The two largest fires in Los Angeles County are still dangerous, with strong winds expected through Wednesday. Over 88,000 people remain under evacuation orders, and curfews are still in place. The fires have now destroyed over 12,000 structures and firefighters have mostly prevented any major spread, but the blazes remain difficult to contain. (UPI)

The U.S. Navy is constructing four new Virginia-class nuclear submarines named the USS Potomac, USS Norfolk, USS Brooklyn, and the Columbia-class USS Groton. The submarines will enhance the Navy's capabilities in seeking and destroying enemy vessels, carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles, and supporting special operations forces. (UPI)

Inspectors found unsanitary conditions at several Boar’s Head deli meat plants, including dripping condensation falling on food, mold, insects, and other problems. The U.S. Agriculture Department released inspection records from plants in Indiana, Arkansas, and Virginia, which showed violations similar to those found at the Virginia plant linked to a listeria outbreak. (AP)

The Biden administration has announced plans to remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and ease economic restrictions in exchange for the release of political prisoners. The decision may be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as some GOP lawmakers have expressed outrage over the decision. (CBS News)

The House passed a Republican bill banning transgender girls and women from competing in school sports teams matching their gender identity. The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act" would recognize individuals' sex based on reproductive biology at birth and risk losing federal funding for allowing a male to participate in female sports. (CBS News)

The dangerous driving trial of Daniel Ozon heard testimony Tuesday saying he was not in the driver’s seat on the day of the crash. Proceedings were also delayed when it was discovered Ozon had a bag of cannabis in the courtroom. NTV’s Ryan Harding reports.

It’s a robbery tactic that’s gaining more traction around the globe, and now one local software company is making it their mission to put an end to ‘backhoe bandits’. NTV’s Marykate O’Neill has the details. 

The season won’t start for another eight months, but plans are already well underway for the province’s new major junior hockey team. Acquiring top tier draft picks will be key to the team success. Here’s NTVs Mark Dwyer.

After 20 prototypes, Jordan Spencer says his invention is coming to a ladder near you. Spencer is the co-founder and CEO of LadderSpike Inc. Based in St. John’s, the company hopes to sell its flagship product worldwide this year. We asked Spencer to take the LadderSpike Pro for a test climb.

Veristart CEO Craig Hannam says his company’s black box doesn’t just prevent someone from starting up a piece of heavy machinery, but ensures that only someone who is supposed to have access can restart the machine. The CBC’s Carolyn Stokes spoke to Hannam, in the wake of another round of ATMs being stolen via smash-and-grabs.

A 45-year-old woman has been charged after drugs and weapons were seized from a home on the west coast.

The RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation West, and Corner Brook RNC searched the home on Humber Road around 10 a.m. Monday and arrested the woman.

Police say several items were seized from inside the home, including about 2 ounces of cocaine – which was prepackaged for street-level sales, quantities of suspected opioids, drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking, a stun gun – which is a prohibited device, and concealed knives.

The accused appeared in court on Tuesday, and will appear again at a later date on charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession of a prohibited weapon, and obstructing a police officer.

The investigation is continuing with further charges possible.

The RCMP says aerial searches are underway for a woman who has been missing from Nain for over two weeks.

Fifty-one-year-old Elizabeth Jararuse was last seen on December 30th, and was reported missing on January 4th.

Nain Ground Search and Rescue, along with people locally have been extensively searching Nain and the surrounding area since she was reported missing, however weather conditions prevented a look from the air.

Two aircraft were placed on standby, and on Sunday they got up in the air to conduct a grid search, but it turned up no sign of Jararuse.

Further air searches are continuing. RCMP Police Dog Services have also been transported into the area to join the ground search.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RCMP at 709-922-2862 or Crime Stoppers.

A west coast man with a serial, criminal history of abusing his intimate partners has been denied bail again.

The decision was delivered this morning in Corner Brook Supreme Court against 49-year-old Matthew O’Quinn.

