Saskatoon police are investigating the disruption of a University of Saskatchewan event with "racist and deeply inappropriate" imagery as a possible hate crime.

At the heart of a local town is a more than a century old restored train station-turned museum that continues to attract visitors with its authentic characteristics that allow folks to take a step back in time.

The Herbert CPR Train Station Museum, located on Railway Avenue, was built in 1908 and is part of a beloved museum that features CPR artifacts, vintage vehicles, a model of a settler's cottage, and more. 

Pat Gammel, chairperson for the Herbert Heritage Association, noted that the group is a small but dedicated team that works to maintain such an integral part of the community's history.

"We've got a lot of train memorabilia in there and a lot of old farm equipment," he said. "They repositioned it 180 degrees and moved it away from the tracks a bit, so it has been moved from its original spot, but it was originally built in Herbert."

The Train Station Museum is open during the summer months and boasts a gift shop, tours, lunch, ice cream, free admission, and wheelchair accessibility. 

Gammel highlighted that the group is hoping to make some changes to the iconic hat-filled train car that's part of the museum to better underscore the CPR's rich history within the community.

"I think we're going to be doing a bit of revamping this year," he shared. "We're in desperate need of a paint job on the south side of the building, we're hoping we can get volunteers or somebody who can donate some paint or something."

The Herbert Heritage Association also held its AGM this past week, where plans for several fundraising events that will be happening this year to support the museum were spotlighted, including a trio of Beer & Wing Nights.

For more information, head to the town's website, visit the Herbert Heritage Association on Facebook, or check out the Herbert CPR Train Station Museum's Facebook page.

U.S. President Donald Trump called Wednesday 'liberation day' as he announced a litany of new tariffs. CBC's Morning Edition's political panel discussed the effects on Saskatchewan, the government response and what happens next. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan has still not adopted the $10-a-day federal child care program. This week's panel featured Regina Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk, Canadian Press reporter Jeremy Simes and Morning Edition host Adam Hunter.

Saskatchewan foragers noticed several new digital-only books on Amazon that feature dangerous misinformation about the edibility of mushrooms in the province. The CBC has determined the books are AI-generated.

Andrea Landry was 13 when her mom taught her an important lesson: She is not Canadian — she is Anishinaabe. That's why she says she will not participate in a colonial political system or vote in this year's federal election.

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) reacted strongly on Tuesday to news that Premier Scott Moe is cancelling industrial carbon pollution pricing, with SES board members saying that not only does the move leave the province weaker on its climate change strategy and less well-placed for future energy initiatives — it's also illegal.

Industrial carbon tax pollution pricing in Saskatchewan is administered through the Output-Based Performance Standards Program (OBPSP), which was approved in 2023. As of April 2, Saskatchewan's government media site still lists the OBPSP as a "key component of Prairie Resilience," and claims it has been highly effective.

“The cancellation of the Output-Based Performance Standards Program on industrial greenhouse gas pollution in Saskatchewan leaves a gaping hole in Saskatchewan’s climate change strategy, Prairie Resilience,” said Peter Prebble, an SES board member.

“It also brazenly violates federal law and undermines Canada’s commitment to the rest of the world to reduce nation-wide greenhouse gas pollution 40% by 2030.”

Under the OBPSP, big emitters only pay for greenhouse gas emissions that go above a certain threshold. Thus, the OBPSP creates incentives to cut emissions while keeping costs low for businesses. Large-emitter pollution pricing systems across Canada, like the OBPSP in Saskatchewan, are projected to be responsible for more than one quarter of Canada’s greenhouse gas emission reduction over the next five years. 

By cancelling the program, the provincial government is set for a revenue loss of more than $400 million, less than two weeks after introducing a provincial budget it said had a razor-thin surplus of $12 million. It also leaves uncertain the fate of the Saskatchewan Technology Fund, which is funded by the OBPSP and announced its second intake of $50 million in January. 

The Environment Society said that cancelling industrial carbon pollution pricing in Saskatchewan will create uncertainty for businesses and for investors who were planning clean technology investments. It could also undermine Saskatchewan exports to trading partners such as the European Union, which is bringing in carbon border adjustment tariffs to penalize jurisdictions with high greenhouse gas emissions, while giving low-carbon industrial producers a competitive advantage.

Premier Moe returns today from a trade mission to the UK and Germany, both jurisdictions that could react poorly to Saskatchewan's rollback of climate protection measures.

