John Hogan launched his bid for the provincial Liberal leadership on Thursday.

He spoke to a packed room of supporters at the Hampden Inn and Suites in St. John’s. Hogan is the second candidate to officially enter the race. John Abbott announced Tuesday he is running for the job a second time.

Labrador MP Yvonne Jones will be making an announcement on Friday.

Following a report of a man discharging a firearm outside of a gas station in Bay Roberts on March 6, 25-year-old Curtis Peddle was arrested by Bay Roberts RCMP.

Shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, police received a report from the business. A man armed with a long gun entered the store, spoke to the clerk and then exited the store. He fired off two rounds from the firearm on the parking lot of the business and departed the area in a pickup truck.

A short time later, the identified man, Curtis Peddle, was located in the described truck on the Veteran’s Memorial Highway, near Mackinsons. He was provided commands to exit the vehicle, while officers had firearms drawn out at the ready. Peddle was taken into custody without further incident. A firearm and ammunition were located and seized.

He is charged with the following criminal offences:

• Discharging a firearm while being reckless
• Careless use of a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Unsafe storage of a firearm

The investigation is continuing.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for long-time broadcaster and former general manager at VOCM, John Murphy.

Murphy passed away this week at the age of 82.

Visitation will be held at Barrett’s Funeral Home on Commonwealth Avenue in Mount Pearl, on Saturday and Sunday with the funeral to follow at 10:00 a.m. on Monday from Our Lady Queen of Families Parish in Mount Pearl.

Internment to follow at Holy Sepulchre.

Today at St. Bernard’s Elementary, the Janeway Foundation celebrated the launch of the 41^st Annual Janeway Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Telethon and the announcement of the 2025 Children’s Miracle Network Champions, Lyndon and Zander Andersen, twin boys from Bay Bulls. Funds raised at the Telethon, airing on NTV on Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, will support new equipment and education grants, and facilitate research projects at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

This is the first year that siblings have been named CMN champions!

• Born at 25 weeks, Lyndon and Zander Andersen each weighing barely a pound, faced immense health challenges. Tragically, their triplet brother, Billy, passed away shortly after birth. Lyndon spent 209 days in the NICU battling infections, blood clots, and fractures. He was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, which causes daily seizures. Zander struggled with breathing issues and a heart condition called PDA.
  

Thanks to donor-funded care at the Janeway Children’s Hospital, Lyndon and Zander received lifesaving treatment. “We owe the lives of our boys to the Janeway,” says their mom, Adina. “They kept them safe and gave us hope.”

“This year’s fundraising will support priority needs in equipment, education, and research projects. In particular there is an emergent need for equipment and family-centred care initiatives in the Janeway’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Our province has the highest rate of medical complexity among children nationally, and the earlier and faster that state-of-the-art medical intervention can occur, the better the health outcomes can be for kids. Through donor support we are setting up our children for a healthier future,” said Rebecca Dutton, President and CEO, Janeway Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“The Janeway Foundation extends its gratitude to everyone who has supported its mission over the past four decades through its events and campaigns. As the Foundation looks to the future, it remains committed to enhancing pediatric care for the children of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Joining the celebration today was Walmart, key sponsor of the CMN Champion Program, 2024 Champion John Bennett and family, Janeway Foundation Board Chair Gill Whelan, Board members, and supporters.

NTV’s Beth Penney is covering the story and will have more at 5:30 and 6.

John Hogan has officially thrown his name in the hat to become Liberal party leader.

Hogan made the announcement earlier today at the Hilton Hotel and Suites on Stavanger Drive.

Many supporters were in attendance, including several Liberal cabinet ministers and MHAs, as well as Hogan’s wife, daughter, and son.

In fact, because so many people showed up a collapsible wall dividing the space in half had to be taken down to make room.

Hogan says he has had a lot of discussions with his family over the last week, and acknowledges becoming premier would add an extra layer of business to his life, but he believes as a family they are ready to take it on.

He says family was his number one consideration in deciding to seek the leadership. He says he spoke with Premier Furey about how he handled it, and despite the intensity of the job he thinks they will be able to handle it.

Hogan joins John Abbott in the leadership race. Abbott revealed his plans earlier in the week.

This fall’s U18 National Women’s Hockey Championship will be co-hosted by Conception Bay South and Mount Pearl.

The announcement was made this morning at the Glacier in Mount Pearl.

It will be the first time that the province will host the prestigious event. Participating teams include the Atlantic region, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario (Red and Blue teams), Saskatchewan and Quebec.

