the requirements for the 2023-2030 federal carbon pricing benchmark, including the addition of the electricity generation and natural gas transmission pipeline sectors.

With temperatures sticking below the freezing point, lakes and rivers are soon to be completely iced over.

That'll open up the surfaces to ice fishing, with anglers looking to get their holes dug quickly to catch fish while they're still active and near the surface.

Caution should be taken, as some lakes won't yet have thick enough ice for people to walk on.

Sport Fish Specialist with the Ministry of Environment Murray Koob details just how thick it'll need to get before you can walk out onto the ice.

With temperatures sticking below the freezing point, lakes and rivers are soon to be completely iced over.

That'll open up the surfaces to ice fishing, with anglers looking to get their holes dug quickly to catch fish while they're still active and near the surface.

Caution should be taken, as some lakes won't yet have thick enough ice for people to walk on.

Sport Fish Specialist with the Ministry of Environment Murray Koob details just how thick it'll need to get before you can walk out onto the ice.

More people are getting prepared to travel this winter, with flights being booked rapidly.

As the cold weather approaches, many will end up looking to take a vacation to warmer locales in the south.

Since practically all COVID regulations have been lifted, it'll be the first holiday season that will be just as open as it was pre-pandemic.

Travel Advisor Denise Taylor says that the search for warmer air means that those resorts are quickly being filled up.

An array of opportunities in schooling and employment was shown off to students during Wednesday's Estevan Comprehensive School Career Fair.

Around 45 associations set up tables in the ECS's cafeteria, showing off potential careers from a wide variety of sectors.

It was the first event like this the school was able to have since 2019, due to the COVID pandemic.

ECS Guidance Counselor Stacy Dutka says that she was a bit worried since it's been a while since the last fair.