In January, Premier Moe’s government also signalled its plans to keep Saskatchewan’s conventional coal-fired power plants running well past 2030, a move the SES alleged is another violation of federal law:

Coal is the most polluting of all the fossil fuels. Alberta completed the phase out of coal-fired power stations last year. Ontario finished the job a decade ago. Saskatchewan is the only province refusing to comply with the 2030 deadline. And in February, the Saskatchewan government backtracked on its commitment to make new buildings more energy efficient. It has reverted to the very lowest standard in Canada’s energy efficiency performance tiers for low-rise residential buildings. Saskatchewan’s move will increase greenhouse gas emissions in the residential home sector and increase operating costs for homeowners.

“Sadly, Premier Moe’s government is ignoring all these distress signals of impending climate disaster. Saskatchewan already has one of the very highest per capita greenhouse gas pollution levels in the world,” says Glenn Wright, another SES board member. “With the policy changes of the last three months, Premier Moe is making Saskatchewan’s reputation on matters of the environment worse than ever.”

The SES is calling on the Government of Saskatchewan to reverse course and reinstate the Output-Based Performance Standards Program, with a greenhouse gas pollution price on the industrial sector that maintains alignment with other provinces. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society also calls on the provincial government to move forward with improved energy efficiency standards on new buildings and to comply with federal law by phasing out all conventional coal-fired power stations in the province by 2030.

Saskatchewan’s 2025-26 Anglers Guide is now available online, providing fishing enthusiasts with up-to-date regulations and best practices for the upcoming season.

The digital guide offers anglers access to important information on fishing regulations, catch limits, special restrictions on certain waterbodies, and guidelines for catch-and-release practices. It also includes details on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. The guide can be downloaded to mobile devices for easy reference, and printed copies will be available in early May at government field offices, select retail locations, and most provincial park offices.

"The new Anglers Guide is one sign of spring in Saskatchewan that so many of us look forward to," said Environment Minister Travis Keisig. "It is also an important way that anglers can make sure they are up to date on the rules and regulations before heading out to experience our world-class fishing opportunities."

The opening dates for the new angling season vary by region: May 5 in the southern management zone, May 15 in the central management zone, and May 25 in the northern management zone.

Anglers aged 16 and older must purchase a licence to fish in Saskatchewan, except for Saskatchewan seniors aged 65 and older. Saskatchewan and Canadian resident Armed Forces veterans who were honourably discharged are eligible for free licences upon verification. Licences can be purchased online at any time and stored digitally.

Saskatchewan also offers two Free Fishing Weekends, when both residents and visitors can fish without a licence in provincial waterbodies outside of national parks. These weekends are scheduled for July 12-13, 2025, and February 14-16, 2026. However, all other regulations, including possession limits, still apply during these periods.

For more information or to purchase a fishing licence, visit saskatchewan.ca/fishing.

A new city report recommends delaying approval of an agreement with OVG, the private sector partner chosen to operate a new downtown arena and convention centre.

Emergency crews are on the scene of a rollover on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Swift Current Friday evening.

The single-vehicle rollover is about 10 kilometres from the city limits.

According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle was travelling westbound.

Unemployment in Saskatchewan fell by half a percentage point to 4.9 per cent in March, the lowest among all provinces.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he remains concerned with U.S. tariffs on Canadian products but thinks talking with American officials helped Canada avoid a worse outcome.

An optimistic tone between the province and the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation after they finalized their most recent collective bargaining agreement.

"There were obviously, I think, lessons learned by both sides," said Minister of Education and Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley. "I don't think either side would want to have a long-protracted type of a dispute like we had this past time. I think people were all across the board starting to get frustrated with how long this was taking and just wanted to see an end to it. We want to be able to move forward in a positive fashion and make sure that when it's time to renegotiate the contract next time that we look back at what happened in this most recent negotiation process, take the positives from that and really build on it and hopefully be able to reach an agreement much, much sooner."

The last deal between the province and STF expired in September of 2023. Despite the importance of this negotiation, it appears the relationship between both parties is now in a better place.

"No one from our side of the table wanted this to be the length of the process that we've experienced," said STF President Samantha Becotte. "But teachers were driven by the critical need to have their working conditions and our student learning conditions improved. We were really fighting for public education and for the students in Saskatchewan.

"Looking forward, I do see some optimism as well. I know the relationship that I've started to establish with the Minister of Education has been much more positive and looking to have those respectful, collaborative conversations. Of course, we're not always going to agree on everything, but being willing to take the voice of teachers into consideration... is something that we see as important to show the respect of teachers as professionals. I'm hopeful that over the course of the next year, we can continue to build that collaborative relationship."