Vice President of Hockey Development with Hockey Canada and Mount Pearl native, Trevor Murphy says Newfoundland and Labrador’s involvement in this year’s event has been a long time in the making.

“The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are in for a big treat when they see the talent that will be on display” says Murphy. “A lot of these players will have a chance to go on to play for national teams, college teams and everything else, so people will be really impressed with the quality of athlete that will come here from November 3rd to the 8th.”

2025 is the year of sport in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The November tournament is being made possible through the support of Celebrate NL, Destination St. John’s, Sport Tourism Event Partnership, and Hockey NL.

Hogan's entrance was in stark contrast to John Abbott's understated announcement on Tuesday.

A 25-year-old man who reportedly fired a gun outside a Bay Roberts gas station has been arrested and charged by RCMP.

Police were called to the business around 1:30 this morning. RCMP learned that a man, armed with a long gun, entered the store, spoke to the clerk and left. He then reportedly fired off two rounds in the parking lot and left in the scene in a pickup.

According to RCMP, the man, identified as Curtis Peddle, was located by police on the Veteran’s Memorial near Mackinsons. Officers, with firearms drawn, demanded that Peddle exit the vehicle, and he was arrested without further incident.

A firearm and ammunition were located and seized by police.

The accused is facing charges of discharging a firearm while being reckless, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and unsafe storage of a firearm.

The investigation continues.

Crab price negotiations are now underway under the dark shadow cast by Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariffs.

FFAW President Dwan Street says there’s no doubt that the tariffs are adding a layer of complication to the process.

“We can sit down and talk about formulas and pricing mechanisms as much as we want, but right now the tariff issue is the Bogey man, and how we’re going to deal with that” says Street.

Premier Andrew Furey and Finance Minister Siobhan Coady are in the U.K. this week to meet with senior government officials and business leaders.

The province’s goal is to strengthen its connections in the U.K. and explore business opportunities.

Among the activities on Furey and Coady’s agenda are attending an event at the London Stock Exchange and meetings with High Commission for Canada in the U.K. Ralph Goodale, members of the Canada-U.K. Chamber of Commerce and representatives of various business sectors including oceans, fisheries, mining, natural resources and finance.

The premier and deputy premier will also visit Wandsworth Cemetery, the final resting place for a number of Newfoundland Regiment soldiers whose graves are lovingly tended by the students of Beatrix Potter School.

A building supply company in Deer Lake has alerted RCMP after a variety of building materials, including bundles of shingles and siding, were allegedly fraudulently obtained form the business.

RCMP were contacted by Shears Building Supplies February 26th about an alleged fraud that occurred in November of 2024.

Police were informed that on November 25th, three men fraudulently obtained various building supplies and left in a white GMC pickup with a utility trailer in tow.

The materials, valued at close to $15,000, include bundles of IKO Marathon Plus Duel black shingles and bundles of KAYCAN siding in Cabot Red and Boulder Grey colours.

Police believe the suspects then sold the materials taken. Anyone with information is asked to contact Deer Lake RCMP.

Dylan Powell says Mary Brown’s is well positioned to ride out the turbulence caused U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, and the company has a plan to lean into its Canadian roots.

A win in today’s first draw at the Montana’s Brier in Kelowna will give Brad Gushue a perfect record heading into the playoffs.

The Team Canada skip is seeking his record-setting seventh national men’s curling championship as he heads into today’/s final match, which starts at about 6:00 NF time.

Gushue won both matches last night including a 7-6 victory over Kevin Koe of Alberta.

Brad Gushhue and Team Canada remain unbeaten at the Montana’s Brier in Vancouver, improving their record to 7-0. The three-time defending champions secured a playoff spot last night with a 7-6, extra-end win over Alberta’s Kevin Koe.

The St. John’s-based rink now sit atop the ‘A’ pool as teams jockey for playoff spots heading into this weekend’s action.

Skip Brad Gushue is also taking a shot at history, hoping to win a seventh-Brier national curling title. Team Canada closes out round-robin play against Manitoba today.

Meanwhile, Team Newfoundland and Labrador is out of playoff contention with a 1-6 record as they play Alberta’s Kevin Koe today.

The price of gas is down across Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday.

A former town councilor in Stephenville is bemoaning the change in status at the local airport, which has been downgraded to a registered aerodrome as the privately-owned facility continues to struggle with significant financial woes.

The airport was sold to Carl Dymond in 2023 for $6.90, and an agreement to complete lighting upgrades at the facility at a cost of $1.7 million, under what he called the Dymond Group of Companies.

