MooseJaw

As food prices continue to climb across the province, the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) is calling on the provincial government to scrap what it calls an “unfair road tax” on diesel fuel used to power refrigeration units in truck trailers.

The STA says trucking companies are being forced to pay a 12-cent-per-litre road tax on diesel used to run refrigeration units — equipment that never actually touches the road, while other industries such as agriculture and forestry are permitted to use tax-exempt dyed diesel for similar off-road operations.

Canada's 2025 wildfire season is now the second-worst on record.

The latest figures posted by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre suggest the fires have torn through 72,000 square kilometres, an area roughly the size of New Brunswick.

That surpasses the next worst season in 1989 and is about half the area burned during the record-setting 2023 season, according to a federal database of wildfire seasons dating back to 1972.

Ottawa is hiking entry-level pay for Canadian Armed Forces privates by 20 per cent for the regular force and 13 per cent for reservists, Prime Minister Mark Carney said at CFB Trenton on Friday.

That means the annual salary for a new recruit will go from $43,368 to $52,044.

Other military members will also receive pay raises, with smaller increases for higher ranks — part of a broader plan to boost recruitment and operational readiness. The new pay hikes will be retroactive to April 1 of this year.

Glyphosate, a key product that is used by a number of farmers, could be coming to an end.

Bill Anderson, the CEO of Bayer, noted on Wednesday that the company will be forced to end its US production of glyphosate, unless regulatory or legal changes are made to prevent litigation.

The U13 AAA Canucks are gearing up for an exciting journey to Chilliwack, British Columbia, where they’ll compete in the prestigious Western Canadian Baseball Championship from August 15 to 17.

Coach Rod Bauck shared the significance of the moment: “The boys have worked incredibly hard all season. We’ve played 42 games and practiced three to four times a week. This is a huge accomplishment for our team.”

Second baseman Tanner Usher expressed the team’s enthusiasm: “We’re excited to head out to BC and compete.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is cutting 14 out-of-scope positions and leaving 8 more vacant, citing a sharp drop in international student enrolment following federal changes to immigration and study permit rules.

Sask Polytech sent the following statement and declined the opportunity for an interview:

As a result of federal immigration policy changes, post-secondary institutions across Canada are experiencing a significant decline in international student enrolment.

This week’s Spike & Friends Pet Services INC. Adorable Adoptables features Brute from the Moose Jaw Humane Society. (MJHS) 

Brute is a 1-year-old neutered male Lab mix with a tall frame, weighing in at 36 kg, and a personality that’s all Labrador—curious, playful, and eager to please.

The STARS home lottery is celebrating 40 years of lifesaving service with what organizers call their “best lottery ever,” offering more than $4 million in prizes and funding nearly one-third of the non-profit air ambulance’s Saskatchewan operations.

Blake Robert, government relations and public affairs manager for STARS, said this year’s lineup includes two dream homes, vehicles, luxury trips, and thousands of other prizes — all while supporting the work of emergency crews in the province.

Environment and Climate Change Canada had not received any reports of tornadoes or funnel clouds as of Friday morning, after a tornado warning was issued Thursday night. 

At about 7:50 p.m. on Thursday, a tornado warning was issued for the Eyebrow area and communities just north of Moose Jaw. 

Residents are being asked to keep an eye out for a couple of prairie songbirds that are at risk in the province. 

The thick-billed longspur is listed federally as threatened, while the chestnut-collared longspur is listed as endangered. 

These colourful birds, known for their sweet songs, make their homes in prairie grasslands.