A new Information and Privacy Commissioner has been appointed.

Speaker of the House of Assembly Derek Bennett announced the appointment of Kerry Hatfield, effective December 5.

Hatfield takes over from Jackie Kavanagh, who served as acting Information and Privacy Commissioner during the search period.

Hatfield comes with extensive knowledge and experience in access and privacy issues from 20-plus years of legal practice, including 11 years providing legal strategy and advice to the Eastern Regional Health Authority. The Commissioner was made Director of Corporate Legal Services in 2022 upon the succession of NL Health Services from the previous regional health authorities. 

Hatfield has expertise in regulatory compliance in privacy, security, data governance and information management within the health care sector and broad base experience in corporate governance, contracts and procurement.

Before working in the health care sector, she was a partner in private practice at a St. John’s law firm.

It wasn’t hard for police to trace a vehicle theft to a man who was walking around with the evidence in his pocket.

RNC were tipped off about a suspicious person in Conception Bay South yesterday afternoon. Officers recognized the 31-year-old as someone on their wanted list.

He was arrested on several outstanding warrants, but will face additional charges after a set of keys in his pocket was traced to a stolen vehicle.

He was taken to the lockup.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a dance or a mean game of bingo at a small community centre there’s a good chance a certain group was behind it: your local Lions Club. For over 75 years, this network has been fundraising, organizing events, and knocking on doors in the name of their communities.

A documentary is in the works to showcase the people and potential of an inclusive choir in St. John's. One member says it has changed his life for the better.

Lawmakers are urging federal officials to address mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey and New York, with the White House dismissing security threats. House Speaker Mike Johnson anticipates a classified briefing, while the Biden administration reassures no confirmed drone activity poses a danger. Senators have requested briefing on the drones. (NBC News)

Supporters of murder suspect Luigi Mangione are raising funds for his defense, sparking concerns about turning him into a martyr as prosecutors pursue charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Online fundraisers have collected over $50,000, with many expressing solidarity and belief in fair legal representation for Mangione. (ABC News)

Time magazine named Donald Trump as the 2024 Person of the Year for his return to the U.S. presidency, citing his unlikely remaking of American politics. Time editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs called Trump's amazing return to power a "comeback of historic propositions" Trump was also named Person of the Year when he was first elected in 2016. (CBS News)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued a rule to limit bank and credit union lending fees, potentially saving consumers $5 billion yearly. The rule aims to provide transparency on overdraft loan interest rates. (CBS News)

A Pew Research Center report published Thursday revealed that almost half of American teenagers are online constantly, with YouTube being the top platform. TikTok and Snapchat saw slight decreases in usage, while X experienced the most significant decline. The report raises concerns about social media's impact on teen mental health. (AP)

The Bank of Canada has reduced its key interest rate to 3.25 per cent, which is great news for people with mortgages coming due, or those in the market for a financial product such as a car loan.

That’s according to David Buckingham, V-P with Janes Noseworthy Insolvency Trustees in St. John’s.

He says the reduction in interest rates may not have as profound an effect in this province as in downtown Toronto, simply due to the cost of housing.

David Buckingham. (VOCM News)

Buckingham says residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are doing everything they can to keep their homes, and everything to keep payments current.

He says people who take out a second mortgage at a very high interest find themselves in a tougher spot.

Buckingham says those who have expensive lines of credit will be some of the first to benefit from lower costs of borrowing.

“Anyone who’s up for mortgage renewal, now would be a good time to discuss things with your mortgage broker and to see if it would be a good time to renew and lock in.”

Larry Short of Short Financial says he’s delighted to see the latest interest rate cut, given the cooling economic climate.

“It’s very rare to see half-a-point cut any time, but to see two in a row back-to-back like this gives an indication of how serious the central bank is about stimulating growth back into Canada.”

A search of a home in Carter’s Cove in central Newfoundland has resulted in the seizure of dozens of firearms, as well as a quantity of illicit drugs and cash, which resulted in the arrest of a 26-year-old man.

