A federal cabinet shuffle is expected in Ottawa tomorrow as Chrystia Freeland’s shock resignation from cabinet continues to reverberate on Parliament Hill.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had already seen a number of members step aside or announce that they won’t be running again, was delivered a body blow by Freeland on Monday.

Dominic LeBlanc was hastily sworn-in as Finance Minister while the fall economic statement was read in the House of Commons by stand-in Corina Gould as government scrambled through the chaos left in the wake of Freeland’s resignation.

Reports out of Ottawa indicate that a cabinet shuffle is coming tomorrow morning.

All eyes are on the important public safety role previously held by LeBlanc as the country braces for the potential impact of the incoming Trump administration in the US.

People in and around Paradise can expect to hear some loud bangs throughout the day, but not to worry.

The RNC are in Paradise this hour disposing of what appears to be old fireworks or some type of explosives. They’re near St. Anne’s Crescent by the industrial park on Topsail Road.

Police say the explosives are being detonated in a safe and controlled environment, however there may be some loud bangs as the devices go off.

Memorial University graduate Meret Ebsary is heading to Oxford University this fall, after being named Newfoundland and Labrador’s newest Rhodes Scholar.

The provincial government has provided final approval for 11 projects under the Rental Housing Development Loan Program.

The projects, part of the third phase of the program’s rollout, have gone through the application process and financing agreements have already been signed.

The bulk of the projects are in St. John’s, with 10 new rental units in C.B.S., another 10 in St. Anthony, four in Gander, 16 in Channel-Port aux Basques and four in the town of Reidville.

Targeted completion dates range from next year up to 2027-28.

NL Housing Minister John Abbott was scheduled to provide more details of the program at Confederation Building this morning.

Jag Soundhouse, the capital city’s newest live music venue, will be opening March 15th of next year, the lineup for which was announced this morning.

Collective Soul, along with local rockers Mick Davis & Thin Love, will be the very first bands to take the stage at the newly constructed extension to the Jag Hotel on Water Street in downtown St. John’s.

Shawn Basha of Brigus Productions calls the new live venue an exciting addition to the city’s downtown music scene.

“It’s a massive, state-of-the-art, unbelievable, multi-purpose room,” says Basha. “It’s kind of like a theatre, it’s kind of like a big open room, it’s actually whatever you want it to be, and it holds a lot of people, over 1,600.”

Tickets are now on sale on the Jag Soundhouse site.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt might be headed for a confrontation with the federal government over $70 million in tax revenue the province will lose as a result of the federal sales tax holiday.

But it’s not clear if Newfoundland and Labrador will follow suit.

Holt says New Brunswick is entitled to the money under a federal-provincial agreement, and won’t waive the right.

But new federal Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc says there won’t be a reimbursement.

That province, as with Newfoundland and Labrador, has a 15 per cent HST, which has been waived on many items until Feb. 15.

NL Finance Minister Siobhan Coady has said the measure will cost this province about $42 million, but it doesn’t appear she is demanding full reimbursement from Ottawa, at least not yet.

“We’re always talking to the federal government about investments that they should be making in the province, and you can be rest assured that I’m doing that,” said Coady.

Dominion stores’ annual holiday food drive is now underway and across the province the need is high for donations of food and funds. 

The need to help feed hungry Newfoundlanders is critical. Just in time to assist local food banks in stocking up on food for hungry people during the holiday season and beyond, Dominion, No Frills and Your Independent Grocer stores across the province have launched their annual Feed More Families Holiday Food Drive, running until December 24.

Right now, community members can make a food or monetary donation in-store. In St. John’s and Mount Pearl, Dominion stores and Wholesale Club are supporting the Community Food Sharing Association in its efforts to distribute food and funds to food banks across the province, including across St. John’s area.  Dominion, No Frills and Your Independent Grocer stores in other communities across Newfoundland have all partnered with local food banks in their immediate area, and all donations made at these stores stay within the community to help local food banks feed local people who may be friends, neighbours, co-workers or even our own family members.

