Outgoing Labrador MP Yvonne Jones is not to going to take a crack at the provincial Liberal leadership.

Jones, who has beaten cancer twice, says she has the mental will to run for it but isn’t sure that she has the physical stamina.

Jones says health care is the biggest single issue in the province and she’d like to see improvements.

She says once you’re in the system, you won’t get better medical treatment anywhere, but it’s getting into the system, getting the diagnosis that she says need improvements.

That leaves only John Abbott and john Hogan in the race. The new premier will be chosen May 3rd.

The Tories like the move by the Public Utilities Board to seek answers from Newfoundland Power on high electric bills.

The regulator has received a flood of inquiries from customers wondering why the bills are so high.

The utility discounts any notion that it has something to with inaccuracy on their part as meters are read electronically and remotely – not by personal visit to a property.

The P.U.B. wants to hear back from the company by March 21st.

Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham hopes the investigation leads to meaningful solutions that ease the burden on households. He and his caucus have heard from thousands of people.

Figures from Statistics Canada show Canadian employers largely put their hiring plans on ice in February.

The agency says employment was “virtually unchanged” last month amid a gain of just 1,100 jobs across the country, falling short of economists’ expectations.

Canada’s unemployment rate held steady at 6.6 per cent as population growth eased to its slowest pace since April 2022.

The rate in Newfoundland and Labrador fell by the smallest of margins, now at 10.5 per cent, down from 10.6 in January.

Nationally, more people worked in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing (+16,000; +1.1%) in February, the second increase in three months. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry was up by 60,000 (+4.3%).

This week, a group of protesters gathered at Carbonear Collegiate to protest policies the school uses to keep the washrooms “safe and clean.” Now, teachers have launched a campaign, saying enough is enough.

The school administration has assigned staff to monitor areas outside the washrooms at the school in response to reported bullying, vaping and vandalism.

Protesters claim the measures go too far.

The protest resulted in RCMP being called to the school. This episode is the latest incident requiring schools to respond.

It’s also raising questions about safety for students, staff and teachers.

Trent Langdon, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association, says the online world is full of vitriol against teachers.

He says teachers are being taunted and threatened.

“There are accusations, there are lies, there’s misinformation, and teachers are feeling so pressured,” says Langdon.

“We know that behind the scenes, there is so much good going on in our schools but right now, we’re concerned about safety.”

The NLTA president says any issues should be approached with respect and professionalism but instead, schools have become battlegrounds – and that’s not healthy for anyone.

He says Carbonear Collegiate was an example of how things quickly escalated.

“You to realize that there may have only been a couple of student in those videos but it affects the entire school community and children are worried about what’s going to happen the next morning. To me, it’s a very selfish move.”

As Premier Andrew Furey prepares to leave the political ring, Memorial University's unions say they want him to also be thinking about his impact on the university — and bring back millions of dollars in funding cut during his tenure.

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and as we mark the day during 2025, it’s also noteworthy that this year involves three sets of elections.

We’ll be heading to the polls at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. And we have leadership races happening for the federal and provincial Liberal parties.

Equal Voice, a group that encourages the participation of women in leadership roles, says these are interesting times with opportunity for change in our the province.

Chair Kate Cadigan says financial barriers are significant for women who are considering running for a leadership position in politics. She would like to see systemic change so that women don’t face greater obstacles than a male who is running for the same position.

She says women and gender-diverse individuals have different access to networks not only for support financially but also for campaigning and getting the word out.

“Those systemic barriers can certainly limit folks from putting their name forward so it can be intimidating when you don’t have the same resources as your male counterpart,” says Cadigan.

Hospitality NL will be hosting its 2025 Conference and Trade Show next week.

It takes place from March 11 to 13 at the JAG Hotel in downtown St. John’s.

It brings together tourism operators, industry stakeholders, and experts from across the province and beyond to explore opportunities for growth, innovation, and resilience in the tourism sector.

This year, there will be keynote presentations, panel discussions, a trade show and more.

Construction continues on a new sewage lift station in Paradise, with completion expected this summer.

Mayor Dan Bobbett says work to replace Lift Station 10 on St. Thomas’ Line began in January of 2023.

