Frank Maher, a beloved St. John's accordion player known for his knowledge, wit and energy, has died.

St. John's area MHA John Abbott officially declared his candidacy Tuesday to become the next leader of the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the province's next premier.

The Prime Minister says the pretext used by the Trump administration for imposing punishing tariffs on Canada is absolutely false – and the apparent tilt of the U.S. toward Russia is cause for serious concern.

Donald Trump made good on threats to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S. and a lesser 10 per cent tariff on energy.

Canada is countering with its own retaliatory tariffs on American goods.

The Trump administration claims that Canada has not done enough to stem the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. but Justin Trudeau says that is absolutely false.

“The facts show very clearly that in terms of taking action on fentanyl, we are doing everything that is necessary and not just for the United States, but for ourselves as well as Canadians are suffering as well from the scourge that is illegal fentanyl.”

The Prime Minister says what the United States is doing is troubling, and believes that the tariffs are intended to weaken the Canadian economy.

“These tariffs are not specifically about fentanyl” says Trudeau, “even through that is the legal justification he must use to move forward.”

Trudeau warns about U.S. aligning itself with Russia

Trudeau says with its tariffs, the U.S. has chosen to launch an unjustified trade war with one of its closest allies, and is choosing instead to align itself with Russia.

“I think the question that we all need to be watching closely is, ‘What do the American people think?’ How do Americans feel about jettisoning one’s friends and allies in favour of a country that has never wished Americans well, and continues to act in ways that harm the global economy and specifically the American economy and American values and principles.”

Housing Minister John Abbott has announced he is running for the provincial Liberal leadership.

Abbott told reporters Tuesday morning he is resigning his cabinet post to run for the job. Abbott previously ran for the leadership in 2020 and lost to Andrew Furey.

Nominations are open until March 24 and the new leader and premier will be announced at a convention May 3.

Cabinet Minister John Abbott is the first person to formally step forward to run for the provincial Liberal leadership.

Abbott, who until recently was considering a run in the next federal election, changed his mind when Premier Andrew Furey made his shock resignation announcement last week.

John Hogan has signaled his interest in the leadership, and while he stepped down as Health Minister to sit in the back benches, he has yet to formally announce whether he intends to run.

Meanwhile, fellow cabinet ministers Siobhan Coady, Andrew Parsons and Steve Crocker have all said they will not be running for the provincial Liberal leadership.

Premier Andrew Furey has outlined some of the measures being taken in Newfoundland and Labrador in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products.

Furey says Newfoundland and Labrador will not stand by while the province’s long-standing relationship with United States is “unlawfully and unjustly harmed.”

American products are being removed from liquor store shelves and the province is reviewing, and will be bringing an immediate stop – where possible – to government procurement from the United States.

He says the province is also identifying new export markets, deepening its connections with Europe and beyond to build trading opportunities.

Newfoundland and Labrador will stand strong with Team Canada. We will protect and support our industries in response to the U.S. President's illegal tariffs on products from our province and our country that Americans rely on. pic.twitter.com/9VRHsLkWsW

— Premier of NL (@PremierofNL) March 4, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has unleashed tariffs against Canada today, initiating a trade war between two countries with linked economies, impacting jobs and undoubtedly raising consumer prices on both sides of the border.

This morning, Premier Andrew Furey issued a statement.

“Newfoundland and Labrador has had a long, meaningful relationship with the United States: From our longstanding ties through the fishery, to the modern technology industry, from hosting President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill in Placentia Bay during the heights of the Second World War to declare the Atlantic Charter, to supporting our neighbours during the tragedy of 9/11.

The U.S. is Canada’s – and Newfoundland and Labrador’s – biggest trading partner. And we will not stand by while this relationship is unlawfully and unjustly harmed. 

Now, more than ever, we should be supporting local and Canadian-made products where possible. We will be removing U.S. products from Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation shelves, and reviewing and stopping immediately, where possible, procurement from the U.S.

We will identify new export markets for Newfoundland and Labrador products with a series of market development and expansion initiatives, deepening our connections with Europe and beyond to grow our trading opportunities. And we will continue robust collaboration with industry, community, and labour organizations through our roundtable on Canada-U.S. trade relations in light of the U.S. President’s illegal actions against us. 

We stand with Team Canada as we stand strong, together.

Our identity, our values and our sovereignty will give us the strength to stand against any bully. We remain the true north strong and free.”

An organization which advocates for people who come into conflict with the criminal justice system has established a support group to help the families of those people.