Dymond’s ambitions to develop the asset have not come to fruition, and the final insult to residents came last month with the town council’s decision to agree to a request to plow the runways at the facility.

Lenny Tiller had been a vocal critic of the deal to sell the airport to Carl Dymond and raised numerous questions about the process. He resigned from council last year citing a toxic environment. He says the airport is now in the same category as the airstrips on Bell Island and Clarenville and it should never have happened.

He believes some on council played on the hopes and dreams of future prosperity for the town to get re-elected, and Dymond was “used as a pawn” to that end.

Tiller says he intends to run for council in the fall.

The 60th annual Business Day hosted by business students at Memorial University will be held on Friday, March 7, at the Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland.

The half-day conference is led and organized by the graduating class of the Bachelor of Commerce Program. It’s one of the Faculty of Business Administration’s oldest continuous traditions.

This year’s theme is Insights Shaping Tomorrow: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity.

The conference begins at 8:00 a.m. with networking and breakfast and the speaker portion runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Acting health minister John Haggie has written a letter to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services asking them to evaluate procurement contracts they have with companies in the United States.

PC Health Critic Barry Petten first raised the issue in the House of Assembly yesterday, asking what contracts with US-based companies have been replaced with Canadian vendors.

While NLHS is looking at the situation, Haggie does not know how rapidly they can move away from some companies given that they may produce highly-specialized health care products.

Petten also wants government to have a look at their contract with Teladoc, which is worth about $11-million annually, which he argues has American doctors doing work here.

Haggie states they can look at the Teladoc, but counters Petten’s point by saying there are Canadian doctors that work for the company.

He says he wouldn’t want to get in the way of Newfoundland or Canadian physicians providing service through that company.

The Newfoundland and Labrador’s Driver’s Handbook now has a French version.

Previously there was only an English version available.

It’s the latest expansion of French services through the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.

Both versions of the handbook can be found here.

The provincial government has offered an update on new snow-clearing equipment in the House of Assembly.

Tourism Minister Steve Crocker rose in the house yesterday to respond to a question asked earlier this week by the member for Fogo Island-Cape Freels.

As of last month, 14 new truck plows had been delivered to depots throughout the province with nine in active service.

Crocker says 15 new plows are now in operation and 24 more are in the process of being brought into service.

“There is some more work that needs to be done before it can be put into service” Crocker told the House of Assembly, “but I can assure every member in this house, this is the largest purchase of heavy equipment, of snow plows, in the province’s history and we are committed to a five-year plan to renew our fleet.”

The City of Mount Pearl and the Town of Conception Bay South will make a major hockey announcement today at the Glacier Arena Hospitality Suite in Mount Pearl at 11:30 a.m.

Mount Pearl Mayor Dave Aker, CBS Mayor Darrin Bent, and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation Minister Steve Crocker will be joined by representatives from Destination St. John’s, Sport Tourism Event Partnership, Hockey Canada, Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Host Committee.

The upcoming national sporting event is expected to have a significant impact on the province.

A single-vehicle crash in the east end of St. John’s overnight saw a light pole knocked down, and significant damage done to the vehicle involved.

Shortly after midnight, on Thursday morning, emergency crews were called to a portion of Portugal Cove Road, between World Parkway and Craig Dobbin Way. The driver of a southbound pickup truck had lost control of the vehicle, winding up in the median where a light pole was struck, knocking it to the ground.

The truck sustained extensive damage as a result of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was checked at the scene by paramedics but was not taken to hospital.

Personnel with Newfoundland Power were called to deal with the fallen pole.

All of the uncertainty surrounding tariff threats may have some investors feeling jittery, but a local financial adviser says the first step is to ensure your asset allocation is right to weather the storm.

Larry Short of Short Financial, a branch of iA Private Wealth says for those concerned about their pensions or long-term investments, the first step is to call your financial adviser to better understand how much of your money is invested in the stock market vs bonds.

He says interest rates tend to drop in turbulent times, which then boosts the value of bonds.

“If you have 50 per cent of your money in stocks, and 50 percent in bonds, the portion that is in bonds have actually increased over the last period of time. And if these tariffs continue, it is more than likely that we’ll get the Bank of Canada cutting interest rates even more, which would cause those bonds to go higher.”

He says when interest rates rise, stocks tend to do better.

Along the south coast, roads are snow-covered as snow continues to track northward. Elsewhere, roads are mostly bare and dry. Conditions are expected to deteriorate as the morning progresses.

