Weekly wrap: The 5 most talked-about stories May 1-8

From courtroom developments to cosmic displays, it was a week of major headlines across west central Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s economy led the charge nationally with the second-highest GDP growth in 2024, while night skies dazzled with meteors from Halley’s Comet. In the justice system, a well-known rodeo figure was sentenced for sexual assault, and two high-profile fraud and theft cases moved forward in Kindersley court. Here's a look at the top five stories making news this week.

New technology supports early cancer detection for Saskatchewan women

Women in Saskatchewan will have better access to breast cancer screening thanks to new mammography machines added in Regina and Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has expanded its breast screening capacity by adding a new machine at each of its locations in the two cities. The upgrades are expected to improve wait times and accommodate more clients, particularly as eligibility for screening is set to expand in 2025 and 2026.

Ottawa looks to off-load costly, seldom-used mobile hospitals bought for the pandemic

The federal government expects to spend about $7 million this fiscal year to store and maintain four custom-made, portable hospitals that cost taxpayers more than $200 million to buy — facilities meant to bolster overwhelmed hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic that were barely used.

Early on in the pandemic, as the federal government moved at breakneck speed to respond to a global health crisis, it issued rush orders for these Mobile Health Units.

Indigenous groups keen to see Pope Leo continue reconciliation work

Indigenous groups in Canada say they want to see Pope Leo XIV continue the reconciliation work started by his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

Francis was recognized as an ally of Canada's Indigenous Peoples and was known for advancing reconciliation efforts and apologizing — both in the Vatican and in Canada — for the Catholic Church's role in widespread abuses at residential schools.

His visit to Canada in 2022 was described as a "penitential pilgrimage" as Francis insisted on meeting with Indigenous survivors of residential schools and hearing their stories.

Alberta Sugar Beet Growers reach new agreement

Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Rogers Sugar have reached a new 5-year agreement.

The new supply agreement was announced in a press release on Friday.

Roger's Taber location is the only sugar beet processing facility in Canada. Established almost 75 years ago, the Taber facility is supported by approximately 200 Southern Alberta farm families, which supply the refinery with sugar beets. 

According to the ASBG website, those farms harvest about 900,000 tonnes of sugar beets annually, which are turned into 125,000 tonnes of sugar or nearly 2 million cups!

May contract talks alarm sugar beet growers

Lack of progress means time is growing short to get a successfull crop into the ground in Southern Alberta.

Contract negotiations are dragging on for Alberta sugar beet producers.

It’s already early May, and Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Rogers Sugar, the sole sugar-beet processing plant left in Canada, still haven’t hammered out a deal.

Jennifer Crowson, executive director with the Alberta Sugar Beet Growers, cautioned the Western Producer in an email that she was limited in what she can share, other than that they are still in active negotiations.

Consort, Macklin natives among local picks in 2025 WHL Draft

The 2025 WHL Prospects Draft took place this past week, as the Regina Pats selected phenom and hometown boy Maddox Schultz with the first overall pick. The league used Wednesday for the first round and then completed the draft Thursday with rounds 2-15, taking place after an expansion draft for the new franchise out of Penticton and U.S Priority Draft.

Poilievre eyes swift return to House as Scheer steps in as interim Opposition leader

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is expected to make a quick return to the House of Commons after losing his Carleton seat in last week's federal election, with Alberta MP Damien Kurek stepping aside in Battle River—Crowfoot to make room for a byelection.

In the meantime, former Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has been appointed as the party’s interim leader in Parliament, taking on the role of Leader of the Opposition when the House resumes on May 26.