The old lift station has seen its share of issues in recent years, with problems encountered due to its age, and exacerbated by intense pressure from increased development and a growing population.

Completion of the work was originally scheduled for the beginning of this year, but Bobbett says a number of factors have pushed the timeline back. In the meantime, the town is offering assurances to residents that Lift Station 10 is currently stable, and they are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

The mayor of Stephenville admits that hope is fading on plans to rejuvenate the local airport as the owner gets more deeply mired in financial difficulties.

None of the lofty plans Carl Dymond announced for the facility when he first publicly declared an interest in acquiring the asset have come to fruition.

Dymond officially acquired the airport in 2023 for a token $6.90 and a commitment to finish the remaining $1.7 million in lighting upgrades required for the facility.

The town, which cannot own an airport, was subsidizing the facility to the tune of $400,000 to $500,000 a year, was glad to see someone take it over, but is now plowing the runways at the request of the owner who cannot do so.

It was revealed this week that Transport Canada has downgraded the airport to a registered aerodrome.

Mayor Tom Rose, who was one of the most enthusiastic defenders of Carl Dymond and his plans for the facility, now admits, it’s unlikely Dymond will be able to carry the airport forward, but he’s hopeful someone else will.

“Hope is fading on that file” Rose told VOCM Open Line, “because we haven’t had the deliveries or any components of what Mr. Dymond had planned. It’s getting to the point now that you have a lien on you and you’re in the courts, the courts might say ‘do you have control of this corporation?’ It may be another investor that’s going to come in with a new plan, because” as Rose puts it, ports and airports are “sustainable infrastructure facilities.”

On Thursday afternoon RNC officers responded to a business in Paradise regarding a complaint of possible impaired driving.

Responding officers believed that the 52-year-old female driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver refused to provide breath samples.

As a result, her vehicle was impounded and she was released to appear in Provincial Court at a later date on charges of impaired operation and refusal.

Finance Minister Siobhan Coady is defending Newfoundland and Labrador’s decision not to sign on to a pan-Canadian direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement for Canadian products.

The agreement was announced by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday as part of ongoing discussions to reduce internal trade barriers across the country.

Every province has signed on to the direct-to-consumer alcohol sales agreement except Newfoundland and Labrador, and PEI.

Coady says government is at the table and is “aggressively” reducing trade barriers. However, they have decided to monitor the situation when it comes to the sale of alcohol.

Applications are now open to help eligible municipalities, schools and community groups continue to establish and enhance new and existing community gardens. 

While there is no deadline to apply, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The program will provide up to a maximum of $750 per eligible applicant in the form of a non-repayable grant. Funding is limited to one grant per garden location.

The 2025 application and program guide are available on the Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture website.

An update is coming today on efforts to remove the Baltic III from the rocks at Lark Harbour where it grounded after losing power on February 15th.

Recent assessments on the vessel’s hull show large cracks and holes, most of which is lying on the bottom.

Salvage operations are being conducted by U.S.-based T and T, which was called in by the cargo ship’s owner.

The Canadian Coast Guard will provide an overview of the current status of the response operation this morning at 11:00.

The Janeway Foundation has launched its 41st Annual Janeway Children’s Miracle Network Telethon by announcing its 2025 champions.

Lyndon and Zander Andersen, twin boys from Bay Bulls, were born prematurely at just 25 weeks’ gestation. Each weighed barely a pound, and faced a number of health challenges.

Their triplet brother, Billy, passed away at birth.

Lyndon spent 209 days in the NICU battling infections, blood clots and fractures and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Zander struggled with breathing issues and a heart condition.

Mom Adina Andersen says they owe the lives of their boys to the Janeway, who kept them safe and gave the family hope.

This year’s telethon will air June 7th and 8th on NTV.

Roads across the Island are bare and wet. Travel is not recommended from Tompkins to Cape Ray.

In Labrador, the road from Lodge Bay to Red Bay is closed and travel is not recommended from Cartwright to Churchills Falls.

Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings for today and anticipates impacts to crossings on Saturday morning. The MV Astron W and MV Beaumont Hamel are out of service. The MV Qajaq W will attempt departure after and ice assessment.

