Central Newfoundland food banks are continuing to serve their communities, even with the rising price of groceries, say organizers.

Tomorrow at 11:15 a.m., the Bank of Canada will announce its decision on the target for the overnight rate.

Back in October, the Bank of Canada reduced the target for the overnight rate to 3¾%, continuing its policy of balance sheet normalization.

A 46-year-old man has been arrested and charged after a reported break-in at a store in the Marystown Mall.

Burin Peninsula RCMP received a call about a break and enter around 12:45 on Sunday.

A man reportedly reached inside the security gate of the store and stole a number of clothing items.

The incident was caught on surveillance camera and officers identified the suspect who was seen leaving the mall wearing a stolen jacket.

RCMP caught up with Kiley Foote later that same day and he was charged with break and enter with intent and theft under $5,000.

Roads on the Avalon, central, and south coast are bare and dry with good visibility and a few icy patches. Along the west coast, roads are snow-covered with icy patches and good visibility.

From western Labrador to Cartwright Junction, roads are snow-packed with icy patches and drifting snow. The road from Cartwright Junction to Red Bay is closed.

The MV Terra Nova will delay departure from Rencontre East until 9:00 a.m. The MV-Marine Coaster III will be running on Monday’s schedule and taking fuel this morning.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet Flight 264 and PAL Flight 901 are delayed. In Deer Lake Provincial Airlines Flight 901 is delayed. Flights are on time in Gander.

It appears that the formal league-sanctioned transfer of an ailing major junior hockey league franchise to St. John’s will come down this week.

Hockey insider Jeff Marek says his sources tell him that the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Board of Governors will formally approve the transfer of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to St. John’s at their next meeting.

At the QMJHL BOG meeting this week expect a vote to pass on the sale and relocation of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan to a group in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) December 8, 2024

Long-time hockey executive Glenn Stanford is a part of the ownership group, but he won’t comment at this time.

The region’s only flirt with major junior hockey some 20 years ago did not turn out well as the St. John’s Fog Devils, owned by the Dobbins and operating out of Mile One, did not really catch on despite the presence of future NHLers including goaltender Jake Allen.

Two popular long-time businesses on Water Street in St. John’s are closing their doors.

Kim Paddon posted to social media this week that Whink! and the Newfoundland Weavery are shutting down.

She says she’s poured 15 years of her heart and soul into the businesses, but the last few years have been “incredibly challenging,” and due to circumstances beyond her control, business has forever changed.

She points to online shopping, soaring freight costs, consumer behavior and falling foot traffic.

As a result says Paddon, the current economic climate “does not offer a bright future” for her current business model.

“I mean, let’s be honest, it’s a very challenging time. The economic environment that we are in right now, you can’t pretend that everything is okay.”

In the meantime, she’s working through her inventory and promises to have it out and available over the coming days.

She’s been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support she and her team have received since issuing the post.

“I’m so passionate with the community of artisans as being a Newfoundland and Labrador business owner, and these stores meant so much to our community, and yes, they’re stores, but I’m an employer to lots of people…and I’m just….” she says trailing off with emotion.

Around 7:00 p.m. on Monday, the RNC responded to a residence in downtown St. John’s, to a report of unknown trouble in progress.

Officers spoke to the complainant and witnesses and learned that an assault had taken place.

A 62-year-old male was arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of assault.

The accused was held for court.

Two of the province’s municipalities are bringing down their budgets today.

The City of St. John’s will release its budget this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. while the City of Mount Pearl will introduce its budget at 4:30.

VOCM News is watching both budget announcements and will have details as they become available.

The RCMP in Grand Falls-Windsor is looking for 16-year-old Logan Vineham who has been reported missing.

Vineham was last seen near Needs Convenience Store on Lincoln Road, Grand Falls-Windsor around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, December 9th.

He is described as 5 ’11” tall, with brown hair & blue eyes. He may be wearing camouflage clothing.  Anybody with information on his current location is asked to call the RCMP at 709-489-2121.

A man has been charged after an incident at a home in downtown St. John’s.

Police were called to a disturbance around 7:00 yesterday evening to find that someone had been assaulted.

A 62-year-old man was taken into custody on charges of assault and assault with a weapon.

A new $13-million transmission line, built to withstand severe weather and deliver 80 per cent more electricity, will soon be energizing homes and businesses in the Placentia area.

