Okotoks

Production is expected to recover by 70 million tonnes due to favourable conditions, while demand will rise by 45 million tonnes

SASKATOON — The global grain outlook for 2025-26 is incredibly balanced, says an analyst.

The International Grains Council (IGC) is forecasting 2.373 billion tonnes of production and an identical 2.373 billion tonnes of demand.

“We’re looking at quite a finely balanced fundamental picture for grains,” Helen Plant, senior analyst for the United Kingdom’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, said in a recent webinar.

A Fixed-Route Transit Service is coming to Okotoks.

The new service was approved during the May 12 Okotoks Town Council Regular Meeting.  

The system will run alongside the On-Demand Transit Service and focus on areas with high ridership demand during peak hours.  

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie says Canadian agriculture is at a critical juncture, with the recent dramatic rise of trade uncertainty, high costs, and more frequent extreme weather events.

He notes during the recent election, the CFA made the priorities of Canadian farmers very clear: farmers need to see a focus on competitiveness, resiliency, and maintaining rule-based trade.

The new Midway lineup has been announced by the Calgary Stampede, and fans of Spam will be overjoyed.

If you've been to Hawaii, you might recognize this new treat they're calling the 'Spam-pede Bao'.

The dish is filled with SPAM, garlic shrimp, pineapple, cucumbers, seaweed, and teriyaki sauce.

Your tongue also might be on fire if you try the fiery dill Coke.

Freaky Tzatziki Twisted Pickles are also on the menu, along with Mopane Worm Poutine. Yes, there are crispy worms with your poutine.

Nanton’s Senior Centre just received a funding boost to enhance accessibility.   

Kozy Korner was among the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta’s Spring Grant recipients.   

Through the Community Priorities Fund, $10,000 was awarded to Kozy Korner.   

The Little Britches Rodeo is coming up this Friday and Saturday at the High River Ag grounds.

It's a bit of a rite of passage around these parts with the little ones, those that are seven years old and under, with Mutton Bustin'. 

They hold onto a sheep for dear life as the sheep tears out of the chute.

Liz Wellwood, secretary for the High River Ag Society, is excited about the courage these little ones have, and they are packed with entries.

The Longview 4H Beef Club got a lot beefier this year.

Mentor to the club, Ross Lewis, said the club doubled in size this year to 28, and that means 28 steers will be auctioned off this Victoria Day Monday.

Alberta’s government has unveiled a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence that outlines more than 100 initiatives aimed at awareness, prevention, intervention and long-term support for survivors.

Status of Women Minister Tanya Fir says it's a comprehensive plan to help co-ordinate provincewide efforts and will aim to address the root causes, including financial insecurity.

As part of that strategy, she's committing to supporting Indigenous-led solutions, and to reporting annually on rates of gender-based violence in the province as soon as next year.

A global study from UNICEF suggests many Canadian kids are unhappy, with social struggles such as bullying and difficulty making friends among the sources of their anguish. 

UNICEF’s 19th Report Card suggests one in five youth in Canada face frequent bullying, one in five are lonely and one in four struggle to make friends.

It blames bullying in particular for a drop in life satisfaction reported by 15-year-olds, down three percentage points to 76 per cent since 2018.

Prime Minister Mark Carney shook up his cabinet Tuesday by moving some key players involved in Canada-U.S. relations into new positions and promoting 24 new faces in a move meant to signal change at the top.

While some were prominent figures in former prime minister Justin Trudeau's government — including Dominic LeBlanc, Mélanie Joly, Chrystia Freeland and François-Philippe Champagne — Carney froze out other prominent members of his predecessor's team.

Carney named 28 full ministers to his cabinet, which will meet for the first time on Wednesday.