Jenny Hagan

Frustration is growing across rural Saskatchewan as residents rally behind a veteran trucker’s call for real change on the province’s deteriorating highways.

Following Wayne Whitney’s blunt critique of road conditions in West Central Saskatchewan, the response from the public has been swift and passionate. HResidents have taken to social media to echo Whitney’s concerns and to demand action.

“We deserve better,” reads a headline from West Central Online's original report. For many, that sentiment hits home.

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $560,000 to support union-led apprenticeship training for construction electricians, aiming to grow the province’s skilled trades workforce and strengthen energy infrastructure.

Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison made the announcement Monday, highlighting the role of qualified tradespeople in maintaining Saskatchewan’s power grid and meeting future energy demands.

The Government of Saskatchewan is fulfilling its two-year, $2 million funding commitment to food banks across the province, as part of ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and rising grocery costs.

In August 2025, the province will provide the final $1 million installment to Food Banks of Saskatchewan, as announced in the 2025–26 provincial budget. The funding will be distributed to local agencies based on population and average usage in the communities they serve.

From traffic collisions to violent crimes and everything in between, the voices on the other end of the line at Saskatchewan RCMP’s Operational Communications Centre (OCC) are a lifeline for thousands in crisis each year.

In 2024, the OCC answered 366,737 calls for service, a four per cent increase from the year before. More than 4,400 of those were Priority 1 calls, meaning they involved urgent or life-threatening situations that demanded immediate police intervention.

As storm season rolls across the Prairies, weather watchers might hear meteorologists talk about a “cap” — and no, it’s not the kind you wear on your head.

Capping, also known as a “capping inversion,” is a layer of warm air higher up in the atmosphere that acts like a lid, preventing thunderstorms from forming, at least for a while.

Think of capping like a lid on a pot of boiling water. The atmosphere underneath is trying to bubble up, but that warm layer above holds it down. Storms that are capped will have a soft, flat top to it.

Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are offering visitors a full slate of free family-friendly activities and special events as part of their Discover Sask Parks initiative, running July 23 to August 6.

The two-week celebration highlights the beauty, adventure and heritage that the province’s parks have to offer — with something for everyone, from guided nature hikes to turn-of-the-century fairs and outdoor cinema nights.

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture met virtually on July 17 to discuss strategies to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Canada’s agriculture sector and food supply chains.

The meeting focused on supporting producers and processors amid emerging challenges in international trade and exploring opportunities for increased interprovincial trade.

A longtime trucker in West Central Saskatchewan is raising concerns about deteriorating highway conditions, saying poor roads are putting the safety of youth, seniors and professional drivers at risk, and leaving operators with hefty repair bills.

Wayne Whitney, a 78-year-old trucker based in the region, says he’s watched the highways break down for decades with what he describes as “very little action” from the province.

Saskatchewan RCMP is reminding boaters and water sport enthusiasts that life jackets save lives — and wearing one should never be optional.

As summer temperatures rise and people flock to lakes across the province, RCMP say water safety remains a top concern, especially as cold water can still pose serious risks.

The premiers of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Ontario have signed a wide-ranging agreement to bolster Canada’s energy and critical minerals sector by pushing forward pipeline, rail and export infrastructure.

The memorandum of understanding, signed Tuesday by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, aims to open new domestic and international markets for oil, gas and minerals while strengthening interprovincial trade and supply chains.