Roads in Labrador are partly snow-packed with icy sections and good visibility.

The North Sydney to Port aux Basques crossing will now leave at 9:30 a.m. Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings for tonight and anticipates impacts to crossings on Friday and Saturday morning. Both ferries on the Bell Island to Portugal Cove run are on a load-and-go basis and the MV Qajaq W is out of service.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet flights 264 and 265 along with Airlines PAL Airlines Flight 928 are delayed. In Deer Lake, Provincial Airlines flights 928 and 902 are delayed. Flights are on time in Gander.

St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen is paying tribute to friend and colleague Debbie Hanlon who lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday.

Breen says Hanlon, a well-known businesswoman and realtor, made a significant contribution during her time in public service. He says on city council you begin as colleagues, and very quickly you become friends.

“Debbie was elected in 2008, I was elected in 2009, so she was there when I first got elected, and since then we’ve become friends,” Breen told the Tim Powers Show. “Debbie would lighten up any room. She was colourful, not only in her attire, but also in her spirit and her warm personality.”

MHA John Hogan will make a special announcement today. Hogan stepped away from his minister role to ponder running for the leadership of the Liberal Party.

The announcement takes place at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton on Stavanger Drive in St. John’s at 11:00 a.m.

A group of protesters gathered at Carbonear Collegiate yesterday to express their opposition to policies imposed in the school to keep the washrooms “safe and clean.”

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.

RCMP were called to the school, and asked the protesters to move their rally to the parking lot, which they did.

NL Schools says it is aware of the situation and if a staff member feels there is a need to enter the washroom, then it is done in a manner that respects the privacy and dignity of students.

In the meantime, NL Schools is encouraging the school community to engage with school staff in “appropriate” ways so that “administration can constructively address issues or concerns.” Under provincial legislation, schools are not public spaces and are not accessible without express or implied permission.

The Department says the Access to Health and Education Services Act, introduced during the pandemic, is also in place to prohibit interference and intimidation in or near health and educational facilities.

Gasoline prices are down across the Island today between 0.1 cents per litre to 1.3 cents per litre. The cost of diesel decreased between 1.1 cents and 2.2 cents. Furnace oil heating fuel decreased in a range of 0.90 cents and 1.90 cents. Propane increased by 1.6 cents.

In fuel in Zones 13 and 13a, gas dropped by 1.3 cents while diesel in Zones 13 and 13a will decrease by 2.2 cents, stove oil heating fuel in Zones 13 and 13a decreased by 1.78 cents, and propane heating fuel in all Labrador zones increased by 1.6 cents.

It appears as though John Hogan will formally announce that he is seeking the Liberal leadership this morning.

Hogan stepped away from his roles as health minister and government house leader earlier this week as he was considering going for the party’s top job.

This morning, he will make what’s being called a “special announcement” at the Hampton Inn and Suites on Stavanger Drive at 11 a.m.

VOCM News will be there.

John Abbott is the only candidate thus far.

Government incentives and financial bonuses have to go further to tackle the health-care worker shortage in Newfoundland and Labrador, says nurses' union president Yvette Coffey.

Debbie Hanlon was candid about her recent cancer diagnosis, regularly sharing updates on social media. As Here and Now’s Carolyn Stokes reports, friends and colleagues are remembering Debbie Hanlon for her tenacity, and her love of friends and family.

Newfoundland and Labrador Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Andrew Parsons says he believes the province's mining and oil sectors are insulated from the threat of tariffs, but it's too early to tell what kind of impacts they could have on local industry.

The price of most fuels on the island dropped overnight, but by negligible amounts.

Gasoline, diesel and furnace oil is about a penny a litre less while propane went up by a cent-and-a-half.

In Labrador, gasoline, diesel and heating fuel dropped by about a cent-and-a-half in the west zone while propane went by the same amount in all zones in Labrador.

A fire in the centre of St. John’s late Wednesday evening has displaced five people from their home.

At about 9:30 p.m. firefighters responded to a home on University Avenue, and when crews arrived they found smoke coming from the front and from the eaves of a two-unit home. All three people who were in an upstairs apartment escaped unharmed. Firefighters alerted both downstairs tenants to the fire, allowing them to also escape.

Crews were able to quickly knock down the fire, which caused extensive damage to the kitchen area of the upstairs unit. There was smoke and water damage throughout the home. Personnel with Newfoundland Power were called to disconnect power to the home.

While there were no injuries, all five residents of the home have been displaced. The Canadian Red Cross was called to assist them.