O’Quinn was declared a long-term offender in February 2015.

That followed dozens of convictions for violence against five different women he had been in relationships with.

As a long-term offender, he had numerous strict conditions to abide by for 10 years, but he’s been suspended a half dozen times for breaching them.

The most recent was last February when O’Quinn was arrested on a Canada-wide warrant for escaping custody, being at large without excuse, and resisting arrest.

He’s scheduled to be arraigned on February 3rd in Corner Brook Supreme Court.

Long-term offenders are one step away from the more serious dangerous offender designation, which comes with an indefinite prison term.

A St. John's-based company is expanding its food distribution business to Clarenville and the Bonavista Peninsula to make sure people in the region can access groceries and produce.

A central Newfoundland physician who has been operating a telemedicine practice for several years, has been sanctioned by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for his treatment of three separate patients, two of whom suffered overdose.

The decision was handed down in November.

As a result, Dr. Todd Young’s medical licence will be suspended for four months, to be served in blocks with each not less than one month at a time.

Young has also been ordered to complete remedial education and professional development on addictions medicine program for a period of not less than three weeks, and that his medical licence will contain a restriction which prohibits him from prescribing narcotics, including opioids, until he has provided the Registrar with written confirmation of the completion of the requirements set out by the College.

Premier Andrew Furey will be joining Canada’s Premiers for discussions with the Prime Minister and key federal counterparts at the First Minister’s Meeting in Ottawa.

In a statement the Premier says he is committed to strengthening Canada-United States relations with a unified and collaborative approach to protect our valued trade partnership, and to secure economic stability for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The First Minister’s Meeting is an opportunity to develop well-defined strategies that defend Canada’s interests as an independent, sovereign nation. Premier Furey will deliver Newfoundland and Labrador’s support for a strong response to the immediate tariff concerns while giving careful consideration to the broader economic impacts.

Following the search of a residence in Corner Brook on January 13, 2025, a 45-year-old woman was arrested and is facing drug charges. 

As a result of an ongoing investigation, at approximately 10:00 p.m. on Monday, the woman was arrested at the home.

Inside the home, officers located and seized the following items:

• Approximately 2 ounces of cocaine, which was pre-packaged for street-level sales
• Quantities of suspected opioids
• Drug paraphernalia and items consistent with drug trafficking
• A prohibited device (stun gun)
• Concealed knives

The woman was released today on a number of conditions and is set to appear in court at a later date where she will face the following charges:

• Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
• Possession of a prohibited weapon
• Obstructing a police officer

The investigation is continuing with further charges possible.

Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney launched his formal bid for the Liberal Party Leadership on American television with the Daily Show.

Carney told host John Stewart that Canada is facing a number of economic challenges, not the least of which is a potential crisis sparked by Trump’s tariff threats, and the time for action is now.

“We also have challenges in housing, cost of living, Canadians have been very hard-pressed in the last few years. Wages have not kept up with inflation, people are falling behind, not getting ahead, housing has been very expensive, and there’s this broader concern – exclamation point put on by the Trump tariffs, about what the future brings.” Carney says “the world’s more divided, its’ more dangerous, what are we going to do? Truth be told, the government has been not as focused on those issues as it could be, we need to focus on them immediately, that can happen now, and that’s what this election is going to be.”

The search is continuing in Nain for a missing 51-year-old woman, Elizabeth Jararuse, who was last seen on Dec. 30, 2024. Nain Ground Search and Rescue, along with local searchers in the community, have extensively searched Nain and surrounding area since Jararuse was reported missing on Jan. 4. 

From the onset of the investigation, inclement weather has prevented aerial searches. Two aircrafts, arranged through Provincial Emergency Services Division, were secured to search and remained on standby. On Sunday, an aerial grid search was completed over Nain. Jararuse remains missing. 

Today, a further aerial search is continuing. RCMP Police Dog Services have been transported into the community and join Nain Ground Search and Rescue in continued searches of the area.

The investigation is continuing.  