RCMP, including those from the Gander detachment, attended the home on Point Road in Carter’s Cove in Notre Dame Bay, armed with a warrant.

Inside, they found and seized 25 long-gun firearms, ammunition, and what they’re calling “a prohibited weapon.”

Meanwhile, more than 30 grams of cocaine were also seized, along with a quantity of crack cocaine, approximately 650 pills of various types, and more than $10,000 in cash.

The accused was arrested without incident and later released. The investigation continues, with a number of charges expected.

The Independent MHA for Mount Pearl-Southlands is taking his demands for a review of the Youth Criminal Justice Act to the House of Commons in Ottawa.

Last week, in the wake of two violent attacks in Mount Pearl, Paul Lane asked Justice Minister Bernard Davis to lobby his federal counterparts for changes to the act.

Specifically, he wants stiffer penalties for young offenders who commit serious and violent acts.

Now, Lane has launched a petition in the House of Commons.

(Paul Lane in the House of Assembly.)

NL Conservative MP Clifford Small is sponsoring the petition and will present it at a future date.

Lane says so far the feedback from constituents regarding the petition has been positive.

He says most people seem to be on board with putting stronger deterrents in place, but some have also been raising the issue of root causes, “and they’re not to be dismissed.”

The petition is open for signatures until Feb. 9th.

The agreement with Quebec over Churchill Falls was to end in 2041, but Premier Andrew Furey is instead hailing it as effectively over. Speaking to reporters Thursday at The Rooms in St. John’s, he ripped a document to illustrate a metaphor. A sweeping new deal, announced with Quebec Premier Francois Legault, would see a potential $200 billion for N.L. over the next 50 years.

A 26-year-old man was arrested by RCMP on Dec. 11 following the search of a home in Carter’s Cove as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.  At approximately 7 p.m. on Wednesday, officers went to a home located on Point Road in Carter’s Cove with a warrant, authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to search the property.

Inside the home police located and seized the following items:

• 25 long-gun firearms
• Ammunition
• A prohibited weapon
• More than 30 grams of cocaine
• A quantity of crack cocaine
• Approximately 650 pills of various substances
• More than $10,000.00 cash
• Other items consistent with possession for the purpose of drug trafficking

The man was arrested at the home without incident and was later released. The investigation is continuing with numerous firearms, drugs and weapons related charges anticipated.

Newfoundland and Labrador has signed what’s being described an historic agreement with the province of Quebec to “terminate and replace” the 1969 Upper Churchill contract, and develop several other projects, including Gull Island.

It’s expected the total value of the deal for Newfoundland and Labrador, over the life of all agreements, will be $225 billion.

The new agreement, announced today as a memorandum of understanding, will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025 once the deal is finalized.

A major component will be a change in the price per kilowatt hour from 0.2 cents to 5.9 cents – thirty times the current deal — charged by the province.

Between now and 2041, when the old contract was to expire, that increase will equal $1 billion per year in revenue to the province, compared to the $20 million received now.

Premier Andrew Furey

The agreement also includes a price escalator, absent in the 1969 contract, which will be based on market value over the life of the contract.

Three new developments are also included in the agreement, all of which are expected to increase capacity in Labrador by 3,900 megawatts.

Quebec, meanwhile, will pay $3.5 billion for the rights to co-develop the projects.

A Gull Island generating station will be built and equipped with a capacity of 2,250 MW, while a new powerhouse will be added at Churchill Falls providing another 1,100 MW.

Quebec will bear the full responsibility for construction risks and cost overruns on those projects. The capacity at Churchill Falls will also be increased by 550 MW, with this province leading that project.

Costs for new transmission lines will be the responsibility of NL Hydro and Hydro-Quebec in their respective jurisdictions.

The target date for completion of all agreements under the M.O.U., of which there are many, is April 30th, 2026.