The John Howard Society says incarceration applies in the true sense of the word to the offender, but families also do the time, though not in the literal sense.

Some believe that our justice system is too lenient, and that longer sentences would serve as a deterrent.

Cindy Murphy, the executive director of the NL branch in St. John’s, says that is not so in the majority of situations.

“Crime is impulsive, it’s driven by a lack of education, substance abuse, sometimes mental health, and other things,” says Murphy. “Adding long sentences is not necessarily going to make it safer at the end of the day.”

This is John Howard Society Week, and one of the components involved the signing of a proclamation and meeting with the minister of justice and public safety.

On Wednesday there will be presentations from the justice department on topics relevant to them. The superintendent of prisons will also address the society.

A Memorial University business professor says business and industry are trying to find a way forward as they establish new supply chains and markets in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods.

Tom Cooper, a professor of strategic management at the Faculty of Business at MUN, says this is an uncertain and volatile time.

He says while it’s tough for businesses to plan and make investment and budgetary decisions, it’s hard for consumers as well. “If you’re saying ‘hey, I was going to do that extension onto my house, or I was going to build that new big shed,'” and the price of lumber and materials is going to be going up 10 or 15 per cent, “that may mean that you may decide not to go forward with that project. And so, how this affects consumer behaviour, how this affects the supply chain is all really uncertain.”

Bruce Escott pleaded guilty to sexual offences against males aged 13 to 18 over a period spanning more than a quarter century.

The RCMP say the crash area is only accessible by snowmobile.

The U.S. has brought in tariffs, something Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says will hurt U.S. families already in a cost of living crisis.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is applauding the provincial government for extending its tax reduction on oil and gas for another year.

The rate, which was cut in half to 8.05 cents in 2022 will be extended for another year.

CTF Atlantic Director Devin Drover says the provincial government deserves credit for extending the gas tax cut.

However the federation says it would like the tax cut to be made permanent.

Eighty-two-year-old Bruce Escott has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, less 1,049 days time served, for horrific sexual violence against teenage boys that spans back to the mid 1990s.

The Crown had been seeking 18 years for the offences, while the defense argued for nine.

Escott appeared by video, mostly staring in silence, as Judge Phyllis Harris handed down the sentence.

In the small courtroom, it was standing room only between those impacted by Escott’s actions and the media.

Some could be heard taking a deep breath as the sentence was read.

In handing down her decision, Judge Harris argued that Escott “knew better,” noting that he knew how to treat children properly given his relationships with his own children and grandchildren.

In terms of the victims, she said he “stole their childhood from them” and it’s “hard to imagine a more duplicitous life.”

Port Saunders RCMP is investigating a fatal snowmobile incident that occurred over this past weekend.  A 66-year-old man, who was traveling alone, was located deceased.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, police responded to a report of a snowmobile crash in a remote area of the back country, near Eddies Cove West. Two snowmobilers came upon an overturned snowmobile and discovered the body of an unresponsive individual underneath the machine.

Only accessible by snowmobile, police attended the area with those who reported the incident. The man’s body was transported out of the wooded area and was further transported to Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook as part of the investigation.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.

The trade war between the U.S. and Canada is on as Donald Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods bound for the U.S. and a lesser 10 per cent tariff on Canadian oil.

A new Angus Reid survey shows that the majority of Canadians are reacting to Trump’s tactics in a very negative way – with half of those asked (51 per cent) saying that the Canadian government should approach the U.S. as a threat to national interests.

In a survey conducted last week, 55 per cent of Canadians asked say they feel angry about the way in which the U.S. is treating Canada, while 37 per cent say they feel “betrayed” and 29 per cent are “anxious.”

However, Angus Reid says that doesn’t mean that the Canadians surveyed are feeling defeated. The proportion of those who support retaliatory measures in response to Trump’s tariffs has grown since January.

Ongoing tensions mean Canadian views of Trump and his country are at all-time lows – with 73 per cent of those asked saying they view the United States unfavourably.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is also viewed critically in Canada with 4 in 5 (79 per cent) asked saying they view him in a negative light.

The favourable view Canadians hold of the United States (24 per cent) is only 4 percentage points higher than China (20 per cent) and well behind the U.K at 82 per cent and Mexico at 75 per cent.

Canadians woke up to uncertainty as U.S. President Donald Trump moves ahead with his plan to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods today.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address the country at 10:30 a.m. EST.

Canada’s retaliatory tariff plan includes two phases, announced by Trudeau last month, said to total $30 billion in U.S. goods in the immediate term. A further round of tariffs on a wider list of American products, valued at $125 billion, is expected to come into effect 21 days later, following a public comment period.