Safaa Tohme and her son, Sleiman, are part of the Syrian community in St. John’s that is celebrating the end of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s decades-long rule. But what does it mean for loved ones back in their home country? The CBC’s Jessica Singer reports.

Snow has finally come to parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, enough to finally bring the winter mood.

RCMP in Grand Falls Windsor need the public’s help in their search for a missing 16-year-old.

Logan Vineham was last seen at the Needs Convenience store on Lincoln Road in the town around 3:30 yesterday afternoon.

He is 5 feet 11 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing an orange jacket, blue jeans, white shoes and black ball cap at the time he was last seen.

Police believe he may be wearing camouflage clothing.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Logan Vineham is asked contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP is looking for missing youth Logan Vineham (16) who was last seen near Lincoln Road, Grand Falls-Windsor on Monday afternoon, December 9th. He may be wearing camo clothing. Anybody with information is asked to call the RCMP at 709-489-2121. pic.twitter.com/7gBbeDhiLu

— RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador (@RCMPNL) December 10, 2024

Luigi Mangione, 26, from Maryland, has been charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. He was also charged for gun-related offenses, possession of a forged instrument, and criminal possession of a weapon, related to a fake driver’s license. Mangione is in custody in Pennsylvania awaiting extradition to New York. (ABC News)

Daniel Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway car in 2023. The manslaughter charge was dismissed after the jury couldn't reach a unanimous decision. Penny's attorneys celebrated the verdict, while Neely's father expressed frustration. (CBS News)

California has introduced a bill to mandate mental health warning labels on social media, sparking debate. State Attorney General Rob Bonta and dozens of other bipartisan attorneys general all support the measure, citing concerns about the impact on children's mental health. Industry officials vow to challenge the bill on First Amendment grounds. (AP)

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act, prohibiting public schools and libraries from censoring books and protecting librarians who comply. This comes amid nationwide efforts to challenge books about LGBTQ issues and race. The law is set to take effect in a year, with immediate implementation allowed if necessary. (NBC News)

"Polarization" is 2024's Word of the Year by Merriam-Webster, due to its significance in describing the political divide of the presidential election. The word reflects a sharp contrast of opinions or beliefs. Other popular words in 2024 included "totality," "demure," "fortnight," and "pander." (UPI)

After being told by doctors she wouldn't live another year without a live liver transplant, Janet Hong is now recovering after a successful surgery. She says she was blown away by the people who wanted to help her and that her donor is now family.

Two iconic downtown St. John's businesses are closing their doors, with the owner citing a changing business landscape as a driving reason behind the decision.

Join Host Leslie-Ann Corrigan as she explores the outdoors!

Meet people from around the province who live and work sharing all kinds of great things to do outside in Newfoundland & Labrador. Learn more about what they do, the issues affecting their businesses and get inspired for your next adventure!

A 30-year-old man suspected of impaired driving has a lot more on his plate after allegedly getting into a skirmish with police.

Burin Peninsula RCMP were called out around 6:45 p.m. Sunday regarding a potential impaired driver on an ATV in Little Bay.

Police found the man a short time later with the machine, but he refused to go quietly and was charged with resisting arrest after allegedly assaulting the officers.

He’s also accused of refusing to provide breath samples after arriving at the RCMP detachment.

On top of that, police discovered he might also be responsible for a previous incident, for which he was charged with uttering threats and assault with a weapon.

The man’s licence was suspended and, in total, he’s now facing two counts of assaulting a police officer, and one count each of resisting arrest, impaired driving, refusing to comply with a breath demand, assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

The suspect’s name was not released.

There will be no increase in the residential or business mil rate in Gander in the coming year.

Council Finance lead Wilson Hoffe delivered the town’s budget this afternoon.

A three per cent increase in property assessments means an increase in property taxes of about $5 a month on average, meaning that increases in the mil rate won’t be necessary. There will be no increase in service fees nor the business tax.

He says Gander has seen a number of promising new developments that bode well for the town’s future growth.

That includes a new Atlantic Forest Fire Fighting Centre, the resumption of obstetric services at James Paton Memorial Hospital, a new family care team, new business prospects and mining sector opportunities.

Following a report of a commercial break, enter and theft at a store in Marystown Mall, 46-year-old Kiley Foote was arrested by Burin Peninsula RCMP.

