Lacombe

The early-1960s revelation that British spy Kim Philby had worked for Moscow alarmed Canadian intelligence officials who feared that he had betrayed confidences gleaned from Soviet defector Igor Gouzenko, once-secret archival records show.

Harold Adrian Russell "Kim" Philby was recruited by Russian intelligence in the 1930s. He joined Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI-6, during the Second World War, rising through the ranks to become a senior liaison officer in Washington from 1949 to 1951.

Former federal environment minister Catherine McKenna says the Justin Trudeau government's efforts to explain the consumer carbon price to Canadians were "half-hearted" — and just getting a meeting with the prime minister to discuss it "seemed impossible."

McKenna offers those behind-the-scenes details in her new autobiography, Run Like A Girl, which is being launched next week.

Red Deer Polytechnic has officially opened a new sonography lab on its main campus.

The lab will provide hands-on training for students in RDP’s new Diagnostic Medical Sonography diploma program, one of only three offered at public post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The program accepts 24 students each year.

“RDP has a long-standing commitment to health education,” said president Stuart Cullum. “Our new Diagnostic Medical Sonography Diploma is a proud addition to a growing slate of healthcare programs at RDP.”

If you are travelling southbound on the QEII today, Saturday, September 13, watch for line painting north of Ponoka.

This work will affect the SB lanes from Highway 611 & Highway 53, north of Ponoka exit. Drivers can expect moving lane closures with speed reduced and heavy traffic.

For the latest traffic information, click here.

Also in the Ponoka area:

A new medical clinic has opened in Olds, creating opportunities to expand health care and attract more physicians to the community.

The Care First Medical Clinic opened Sept. 8 next to the Co-op grocery store at 5330 46 Street. The clinic has four doctors practising family and geriatric medicine — one full-time and three part-time — and is accepting new patients while also offering walk-in services.

Global Affairs Canada summoned Russian ambassador Oleg Stepanov over the incursion of Russian drones into Poland this week, as Ottawa looks to help a new effort by the NATO military alliance reinforce its eastern flank.

The summoning occurred hours after Poland reported multiple Russian drones had entered Polish territory between Tuesday and Wednesday. NATO allies shot down some of the devices.

As Ottawa gears up to launch a new agency to build homes faster, internal government documents describe how dire the housing situation has become in Canada.

Briefing materials prepared for incoming Housing Minister Gregor Robertson this past May and released this week acknowledge that costly housing is hurting the economy and making it difficult for people to find places to live.

"Vulnerable populations and lower-income households are struggling to have their basic housing needs met due to a lack of suitable affordable housing," the documents say.

Ottawa's chief data officer says he thinks the introduction of artificial intelligence to federal government operations will lead to "some" job cuts in the public service.

In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Stephen Burt said he thinks the impacts are going to vary widely and will be job-specific, with different outcomes in different areas.

While he wouldn't identify the risk of job losses in specific areas of government, Burt said the goal will be to ensure employees receive opportunities to retrain and change jobs.

Avian Influenza has been detected in three commercial poultry operations in Alberta. 

Earlier this week, the CFIA identifying one infected premise in Strathcona County and one in Beaver Country - both areas are located near Edmonton.
which is located near Edmonton. Another infected premise was confirmed on Wednesday in Minburn County.

Avian influenza - H5N1 - can affect wild bird and domestic bird populations. 

The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) presented The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA) for 2025 to Don and Geraldine Bettle of Passekeag Holdings Inc

The couple run a 70 head Angus-based cow herd on a land base next to the Kennebecasis River and show incredible respect for the land and the environment protecting the water, riparian areas, and wildlife habitat.