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has released a Canada – U.S. Trade Tracker in light of threatened tariffs on Canadian goods entering the United States.

The Chamber calls the threat of 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods crossing the border “the most urgent threat facing Canadian and American businesses today.”

New modelling from the chamber’s Business Data Lab suggests that tariffs would come at a huge economic cost, and reduce real annual income by $1,900 CAD per Canadian and $1,300 USD per American.

The trade tracker is designed to help businesses strengthen the “world-class: trade relationship between the two countries.

The tracker shows that the value of the trade of goods between Newfoundland and Labrador and the United States represents $5.4 billion CAD with more than 16,000 jobs supported by this province’s trade with the US.

Some 257 Newfoundland and Labrador companies export goods to the United States with New Jersey as the province’s largest trading partner.

Labrador Marine is reporting a record number of passenger vehicles and freight on the marine service to the north coast of Labrador in 2024.

General Manager Captain Austin Daley says they typically see traffic drop off after the first week of October, but this year they moved 351 vehicles after the first of October and nearly 1600 passengers, including 433 in December.

Photo submitted

The season wrapped up on December 29th, the latest-even end to their seasonal service.

It’s hoped that the marine service will resume from Goose Bay on June 15th depending on ice and weather conditions.

Trump’s posturing about Canada becoming the “51st state” has struck a nerve with Canadians and is dominating conversation across the country.

A recent Angus Reid cross-border survey shows that while most Canadians and Americans are dismissing the comments as attention-seeking, 32 per cent of Canadians asked are worried that the incoming President is serious, while 22 per cent of Americans share that opinion.

Ninety per cent of Canadians asked oppose the notion of joining with the US, while 49 percent of Americans oppose the idea, but if Canada does join, then three-quarters of the Americans asked say it should only be by our own choice.

While Trump has said he wouldn’t use military force to bring Canada into the United States, 62 per cent of Canadians asked say they don’t trust him to hold to his word.

Trump’s latest statements have harmed Canadians’ view of our relations with the US. According to the survey, Canadians are now three times more likely to view the US as an enemy or potential threat compared to two years ago.

An increasing number of Atlantic Canadians are feeling pessimistic about their financial situation, according to the latest MNP Consumer Debt Index.

Greg Gosse, a local Licensed Insolvency Trustee with the company, says 51 per cent of respondents say they are within $200 of not being able to manage their debts.

That number is up from 42 per cent the last time the survey was released in October.

Gosse says about 30 per cent of people are already in a situation where they can’t pay their debts on time.

He says the numbers are concerning but notes that people do have options available to them, such as calling a Licensed Insolvency Trustee. There are also options on the internet, but Gosse warns that while there are very good debt counsellors, people should ensure they are getting services from someone who is licensed and regulated first.

The company — Champion Ore — says the deal with two Japanese companies will help move the proposed mining project closer to reality.

The creation of Memorial University a century ago “changed the course of the history of the province,” according to a MUN executive.

The university is celebrating 100 years in 2025, with various initiatives planned to mark the milestone.

Lisa Browne, Vice President of Administration, Finance and Advancement at MUN, says the university was started as a tribute to those who died in World War I and subsequent wars and agrees that it was also an investment in the future.

Browne says that when looking at the social determinants of health, education is at the top of the list.

She says it has impacts in terms of income and feelings of self-worth, and it impacts future generations. She says it is important to look at Memorial’s past but also to look at what the next 100 years will look like.

Tom Woodford is out as President of Trades NL. This comes as a result of being removed from Ironworkers Local 764.

The parent union of the Ironworkers Local 764 in Mount Pearl has taken over operation of the local union. It’s unclear exactly what has led to this drastic measure.

But in a statement from Trades NL to NTV News, they say the president position will be filled at today’s council of unions meeting. They say these changes should have little effect or impact on Trade’s NL’s operations.

NTV News will have more information on the operation at Ironworkers Local Union 764, tonight on the NTV Evening Newshour.

