The Department of Health and Human Services plans to cut 10,000 employees in compliance with President Trump's order to downsize federal agencies, aiming for a total workforce reduction from 82,000 to 62,000. The move is expected to save $1.8 billion annually, streamline operations, and maintain essential health services. (UPI)

The Congressional Budget Office predicts slower economic growth over the next 30 years due to lower birth rates and huge government spending. Publicly held debt is projected to reach 156% of GDP by 2055. The lower birth rates necessitate immigrant labor for growth. Treasury Secretary Bessent criticized the CBO predictions as "crazy." (AP)

President Trump announced 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts, with global trading partners criticizing the move. He admits that there will be a "transition period" that could frustrate Americans, but insists the country will reap long term benefits. However, the new tariffs are further straining relations with many U.S. trade allies. (CBS News)

A tourism submarine accident in the Red Sea off Egypt's coast resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. Six Russians, including two children, died, while 23 others were injured during an underwater excursion. The cause is under investigation, with Russian authorities launching a criminal probe. The area is known for diving and snorkeling. (ABC News)

After an Atlanta man died in a scuba diving accident in Hawaii, his family found the skeletal remains of his missing son in a backyard tree house. The son, who had been missing for four years, was discovered at the man's home in Decatur, Georgia. The cause of the son's death is still unknown, as investigations are ongoing. (NBC News)

The snow over central, western and northwestern Newfoundland will end overnight for most areas. The exception will be Central and the northeast coast, where flurries will linger into Friday morning. Beyond that, the weather looks relatively quiet for the next few days. Get ALL the details in my forecast from Thursday’s NTV Evening News Hour!

What songs do you play when you are feeling sad? A show opening tonight at the LSPU Hall takes a look at why and how that music affects us. NTV’s Amanda Mews has the details in Your Community.

With less than 5 weeks to go until Canada votes, many local organizations and industries writing to the federal leaders asking for their positions on dropping inter-provincial trade barriers. NTV’s Jodi Cooke has this report.

Liberal leadership candidate John Abbott says if he becomes premier, the province will need something in return for dropping inter-provincial trade barriers in response to the Trump tariffs. He pointed to Marine Atlantic fees as one example.

It’s a big opportunity for a new business, or for an existing one hoping to expand. Canadian-owned, Placentia Bay holdings has a state-of-the art facility in Argentia that could help. 

Here is NTV’s Ross Tilley.

Doctors at the Janeway have reached out to the NDP with concerns about the plans to move the adult gynaecology unit to the children’s hospital. As NTV’s Beth Penney tells us, the health authority says nothing is set in stone at this time. 

Premier Andrew Furey is taking aim at Marine Atlantic fees in the national discussions on internal trade barriers. He says if the province is going to drop its trade barriers, the federal government should eliminate fees for the ferry service. NTV’s Ben Cleary reports.

When Leo Van Ulden’s mother first opened Wallnuts in 1995, the local climbing community had fewer than 20 members. Now, hundreds of people in the province have joined the indoor climbing gym. The St. John’s Morning Show’s Jonny Hodder stopped by the centre to hear about its upcoming two-day competition.

The RCMP arrested two people at a traffic stop Thursday and found suspected cocaine, cash and “other items consistent with possession for the purpose of trafficking," police said Thursday.

A Newfoundland-based trucking company says a good place to start reducing trade barriers within Canada would be his industry where rules and regulations are all over the place.

Chris Hollett, the owner of Akita Equipment, says he got a call from one of his drivers in Quebec this week who was cited for a violation. His rig was a half-metre too long, a ticket which cost the company over $700.

Trouble is, says Hollett, the transport truck is well within the limitations of every other jurisdiction in Canada.

He says that’s not the only aspect of trucking in which the provinces should put their heads together and develop a unified system.

He might need to have a different revolving light in Quebec than in Nova Scotia; maximum weight might vary from province to province and all that makes it more expensive and difficult for companies to operate, he says.

A man and a woman in Labrador are facing drug trafficking charges after being pulled over in Sheshatshiu last week.

Forty-two-year-old Nachelle Nuna and 35-year-old Brent Diamond were pulled over on March 21st.

The RCMP allege that inside the vehicle they located and seized suspected crack cocaine, cash, and other items consistent with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Both of the accused have been released from custody and will appear in court at a later date to face charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine.

Police in Clarenville are investigating after they say up to $3,000 worth of cosmetics was stolen from a Shoppers Drug Mart in the town.

