Farm groups welcoming Heath MacDonald to his new role as Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie says Canadian agriculture is at a critical juncture, with the recent dramatic rise of trade uncertainty, high costs, and more frequent extreme weather events.

He notes during the recent election, the CFA made the priorities of Canadian farmers very clear: farmers need to see a focus on competitiveness, resiliency, and maintaining rule-based trade.

If you like SPAM, you'll love a new dish at this year's Midway at the Calgary Stampede

The new Midway lineup has been announced by the Calgary Stampede, and fans of Spam will be overjoyed.

If you've been to Hawaii, you might recognize this new treat they're calling the 'Spam-pede Bao'.

The dish is filled with SPAM, garlic shrimp, pineapple, cucumbers, seaweed, and teriyaki sauce.

Your tongue also might be on fire if you try the fiery dill Coke.

Freaky Tzatziki Twisted Pickles are also on the menu, along with Mopane Worm Poutine. Yes, there are crispy worms with your poutine.

We're just a couple of sleeps away from the Little Britches Rodeo

The Little Britches Rodeo is coming up this Friday and Saturday at the High River Ag grounds.

It's a bit of a rite of passage around these parts with the little ones, those that are seven years old and under, with Mutton Bustin'. 

They hold onto a sheep for dear life as the sheep tears out of the chute.

Liz Wellwood, secretary for the High River Ag Society, is excited about the courage these little ones have, and they are packed with entries.

Alberta government releases 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence

Alberta’s government has unveiled a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence that outlines more than 100 initiatives aimed at awareness, prevention, intervention and long-term support for survivors.

Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir says it's a comprehensive plan to help co-ordinate provincewide efforts and will aim to address the root causes, including financial insecurity.

As part of that strategy, she's committing to supporting Indigenous-led solutions, and to reporting annually on rates of gender-based violence in the province as soon as next year.

Canadian youth struggle with making friends and bullying: UNICEF report

A global study from UNICEF suggests many Canadian kids are unhappy, with social struggles such as bullying and difficulty making friends among the sources of their anguish. 

UNICEF’s 19th Report Card suggests one in five youth in Canada face frequent bullying, one in five are lonely and one in four struggle to make friends.

It blames bullying in particular for a drop in life satisfaction reported by 15-year-olds, down three percentage points to 76 per cent since 2018.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says new cabinet will act with 'urgency and determination'

Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top.

While some were prominent figures in former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government — including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne — Carney froze out other prominent members of his predecessor's team.

Carney named 28 full ministers to his cabinet, which will meet for the first time on Wednesday.

Intersection south of Okotoks will see traffic delays due to road work

Lane widening work is being done at an intersection south of Okotoks this week.

Crews will be working at the intersection of Highway 783 and 434th Avenue near the Foothills Regional Landfill.

The work begins on Thursday, May 14, and it's expected to be completed in two weeks.

Traffic disruptions are expected during that time, but lane closures aren't anticipated.

According to Alberta 511, the speed limit will be reduced to 50 km/h while crews are present.

Gallery: Students get sobering look at consequences of impaired driving

Students from Oilfields High School in Diamond Valley were given a harrowing look at the immediate impact of impaired driving on Tuesday, May 13.

The Municipal Enforcement-led program, Operation Prevention, took 57 high school students through every step of a simulated impaired driving collision response.

That includes hearing a 911 call and seeing a simulated car wreck.