Newfoundland and Labrador signed a historic MOU on Thursday, to terminate and replace the 1969 Upper Churchill Contract, develop Gull Island and expand the capacity of the Churchill Falls plant. The deal will result in more than $225 billion in total revenue for NL over the life of the agreements. 

The new deal will see an immediate increase in the price for Churchill Falls power. The non-bonding MOU sets framework for definitive agreements which will bring an average of $1 billion a year to the province between now and 2041, and escalating every year after. 

The effective price per kilowatt hour will change from 0.2 cents to 5.9 cents, it’s thirty times higher than the current price. 

The new agreeement includes a price escalator, with the price growing based on a market-based block pricing model over the life of the contract. 

New development projects in Labrador: 

Hydro Quebec will pay Newfoundland and Labrador $3.5 billion net present value for the right to co-develop new projects.

The Gull Island Generating station will be constructed along the Churchill River and will be installed with a capacity of 2,250 MW. Hydro-Quebec will act as the project lead for Gull Island, Quebec will be responsible for contruction risks and cost overruns on these new projects. 

The existing units at Churchill Falls will be upgraded to increase in capacity by 550 MW. New transmission lines will be built in Labrador and Quebec to allow for these new projects. 

A second facility will be constructed near the current Chuchill Falls site. The new facility will contribute 1,100MW of capacity. 

The combined ownership of all new developments is approximately 65% NL Hydro, amd 35% Hydro Quebec. 

Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue and Premier Furey signed an official acknowledgment of the MOU confirming the province’s committments to the Innu of Labrador. 

The agreement will come into effect on January 1, 2025. 

The details of what has been billed as a "historic partnership agreement" between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec will be revealed. The two respective premiers, Andrew Furey and François Legault, hold a joint news conference Thursday at The Rooms in St. John's.

Organizers plan to test a setup that will see a team lose hammer after a second consecutive blank end. The mid-season change, an attempt to boost scoring and entertainment, should have a significant impact on team strategy.

The Lionel Kelland Hospice, the province’s only facility dedicated to end-of-life care, has introduced its first ever Forever in Our Hearts Holiday Tree fundraiser.

Loved ones can be honoured with a memory ornament, presented by Notre Dame Agencies.

The ornaments, which can be purchased for $10, will adorn a tree located on the Four Season Deck at the hospice.

Ornaments can be purchased in person at the hospice on St. Catherine Street in Grand Falls-Windsor, online or by phone at 709-489-1222 (ext 210).

You can also email [email protected]

The 2024 Toys for the North campaign kicked off with the arrival Santa and an aircraft full of gifts this past Friday. On Dec. 6, Santa touched down in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to deliver his annual shipment of toys. In addition to the toys, Santa brought plenty of hockey gear for players and goalies. The toys and hockey equipment will be distributed amongst coastal communities in Labrador.

RCMP NL along with RCMP Air Services and its partners at the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals Limited, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), 5 Wing Goose Bay, and Woodward Aviation worked together to organize this event. The toys and hockey gear will be sorted by RCMP NL and transported for distribution to children ages 0-11 living in northern coastal communities.

RCMP NL’s Labrador District has been involved with Toys for the North since 2012. On average, each year, 4,000 children receive a toy that is delivered by RCMP employees across the country. 

NDP leader Jim Dinn says he is “disheartened but not surprised” by the findings in a recent report from the Seniors’ Advocate.

The report, which was released yesterday, looks at a number of key areas with the overall takeaway being that seniors in the province are faring rather poorly.

Dinn says the results of the report show that government is failing to address the social determinants of health.

Dinn says that is something government likes to talk about, but the report shows that it is “just a PR message for them,” arguing that if they were addressing the issues then seniors would be doing much better.

The report also addresses long-term care in the province. The leader says the review of that very topic, which government has but has not yet released, needs to be made public and acted on immediately.

Quebec media are heralding today’s announcement regarding Upper Churchill hydro power as a “joyful” one.

