Okotoks

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for a large part of southern Alberta.

Environment Canada issued the Watch because thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon or early evening.

The alert is in effect for:

The second annual High River Stampede Breakfast went off without a hitch Saturday.

Thousands of people showed up for the free pancakes and sausages and stuck around for all the entertainment and activities.

This year, it took over George Lane Park, and there were barely any lineups. Getting your pancakes and sausages took no time at all.

Special thanks to Ima Moreno from El Papalote for organizing the food setup and coordinating it.

There have been several reports of grizzly bear sightings and encounters in K-Country this summer.

Some of those encounters included bluff charges and grizzly cubs, causing trail closures and warnings for hikers.

But, bears can be encountered anywhere in K-Country at any time, and those who live in bear country are being encouraged by Alberta Fish and Wildlife to take some precautions to help keep bears out of backyards.

The Battle of the Foothills is going strong at the High River Ag Grounds.

The fans have been packing the grandstand and cheering on their favourites.

High River's own Jason Glass finished down in 16th; however, sits tied for 6th in the aggregate, so he still has a chance to make the final four in the championship heat on Sunday.

Calgary's Chanse Vigen is the defending champion and was also this year's Rangeland Derby winner at the Calgary Stampede.

A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says the federal public service could shed almost 60,000 jobs over the next four years as Ottawa looks to cut costs.

Earlier this month, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to multiple ministers asking them to identify cuts to program spending at their departments of 15 per cent by 2028-29.

The report, written by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives senior economist David Macdonald, says the federal public service could lose up to 57,000 employees by 2028.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Canada's new Arctic ambassador will play a key role in preserving sovereignty in the region as the military closely watches the movements of a Chinese icebreaker.

Iqaluit resident Virginia Mearns will be Canada's senior Arctic official on the world stage, following a career with local Inuit governments.

"Canada's Arctic ambassador is going to advance Canada's polar interests in multilateral forums," Anand told The Canadian Press in an interview from Inuvik, N.W.T.

The U.S. has imposed general tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles and copper tariffs will begin in early August

In order to provide some relief from the threat of 35 per cent tariffs, Bangladesh has decided to sign a memorandum of understanding on wheat trade with the U.S. The country has agreed to purchase 700,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat annually for the next five years. Photo: file

Tariffs, trade top of mind at recent Agriculture in Motion show

While there’s more to be done, Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe says he’s hopeful trade relations with China can be mended.

“I’ll give credit to prime minister Carney for the engagement that he has undertaken,” Moe said in an interview at the recent Ag in Motion farm show near Saskatoon.

The invasive weed is now being spotted further north than ever before

Farmers in Alberta have a growing problem on their hands, as a notorious weed has started making its way north through the province.

The rapid and relentless spread of kochia, the highly adaptable and increasingly resistant weed, is moving north and taking root in places scientists thought it never would.

Critics respond to report suggesting price correction, saying farmland remains a solid investment

The largest owner of cropland in Canada isn’t buying the idea that farmland values are overdue for a correction.

He says that’s because technical analysis — where market watchers use trends, patterns and mathematical models to predict future price movements — doesn’t apply to agricultural land.