The most-needed food donations for those relying on local food banks include:

• soups and stews
• peanut butter
• cereal
• canned vegetables and fruits
• canned meat, fish, and beans
• rice
• pasta and pasta sauce
• fresh or frozen vegetables
• fresh or frozen meats
• baby food and formula
• meal replacement drinks
• canned and powdered milk

The provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec announced last week that an MOU has been reached on the Upper Churchill project that should pave the way for development of the massive Gull Island project.

By government’s count that would create four separate mega-projects as the project expands and the associated infrastructure is built.

And that could mean thousands of jobs.

Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says her department is now setting priorities to ensure that the students of today are able to fill the jobs of the future.

“We’re looking at how we can educate people from early childhood, right through to even seniors,” says Howell.

“There will certainly be an emphasis on helping students choose a career that is meaningful for them, that’s based on availability of employment and helping them make wise decisions.”

Newfoundland and Labrador will host the 2025 U18 Women’s National Hockey Championships next fall from November 3rd to the 9th.

It’s the first time this province has hosted the event, which will feature eight teams from regions including Atlantic Canada, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

The games will be played in CBS and Mount Pearl which, according to Executive Director of Hockey NL, Craig Tulk says have the infrastructure and volunteer network to deliver a memorial championship.

Details on schedules, ticket sales and other information will be available on the Hockey Canada website.

Premier Andrew Furey is calling a gang attack on a major trauma centre in Haiti “evil.”

The premier knows of what he speaks; he’s spent years on the ground providing humanitarian and medical care in Haiti with Team Broken Earth.

Haiti, one of the western hemisphere’s most impoverished countries, has descended into chaos following a series of natural disasters and an unfolding political crisis.

This week, armed gangs in Haiti attacked one of the Caribbean nation’s key medical centres, setting it on fire and destroying millions of dollars of medical equipment and infrastructure.

The premier says he’s at a loss for words after gangs destroyed the hospital and an ambulance, both of which were funded by Team Broken Earth.

Operations are returning to normal at Canada Post and Canadians have started to receive mail and the network became fully operational on Wednesday.

Post offices have reopened and customers can drop off parcels and letters. Carded items held at local post offices during the strike will remain available for pick up for 15 days from December 17.

Mail and parcels are being processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

Delivery delays are still expected through the remainder of 2024 and into January.

As of today, small businesses can drop off their parcels at any post office and new commercial volumes may be dropped off at plants and depots for processing. Scheduled parcel pickup services will also resume.

Canada Post continues to work through an accumulation of international mail and parcels. The postal system will start accepting new international mail on December 23.

Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador has announced that Conception Bay South and Mount Pearl will host the 2025 U18 Women’s National Championship.

The championship is from November 3 to 9, 2025.

This is the first time the province will host the event. It features eight teams representing provinces and regions across Canada, including Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario Blue, Ontario Red, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.

The U18 Women’s National Championship is an opportunity for young athletes to show their skills on a national stage while contributing to the growth of women’s hockey across Canada.

People in a neighbourhod on the edge of the Avalon lent a helping hand to police to solve a crime this week.

Twenty-seven year-old Jordan Mercer has been charged in connection with the theft of an ATV in Heart’s Delight on Monday. Somebody who broke into a residential shed in Heart’s Delight learned the hard way that the locals are not to be messed with. They pinned down the man they believed responsible for stealing the quad, and waited until cops arrived.

RCMP believe that Mercer, who is also known as Jordan Oliver, is the same one who stole merchandise the previous night.

He was held overnight and appeared in court yesterday on charges of break and enter, theft, possession of property obtained by crime, damage to property under $5,000 and failing to comply with the conditions of a release order.

Some staff with Newfoundland and Labrador Schools joined forces to outfit the residents of Hopedale with hockey gear, in order to celebrate the opening of the community's new — and first — outdoor rink.

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development Fred Hutton will participate in a transportation funding announcement in St. John’s today.

The event will take place at St. John’s City Hall at 10:00 a.m.

Hutton will be joined by MP Joanne Thompson and Mayor Danny Breen.

Canadian Blood Services is encouraging people to come out and give the gift of life heading into the busy holiday season.