Tariffs will have a massive impact on Newfoundland and Labrador, potentially putting between 10,000 to 20,000 jobs at risk in industries like fishing, mining, and oil and gas, as well as people who work in the service industries.

A 66-year-old man is dead as the result of a snowmobile crash near Eddies Cove West on the Northern Peninsula on the weekend.

Port Saunders RCMP were called to a remote area of the back country shortly before 6:30 last Friday evening.

Two snowmobilers came upon an overturned snowmobile, and found the body of the driver underneath the machine.

The man’s body was removed from the area which is only accessible by snowmobile, and taken to the hospital in Corner Brook.

RCMP say the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office is involved in the investigation.

The RCMP in Port Saunders is investigating a snowmobile incident this past weekend that claimed the life of a 66-year-old man.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, RCMP responded to a report of a snowmobile crash in a remote area of the backcountry, near Eddies Cove West.

Two snowmobilers came upon an overturned snowmobile and discovered the body of an unresponsive individual underneath the vehicle.

Since the area was only accessible by snowmobile, police attended the area with those who reported the incident. The man’s body was transported out of the wooded area and was further transported to Western Memorial Hospital in Corner Brook.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is engaged and the investigation is continuing.

The provincial government is holding the line for yet another year on a gas tax cut that was introduced three years ago, but is not committing to slashing the tax permanently.

The cut was introduced in March 2022 in response to skyrocketing fuel costs as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Finance Minister Siobhan Coady says they made the decision to extend the cut, rather than implement it permanently, because they need to see how the economy is progressing first.

She says they need to look at their taxation options in terms of the economy as a whole, but doesn’t rule out making it permanent.

Snowfall hasn’t been plentiful for most areas of Newfoundland and Labrador this cold season. Other than some streaks of snowy conditions, most areas across the Province have seen less snowfall than usual through the end of February.

Rodney Barney, a Meteorologist with the Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Office in Gander, did some digging, and the data concluded that most areas that measure snowfall (not all do) are running significantly below what is typically observed through the end of February.

While significant snowfall is common through March and April (and sometimes May), based on the current long-range forecast, many areas will likely end this winter seeing less snowfall than usual. Whether this is a one-off or a trend that is developing due to climate change is something we will not know for years to come.

Whatever happens, NTV News will be here to keep you updated on the latest forecasts for the Province.

The CCGS Ann Harvey will be icebreaking in the Botwood area today.

When icebreaking is ongoing, it can be very dangerous to venture onto the ice. Broken and fragmented ice tracks and ridging left behind by passing icebreakers or commercial vessels may not freeze over immediately.

Ice can be pushed instead of broken and ice can crack or break far away from the location where the icebreaker is working.

The Director General of United Against Hate Canada says Premier Andrew Furey will be missed.

Marvin Rotrand, the former National Director of the League for Human Right of B’nai Brith Canada, wrote an open letter to the premier, thanking him for quick response to their outreach.

He says Newfoundland and Labrador “became a beacon fighting hate and intolerance” under Furey’s leadership.

Rotrand says he will cherish his interaction with the members of Furey’s team leading up to the province’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism and the commitment to improve Holocaust education in the school curriculum.

If you’ve had chicken pox, then you are at risk of developing shingles – a very painful and sometimes debilitating illness – later in life.

A vaccine is available to prevent shingles in the vast majority of people who get the shot, but it’s not covered by provincial drug plans, and many insurance plans don’t cover it either.

Two shots are needed, each at a cost of well over $100.

On VOCM Open Line Monday, a number of callers questioned why government doesn’t cover the Shingrix® vaccine.

(Photo via Twitter)

The President of the Pharmacy Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, Dr. Ashley Waghmare, agrees. She says greater affordable access to the vaccine would prevent a lot of people from suffering the ill-effects of shingles.

“We are probably the most successful vaccinators, in this province, and we obviously support any initiative which improves vaccine accessibility,” says Waghmare.

She says shingles is a complicated condition and can be very debilitating long-term for a lot of people.

“Unfortunately, the cost of it, which is quite high, is for most of my patients probably the biggest deterrent and sometimes the only reason that they can’t access this vaccine.”

On Monday Minister of Justice and Public Safety Bernard Davis introduced proposed legislation to amend the RNC Act, to replace the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission and establish a new process relating to police misconduct.

The new Act would replace the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Public Complaints Commission.

The Act would create new processes, with clearer timelines, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency for all complaints relating to RNC police discipline.