The Supreme Court refused to block a lower court ruling requiring the Trump administration to release nearly $2 billion in foreign aid, allowing the funds to flow to organizations working with the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. The high court ultimately voted 5-4 against the administration. (CBS News)

President Trump granted U.S. automakers a one-month reprieve on new tariffs for Canada and Mexico, while deeming Canada's efforts on halting drug and migrant flows insufficient. The updates caused stock market fluctuations. Trump has signaled determination to continue with his tariff plan despite the consequences. (NBC News)

The US plans to sell over $8 billion in office space deemed non-critical to government operations to save on operating costs. The Public Buildings Service will dispose of 440 outdated assets, seeking suggestions on optimal usage. Interested parties can submit plans, with 320 buildings already listed for sale. (UPI)

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from cutting vital medical research funding. The policy aimed to cap indirect costs at 15%, but Judge Angel Kelley issued a preliminary injunction to halt the cuts, citing potential harm to patients, job losses, and irreparable harm to research institutions. (AP)

Greenland's Prime Minister firmly rejected President Trump's desire to acquire the territory, asserting Greenland's sovereignty on social media. Trump's interest in Greenland, with its strategic importance due to climate change, was reiterated in his speech to Congress. Greenland's leader emphasized that Greenland is not for sale. (ABC News)

A potent area of low pressure will bring snow, rain, ice and wind to the Province from Thursday through Friday and into Saturday. Get all the details from my Wednesday night’s forecast that aired in the Evening News Hour.

The House of Assembly zeroed in Wednesday on how the province is dealing with U.S. tariffs. The opposition wants the province’s health care system to stop buying American products. NTV’s Ben Cleary reports.

Less medical supplies from the United States will come into Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Municipal and Provincial Affairs Minister John Haggie.

A ceremony was held to week where 27 of RCMP employees were awarded with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

The King Charles III Medal, manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint, was created to mark the May 6, 2023, Coronation of His Majesty King Charles and is the first Canadian commemorative medal. It is also the first Canadian honour to feature the Canadian Royal Crown, approved by his Majesty the King. 

The RCMP was allocated 1,300 of these medals to be presented to employees across Canada.  A total of 40 RCMP employees in Newfoundland and Labrador will receive this award for having made a significant contribution to the RCMP, their community, or Canada as whole. This medal can also be awarded to employees who have made an outstanding achievement abroad that has brought credit to the RCMP or to Canada.

The following employees received a King Charles III Coronation Medal:

• Chief Superintendent Pamela Robinson
• Superintendent Stefan Thoms
• Inspector David Ossinger
• Inspector Adam Palmer
• Sergeant Major Trevor Baldwin
• Staff Sergeant Matthew Christie
• Staff Sergeant Patrick Dornan
• Staff Sergeant Victor Dray
• Staff Sergeant Kenneth Maher
• Sergeant Lesley Devereaux
• Sergeant Adam Gardner
• Sergeant Lynn Gaudet
• Sergeant Catherine Greene
• Sergeant Crystal Leighton
• Sergeant Elizabeth Lodge
• Corporal (Retired) Bradley Ivany
• Corporal Raymond Whalen
• Constable Sheldon Dyke
• Constable Danielle Eustace
• Constable Mitchell Tulk
• Civilian Member Donna Tuff
• Public Service Employee Vanessa Hendry
• Public Service Employee Tracy Jenkins-Fudge
• Public Service Employee Gary Martin
• Public Service Employee Jody Shea
• Public Service Employee Lisa Smith
• Public Service Employee Tracy Spracklin

A man with one of the most distinctive voices in broadcasting and who called the shots at the VOCM Radio Network for more than 25 years, has passed away.

John Murphy, who served as the general manager at VOCM starting in the 1970’s through to 2010, began his career at CKCM in Grand Falls in 1963, a time long before social media, computers and automation. Quick witted, and of eloquent tongue, “Murph” as he was known to many in the industry, loved radio and all the things it encompassed.

Photo via hockeynl.ca

Probably his proudest moment was being inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame as he called many a game over the airwaves, especially in central Newfoundland but also at the Allan Cup level as well.

He took the helm at VOCM at a time when rival CJON was number one in the ratings and as VOCM languished in the number two spot. Within a few years, VOCM catapulted to number one, an accomplishment of which he was incredibly proud.

Murphy retired from radio, after 50 years, in 2013.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. John Murphy was 83.

The Stephenville Dymond International Airport has been downgraded to a “registered aerodrome,” while a court case continues over $2.4 million in unpaid bills.