The need for blood and blood products never fades, yet the number of donors available tends to drop off during the Christmas break.

That’s why it’s so important says spokesperson Gord Skiffington, that people come out for the annual VOCM Holiday Blood Drive today at Canadian Blood Services on Wicklow Street.

Gord Skiffington (VOCM News)

“Blood is perishable,” says Skiffington, “and they typically operate on a 3 to 5 day supply. Any donations made today will be shipped out to hospitals and infused into a patient. We need all blood donors, all blood types, every single day of the year in order to meet patient need.”

That’s whether it’s an accident victim, or someone who suffered an unexpected injury, or a child requiring regular blood products as part of leukemia treatment.

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley (VOCM News)

Mount Pearl Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley is one of those who knows first-hand the importance of having blood products available.

Kieley suffered devastating and life-threatening injuries after she was struck and pinned under an SUV that crashed through the front of Shoppers Drug Mart on LeMarchant Road in St. John’s in May of last year.

“I received blood products on-site, and in the emergency room,” says Keiley. “It’s one of the things that saved my life that day.” She also learned that all ambulances in the province must have a universal blood type ( O) on board and available in case of emergency.

The blood donor clinic takes place today from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Call 1-888-2-DONATE to book an appointment.

There are a few icy patches from Birchy Narrows to Deer Lake and Corner Brook to Gallants. Roads in the Roddickton area are partly snow-covered with icy sections. Elsewhere roads across Newfoundland are bare.

Roads in Labrador are snow-covered with icy patches and good visibility.

Marine Atlantic is anticipating potential weather delays on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The MV Kamutik W is in service but off schedule.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet flights 264 and 265 are delayed. Flights are on time in Gander and Deer Lake.

Numerous first responders from various agencies were involved in a dramatic rescue operation in central Newfoundland yesterday.

A transport truck went off the bridge at the North West Gander River on the Bay d’Espoir Highway and ended up in the water.

Pictures from the scene show the cab of the truck nearly submerged in the river. A gaping hole in the guardrail can be seen on the span above as first responders gained access to the driver with the help of a fast rescue craft.

Exploits Search and Rescue’s water rescue team were joined by firefighters from Grand Falls-Windsor, Bishop’s Falls, Millertown / Bay d’Espoir, RCMP, paramedics and officials from Transportation and Works in the exercise.

There’s no immediate word on the condition of the driver.

The Port Saunders RCMP arrested a 55-year-old man on Monday following the search of a home in Port Saunders and a cabin in Hawke’s Bay.

Police seized two high-powered rifles, a semi-automatic rifle, a quantity of ammunition, firearms parts, and stolen property.

Scott Lavers was and charged with possession of property obtained by crime less than $5000.00, unsafe storage of firearms, possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a firearm.

He attended court on Tuesday and was released from custody on conditions. His next court date is scheduled to take place on April 8.

Whitbourne RCMP are investigating a break, enter, theft and arson at a cabin in Makinsons on the weekend.

RCMP were called to reports of a cabin fire on Old Hodgewater Line on Grand Pond around 10:30 Saturday night.

Police say the culprits forced entry into a garage on the property and stole two ATVs from inside. A third machine was removed from the garage and rolled into a nearby pond.

A camper trailer, which was parked on the property next to the cabin, was also broken into. The suspects gained entry but police say nothing appears to have been taken.

In the meantime, the fire, which destroyed the cabin, is believed to be deliberately set. The investigation continues.

Whitbourne RCMP investigates arson, break and enter, and ATV theft at cabin – https://t.co/y5m11lFwFI pic.twitter.com/F92rzWspaw

— RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador (@RCMPNL) December 18, 2024

Anyone with surveillance or dash cam footage from the area, or who may have noticed suspicious behaviour, is asked to contact Whitbourne RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

POST 1 – 6:14 AM NST (5:44 AM AST)

Rain arrived over western sections of the island this morning, except in the higher terrain, where snow is falling or there is a mix of rain and snow. The early AM radar image shows this well. The rain will spread east and north through the day as an area of low-pressure moves in.