The RCMP say the items were taken on Tuesday when a woman entered the store and left without paying.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-466-3211 or Crime Stoppers.

Eric Grenier, who oversees CBC’s Poll Tracker, is projecting that if a federal election were held today, the Liberals would win. Conservatives are projected to make a few gains, while the NDP appears to be in freefall. Grenier explains why every seat could count come election day.

The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John's is turning to the courts for help in a bid to gain access to — and sell — a small, rural church on the southern Avalon Peninsula.

A former president of the NLTA is using his family’s previous struggle to fuel his efforts in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Visionaries of the Year campaign.

The campaign spans ten weeks, and is a friendly competition to see which team can raise the most money for the society.

Dean Ingram says his involvement in the initiative is “very much a personal thing.”

In December 2001, Ingram says he received the life-changing news that he had being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, and at the same time his mom was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“So me and mom were actually taking chemo on alternate weeks.” Ingram says it was a difficult winter, and that his family was able to get through it because of the supports available to them. He states “I will never live long enough, it is impossible for me to live long enough to repay what was done with me during that time.”

A coffee shop in Gander received a surprise donation earlier this week from an American man who wanted to thank people in the town for their kindness during the 9/11 Terrorist attacks.

Jumping Bean Coffee received a call recently from a military veteran in Seattle.

He had seen Prime Minister Mark Carney’s campaign stop in the town, and that got him thinking about the way Gander helped in the aftermath of 9/11.

Eventually, the business agreed to take a $125 donation, which was used to treat customers to a free cup of coffee on Wednesday.

Mackenzie Randell is the supervisor who took the call.

She says the man was great to speak with, and praises his kindness – noting that when the exchange rate dropped his donation down to $69, he ensured that the company received the full $125.

She says he wanted people to know that, given the current political climate, not everyone is of the same mindset in the United States and there is support for Canada.

Musicians in Newfoundland and Labrador have grown tired of swirling controversy ahead of the East Coast Music Awards, and say they're feeling like they’re taking the hit as calls for boycotts continue.

Eddy St. Coeur wants the next prime minister to make a commitment to the 2SLGBTQ+ community, at a time when it's seeing a rise in hatred. Ahead of the federal election, CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is asking individuals and organizations what they’re looking for in Canada’s next leader.

Provincial Liberal leadership candidate John Abbott has announced a plan to introduce a targeted basic income for seniors aged 65 and older.

Abbott says seniors are especially vulnerable to the high cost of living, and he says introducing a basic income for senior Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is one way to ensure that poverty among the older population is addressed.

He intends to ensure that low income seniors will have a targeted income to cover basic, food, light and heat. “We’ve got to make sure it doesn’t have an adverse impact on any other benefits, so we’ve just got to work out those mechanics after May 3rd.”

Abbott is one of two people vying for the leadership of the party. The other candidate is John Hogan.

The Registered Nurses Union and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions want to see greater nurse-to-patient ratios in response to what they say are rising rates of violence in hospitals.

There has been a notable security presence in metro area emergency rooms in recent months, and similar security measures have been added in the Labrador-Grenfell zone.

Even with the added security measures, RNU President Yvette Coffey says violent incidents persist, despite the fact that the concern has been in the fore for more than a decade.

(RNU President Yvette Coffey)

“In 2019, we brought together everyone for a forum on violence, (and) that report still sits on the desk of someone in government collecting dust,” Coffey told the Tim Powers Show.

Coffey says violence and staffing are affecting recruitment and retention.

“Retention is the biggest aspect, even we’re hearing recruitment because we’re hearing student nurses. They’re going in to do their clinicals, and we’ve had some quit after being exposed, or (having) seen the violence and the disrespect shown towards staff, and overall, the working conditions.” -Yvette Coffey

PC Health Critic Barry Petten (VOCM News)

Meanwhile, Opposition health critic Barry Petten is accusing the provincial government of not listening to the RNU on the state of nursing in the province.

Petten says anyone who has visited an emergency room knows how nurses are stretched thin, and how they’re facing violence and burnout.

Petten references a recent CBC report which indicates that eleven registered nurses recently left a surgical unit at St. Clare’s because of working conditions, only to be replaced by private agency nurses.

Petten wants to know how many more nurses will retire or resign before the provincial government takes action.

A local tech company is looking to unlock the potential of 3D printing for the health care sector.

PolyUnity, which is based in St. John’s, was founded in 2018.

They are using 3D printing to create medical supplies with the aim of making health care more efficient and sustainable.

Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Stephen Ryan, says they have been working on their technology for about a decade. It combines sophisticated software and advanced manufacturing techniques.

He says their printing “farm” is active for about 20 hours a day. Demand has been “surging” over the last few months and they are producing more parts than ever.

Ryan says they have “answered the call every time” that there have been disruptions in the supply chain.

He says their production usually goes in “spikes,” but it has become more consistent over the last little while. He says they make things like replacement parts for basic hospital equipment, lab racks, and laboratory services equipment.

The St. John’s Regional Fire department responded to a call shortly before 1:00 a.m. Thursday after smoke was spotted coming from a vacant residence on Livingstone Street in downtown St. John’s. Police say the residence was extensively damaged, along with a second vacant attached unit. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On Friday afternoon the RNC and Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy will be hosting a community pill drop.

The public with unused or expired medications is invited to bring them to RNC Headquarters, in St. John’s. The pill drop will be set up between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The medications will be disposed of properly.

Accepted medications include; all types of prescriptions, vitamins, antibiotics, epi-pens and narcotics. They could be in the form of capsules and tablets, vials, creams and ointments, sachets, or bottles.

A well-known Mount Pearl businessman is on the road to recovery after undergoing grueling treatment for an aggressive, and rare, form of cancer.

“The doctors had said to me, basically…that they were going to kill me, and bring me back to life.”

Scott Hillier of Coffee Matters credits his cancer care team for helping him through his treatment and recovery. The process started with a very aggressive surgical procedure that removed tissue and lymph nodes

He says undergoing the surgery alone was very hard and required a great deal of adjustment, but even then the cancer remained, and he entered into an aggressive round of chemotherapy.

Scott Hillier during Chemo Therapy (submitted photo)

He says the chemo he underwent was a type of treatment medical professionals no longer like to use.

“It’s a very harsh chemo,” says Hillier, “so much so..that I couldn’t take the chemo and go home.” He says in order to take the treatment he had to be admitted to hospital 24 hours in advance to get his body ready, undergo the treatment, resulting in five days in hospital, with another two days to recover, and then back home for 14 days before entering hospital for another seven-day ordeal. “That continued for a three month period.”

Hillier says the hardest part was being laid up and so sick that he couldn’t do anything. He thanks his husband for “being through more than I did” and running the business in Hillier’s absence. He also credits the support of his three children, and his staff for “being more like family.”

Listen to the full interview with Your VOCM Mornings Here:

The City of St. John’s is reminding residents that garbage put out at the curb for collection must be completely covered from April 1 through November 30. 

Acceptable methods of covering garbage include using nets or containers with a closed lid. City garbage cart lids must also be completely closed.

Waste is not permitted at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. This helps to reduce the amount of litter in your neighbourhood and on city streets, parks and open spaces.

A new study from Leger Marketing indicates that many Atlantic Canadians are not in a good mindset when it comes to their finances.

The study indicates that 60 per cent of people in the region say they don’t have enough money left to save, invest, or pay down debt, and more than half of respondents say money is their biggest stressor.

Wendy Brookhouse, CEO with Black Star Wealth, says there are several factors coming together that create the increased stress and strain on people’s finances.

She calls it a “tsunami” or “perfect storm” of things like inflation and high interest that are coming together to put stress on people’s discretionary income.

The following schools are closed all day due to weather:
Brian Peckford Primary
Dorset Collegiate
Green Bay South Academy

The following schools are closed for the morning with an update to follow regarding afternoon classes:
Cape John Collegiate
Copper Ridge Academy
Hillside Elementary
Indian River Academy
Indian River High School
M.S.B. Regional Academy
Valmont Academy

Roads across Newfoundland are bare this morning but many areas will see snow move in as the day progresses. The snow has already started in the Port aux Basques area. There is some fog on the Heart’s Content Barrens and Paddy’s Pond.

In Labrador, roads are primarily bare except for southeastern areas where roads are partially snow-covered.

The 11:45 a.m. crossing from Port aux Basques to North Sydney on the Ala’suinu has been rescheduled to depart at 11:00 a.m.

Flights are on time in St. John’s, Gander, and Deer Lake.

The Healthcare Foundation is working with NL Health Services to implement robotic-assisted surgery in the health care system.

The system is known as the dual-console Da Vinci Xi robotic assisted surgical system, and it is being touted as something that will transform the way surgical procedures are done in the province.