Housing Minister John Abbott will make an announcement about his political future today as the field for the Liberal leadership starts to thin out.

The Liberal Party announced details of the race yesterday. The new premier will be chosen on May 3rd.

So far Siobhan Coady, Steve Crocker and Andrew Parsons have all ruled themselves out of the race.

Bernard Davis has indicated that he is considering running, as has John Hogan – who stepped away from his cabinet roles yesterday as he contemplates a final decision.

While Abbott has publicly stated that he is looking at the Liberal leadership, it has also been rumoured that he is eyeing the federal riding of Cape Spear.

His response when asked about both of those possibilities was the same, that he will be making a statement today.

Meanwhile, Abbott was grilled by the PC opposition yesterday about the Snow’s Lane land deal, and took a dig at the party’s line of questioning when speaking with reporters.

He called the PC Party’s questions in the House of Assembly “devoid of substance, devoid of facts.”

That response highlights the “arrogance” of government, according to Tory leader Tony Wakeham.

He says they are asking important questions on behalf of the people of the province, and they should be heard.

St. John’s has extended the nomination period for the 2025 Applause Awards until March 10. 

The annual program honours individuals, groups, and organizations who inspire and uplift the community through efforts and achievements. 

It can range from inclusivity, drive innovation, or foster a sense of belonging.

Nominations are now open across eight categories, with over a dozen awards available.

Opposition Immigration critic Lloyd Parrott sought answers in the House of Assembly yesterday on efforts to recruit for medical specialists in the health care sector.

Parrott, who is the MHA for Terra Nova, says in the last week there were no internists available in the entire Eastern Rural Zone, which includes the hospital in Clarenville.

Parrott says that forced numerous diversions, including some 30 patients who had to be transferred to the Health Sciences from rural areas.

Former Health Minister John Hogan has stepped down from the portfolio pending an anticipated run at the provincial leadership, so his predecessor, John Haggie, answered the question.

Haggie says they are working with the NLMA on a compensation package to attract physicians and specialists to rural areas. He added that Hogan has just returned from a recruitment tour of Europe aimed at bringing Canadians training abroad back to Newfoundland and Labrador.

On the west coast of Newfoundland, roads are snow-covered with icy patches and drifting snow. Elsewhere roads are mostly bare and dry with good visibility.

In Labrador, roads are snow-packed with icy patches and good visibility.

The MV Flanders, MV Qajaq W, and MV Marine Voyager are out of service.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet Flight 264, PAL Airlines Flight 928, and Air Canada Flight 688 are delayed. In Deer Lake, PAL flights 928 and 902 are delayed.

President Donald Trump’s long-threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico have gone into effect, kicking off a trade war with America’s neighbors.

Trump’s executive order puts 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is retaliating by putting 25 per cent tariffs on American goods worth 155-billion-dollars Canadian over the course of 21 days, starting with taxes on goods worth 30-billion-dollars Canadian.

In the wake of all this, Newfoundland and Labrador has launched a “Buy from Newfoundland and Labrador” campaign.

As part of the effort, government will explore new export markets for products from this province, and deepen its connections in Europe and abroad.

Minister, Siobhan Coady, urges residents to buy local and buy Canadian.

A municipal leader who led his community through one of the worst natural disasters in Canada in recent years will not be seeking municipal re-election.

Brian Button of Channel-Port aux Basques has openly admitted that Hurricane Fiona, which claimed one life and rendered a large part of his town to piles of rubble, took an emotional toll on him.

He says municipal politics as a whole can be tough.

“There’s so much negativity these days…it’s been a hard three years,” says Brian Button who was first elected to council in 1993. He says it’s been a great run, and the people of the community have been great, “but it’s time for me now to spend some time with family and grandkids and those type things. What the future holds for me and what other direction I’m going to go, who knows?”

Long-time MHA Andrew Parsons has already signaled his intention not to run again, leaving the seat in Burgeo – Lapoile up for grabs.

Button was quick to rule out a run at the Liberal leadership however.

The provincial government has extended the tax reduction on gasoline and diesel of seven cents per litre for the next year.

Also this year, the government will be continuing its 50 percent reduction in the cost of registering passenger vehicles, and the home heating supplement program and offering free driver medicals for people 75 and older and introducing the home heating supplement.

RNC on the west coast of the Island were kept busy over the weekend arresting three impaired drivers.

On Sunday, at 1:45 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop with a suspicious vehicle on Main Road in York Harbour. The operator, a 17-year-old male from Corner Brook, was charged with impaired driving offences.