The new agreement only runs until August 31st, 2026. The deal was finalized last week when both sides agreed to language around the class complexity piece mandated by the Arbitration Board. 

The STF said in a statement that the agreement includes a class complexity fund of $20 million per year and provisions to hire additional teachers to help address issues of class complexity. They estimate that could lead to 500 new teaching positions.

Classroom complexity is something the STF expects will continue to be on the bargaining table in the future.

"Once something is included in the provincial collective bargaining agreement, it stays in the agreement unless there's mutual agreement through negotiations to remove something," Becotte said. "This has been something that teachers have fought for over a decade now. I can't see it being something that they're going to easily accept to remove. I know I've heard comments from school board trustees and from the Minister of Education who characterized this as a win for students. I can't imagine them coming forward now with a proposal to take something like this out. Let's look at ways of how we can improve this to ensure all students get the support that they need."

Hindley was more focused on what adjustments they would make in the meantime.

"We'll see what happens in the next round of negotiations," he added. "I would say even between now and then we're going to continue as a government to do work in this area. Whether it's the expansion of the specialized support classrooms pilot, the numbers and the targets that we have set, the work that's being done around a student assessment, the work that's going to be enhanced around K to three literacy, I think these are all important components.

"I would say outside of the contract and the collective bargaining process, we're going to continue this work and continue to consult with teachers and other professionals in the classroom with school board trustees, with administrators in the school divisions and most importantly, families and students about how do we just continue this positive work moving forward. Realizing that this isn't an end point, we need to make sure that we're doing everything we can to keep building upon our education system to make it as best as we possibly can for our students."

Becotte noted they are pushing school boards to begin the work to adjust teacher pay to the language of the new agreement as soon as possible.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he remains concerned with U.S. tariffs on Canadian products but thinks talking with American officials helped Canada avoid a worse outcome.

“Where we found ourselves on Liberation Day was not the best position, but a far better position than many other countries around the world,” Moe told reporters Friday after returning from Europe to promote the province’s exports.

“I do think the broader engagement and advocacy that myself as premier (and) what other premiers have brought to the U.S. has had an impact on where we stand today.”

Moe and other Canadian leaders have been travelling to Washington, D.C., in recent months to make the case that levies on Canada harms Americans.

Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on countries this week in a move that he says is meant to generate revenue and encourage companies to do more manufacturing in the U.S. The tariffs have since caused global stock markets to plunge.

Canada was not hit with those broad levies, but U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent still apply to Canadian steel, aluminum and automobiles.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is on the election campaign trail as Liberal leader, has said Ottawa is retaliating with matching tariffs on all vehicles that don’t comply with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement. The levies also apply to any non-Canadian content in compliant vehicles.

Moe said both countries need to find a path back to free and fair trade. He added Ottawa should be measured in how it counters Trump.

“I wouldn’t say (the outcome of sweeping tariffs) is successful,” he said. “But I would say that it is seeing a relatively positive outcome … relative to many other nations around the world.”

Saskatchewan has also been hit with Chinese retaliatory tariffs of 100 per cent on canola oil, canola meal and peas. The measures were in response to Canada slapping Beijing with levies on Chinese steel and electric vehicles.

Moe said China’s tariffs are more urgent than Trump’s levies.

“We need that engagement from the federal level and, from my understanding, it has not occurred yet,” he said.

Moe said the province will continue working to expand its exports to other countries. He was in Germany this week at a trade show and also delivered a speech at the London Stock Exchange.

Moe is scheduled to attend the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa next week, along with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

The conservative political advocacy group was founded by Reform Party founder Preston Manning, who has said a vote for Carney’s Liberals in the April 28 election would be a “vote for Western secession.”

Moe said he wouldn’t comment on the issue of Western Canada breaking up with the country.

“We will work with whoever wins the election,” he said.

If the Liberals move ahead on policies that hamper energy development, Moe said there will be a significant issue.

Court documents show a bench warrant was issued for Brandon Burns, 30, one week before he was accused of assaulting a federal court judge in downtown Saskatoon.

The City of Swift Current is keeping its temporary flood barriers in place as warmer temperatures drift into the region.

Since mid-February, the City and Water Security Agency have been closely monitoring the spring runoff conditions. The snowpack was 23 percent larger than it was in 2023, when Swift Current experienced widespread flooding.

Swift Current's Fire Chief Ryan Hunter said the recent weather has worked in their favour, slowing the melt.

"We still need to be prepared for any remaining meltwater, especially with Duncairn Dam now at a full-service level," he said in a City of Swift Current release Friday morning. 