The system is already being used in a training capacity at the Health Sciences, and the foundation has launched an $8-million campaign to go toward its purchase and training for staff – for which over half the money has already been raised.

Rugged Rock Media Photo

The foundation says Da Vinci will support over 500 complex surgeries per year, reducing the need for people to travel outside the province. Dr. Angela Bussey, one of the surgeons who has been advocating for it, says the new method can also help with shorter recovery times, fewer complications, and reduced post-op pain.

“Envision the deepest, darkest place that you could go and put a grain of sand there or a little piece of corn and be like, get that for me. You could never do it with your hands, but with the Da Vinci, you can do that. And think about that being a very small amount of cancer or other disease that someone needs to get rid of. And we’re able to do that. So I think that the impact of this device just continues to go on and on.”

A resident of Kenmount Terrace is raising concern that access the neighbourhood once enjoyed to the surrounding countryside and local trail network is being cut off for good.

Stephen Hinchey says he’s lived across from the Lady Anderson access point- a wide gap between the existing houses – since 2012.

He says hundreds of local residents have accessed the area’s trail network through that gap for years, but they’re now shocked and saddened that the spaces are now being filled in with two building lots.

Google Earth image.

He says heavy equipment moved into the area Monday and started digging, and it’s his understanding that the city of St. John’s has no provisions to preserve a pedestrian access lane in the area.

Hinchey says residents are concerned that they’re going to lose their access. He says one of the building lots is oversized, 58 feet instead of 50 feet, and there is space there to maintain access, but he’s spoken with Councillor Tom Davis and messaged others on council and it appears as though there are no provisions to preserve a laneway, even though there is enough space to do so.

The town of Stephenville says it is not responsible for any ongoing financial obligations to the Dymond International Airport related to an agreement that terminated in June of 2023.

The town is offering the clarification in light of recent public statements made by the facility’s owner, Carl Dymond.

This comes as the airport, which was recently downgraded to an aerodrome by NAV Canada, continues to sit idle, and owner Carl Dymond navigates a number of serious financial and legal issues in the courts.

The town says that any prior financial commitments related to the airport have all been fulfilled.

In a release issued to VOCM News, the town says it entered into an agreement with the Stephenville Airport Corporation in March of 2023. At that time, the town agreed to match pre-occupation payments to be made by World Energy GH2 to the airport to the tune of $32,500 a month.

That was to be paid to the airport corporation until World Energy GH2’s occupation date, and their move to paying the market rent rate on occupation or until the agreement was cancelled by either party.

A clause in the agreement allowed for it to be terminated within 30 days’ written notice, and on May 19th 2023, the town issued notice to the Stephenville Airport Corporation, ending the agreement.

As of June 18th of 2023, the matching contribution amount of $32,500 per month was no longer payable or applicable. The town says there is absolutely no obligation by it to continue with that payment, and the town is not responsible for any ongoing financial obligations to Stephenville Dymond International. It’s also “strongly” suggesting that Carl Dymond clarify “any misstatements made” related to the town’s obligations.

A vacant home downtown St. John’s was extensively damaged by fire overnight while an adjoining vacant structure also incurred damage.

The fire broke out at about midnight on Livingstone Street and Goodview St.

A passing RNC patrol car noticed smoke coming from the house just after midnight, and summoned St. John’s Regional, who were on the scene for several hours.

Registration will open on April 2 for the spring 2025 Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop.

Priority will be given to new applicants who apply to register between April 2 and 4. This year’s event will be held at Burry Heights on Salmonier Line on May 23 to 25.

The workshop is an opportunity for women to learn skills that enhance and encourage participation in outdoor activities. 

Courses include firearm and archery basics, outdoor cooking, fishing basics, preserving wild foods, orienteering, hiking and backpacking, chainsaw safety, and wildlife photography. 

It is designed for individuals 18 years and older and a $295-registration fee covers all meals, accommodations and courses.

A St. John’s theatre is hoping to fill a local gap for budding teenage thespians.

The Majestic Theatre launched its new Young People’s Company at their refurbished downtown location Wednesday afternoon.

They’re looking to hire youth for summer jobs, dabbling in everything from acting to tech positions and even box office management.

The age range for now is 16-23, with casting details set to appear on the Majestic socials next week.

That will be followed by employment offers for the summer.

Managing director Krysta Rudofsky and artistic director Dan Lasby were on hand for yesterday’s launch.

Lasby couldn’t say enough about the opportunity this presents for youth, adding that getting involved was a no-brainer for him.