Central areas will see this arrive later this morning, and the eastern third of the Island will see rain moving in this afternoon after a dry start to the day. The rain will be heavy at times this evening on the Avalon, which will make for an ugly commute.

Snowfall today outside of the higher terrain will not be impressive. However, areas at the top of the Northern Peninsula will see wintry conditions, along with our neighbours on the other side of the Strait of Belle Isle.

A 55-year-old has been charged after a number of firearms were seized from a home in Port Saunders and a cabin in Hawke’s Bay on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Two high-powered rifles, a semi-automatic rifle, a quantity of ammunition, firearms parts and stolen property were seized by RCMP.

Scott Lavers of Port Saunders was arrested at a home in the community Monday. He’s now facing charges including possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000, unsafe storage of firearms, and possession charges related to the firearms.

Lavers has been released from custody pending his next court appearance on April 8.

The cost of most fuels is up today. Gas is up by 2.5 cents per litre. On the Island diesel increased by 4.9 cents while diesel in fuel in Zones 13 and 13a went up by 2.8 cents.

Furnace oil is up by 4.20 cents. Stove oil is up by 4.11 cents on the Island and 4.22 cents in fuel in Zones 13 and 13a.

Propane decreased by 1.1 cents.

The Board’s next regularly scheduled price adjustment is on Saturday, December 28.

It costs more to fill up on most fuels this morning.

Gas is up by two and a half cents. Diesel jumps by 5 cents on the island and in Labrador West.

The price of furnace and stove oil increases by just over 4 cents a litre in all areas.

Propane is down by about a cent.

Newfoundland and Labrador Finance Minister Siobhan Coady believes the newly renegotiated Churchill Falls is the best deal possible for the province, and that the added billions injected into the province could mean an end to running deficits.

The Exploits Valley local of CUPW in Grand Falls-Windsor was treated to a visit from the Play, Learn and Grow child-care centre earlier this month.

Drivers in parts of Labrador will see a steep increase at the gas pumps Thursday following the annual winter fuel resupply, thanks to an adjustment in pricing benchmarks since the last time fuel was delivered.

Canada Post says the process of safely ramping up operations has begun, but it will take time for mail delivery to get back to normal.

In the meantime, letters to Santa are taking priority says Canada Post, and scanners in their sorting stations “are set up to locate Santa letters,” which are identified by the HOH OHO postal code.

All Santa letters mailed by December 23rd are guaranteed to reach the North Pole by Christmas Eve.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding a bipartisan law requiring TikTok's Chinese parent company to divest from the app or face a U.S. marketplace ban. Oral arguments begin on Jan. 10, just before the law's intended enforcement on Jan. 19. TikTok has filed an injunction request, claiming the law infringes on First Amendment rights. (UPI)

Stocks tumbled after the Federal Reserve forecast fewer economic stimulus measures in 2025. The S&P 500 dropped 3%, the Dow Jones fell 2.6%, and the Nasdaq declined 3.6%. The Fed announced a third interest rate cut of 0.25%, but its projection of fewer cuts in 2025 unsettled investors. The market reacted strongly, though analysts suggest it may be an overreaction. (CBS News)

The Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit alleging that CVS unlawfully dispensed massive quantities of opioids and other controlled substances to boost profits, disregarding public health. The lawsuit claims CVS filled dubious prescriptions for opioids and "trinity cocktails," contributing to the opioid crisis. CVS vigorously denies the allegations. (ABC News)

Donald Trump denounced a bipartisan government funding bill, jeopardizing its passage. The bill aimed to keep the government open until March 14, but without action, a shutdown will occur on Saturday. Trump also unexpectedly demanded a debt ceiling increase, which was not on the agenda for either party. But Trump wants it to happen while Biden is president. (NBC News)

US officials are investigating the potential national security risks associated with TP-Link, a Chinese telecom company whose routers are widely used in the US. There are concerns that the routers could be exploited by China-backed hackers. The Commerce Department's probe may lead to a ban on TP-Link routers, as part of efforts to counter China's cyber operations. (CNN)

Newfoundland and Labrador’s latest Rhodes Scholar is recent Memorial University graduate Meret Ebsary of St. John’s.