Five Canadian industry associations have formed a joint working group to support the push against Donald Trump’s threatened tariff on Canadian goods.

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Pathways Alliance, Enserva, the Explorers and Producers Association and the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors are working together to support efforts across Canada to prevent tariffs from being placed on Canadian oil and natural gas exported to the US.

They’re also preparing to mitigate the impact should those threatened tariffs become a reality.

The group says Canadian oil and natural gas make up the largest part of this country’s trade value – 25 per cent of all the country’s exports and about $150 billion dollars worth of energy trade with the US annually.

The Conception Bay Baker Flooring Senior Blues are set to host a signature fundraiser this weekend.

The annual Sammy’s Superhero Game and Jersey Auction is set for this Sunday, January 19th, in memory of Jake Anstey, who passed away in November at the age of 11.

For the last three years, the Blues have partnered with Sammy’s Climb Higher Foundation in the annual fundraising initiative. The foundation was set up to support local sports and recreational activities in memory of Samuel (Sammy) Riley Porter of CBS, who passed away on July 17th, 2022 at the age of six.

Photo submitted

The event is scheduled for this Sunday at the CBS Arena when the Blue take on the Herder champion St. John’s Senior Caps. The Blues are currently on top of the Avalon East Senior Hockey League standings, with the Caps trailing by just 3 points.

Tickets are on sale at the CBS Arena this Friday and Saturday.

Photo submitted

It appears two men charged in the aftermath of a fatal collision on Peacekeepers Way will be tried together.

The crash on June 7, 2022, claimed the life of 56-year-old Duane Hutchings.

He was the driver of a Toyota Corolla that was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by 30-year-old Sam Tessier.

Tessier and 61-year-old mechanic and garage owner Cecil Walsh each face a single count of criminal negligence causing death.That’s linked to mechanical problems that allegedly caused the crash.

The combined Supreme Court trial with judge and jury is tentatively set for mid-May.

Walsh faces an additional 78 related charges, including fraud, forgery and assault, which will be dealt with separately in provincial court.

A third man, 69-year-old Terry Barry, admitted forging inspection documents and got a suspended sentence with a year of probation for the lesser role he played.

A man accused of forcing a carload of teenagers off the road and into the ocean off Pouch Cove has pleaded not guilty to the dozen charges he’s facing.

Twenty-three-year-old Ray O’Keefe faces five counts of aggravated assault, five counts of assault with a weapon, namely his vehicle, dangerous driving, and failing to stop after an accident.

It’s believed O’Keefe and the five people in the other car were previously known to each other.

The shocking incident happened in the early-morning darkness of November 11th, 2023.

Police first described it as “an interaction” between two vehicles, just before 4:30 a.m., with one of them going off the road and splash-landing in the ocean near the slipway in Pouch Cove.

Fortunately, all five were able to get out and safely scramble to shore, cold and wet but otherwise unscathed.

Their car, however, was left a demolished wreck on the rocky shoreline.

The four-day trial is set for May 20-23 in provincial court.

Nearsightedness is on the rise among children, and an optometrist says one of the best things kids can do to curb the trend is to get outside.

Research in the British Journal of Ophthalmology indicates that the rate of nearsightedness among children and teens has tripled in the last 30 years.

Those trends are being seen locally too, according to the president of the NL Optometrists’ Association Stephanie Powell Jenkins.

She says the biggest thing that can be done to prevent nearsightedness is to spend more time outdoors.

She notes spending just an extra hour outside per day can lower a child’s risk by 14 per cent. She says they want their kids to spend at least one or two hours outside per day, which can be split up over things like walking to school, and being outside at recess and lunch. Powell Jenkins says that should be combined with reducing the amount of “near work” they do, meaning time on things such as tablets and phones.

The RNC located a stolen vehicle during routine patrols in the west end of St. John’s last night.

The vehicle was parked outside of a home. Officers observed one occupant in the vehicle and called for additional units.

Police were able to stop the driver from leaving and he was arrested without incident. The 51-year-old male was conveyed to the St. John’s lockup.