“We have a couple of companies that do a really good job with the younger group, and then we have a couple of companies that are really great for those continuing on in their artistic life, but there’s a bit of a gap there,” he said. “And so as we were talking through that, Krysta decided as the Majestic, we have this great space that we can offer, we have these resources we can support this with, would you be interested in coming along and helping me on this journey, and I said for sure.”

The Majestic hopes to support the program through ticket sales alone to the eventual performances.

Anyone with interest or questions about the Young People’s Company can email [email protected].

The province now has a new publicly available research tool which enables access to the historical statutes of Newfoundland and Labrador.  

It was designed by the Legislative Library and contains full text of consolidations and annual volumes of statutes from 1833 to 1970. It is also used for searches by title keyword or date.

 The Legislative Library has also upgraded and enhanced features of existing electronic indexes to increase ease of use and accessibility, including the Library’s catalogue, commissions and inquiries, and tabled documents.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services says everything it buys is under the microscope as it looks for alternatives to U.S. products, but that it can't come at the cost of affecting patients.

RNC have arrested a woman and charged her with assault in relation to an incident on George Street in February.

Police were called around 3:00 in the morning Sunday, February 16th after a woman suffered minor physical injuries as the result of an altercation with another woman.

Police arrested a 22-year-old St. John’s woman and charged her with assault. She was released from custody on conditions pending a court appearance May 8th.

Local restaurants in St. John's say they're losing money using delivery apps. They say drivers are constantly making mistakes that they have to pay for, and apps take a high commission rate. Now, they're encouraging customers to buy directly from them.

Newfoundland and Labrador craft breweries Landwash Brewery and Yellowbelly Brewery are releasing patriotic beverages in response to threats to Canada’s sovereignty from the U.S.

The St. John’s Board of Trade is holding an event today focusing on economic issues.

The event will look at some of the biggest issues affecting businesses including US tariffs, shifts in the energy sector, and strategies for economic growth.

Goldy Hyder, the CEO of the Business Council of Canada, and Premier Andrew Furey will be speaking at the event.

It gets underway just before 1p.m. at the JAG Soundhouse.

Dollar Tree has agreed to sell its Family Dollar division for over $1 billion to Brigade Capital Management and Macellum Capital Management. The sale aims to maximize value for Dollar Tree shareholders and position Family Dollar for future success and growth. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. (UPI)

The Supreme Court upheld a Biden administration regulation on "ghost guns," requiring serial numbers, background checks, and age verification for purchasing kits online. The 7-2 decision found that current gun laws allow regulation of these untraceable firearms, which have been increasingly linked to crime. (AP News)

Prince Harry has resigned as a patron of the charity Sentebale, which he co-founded in 2006 to support children in southern Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. His departure, along with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, came amid the resignation of five trustees due to an internal dispute regarding the charity's mission. (CBS News)

A case of measles was confirmed in a person who traveled on an Amtrak train to Washington, D.C., potentially exposing others at various locations. DC Health is working to notify individuals who may have been in contact with the infected person, particularly those who are unvaccinated or lack immunity to measles. (ABC News)

Senate Republicans are reconsidering including a debt ceiling increase in a large party-line bill to advance President Trump’s agenda. There has been a shift, as the Congressional Budget Office has projected that the deadline for lawmakers to act on the debt ceiling or risk default on U.S. obligations this summer. (NBC News)

St. John’s council has renewed what’s become a popular summer attraction in one of the city’s most historic hideaways.

The Wharf at Quidi Vidi, in the heart of The Gut, was approved for another two years during yesterday’s council meeting.

It consists of five food trucks, an ice cream shop, a kiosk for food and beer, a tent, picnic tables and bathrooms.

And while the setup has been drawing tourists by the droves, some locals have been put off by the added traffic and parking woes.

Council noted operators Long Harbour Holdings continue to work with residents on solutions to those problems.

Meanwhile, Mayor Danny Breen dreams of the day when regular traffic is no longer allowed down there.

“Perhaps some accessible parking spaces and taxi drop-off zones,” he said. “But it’s truly a beautiful place; it’s one of the gems of the city, and I think that move would just make it that much better for everybody.”

The Wharf at Quidi Vidi will operate seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the food trucks and tent, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the ice-cream shop, from May to September this year and next.

In February, all 20 crew members of the MSC Baltic III were rescued after the cargo ship became grounded. The ship is still there, and the CBC’s Leila Beaudoin got a closer look at the Canadian Coast Guard’s operation to protect the ecosystem and remove the vessel.