Newfoundland and Labrador has been trying for decades to right the wrongs of the 1969 contract which has short-changed the province out of billions of dollars in revenue, while Quebec reaps the lion’s share of the benefits.

This afternoon’s announcement, which the provincial government is billing as an “historic partnership,” is scheduled for 2 p.m. at The Rooms in St. John’s. It will also be broadcast live over all stations of the VOCM Big Land radio network.

The Ottawa bureau chief with La Presse, Joel Denis Bellevance, expects today’s news will benefit both provinces.

La Presse, which first reported news of an imminent announcement earlier this week, notes Quebec needs the power for  future domestic projects and export markets.

Bellevance noted the financial details have yet to be revealed.

“But for sure, it’s going to be a major improvement over what Newfoundland and Labrador had in the deal with Quebec over the past years,” he said.

“There’s a reason that 15 per cent of energy could be in jeopardy, and that could mean that Quebec would not have enough power for the businesses that it wants to attract in Quebec, or to provide the electricity that we need for regular folks in Quebec.”

The Executive Director of the Canadian Home Builders Association is urging people to do their due diligence when getting roofing jobs done.

High winds and rain throughout the last month have left many people in search of a roofer.

Alexis Foster says roofers are busy right now and it is “very difficult” to find someone for a job.

With that in mind, Foster says it is important for customers to protect themselves and make sure the person doing the job is reputable.

She says people will sometimes go for a cash job because it will be cheaper, but she warns that there can be hidden costs and subpar work. She encourages people to always get things in writing, and to get at least three references for potential contractors.

Foster notes that the Association has a bid portal for anyone who needs a job done.

She says people can go on their website and enter information about the job and their budget, and that information is sent out to their members – all of whom are required to abide by a code of ethics.

The Gander Veterinary Clinic posted to social media this week that the town’s only veterinarian will be out for almost a month, leaving the area without some services.

This means that the clinic in Gander will only be open for prescription pickup and sales.

According to veterinarian Dr. Maggie Brown-Burry, the closure will have a ripple effect on other central clinics.

“When these clinics all share calls, they’re looking after the patients for all three of the hospitals. We do get a lot of emergency calls every evening because of that large client base, so there are a lot of pet owners that are going to be impacted by this. Luckily, even without a veterinarian, they will be open at least half days, as much as possible, so people can get their medications,” she said.

A group representing students, faculty and staff at Memorial University has written a letter to the Premier and the Minister of Education demanding a meeting with government.

The call comes nearly a week after Memorial University instituted a hiring freeze and restrictions on new spending to address a projected $9.5 million shortfall caused by a drop in international enrollment.

The coalition says the province’s “degradation” of Memorial is a “betrayal” to students and staff at the university.

Premier Furey told VOCM News earlier this week that his ministers plan to reach out to the Faculty Association and Students Union.

The Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaker Kopit Hopson 1752 will conduct icebreaking operations today in the Goose Bay area.

The icebreaker is in the area to support the year-end tanker and ferry operations and will be leaving an open water track behind it as it transits the area.

Residents are asked to stay a safe distance from the vessel and its track as cracks can extend for quite some distance from the vessel as it moves.

A new child care centre proposed for the Southlands/Galway area of St. John’s is being welcomed with open arms by the city.

But like other developments in the area, it’s being held up by a dispute over completion of Southlands Boulevard Extension.

The much-needed child care centre would be a first in the area, employing almost 50 staff to handle between 150 and 200 children.

The centre slated for Claddagh Road received approval in principle at this week’s public council meeting.

But the city says nothing gets the green light until the connection to Galway is completed, for safety and servicing reasons.

Ron Ellsworth St. John’s City Councillor

Councillor Ron Ellsworth says it’s an unfortunate situation but a necessary process.