At approximately 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, police received a report of the break and enter. A man reached inside the security gate of the store and stole a number of clothing items. Police attended the scene and reviewed surveillance footage which captured the crime. Officers identified the suspect as Foote, who was seen departing the mall wearing a stolen jacket. 

Foote was arrested later that afternoon and was held in police custody. He is charged with break and enter with intent and theft under $5,000.

Both the Memorial University Faculty Association and the Students Union are calling for government assistance to help the university with a financial shortfall caused by a drop in international enrolment – but that doesn’t look likely.

The university called a surprise news conference on Friday to outline measures taken to address a projected $9.5 million shortfall from a 5.4 per cent drop in international student enrolment.

The university is putting a pause on most hiring with certain exceptions, introducing restrictions to carry over funds, and developing a new budget model.

That’s led to calls for the government to step in to help the university with its fiscal situation and to address concerns like millions of dollars in deferred maintenance.

In a statement provided to VOCM News, Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says Memorial University is an autonomous organization accountable for its own fiscal policies and practices. The province says it’s confident that MUN is making decisions and implementing measures that will have the desired outcome while minimizing the impact on students and staff.

The provincial government provided an allocation of $400 million to the university in the last budget. More than 70 per cent of the university’s operating revenue comes directly from the province – among the highest in the country.

Wind chills near –22 C didn't stop Labradorians from showing up as part of CBC's annual turkey drive in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Ron Young, the creator and editor of the Downhome Magazine, has died.

A national pollster says the response to a cap on oil and gas emissions is evenly split – something seldom seen in his experience.

Ottawa is imposing limits on greenhouse gas emissions to between 35 and 38 per cent of levels seen five years ago by the year 2030.

A recent poll by Abacus Data was as evenly split as any that company vice-president Eddie Sheppard has ever seen one-third in support, one-third in the middle, and one-third against.

Those in the industry call the greenhouse gas cap a job killer, while others say the cap is necessary to address climate change.

Sheppard says the responses fell pretty neatly along political lines.

“Anyone who is a Conservative supporter is in far greater opposition to this than those who would intend to vote for Liberal or NDP,” says Sheppard. “Conservative supporters, are generally more focused on the economic impacts…the cost of living, whereas the Liberal and NDP supporters are more interested in climate action than Conservative supporters.”

The RNC has made an arrest following an assault in Labrador City. On Saturday, at approximately 12:45 a.m., police responded to a report of a disturbance at a home on Cavendish Crescent.

As a result of the investigation, a 32-year-old female from Labrador City was charged with: assault causing bodily harm; property damage; assaulting a police officer; resisting arrest; and, breach of court order.

A 30-year-old man from Marystown is facing criminal charges for assaulting a police officer and refusing to provide a breath sample as part of an impaired driving investigation.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. on Dec. 8, police received the report of a suspected impaired driver operating an all-terrain vehicle in Little Bay. The driver was located a short time later, seated in a vehicle and showed signs of alcohol impairment. The man initially refused to exit the vehicle and resisted arrest. During his arrest, the man assaulted two police officers.

Back at the detachment, the man refused to provide breath samples. As part of this investigation, police learned of an incident that occurred earlier in the day involving the same individual, where the man allegedly uttered threats and assaulted another individual using a weapon. 

The driver is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to the following criminal charges:

•                     Assaulting a police officer – two counts

•                     Resisting arrest

•                     Impaired operation

•                     Refusing to comply with a breath demand

•                     Uttering threats

•                     Assault with a weapon

The man’s licence was suspended.

A 32-year-old Lab City woman has been arrested and charged following an assault in the town on the weekend.

RNC were called to a reported disturbance at a home on Cavendish Crescent shortly after midnight on Saturday.

They arrested a woman who is now charged with assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer, damage to property, resisting arrest and breach of a court order.

The Come By Chance refinery may be temporarily shutting less than a year after it re-opened as Braya Renewable Fuels.

The company says it is navigating ‘low margins’ and ‘tax credit transitions’. 

While the timing of the possible economic shutdown is still being reviewed, Braya says it could happen by the end of the year. In a statement, Refinery Manager Paul Burton said the shutdown is due to the expiration of the ‘blender tax credit’.

The company says if it happens, all equipment will be maintained in good condition and in a ready-to-start mode. Braya also says layoffs of the temporary workforce will take place on December 19th, as planned for several months, unrelated to market conditions. 