At the St. John’s International Airport, Porter Flight 2280 is delayed. In Deer Lake, PAL flights 901 and 928 are cancelled and PAL Flight 902 is delayed. Flights in Gander are on time.

One of the biggest events in national women’s hockey is being held in Newfoundland and Labrador this fall.

Conception Bay South and Mount Pearl will co-host the U18 National Women’s Hockey Championships November 3-8.

Many of the players in the women’s hockey championships have moved on to play for Team Canada.

CBS Mayor Darrin Bent calls the tournament both an economic and a social gain for the region.

“to inspire young female hockey players to get to the next level, to achieve their dreams in hockey, to see what is possible right at home… you know, to bring this U18 National Women’s Championship to Conception Bay South is just incredible.”

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker says while it’s difficult to put a dollar figure on the economic benefit from a tournament of that caliber, it’s part of the city’s ongoing efforts to develop the sport tourism sector that will benefit the entire region.

“We all benefit from it. Whether they’re having a dinner at a restaurant in CBS, or stopping at Tim Horton’s…in Mount Pearl or staying at a hotel perhaps somewhere in St. John’s, at the end of the day we all benefit from it.”

Numerous people from within the Liberal caucus have come out in support of John Hogan’s bid to become Liberal leader.

After a week of contemplating the move, Hogan formally announced his bid to a packed room at the Hampton Inn and Suites yesterday.

Many Liberal MHAs and cabinet ministers were in attendance sporting stickers in support of Hogan, including Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Siobhan Coady.

She says she has seen Hogan “in action” both on the floor of the legislature and as a minister through various committees and other initiatives. Coady says he has an “overwhelming desire to see a better Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Hogan is the second person to jump into the race. The other is John Abbott.

The Provincial Government has reached a tentative agreement with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association to renew its Memorandum of Agreement.

The agreement represents physicians’ remuneration in the province.

It focuses on the retention and recruitment of physicians in the province.

Details regarding the agreement will be released when the medical association completes its ratification process.

The provincial government has reached a tentative agreement with the Medical Association to renew its MOU.

The province says the agreement addresses renumeration, with a focus on the retention and recruitment of physicians to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Details of the tentative deal will be released once the ratification process is complete.

On Sunday, Standard Time returns to Daylight Savings Time at 2:00 a.m., clocks go ahead by one hour.

It’s a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department says smoke alarms shall be installed in all sleeping rooms, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling including basements, and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on each level of the dwelling and outside all sleeping areas.

Family members should know what the alarms sound like and what to do should they go off. If an alarm “chirps” it means the battery is low. When a new battery is installed, push the safety test button to make sure alarms are in proper working condition. 

Ensure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms’ sensitivity by cleaning them monthly.

Smoke alarms over ten years old should be replaced.

Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed whenever oil, propane or wood appliances are being used in the home, or if you have an attached garage.

Newfoundland and Labrador is moving slowly as Canada looks to dismantle interprovincial trade barriers in the wake of U.S. tariff threats. It's a move that could allow alcohol from other parts of the country to flow to the province easier. Finance Minister Siobhan Coady says she's concerned about the potential impact on Newfoundland and Labrador's Labatt and Molson breweries.

A St. John’s 2SLGBTQ+ group is relaunching a program that aims to be a guiding hand through gender transitioning. Neska Savage is Quadrangle’s dedicated “trans navigator,” and holds a full-time position sponsored by the Toronto-based Sonor Foundation.

This 3D cast isn’t on the market yet, but a St. John’s tech company hopes it could be soon. PolyUnity Tech Inc. has created a cast that’s customized, breathable and waterproof.

The Public Utilities Board is calling on Newfoundland Power to review meter readings and customer usage after a sudden spike in last month’s power bills resulted in a flood of complaints to the regulator.

The PUB says it has received a “significant number” of inquiries from customers, and a request for the board to investigate the matter.

The board says Newfoundland Power should review the situation and report to them by March 21st. The PUB is also asking the utility to advise as to the measures it currently employs to ensure billing accuracy and reduce billing volatility. It also wants the company to advise whether additional measures are being considered, and the reasons for recent customer billing increases.