The accused now faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime and refusal of a drug recognition evaluation demand.

The Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philips says it is opening up the municipal decision-making process to improve access and transparency for residents.

Town and city councils operate under a committee structure designed according to the business at hand and then make recommendations to the council. Though not binding, the recommendations are usually accepted by council.

Mayor Carol McDonald says by opening the committee meetings to the public and introducing quarterly town halls, they’re taking proactive steps to strengthen the connection with residents.

Mayor McDonald says the changes will allow residents to gain greater insight into town operations.

The provincial government’s new locum recruitment program is now in effect.

The program provides opportunities for physicians, both private and public, to work as locums throughout the province, including in areas that have had recruitment challenges.

The program includes a $10,000 bonus for physicians who provide more than 25 days of locum services in a year.

Physicians interested in providing locum services can register online at www.workinhealthnl.ca.

Physicians interested in new locum opportunities with private community-based practices are also encouraged to e-mail [email protected] for more information.

The deadline is approaching for residents wishing to apply for the home heating supplement program.

The deadline is on Wednesday.

The supplement, which ranges between $200 and $500, is available to residents of the province whose adjusted family income for 2023 was $150,000 or less and have incurred costs of furnace or stove oil to heat their residence.

Residents can apply online.

The FFAW is very concerned with the possibility that Donald Trump’s administration will impose threatened tariffs on Canadian goods when he assumes office in the United States.

Union President Dwan Street says 90 per cent of snow crab caught in this province is bound for restaurants in the US, and a tariff would have a devastating impact on the local industry.

Photo via Facebook

She says they can’t diversify into other markets, “that’s our market” and if a 25 per cent tariff is imposed it will “hit us hard.” She warns how that risk is shared between harvesters and producers “is going to be a hard conversation.”

In the meantime, the province has set up a round table to discuss the potential impact of threatened tariffs and Canadian action to address the matter, and the FFAW is at the table.

RNC officers were called to a disturbance at a residence in Conception Bay South Monday evening.

Officers found the 35-year-old male suspect inside the home and a struggle ensued.

The suspect was arrested and charged with assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, assault, break and enter, uttering threats, property damage, and breach of a release order.

The victims and the suspect were known to each other.

Three people were arrested and a number of items seized including cash, drugs and jewelry following drug busts in St. Anthony and Goose Cove on the Northern Peninsula on the weekend.

RCMP from the St. Anthony, Roddickton and Port Saunders detachments descended on two homes around 1:00 Sunday morning—one on Cabot Street in St. Anthony, and the other on the Main Road in Goose Cove.

Officers allegedly found 43-year-old Ryan Ricks of St. Anthony actively trying to get rid of cocaine when they entered the Cabot Street home. Bags containing cocaine residue were recovered by police and seized along with cash, ammunition, drug paraphernalia and what’s being described as an expensive and elaborate piece of jewelry which is believed to be part of the proceeds of crime.

Ricks was charged with trafficking in cocaine, possession of the proceeds of crime over $5,000, and possession of ammunition while prohibited.

Meanwhile, 30 grams of cocaine was seized from the Goose Cove residence along with other items. A 59-year-old man and 53-year-old woman were arrested and released with charges pending.

“Beware.”

That’s the advice of former premier Danny Williams before Newfoundland and Labrador inks any final deal with Hydro Quebec on the Upper Churchill and future hydro development in Labrador.

Williams says he’s especially concerned with remarks from Hydro Quebec, crowing about the “bargain” they’re getting from Newfoundland and Labrador on hydro power.

Danny Williams (File photo)

He thinks Newfoundland and Labrador should be getting at least twice the four cents a kilowatt hour for hydro energy as outlined in the MOU.

Williams says doing a deal with Quebec is fine, as long as Newfoundland and Labrador is getting a fair deal.

“I think Quebec has got what they want, when they want it and for as long as they want it,” says Williams, “hopefully the government gets back to the bargaining table and tries to strengthen up this agreement.”