As Braya currently employees 230 permanent employees, the company says it is supporting workers during the transition. Those tax credits are set to take effect on December 31st.

Liam Hickey of Holyrood came out on fire in Canada’s first game at the 2024 Para Cup yesterday.

Hickey netted a hat trick in Canada’s 9-2 victory over Czechia at the tournament in Charlottetown, P.E.I.

That was good enough for First Star honors at the event on Sunday.

Your #ParaCup 3 Stars for Sunday!

Vos 3 étoiles de dimanche à la #CoupeDeParahockey! pic.twitter.com/byRgfc9gXN

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 8, 2024

Team Canada’s next game, which will be livestreamed, is tonight against China at 7:30 p.m. Newfoundland time.

It’s a rematch of the Para Worlds semifinal thriller which resulted in a come-from-behind 2-1 victory for Canada.

Hickey is competing in the same tournament in which he played his first-ever Para ice hockey event as a member of Team Canada in 2016.

This year’s tournament is also taking place at the same venue – MacLauchlan Arena on the UPEI campus in Charlottetown.

Where’s the beef? Researchers say low inventories of livestock across the country will be a driving factor of higher meat prices in the new year.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, lead researcher and director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says in Newfoundland and Labrador, grocery prices are expected to rise around 5 per cent in the new year.

In terms of meat specifically, Charlebois says the country is dealing with “some very low inventories, especially when it comes to beef.”

He says Canada’s beef herd is the same size now as it was back in 1987, despite the population increasing by 15 million people. In the US, Charlebois explains, the problem is even worse – with the population being the same now as it was in 1951. He says that is pushing prices higher.

The Trump Transition

Meanwhile, incoming US President Donald Trump’s promised deportation of millions of illegal immigrants could also have an impact on food prices in the coming year.

Economist with the Canadian Exporters and Manufacturer Alan Arcand says many agricultural workers in the US are undocumented immigrants.

“Roughly 50 per cent of the labour force in agriculture…don’t have legal status, ” says Arcand. “So if he does go through with large-scale deportations, you can imagine…that would cause a lot of labour shortages, and thus, spikes in prices for food.”

The Opposition education critic is hearing of wrinkles in government attempts to secure land for the new high school in Paradise. Not only that, but Topsail-Paradise MHA Paul Dinn says he is being inundated with calls from residents who are trying to get information on where the project stands.

Government allocated $50,000 in last year’s budget to get things rolling, but Dinn jokingly calls that “hush money” as nothing is rolling at all.

He says one land developer has identified suitable locations and has tried to engage with the town and provincial government, but no progress has been made.

Faculty and lecturer union representatives were shocked by the announcement of changes to MUN's budget, including restricted hiring programs. They say reduced hiring could result in drastically downsizing university programs; and therefore enrollment.

The founder of a publication that’s become a cultural staple for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians at home and away has passed away.

Ron Young, originally from Twillingate, passed away at the Agnes Pratt Long Term Care home on Friday. He was 80 years old.

Young, a former Metro Toronto Police officer, channelled his homesickness by founding what was then known as the Downhomer Newspaper in 1988.

The paper proved such a hit that it transformed into the Downhome Magazine, a monthly publication with readers right across the country and throughout the US.

Young returned to his beloved Newfoundland after retirement and expanded the business with a popular Downhome Shoppe on Water Street in St. John’s.

Cremation has taken place, with a memorial service to be held at a later date.

The company operating the refinery at Come By Chance confirmed Monday that it is considering an "economic shutdown" of the Placentia Bay facility, less than one year after it began producing renewable fuels.

Braya Renewable Fuels is looking at a temporary shutdown of the plant thanks in part to a transition in tax credits in the United States.

The company just undertook a major refit of the old Come By Chance oil refinery to process renewable fuels.

In a letter to employees that was acquired by VOCM News, Vice President of Refining at Braya, Paul Burton, says the possible shutdown is driven by lower-than-normal margins and the expiration of the Blenders Tax Credit in the United States set to take effect December 31st.

The tax credit is supposed to be replaced by a different credit, says Burton, but until that happens, it is “not economically feasible to continue to process feedstock.”

Burton believes the situation will be resolved in the first quarter of 2025 and operations will resume “as soon as margins improve.”

The company’s permanent workforce will be maintained through the shutdown, according to Burton, and the layoff of temporary workers set for December 19th was planned months ago and was not driven by current events.