The limitation here, once again, is we have an agreement with a developer dating back to 2016 which requires completion of Southlands Boulevard,” he said. “What we’re trying to do here is help the proponent move as far as we can through the system, so they get some clarity on what potentially they can be doing in this area. Unfortunately, until there’s a work plan that gets presented to the city on when this (road) will be completed, this is as far as they can go with their application.”

One of the developers involved, Danny Williams, previously butted heads with the city on the same issue.

He says he’s gone as far as he can go with his road from Galway, saying the land in question is owned by another, unnamed developer

Today there will be a historic announcement by Premier Andrew Furey and Premier of Québec François Legault. The announcement is expected to be about the Churchill Falls contract. 

The announcement will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday and will be carried live on NTV and NTV+.

The premiers will be joined by N.L. Energy Minister Andrew Parsons, Quebec Energy Minister Christine Fréchette, and N.L. Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams.

There are a number of school closures in Labrador due to weather and road conditions.

The following schools are closed for the morning with an announcement to follow on afternoon classes:

• A.P. Low Primary
• Bayside Academy
• J.R. Smallwood Middle School
• Lake Melville School
• Mealy Mountain Collegiate
• Menihek High School
• Queen of Peace Middle School
• William Gillett Academy

Amos Comenius Memorial School in Hopedale has a two-hour delayed opening.

Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services is debunking concerns that there have been significant nursing layoffs at Carbonear General Hospital.

Opposition health critic Barry Patten raised the issue in the House of Assembly last week.

Petten said that he was told that over 20 LPNs at Carbonear General and the long-term care centre had been laid off, and he asked the Health Minister to confirm the numbers.

In a statement to VOCM News, NLHS says there have not been any layoffs at Carbonear General.

They say several temporary LPN positions are ending on January 31, but those employees will continue in the system as temporary call-in or relief employees after that time.

The health authority adds that there are vacant LPN positions in the Carbonear area, and they will work with those employees to explore available opportunities.

Roads across Newfoundland are mostly bare and wet with good visibility. The exception is Hampden Junction to Jackson’s Arm where travel is not recommended. Additionally, Roddickton to Plum Point and Trans-Canada Highway to Fleur de Lys are partly ice-covered.

Travel is not recommended across most of Labrador this morning.

Marine Atlantic has cancelled crossings for this morning. The MV Kamutik W will arrive in Rigolet at 1:00 p.m. and is on a load-and-go schedule.

At the St. John’s International Airport, WestJet Flight 264, and PAL Airlines flights 901 and 901 are delayed. In Deer Lake, Provincial Airlines flights 901 and 902 are delayed. Flights are on time in Gander.

Today could also be momentous day for hockey in the province.

The Newfoundland Growlers dissolved late last season, leaving a big void on the professional hockey landscape.

For weeks now there has been speculation that the formal league-sanctioned transfer of the struggling Acadie-Bathurst Titan to St. John’s is imminent.

Alex Bill of AllNewfoundland is reporting that the announcement could be coming today.

The Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League met to discuss the transfer this week, and Bill says the possibility is very real.

Bill says among those involved in trying to make it happen is a newly-formed company involving a number of local well-known business leaders.

People on the board include John Patton the President of Browning Harvey, co-owner of Steers Insurance Jason Sharpe and co-owner of Bannerman Brewing, and the CFO of Steele Hotels, Sean Keefe.

The province has a new Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Kerry Hatfield was appointed by Speaker Derek Bennett and took over the position effective December 5.

Hatfield is the former Director of Corporate Legal Services with NL Health Services, and has a background in regulatory compliance in privacy, security, data governance and information management.

Hatfield replaces Jackie Lake Kavanaugh, who held the position on an interim basis, but resigned on November 1, leaving the position vacant for more than a month.

In early December the opposition parties raised questions around the transparency of the selection process.

On Wednesday the Bank of Canada reduced its target for the overnight rate to 3¼%, with the Bank Rate at 3½% and the deposit rate at 3¼%. 

The Bank is continuing its policy of balance sheet normalization.