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Andrew Parsons says the questions Williams is raising are the same ones that were raised—and answered—in the House of Assembly last week.

Parsons suggests that people who have questions go back and watch the debate, or read hansard.

Parsons says getting “summary of what Quebec media are saying” from Williams as “more of the same old rhetoric” that got us into Muskrat Falls. He says “it’s frustrating when you’ve been cleaning something, and cleaning something and the person that made the mess tells you how to hold the mop.”

The roads on the northern half of the Avalon through central Newfoundland are partially snow-covered with icy sections, and the roads on the Northern Peninsula are snow-covered.

Across the Big Land roads are snow-covered with icy and slushy patches and good visibility.

The MV Sound of Islay is in service but off schedule due to a medical call.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet Flight 264, Air Canada Flight 688, and Porter Flight 230 are delayed.

Tomorrow marks the deadline for people who use furnace and stove oil to heat their homes to apply for the 2024 home heating supplement.

Residents can apply online, and include copies of invoices showing the purchase of at least 250 litres of furnace or stove oil.

The supplement ranges from between $200 and $500 and is available to all residents who earned an adjusted family income of $150,000 or less for 2023, and who incurred direct costs for the purchase of furnace or stove oil to heat their principal residence.

On Monday morning RNC officers attempted to stop a vehicle near Cochrane Pond in St. John’s. The driver fled the area and police initiated a pursuit.

The officer recognized the 60-year-old driver and after a short time, the pursuit was terminated in the interest of public safety.

The vehicle was located about an hour later by another officer and the officer was able to stop it.

The suspect was arrested and charged with flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He was taken to the lock up and the vehicle was impounded.

A 42-year-old man is facing charges after an altercation with a cab driver in Stephenville on Friday.

RCMP were called by a local cab company around 9:30 Friday evening after one of their drivers was threatened.

RCMP say the accused allegedly kicked and punched the cab, and threatened the driver before entering a home on Colonial Avenue in Stephenville.

The accused, who initially refused to answer the door, eventually left the home after some negotiation with police.

He was released to appear in court on charges of damage to property and uttering threats.

Post 1 – 6:09 AM NST (5:39 AM NST)

The weather observing station at St. John’s International Airport has been reporting freezing drizzle for the last few hours. As you head out the door this morning, some slick spots will be underfoot, and your car may resemble a glazed donut. Give yourself some time to chip that off before hitting the road!

GOES Satellite Imagery & Simulated Radar

The weather today will almost be a carbon-copy of Monday, with a little less wind across the board. Highs reach the minus single digits for much of the Island and coastal Labrador and will remain near -10º in the western part of the Big Land.

The City of St. John’s is advising residents that all residential tax bills covering January to June 2025 have been distributed to Canada Post for delivery.

Residents should receive bills soon. Anyone with questions can contact the City’s Finance Department.

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker has suggested that the provincial government consider drafting a set of standards for those who own and operate heavy machinery.

Aker made the suggestion after the latest incident involving the use of heavy equipment to smash open a bank to remove the ATM—this time at the RBC on Commonwealth Avenue.

Service NL says it shares the public’s concern surrounding the use of heavy equipment to cause such extensive damage and is open to discussion about how those incidents can be prevented. The RNC is urging contractors to take additional measures to prevent those with criminal intent from making use of excavators and backhoes in their endeavors.

The department says while it is involved in the regulation of heavy equipment and construction vehicles when operated on roadways, the security of that equipment is the responsibility of the owner.

RNC officers had their work cut out for them trying to arrest a man who broke into a home in Conception Bay South last night.

Police were called around 8:30 p.m. after the man, who was known to the residents, broke in and began causing trouble.

The 35-year-old wasn’t willing to go down without a fight as officers struggled to put him in handcuffs.

He was finally arrested and has been charged with break and enter, assault, property damage, uttering threats, assaulting a peace officer, and resisting arrest.

He was held for court.