A couple of hours later, police located a vehicle that had come to rest in a snow bank on the Lewin Parkway. The operator, a 25-year-old male from St. John’s, was later arrested for impaired driving offences.  

Shortly after noon on Sunday, officers conducted an investigation into a report of impaired driving in Pasadena. As a result, a 57-year-old male from Pasadena was arrested and charged with impaired driving offences.

The provincial government is looking to change how police misconduct is investigated.

The bill will change the RNC Act and replace the Public Complaints Commission. Instead, under the new act all complaints of police misconduct will be reviewed by an independent commission.

If the commissioner deems the complaint to be of public interest, then he or she will conduct a further investigation and can discipline an officer if it is warranted.

If the matter is not believed to be of public interest, the RNC chief will investigate.

The commissioner will have the ability to initiate an investigation without a complaint, and de-identified summaries of investigations will be made public

Justice Minister Bernard Davis says the new act does not replace the role of the Serious Incident Response Team, and their investigations will continue as per normal.

He says an investigation by the commissioner can happen at the same time as a SIRT investigation.

Newfoundland and Labrador dairy farmer Crosbie Williams says Canadians need to support local goods in the face of geopolitical uncertainty, in order to build up a robust agriculture sector.

With U.S. President Donald Trump moving forward with tariffs on Canadian goods, a business leader in Newfoundland and Labrador says they add uncertainty to an already problematic time.

This was a call Tara Manuel didn’t see coming. The Corner Brook woman was recently reunited with a letter written by her grandmother decades ago, and a gift Granny Manuel sent to former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and his bride.

Stocks plummeted as President Trump confirmed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, raising concerns over U.S. economic growth and inflation. Market indices saw significant losses, with the S&P 500 down 1.8%. Economic forecasts predict a 2.8% decline in GDP for the first quarter amid escalating trade tensions and consumer price increases. (CBS News)

Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of Kroger, has resigned following an investigation into his personal conduct that violated the company's Business Ethics Policy. The company emphasized that the issue was unrelated to financial performance or involving other associates. The board named Ronald Sargent as chairman and interim CEO. (UPI)

Over 60,000 Volkswagen and Audi electric vehicles are being recalled due to a faulty gear display causing the risk of vehicles rolling away. Affected models include Audi Q4 e-Trons, Q4 Sportback e-Trons, and Volkswagen ID.4s. Owners will receive software updates at no cost to prevent potential accidents. (NBC News)

Colombian President Gustavo Petro urged his country's Congress to legalize marijuana to curb violence from cartels. He also called for coca leaves' legalization and highlighted the multi-nationalization of drug trafficking. Petro advocates for regulation over prohibition, suggesting it would weaken cartel influence and help fight drug trafficking. (UPI)

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a bill eliminating civil rights protections for transgender individuals, citing the need to distinguish based on biological sex. This move makes Iowa the first state to strip such protections, affecting areas like housing, education, and public services. Iowa adopted civil rights protections for trans people in 2007. (UPI)

The House of Assembly reopened Monday in the shadow of a Liberal leadership race to choose the province’s next premier. Meanwhile, the Tories went on the offensive over a controversial land deal on Snow’s Lane in St. John’s. NTV’s Ben Cleary reports.

The Sportscraft Eastern Icebreakers claimed the 2025 U18 Female AAA Hockey Championship, defeating the Central Ick Pak two games to none in the best-of-three final this past weekend.

The Icebreakers will now represent Hockey NL at the 2025 U18 Female Atlantic Championships in Pictou, NS, from April 3-6.

The winner will advance to the 2025 Esso Cup in Lloydminster, AB, from April 20-26.

It could be a three-way race for the federal liberal nomination in the renamed district of Cape Spear.

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley launched her campaign today.

NTV’s Becky Daley reports.

As efforts continue to salvage a cargo ship that ran aground on the west coast last month, the Corner Brook Port Corporation is bracing for what could be a busy time for shipping.

NTV’s Don Bradshaw has more. 

Tonight on NTV’s Silver Linings, if you are single you might find the dating pool small in this province. But now a new speed dating event for a range of ages, is making waves. NTV’s Beth Penney has the details. 

The government unveiled new legislative measures as the House of Assembly reopened Monday. The cut to the gasoline tax will be extended another year, while the province is also introducing a new process for complaints against the RNC.

Legendary button accordion player Frank Maher has passed away. He was born in 1934 and grew up in The Battery area of St. John’s. Maher was honoured with a lifetime achievement award by the Folk Arts Society in 2003.