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The City of Grande Prairie is informing all residents that beginning Thursday, January 2, 2025, nominations are officially open for the 2025 Municipal Election. The nomination period will run from January 2 until noon on Monday, September 22, 2025. Residents will head to the polls on Election Day, Monday, October 20, 2025, to cast their votes.

Grande Prairie voters will elect:

A former chief adviser and close friend to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he doesn't think Trudeau will stay on to lead the Liberals in the next election.

Gerald Butts writes in a Substack newsletter today that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's recent resignation from cabinet dealt Trudeau a staggering blow that loosened his already tenuous grip on the party.

He says Trudeau was "unlikely" to lead the party into the next campaign before Freeland's stunning departure and is "now much less likely to do so."

A look at national news events in April 2024:

1 - Nunavut is 25 years old today. Premier P.J. Akeeagok says the anniversary reminds him that his job is both a privilege and an immense responsibility. The creation of Canada's newest territory on April 1, 1999, was part of a historic land claim settlement. It was also the first major change to the country's map since Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation. 

Congratulations to Don Banman our latest Date Night on Daniel winner.

He won a $100 gift card to Mr. Mike's Steakhouse Casual and a Cineplex gift card courtesy of Daniel Cram of Sutton Realty.

This year, Kim Stark's kids took responsibility for decorating the family Christmas tree.

Ornaments include toy cars, puzzle pieces, string and a pair of binoculars — things her three young daughters had handy after the family lost their home in summer’s devastating Jasper wildfire.

"I have the most wonderful tree on the planet," said Stark.

"It's part of our story and part of who we are.

“If (the kids) are happy, I'm happy."

Indian law enforcement agencies say they are investigating alleged links between dozens of colleges in Canada and two "entities" in Mumbai accused of illegally ferrying students across the Canada-United States border.

A news release Tuesday from India's Enforcement Directorate — a multi-disciplinary organization that investigates money laundering and foreign exchange laws — said a multi-city search has revealed "incriminating" evidence of "human trafficking."

Christmas looked a little different this year for Christian artist Blessing Offor as he performed a new single on the TODAY show live on Christmas Day. 

Offor sang a new Christmas single for the audience called "Snow Globe."

"Christmas in Nigeria is a very family-oriented thing," says Offor, when asked what Christmas means to him. "It's just a time to reflect and that's what I always try to do."

As Canadian producers look forward to the 2025 growing year, cereal rotations are an integral part of their plans before hitting the field. Malt barley will be a big part of that as producers look to cash in on the premiums associated with malt barley. Primarily grown for beer production, malt barley differs from regular barley because it needs to be kept alive before heading to the breweries and food processors.  

A look at national news events in March 2024:

1 - Health Minister Mark Holland tables a bill considered the first step toward a possible pharmacare program. The legislation lays down a road map for how the federal government plans to get there. The first step is to negotiate universal coverage for birth control and diabetes drugs with provinces and territories, something Holland is fairly certain he can accomplish by the next election. 

Psalm 103:1-2

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.