In the third quarter, the Canadian economy grew by one percent, somewhat below the Bank’s October projection, and the fourth quarter also looks weaker than projected. 

The unemployment rate rose to 6.8 percent in November as employment continued to grow more slowly than the labour force.

The province’s opposition parties say whatever the deal is between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec regarding the Upper Churchill might be, it should be debated first in the provincial legislature.

Premier Andrew Furey and Quebec Premier Francois Legault are set to make what’s being touted as an “historic agreement” at The Rooms at 2 p.m.

While official details are scarce, it appears as though a deal has been reached regarding the controversial Upper Churchill contract. The current agreement will expire in 2041.

PC Leader Tony Wakeham says the deal is not about the next election, it’s about the next generation and it is very important to get it right.

Wakeham says he will be looking for how the new deal addresses things such as the financial issues of the past, fair electricity pricing, local employment priorities, and future developments in Labrador from a cost sharing point of view.

He says it will be “critically important” for the deal, no matter what it is, to be debated in the House of Assembly. He says a forum should be opened for people in the province to have their say as well.

NDP leader Jim Dinn also wants the deal debated in the legislature, especially given how the 1969 deal and Muskrat Falls turned out.

“It’s about restoring the confidence of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” noting that people “don’t want to be burned a third time.”

Today’s announcement will be carried live on the VOCM/Big Land Radio Network at 2 p.m., 1:30 in most of Labrador

Gas fell 1.8 cents per litre overnight. The cost of diesel motor fuel on the Island decreased by 1.6 cents and diesel motor fuel in Zones 13 and 13a dropped by 1.5 cents.

Furnace oil heating fuel decreased by 1.37 cents per litre. Stove oil heating fuel on the Island decreased by 1.38 cents and 1.36 cents in Zones 13 and 13a in Labrador. Propane decreased by 0.4 cents.

The Board’s next regularly scheduled price adjustment is on Thursday, December 19.

Fuel prices are down across the board this morning.

Gas is down by a little less than two cents per litre. Diesel drops by about one and a half cent for both the island and Labrador West.

Furnace and stove oil prices decrease by a little less than a cent and a half.

Propane is down by just under half a cent.

Details are expected to be revealed Thursday on what could be a multi-billion agreement between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec to reshape the contract of the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project. The original deal has been a bitter point of contention for decades between the two provinces.

City councillor and realtor Ron Ellsworth doesn't deny he profited when the City of St. John's purchased land from his client for $640,000. However, he firmly believes it was not a conflict of interest.

The Public Utilities Board lowered the price ceiling on gasoline by 1.8 cents per litre.

A three-vehicle collision in Mount Pearl on Wednesday evening resulted in serious injuries, with those injured having to wait over one hour for an ambulance to arrive.

Emergency crews were called to a portion of Topsail Road near Corisande Drive at 6:40 p.m. after an officer with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) came upon the crash shortly after it occurred. The driver of a westbound SUV crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with a second SUV. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles. The driver of a Jeep, also traveling east, was unable to avoid the collision, with that vehicle coming to rest on its side.

An ambulance from out of town, reportedly Whitbourne, had to be summoned to attend the scene, as there were no ambulances available in the metro region. At about 7:50 p.m. an ambulance arrived at the scene, over one hour from when the collision happened. A second ambulance arrived minutes later.

The driver of the Jeep, who was its only occupant, was uninjured. Three people, occupants of the other two vehicles, all sustained injuries. A passenger in one of the vehicles is reported to have suffered serious, but non life-threatening injuries. Firefighters with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department tended to the injured individuals until an ambulance could arrive. All three injured people were eventually taken to hospital.

The RNC closed Topsail Road between Corisande Drive and Thomas Byrne Drive for some time as they investigated the collision. Initial reports from the scene indicate a medial emergency suffered by one of the drivers may have been a contributing factor.