The PUB also wants to know whether any billing errors were detected while reviewing customer inquiries. The board says it wants Newfoundland Power to tell them what measures it plans to take to provide customers flexibility in payment for higher bills, and to provide “enhanced communication” to customers in relation to the matter.

PerSIStence Theatre is hosting a luncheon today to mark the 100th anniversary of women in Newfoundland gaining the right to vote.

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day.

Producing artistic director Jenn Deon says the luncheon will also serve as a fundraiser for their #RaiseHerUp fundraising campaign which will see the erection of a statue of Armine Nutting Gosling, who led the Suffragist movement in Newfoundland.

Deon says despite that achievement, and the century that’s passed, there’s still a long way to go.

“It just seems like we haven’t made a lot of progress in terms of women’s voices being underserved, under heard…and them having to be very loud, very forthright, to go with extra measures, extreme, just to have a seat at the table” says Deon. “We do not have gender parity in any level of government, even in the beautiful country of Canada, so the importance of feminism…is as relevant now as it was 100 years ago.”

Today’s event is taking place at the Delta Hotel starting at 11:30.

A potent area of low pressure will drive rain and mild temperatures across the Island and parts of Labrador on Thursday night and Friday. Along with that will come heavy rainfall, a long period of freezing rain in Labrador, and, on the cold side of this system, significant snowfall. Details are in my forecast from Thursday’s NTV Evening News Hour.

February saw a huge surge in layoffs across the U.S., reaching levels not seen since July 2020. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, was a significant driver behind the massive job cuts of government workers, resulting in a record high number of 172,017 job losses last month. (CBS News)

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, accused of leading a major drug trafficking organization and orchestrating murders, is now on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The U.S. Department of State is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture on federal charges. (ABC News)

A study suggests that reducing butter consumption and opting for plant-based oils like soybean, canola, and olive oil may lead to a longer, healthier life. Research involving over 200,000 participants found lower risks of premature death, cancer, and heart disease with reduced butter intake and increased plant-based oils. (NBC News)

President Trump postponed imposing new tariffs on Mexico until at least April 2 after a talk with Mexico's President Sheinbaum, who said: "In February alone, the reduction in fentanyl seizures on the United States side of the border with Mexico was 41.5%. [Trump] didn't know about this graph until I sent it to him." (UPI)

Hamilton canceled its 2026 run at Kennedy Center in response to Trump administration's takeover, citing conflict with center's values. The producer cited financial and personnel impact, while the Center's new president criticizes move as a publicity stunt. But many other artists are also severing ties with Kennedy Center. (NPR)

The race to become the province’s next premier is heating up. John Hogan officially launched his campaign today.

The health minister joins Housing Minister John Abbott in wanting to become the next premier, while others are still considering.

NTV’s Ben Cleary reports.

The 41st annual Janeway Telethon launch took place today, at an elementary school in Witless Bay, as NTV’s Beth Penney tells us, a first ever set of twins, was named as the 2025 Champion Children’. 

There has been another break in the trade war as U.S. President Donald Trump paused tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico that are compliant with the USMCA trade agreement until April 2. Meanwhile, the energy sector is still bracing for long-term impacts. NTV’s Becky Daley reports.

Most provinces have struck a deal to loosen inter-provincial restrictions on direct alcohol sales, but Finance Minister Siobhan Coady says Newfoundland and Labrador is not signing on as it takes a cautious approach.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Public Utilities Board is asking the province's only utility company to file a report on how it ensures the accuracy of its meter readings, following reports of skyrocketing customer bills this past month.

Canada and Mexican goods covered under the CUSMA agreement until April 2nd.

Trump has come under heavy criticism both in Canada and the U.S. for his plan to place 25 per cent tariffs on all goods entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. The United States is Canada’s biggest trading partner and supply chains and production is intrinsically intertwined thanks to decades of bringing down trade barriers between the three nations.

Trump has linked the economic measures against his neighbouring countries ostensibly to force greater action to stem the flow of fentanyl into the United States, but the small amount of fentanyl stopped at the U.S.-Canada border last year is tiny compared to the amount that crosses into the States from Mexico.

Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NL Premier Andrew Furey have cast doubt about what the ultimate reason behind the tariffs might be, suggesting they’re an attempt to stabilize the economy. The measures have received considerable push-back from American industry as well, particularly the ‘Big Three’ auto manufacturers in the U.S. and came with retaliatory tariffs from Canada.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for late St. John’s city councilor, business operator and realtor, Debbie Hanlon who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 60.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. this Sunday at Spirit of Newfoundland’s Theatre on Gower Street with visitation to take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00.

Attendees are being asked to dress in their brightest colours.

NL Health Services says outpatient services through the new Mental Health and Addictions facility will be provided in the community, closer to the patients they’re serving.

The health authority is responding to concerns raised by the Registered Nurses Union following a recent tour of the new facility, scheduled to open next month.

RNU questions outpatient services at new facility

RNU President Yvette Coffey says she was disappointed that the new facility has 30 fewer beds than the old Waterford and no apparent space for outpatient services.

The director of mental health and addictions services at NLHS, Patrick Whelan, says the health authority is currently working on sourcing locations in the community through which they will provide outpatient services, administration and mental health programs.

He says they’re offering the programs in the community “to be closer to the patients we’re serving.”

He assures that there will be no reduction in community or outpatient mental health services, and in fact community mental health resources have increased dramatically to meet the need in recent years.

At a press conference largely dominated by men, the town of Conception Bay South and the city of Mount Pearl announced that professional women’s hockey is coming to town.

The ECCC NL Weather Office in Gander has issued a RAINFALL WARNING from Friday morning through Friday evening for the following areas:

• Avalon Peninsula Southeast
• Avalon Peninsula Southeast
• Burin Peninsula
• Connagire
• Burgeo – Ramea

Heavy rain is expected to develop Friday morning and continue into Friday evening. During that time frame, 20 to 30 mm of rain will fall. Localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

Rainfall Warnings are issued when significant rainfall is expected.

OTHER ALERTS

Winter Storm, Freezing Rain, Snowfall, and Wind Warnings are currently in effect for the Province. You can get all the details about those alerts here.

A happy ending to the search for a snowmobiler reported overdue in Labrador.

RCMP in Sheshatshiu were notified late Wednesday evening that a 65-year-old, who had left on snowmobile earlier in the day for a trip to his cabin, failed to return as scheduled.

Searchers with the Sheshashiu Search and Rescue searched through the night, while aerial support was secured through provincial emergency services.

The man was located safely this morning. He had taken shelter in a cabin after running into technical problems with his snowmachine.

The RCMP is thanking all those involved in the search and safe return of the missing man.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation is reporting net earnings of $61.2 million in the third quarter, an increase of $3.1 million over the same period last year.

NLC President Bruce Keating is pleased with the numbers with overall liquor store sales up 5.4 per cent over the same time last year.

Demand for Ready-to-Drink Products Increases Dramatically

Keating notes greater interest in so-called ready-to-drink beverages, with sales jumping by 16.4 per cent. He expects so see increased interest in that market in the year ahead.

“Those are the single-serve cans that you see a lot of,” says Keating. “That’s continued to be a high-growth area, not just in this province, but elsewhere and so far this year, that ready-to-drink category is up by almost 21 percentage points.”

The Public Utilities Board has written to Newfoundland Power asking the company to review a recent increase in billings.

The PUB says it has received a significant number of inquiries from customers raising concerns about the accuracy of meter readings and asking the board to investigate.

“To address these customer concerns, the Board requests that Newfoundland Power review this matter immediately and report to the Board by March 21, 2025,” the PUB letter states. “Newfoundland Power should advise as to the measures currently employs to ensure billing accuracy and reduce billing volatility and whether additional measures are being considered, reasons for recent customer billing increases and whether any billing errors were detected while reviewing customer inquiries.

“Newfoundland Power should also advise as to additional measures that it plans to take:

i) to provide customers flexibility in the payment of increased billings and

ii) to provide enhanced communication to customers in relation to this matter.”

The NDP is calling on government to remove the taxation on all forms of home heating, including electricity and oil.

NDP Leader Jim Dinn says the GST tax holiday showed positive economic outcomes with people having more money to put back in the local economy.

Dinn says removing the HST from electricity, oil and wood would amount to immediate relief for people across the province.

Many have been complaining of high power bills this past month.