Burton says they are now developing and issuing “value added work plans” to put them in a better place for restart.

The town of St. Mary’s is reluctantly taking possession of an abandoned fish sauce plant in hopes that the toxic mess flowing from the building will finally get the attention it needs.

Mayor Steve Ryan says the dilapidated building, containing huge vats of fermenting fish sauce, has been leaking contents into the nearby ocean for years and stuck in a jurisdictional no-man’s land.

He says they don’t want to take possession of the plant, but it seems as though it’s the only route to take to get the funding needed to clean the mess up.

“We’re hoping to take ownership,” says Ryan, “by doing that we’re able to get the funds that we’re working with the province…and we have a commitment of a clean-up.”

Ryan says the town did not know just how serious the situation was until a Freedom of Information request revealed the toxicity of the effluent running from the plant. An Environment Canada study was conducted, the results of which showed that all fish exposed to the substance died within 15 minutes.

“They never passed that message on to us, to the province, to nobody,” told Ryan.

“As of today, we still haven’t got nothing formal to say what they found in that study, only that we went through the Freedom of Information Act we would still never know today what came out of that study.”

He told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly that he learned from a resident that DFO officials were on site two weeks ago.

Ryan says he requested that he be contacted and present if any further inspection occurred, but they came to the site and he was not contacted. “I don’t know what came out of the inspection,” says Ryan, who believes they’re trying to hide the results.

Curlers are still raving about their experience at the KIOTI Grand Slam in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The fans, partial to hometown favourite Brad Gushue, booed opponent Brad Jacobs’ decision to force Gushue to steal two and tie the match, but giving Jacobs the hammer coming home. Jacobs was not about to give his opponent the hammer.

Despite the boo’s, Jacobs is locked in for the win, knocking out hometown favourite Gushue at the KIOTI National. pic.twitter.com/flmQHKof6n

— Grand Slam of Curling (@grandslamcurl) November 30, 2024

That’s the kind of audience participation seldom seen in curling competitions.

Nick Sulsky, co-founder of The Curling Group, which owns the Grand Slam, calls that the kind of energy from fans they love to see.

He says he is still hearing from curlers who describe the St. John’s event as the best ever.

“Over two dozen curlers have sent me messages directly talking about how it was the greatest curling event they have ever been to. It was incredible and it was always what we wanted people to see and understand about the sport. I can’t thank the people of St. John’s, Newfoundland enough.”

Mount Pearl city council meets tomorrow evening – the first council meeting since last week’s public safety gathering in the wake of violent attacks.

Of the seven young people charged, some have already gone through the bail process and are back in the community.

A former Crown prosecutor says the bail system has changed in the past few years, not just for young people but for adults as well.

Mike Murray says the Supreme Court of Canada is overturning provisions in legislation governing things such as bail. For instance, if a judge decides to refuse bail based on deterrence, it will be struck down, says Murray. That no longer comes into play because of rulings by the Supreme Court, he says.

He says the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the rule that said violent offenders couldn’t get house arrest.

“Now, people are getting house arrest for armed robbery whereas a couple of years ago they couldn’t. I mean, not everybody, but it’s on the table now whereas it wasn’t before.”

Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology Andrew Parsons has announced a non-repayable investment of $150,000 from the Regional Development Fund for Cruise Newfoundland and Labrador.

Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister Responsible for ACOA Gudie Hutchings and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne also announced a non-repayable investment of $473,693 toward the project.

The funding will support international marketing and strategic initiatives to grow the cruise sector in the province and build capacity and market readiness to attract and receive yacht and cruise expedition lines from around the world.

These activities are expected to attract more out-of-province visitors.

Liberal MP Joanne Thompson says any rebate cheques issued by the federal government will need to include seniors going forward.

The federal government announce it would be issuing rebate cheques of $250 to all working Canadians who earned less than $150,000, prompting an immediate outcry from those who did not qualify – especially seniors on fixed incomes.

The NDP signaled it would not support government if the cheques did not include all those struggling with the cost f living, and government withdrew the notion to go back to the drawing board.

Thompson says she’s optimistic the changes will come.

“I have heard from seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I’ve heard from seniors across the country. I’ve brought my concerns forward and I certainly hope that we see an adjustment,” she said.

Around noon on Sunday, the RNC received a 911 emergency hang-up call from a residence in Conception Bay South.