New evidence, including DNA and matching fingerprints, has linked suspected killer Luigi Mangione to UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's death in New York City. The ghost gun and shell casings found at the crime scene also connect back to Mangione. The case continues to highlight public discontent toward the healthcare industry. (UPI)

The online gambling industry in the U.S. is expected to soon surpass $1 trillion in losses, prompting concerns about the impact on consumers. Estimates say 16% of adults and 26% of adolescents who use an online gambling platform have a gambling disorder. Illicit betting markets are estimated to already result in up to $1.7 trillion in losses annually. (UPI)

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced his resignation, effective at the end of the current administration before Donald Trump's inauguration. Wray, who was appointed by Trump, stated his decision at a town hall with FBI employees. President-elect Trump welcomed the announcement, aiming to replace Wray with loyalist Kash Patel. (CBS News)

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. decreased by 17% between July 2023 and July 2024, according to new data released by the CDC. Over 100,000 yearly overdose deaths have been recorded since 2021, with a record-high of over 108,000 in 2022. The White House attributes the decline to the Biden administration's anti-drug efforts. (CBS News)

Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host of the 2034 Men's World Cup in soccer by FIFA, with the bid being the only candidate. The decision was made during an online meeting, with approval also given for Spain, Portugal, and Morocco to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Human rights groups raised concerns about the impact on migrant workers. (AP)

Elon Musk became the first person ever to be worth $400 billion on Wednesday after Tesla continued its recent Wall Street surge and SpaceX saw its valuation explode following a new deal. Musk was already the world’s richest person. (The Wrap)

Scientist have documented what they say is the longest recorded migration of a humpback whale — from the Pacific Coast of Columbia to the Indian Ocean near Zanzibar.

Collision Clinic has gifted a fully rebuilt car to a family in need for the last 21 years. This year's recipient is Marsha Murley, a mother of three who juggles two jobs without a vehicle.

A St. John’s senior will be allowed to keep the pro-Palestine mural on her retaining wall, after two complaints prompted the city to threaten her with up to $5,000 in fines.

Parts of Newfoundland and Labrador are in for a warmer than typical day on Thursday. Some areas on the island should have highs between 10 and 13 degrees, but the biggest changes will be felt in Labrador.

A St. John’s woman was presented with a life-changing gift today from the Collision Clinic.

The annual Enriching Lives Car Giveaway took place this morning at Collision Clinic on Topsail Road.

For the initiative, Collision Clinic employees donate their time to restore a damaged vehicle, and give it to someone ahead of the holidays.

Marsha McEvoy is this year’s recipient, and has been gifted a Nissan SUV.

She says she’s been working two jobs to try to make ends meet, and the new car is “life changing.”

McEvoy has four kids, and when seven-year-old Natalie was asked where she wanted to go first, she told VOCM News, “ice cream.”

Collision Clinic says that in its 21st year, demand has tripled this year for the car giveaway compared to last year.

You’ll forgiven if you wake up tomorrow morning wondering if you’ve suddenly arrived down south.

Temperatures are on the rise right across the province, with double-digit temperatures in the offering for most areas.

St. John’s and Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be the same temperature as New Orleans Louisiana tomorrow, with a forecast high of 13 degrees.

The balmy temperatures won’t last however, the mercury will dip back down to more seasonable values on Friday.

A single parents' support organization based in St. John's received a huge boost in funding this week, just when the countdown to Christmas made the need more pointed than ever.  

RCMP in Grand Falls-Windsor have arrested two people as the result of a police operation in the town this morning.

Residents reported seeing officers canvassing in the area of Pineview Drive, Mulrooney Street and Park Street.

Police say the matter has been resolved. VOCM News will have more information as it becomes available.

An investigation is underway after Sheshatshiu RCMP conducted a check on a driver who was unresponsive in an idling vehicle on the side of the road.

Police say the driver showed signs of drug impairment when roused, and was allegedly in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

He was arrested and taken to hospital in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where blood samples were taken.

The investigation continues.