Jenny Hagan

Saskatchewan is expanding its infant immunization program to protect all newborns from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during peak respiratory illness season, the province announced this week.

Beginning this fall, every baby born in Saskatchewan from one month prior to the start of RSV season — which typically runs from Oct. 1 to March 31 — will be eligible to receive a publicly funded RSV immunization at birth, with parental consent.

A Kindersley father says his ordinary evening at home turned into an unforgettable one after discovering a $100,000 lottery win — all while holding his baby.

Miguel Malana checked his LOTTO MAX with EXTRA ticket using the Lotto Spot app and was stunned when the screen lit up with six figures.

“I was sitting with the baby and checked my ticket on the app,” Malana said in a Sask Lotteries news release. “It came up as $100,000 and I screamed, ‘Oh, is this for real??’”

In disbelief, Malana said he scanned the ticket more than 10 times before calling his wife over.

As Saskatchewan heads into another severe weather season, officials are urging residents to take practical steps to prepare for storms, tornadoes, and extreme conditions as part of Emergency Preparedness Week, running May 4 to 10, 2025.

This year’s theme, “Be prepared. Know your risks,” emphasizes understanding local weather hazards and having emergency plans and kits ready—particularly as unseasonably warm temperatures are already setting the stage for early storm activity.

The Government of Saskatchewan will launch a new funding program this fall aimed at helping schools across the province build or upgrade playground equipment.

Beginning in fall 2025, the province will invest $3.75 million annually into the School Playground Equipment Grant program, which will provide up to $50,000 in matched funding per project.

Team Saskatchewan A claimed the top spot at the Interprovincial 5 Pin Bowling Championship, taking home gold after a nail-biting series of playoff matches in Saskatoon this past weekend.

The national event, held April 23–27, brought together teams from across the country to compete in one of Canada’s most celebrated bowling championships. The winning Saskatchewan A team, representing the West Saskatchewan Zone, featured bowlers Bridget Berg (Rosetown), Yvonne Markewich (Biggar), Leonard Lapierre (Lashburn), Mat Harrabek (Biggar), and Coach Alvin Anderson (Lashburn).

The Government of Saskatchewan is extending the Oil Infrastructure Investment Program (OIIP) to encourage the construction of new oil and carbon dioxide (CO₂) pipelines, aiming to expand market access and enhance emissions reduction efforts in the province’s energy sector.

Originally launched in 2020, the OIIP offers a 20 per cent royalty tax credit — up to $40 million per qualifying project — to support the development of strategic oil and CO₂ pipeline infrastructure. The program, which was set to expire, will now continue accepting applications until March 31, 2029.

As Canadian consumers grapple with rising grocery bills, new data from Statistics Canada shows food inflation remains a key pressure point, with tariffs compounding the issue across multiple categories.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.3 per cent in March, but food prices outpaced the general trend, climbing 3.2 per cent compared to the same time last year. Although the immediate impact of Canada's counter tariffs has been muted by existing inventory, retailers and industry experts warn that consumers will soon see the full cost at checkout.

A 46-year-old man from Regina Beach is facing multiple firearms-related charges following a high-risk incident over the weekend that saw the theft of a motorhome and several weapons from a residence in Buena Vista.

Lumsden RCMP received a report of a stolen motorhome around 3 p.m. on April 19. According to police, the motorhome was taken without the owner's consent from a property on Highwood Avenue, along with a firearm and ammunition.

The Saskatchewan government is nearly doubling its investment in short line railways, a move being welcomed by industry leaders who say it will improve safety, infrastructure, and economic resilience across rural parts of the province.

The 2025-26 provincial budget includes a $470,000 increase to the Short Line Railway Improvement Program (SRIP), bringing the total annual funding to $1 million. The money will be distributed among 13 short line railways operating in Saskatchewan.

Students from our region are heading to nationals after strong performances at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan provincial competition in Saskatoon.

Jaxen Dudley of Eatonia, Walker Lowe of Kyle, Janiah Aguidan, and Jack Unger of the Swift Current Comprehensive High School earned gold medals in their respective categories and will represent Saskatchewan at the Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) taking place in Regina on May 29 and 30.