Ebsary will pursue her fully-funded graduate studies at Oxford University in the UK.

Ebsary graduated from Memorial with an honours degree in political science and is now working towards a master’s degree in global health, specializing in global health governance – inspired by the challenges caused by the COVID pandemic.

She says the sense of loss and grief caused by the pandemic caused her to ponder on the changes needed for healthcare systems to become more resilient in times of crisis.

The grieving family of a man killed by an alleged impaired driver on Veteran’s Memorial Highway earlier this year was at provincial court in Harbour Grace today for the case.

NTV’s Rosie Mullaley reports.

A St. John’s man already facing a long list of sex-related charges has now been charged with 7 more trafficking persons under the age of 18. As NTV’s Becky Daley tells us, this time it’s a new kind of charge.

Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham says he has some key Churchill Falls questions heading into the special sitting of the House of Assembly in the new year.

NTV’s Ben Cleary has more in this report.

As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump continues to threaten Canadian manufacturers with a 25 per cent tariff, producers in this province are keeping a close eye on how it could impact them.

But, as NTV’s Don Bradshaw tells us, the province’s fisheries minister says Canada’s premiers are taking the right approach to combat the tariffs.

The new towns and local service districts act means that municipal governments will soon be more autonomous.

But as NTV’s Colleen Lewis reports, there is concern that it may present challenges for taxpayers who have complaints, and there are calls for the province to appoint an ethics commissioner.

Crowds and loud music can make holiday shopping especially hard for people with anxiety. That’s why Tracy Boland, owner of Arlim’s in Stephenville, has made a very special offer. She's inviting people to book a time after hours, to shop in peace and quiet.

The Consumer Advocate says the new agreement on Labrador power production and construction will have no direct effect on the rates paid on the island.

Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec will develop Gull Island, expand Churchill Falls and rewrite the Upper Churchill contract, which has stood since 1969.

Advocate Dennis Browne says without rate mitigation, ratepayers on the island would be paying double the current 14.2 cents pKH.

“That’s a heckuva lot of money but the mitigation plan is good only to 2023,” said Browne.

A St. John's man is facing 28 charges related to alleged drug trafficking and weapons offences following an incident in the Cowan Heights area of St. John's on Tuesday.

A 23-year-old man in Corner Brook has been charged with impaired after the RNC say his vehicle struck a guard rail in the city.

The incident happened on Saturday on Riverside Drive.

In addition to the charge of impaired, the man’s license was suspended, and the vehicle was impounded.

The accused will appear in court at a later date.

RCMP are pleased with the guilty verdict handed down against 54-year-old Eric Rich of Natuashish.

Rich was found guilty in the death of a 37-year-old woman in Sheshatshiu in September of 2021.

The trial began on October 15th and wrapped up Saturday.

Rich remains in custody.

Sentencing is set for January 17th.

Following a recent trial in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Supreme Court, 54-year-old Eric Rich of Natuashish was found guilty of a charge of second-degree murder.

The charge was laid by the RCMP in relation to the homicide death of a 37-year-old woman that occurred in Sheshatshiu on Sept. 1, 2021.

The trial began on Oct. 15 and finished Dec. 14. Rich remains in custody at this time. The matter is set for sentencing, with a scheduled court date of Jan. 17, 2025.

The provincial finance minister and president of Treasury Board says her new colleague in Ottawa is a good friend of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dominic LeBlanc replaced Chrystia Freeland just hours after she resigned from Cabinet Monday, sparking a wild political day in the nation.

Siobhan Coady, who had many interactions with Freeland over the years in their respective roles, thanked her for her efforts.

A 55-year-old man is dead, as the result of a two-vehicle collision on the Trans Canada near Jeffrey’s yesterday.

RCMP were called around 6:45 yesterday morning after a pickup that was westbound on the Trans-Canada, collided with an SUV that was turning onto the highway from the road leading into Jeffrey’s.

The driver of the SUV, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.

The two people in the pickup were taken to hospital in Stephenville for treatment and released.