Police determined upon arrival that a male at the house was on court orders to remain away from a female who was living at the residence.

The 70-year-old male was arrested and taken to the St. John’s City Lock-up without incident and was charged with three counts of breaching a release order.

A St. John’s-based dermatologist has been selected as the new nominee for president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association.

Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi is a clinical associate professor of medicine at Memorial University and has maintained a visiting dermatology clinic in Lab City since 2018.

Dr. Ogenyemi will serve as president-elect until May of 2026 when he will take over as CMA president for a one-year term pending General Council approval at CMA’s AGM.

Business and Arts NL has released the 2024 edition of our popular Local Holiday Gift Guide.

The Local Holiday Gift Guide is an interactive PDF that links shoppers directly to over 230 items from 78 local artists and creative entrepreneurs.

The guide has everything from tickets to live performances, local literature and photography to home and bath products, ceramics, carvings, stained glass and more.

The guide is available here.

Canada Post says it’s latest offer to striking workers closes the gap on key issues such as weekend delivery, pensions and wages, so it was surprised to hear the union publicly reject it.

No talks are scheduled as the strike by some 55,000 postal workers enters its fourth week.

Canada Post says it continues to put forward fair offers that are focused on its customers and employees—improving service to grow the parcel business, while protecting and enhancing what the employees have today.

Meanwhile, CUP-W St. John’s President Craig Dyer says the two sides haven’t even been able to agree on the wording of health and safety regulations. He says a report has found that working conditions at the Kenmount postal station are toxic.

The Crown corporation, meanwhile, says the union is insisting that people outside the bargaining unit including cleaning staff and contracted support services, be made full-time employees of Canada Post.

On Sunday afternoon RNC officers were called to a report of threatening behaviour in the Gould’s.

Officers were informed that a male had threatened a family and retreated into his residence.

As officers approached the male, he became combative, refused to comply with police commands became assaultive and attempted to disarm one of the officers.

The 41-year-old male was arrested and conveyed to the St. John’s City Lock-up.

The man was charged with mischief by interfering with lawful use of property, two counts of breach of a probation order, resisting arrest, and attempting to disarm a police officer.

Roads are snow-covered across most of the island this morning. There is poor visibility from Clam Brook to Swift Current, Terra Nova National Park, Gander to Carmanville, the Northern Arm area, and the Trans-Canada Highway to Fleur de Lys. Travel is not recommended from Hampden Junction to Jackson’s Arm and from Badger to Triton. On most of the Avalon Peninsula and Burin Peninsula, roads are wet.

Across Labrador, roads are snow-covered with icy and slushy patches and good visibility.

Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings for this morning. The MV Legionnaire and MV Astron W are both out of service and the MV Kamutik W and MV Terra Nova are in service but off schedule.

At the St. John’s International Airport, Porter flights 230 and 2280 are delayed. Flights are on time in Gander and Deer Lake.

Students at the university do not believe the administration’s assurances that it will not raise tuition in the wake of a sudden cash crunch. But MUNSU puts most of the blame on the provincial government, saying operating funds to the university have been cut by 52 per cent over the past 11 years.

MUN is facing a nearly $10-million shortfall due largely, it says, to a 5.4 per cent drop in enrolment of international students. Tuition fees paid by those from abroad are much higher than those paid by domestic students.

The Director of External Affairs with MUNSU, Nicholas Keough, says enrolment is at its lowest in 40 years, something the university should have seen coming as the numbers have been declining ever since tuition started increasing in 2022.

Nicholas Keough (VOCM News)

He urges people to go to www.fundmun.ca, and to email their MHA, particularly if he or she is a Liberal member, to express their concern about the decrease in provincial government funding.

Vice-President Internal with the faculty association says his members are worried they may soon be out of a job.

Russell Williams says shortcomings in enrolment need to be addressed by the provincial government.

He told VOCM News the situation is only made worse by a decline in the school’s poor physical condition.

“Friday’s rainstorm, we had more buildings leaking on this campus than we had that weren’t leaking. And we need to have a more serious conversation with government about just how bad the situation is. We’ve talked to the opposition parties about it. We’ve tried to talk to the government about it. They won’t even take our calls.”

The crunch also comes at a time when the university is searching for a new president.

Dr. Neil Bose, the acting president, does not think the current situation MUN is facing will discourage anybody from applying.

He thinks there will be a very strong field of candidates as MUN is an amazing university.