Cochrane

Seated in a brand-new throne and surrounded by dignitaries, King Charles opened Parliament Tuesday with a show of royal tradition — the first throne speech delivered by a reigning monarch in Canada in nearly half a century.

Reading from the speech — which is drafted by the federal government and lays out its policy priorities — the King proclaimed the "True North is indeed strong and free" and reaffirmed Canada's sovereignty while underscoring the "unprecedented" challenges the nation faces.

The Picture Butte Feeder Co-op (PBFC) in Alberta is fully operational again.

The Feeder Associations of Alberta note that this has been an exceptionally trying time for the PBFC's members, whose operations were put on hold through no fault of their own. 

Earlier this year, the province suspended the group's access to the Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program (FALGP) following an investigation and concerns relating to financial mismanagement and regulatory issues.

Farmers have been experiencing some rain delays, but seeding is still ahead of the five-year average of 59 per cent complete.

Alberta's latest crop report shows provincially 73 per cent of the 2025 crop is now in the ground. 

The South is furthest ahead at 87 per cent seeded, followed by the Central, North West, and North East regions. The Peace Region is now at  61 per cent seeded up from 27 per cent last week.

An agricultural ecologist makes the case for building the supply managed model rather than losing it in trade talks.

A Canadian agricultural ecologist says the supply management model is one worth building on, not destroying.

Claude Caldwell, professor emeritus at Dalhousie University and a former federal researcher, said regional and rural-urban divides have developed that send mixed messages to politicians and negotiators, and he worries about upcoming trade negotiations.

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Alberta's livestock producers will benefit from increased funding for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Services Unit. 

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson says the government is investing $9.5 million over three years, with $3.5 million being allotted each year. The funding is earmarked for the continued development of a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Calgary. 

He says the province has been supporting this project since 2020 and has been closely monitoring its impact as it continues to grow. 

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has called three byelections to take place on June 23.

The three vacant ridings are Edmonton-Strathcona, Edmonton-Ellerslie and Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi will run in Edmonton-Strathcona, which became vacant when former premier Rachel Notley resigned her seat late last year. It'll be Nenshi's first chance at getting a seat in the legislature since taking over the party reins last summer.

Thanks to Cochrane and Area Victim Services (CAVS), the Cochrane and Area Health Foundation (CAHF) has received its largest donation to date.

On May 26, representatives from Victim Services, which is currently winding down its operations, presented a cheque for $100,000 to the foundation to help enhance health services in the community.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's vision for nation-building and economic growth is expected to form the main thrust of the throne speech when King Charles reads it today in the Canadian Senate.

The Medicine Hat Tigers return to the ice tonight with a shot at a bye to the Memorial Cup final.

The Tigers improved to 2-and-0 at the tournament with a 3-1 win over the Moncton Wildcats last night in Rimouski.

They’ll face the also-undefeated London Knights this evening, with the winner securing a direct path to the championship game.

Cochrane town council has approved at least one project to preserve the legacy of the beloved Grandfather Tree, but not without some members questioning the cost.

A custom-made commemorative bench will be installed at its original location in Cochrane Ranche park, alongside interpretive signage and a permanent reflection mailbox. The bench will incorporate some wood from the tree.