"The dam being at full-service level is exactly where we would anticipate and want it to be at this time of year, as it benefits our community in the summer months ahead. This is a normal part of managing spring conditions, and we’re taking a cautious approach to ensure we can adapt to any potential remaining runoff while maintaining public safety."

The City says officials will continue monitoring the situation and make adjustments should they be required. 

School zone safety continues to improve in Shaunavon thanks to a $22,603 SGI Provincial Traffic Safety Fund Grant they have received.

Additional funding received a year ago was used to install flashing crosswalk signs and these will now be added to as Bylaw Office for the Town of Shaunavon, Bonnie Lingenfelter explains.

"One of the school zones at the high school is just two signs so we added a third to cover the three corners like a triangular crosswalk and we also did the same at the Christ The King School. At the public school we actually installed two sets, two new ones there at the crosswalk that was kind of in the middle of the road and not the corner."

Lingenfelter adds that they have seen a vast improvement through the grant they had previously received.

"We've seen so much improvement through the grant from SGI provincial traffic safety grant. We just see drivers noticing crosswalks better, you know the flashing lights really bring attention to the kids."

The town had also done another CAA school safety assessment for the second year and Lingenfelter says they have seen improvement numbers from stop signs to crosswalks just from the previous grant and installations. So they are looking forward to seeing the safety numbers increase.

Students of a Swift Current high school can now access essential food and snacks, with no questions asked, thanks to the school's latest initiative. 

The Swift Current Comprehensive High School opened the Comp Eats community fridge just last week as a part of the school's all-new Comp Eats nutrition program.

Kelsey Tsougrianis, principal at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School, noted that they've had an overwhelming response, even completely clearing the fridge out twice already.

"As we know, food insecurity can impact health, wellness, attendance, and the academic success of the kids," shared Tsougrianis. "One of the goals that our new nutrition program has, is that it targets all kids, regardless of perceived need.

"We're super excited, this has been a wonderful initiative that's really taken off."

The Comp Eats fridge, located in student services, will be operated similarly to Swift Current's Community Fridge near the overpass.

"We're not tracking who's coming in and out of there," she said. "If you feel like you need something, you can come in and grab it." 

Additionally, the Comp Eats program will have non-perishable snacks in each of the classrooms. 

"We really do rely on community donations," Tsougrianis added. "Our school community council group has done a really good job of reaching out to businesses in town, but we do welcome any sort of monetary donation that can go to our nutrition program.

"At this point, we are opening up the idea of starting to do some food drives for the school and reaching out to some businesses about some partnerships to get donations in."

Groups or individuals who donate any monetary amounts over $20 will also be eligible for a tax receipt.

Anyone interested in donating to the Comp Eats nutrition program can call the school at (306) 773 - 2801 or email [email protected]. 

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is reviewing a complaint filed by a community member against Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh.

To support a fair and independent process, the Board of Police Commissioners has temporarily removed Chief Sheikh from active duty while the investigation takes place.

The Board says it has a duty to maintain the public’s trust in the Regina Police Service. It will not comment further while the PCC does its work.

In the meantime, Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies has stepped in as Acting Police Chief.

The Board says this decision was made under The Police Act, 1990, which guides how police oversight works in Saskatchewan.

Once the PCC completes its investigation, the Board of Police Commissioners will be notified. At that point, an update will be shared with the public.

The Board says it is committed to fairness, transparency, and public confidence while the matter is being reviewed.

The Regina Board of Police Commissioners has confirmed Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh has been suspended with pay after a complaint was made by a member of the public. 

Sasktoon has recorded only a single homicide in the first three months of this year, a dramatic drop from the same period in 2024, but police say there's no single reason to explain the decline.

A second local man was sentenced earlier this week for a break-and-enter at a worksite that saw several individuals arrested this past fall.

Ryan Corrins attended Swift Current Provincial Court on Wednesday morning to plead guilty on both counts against him; break-and-enter and theft under $5,000.

The Swift Current resident was handed a 90-day conditional sentence with the first 60 days to be served on house arrest, along with a required 60 hours of community service.

He is not permitted to be within a set distance of any site owned by Whitecap Resources and has been ordered to pay a $200 fine to the court.

For a period of time, Corrins is also prohibited from having any contact with the other individuals charged in the incident; Austin Hill, who was also sentenced on Wednesday, and Jeremy Gardner.

Additionally, he was ordered to provide a DNA sample, respond to any check-ins by officers, report to a probation officer, and more.

The trio were initially arrested on October 27 after Swift Current Rural RCMP responded to a report of a theft and break-and-enter outside of Swift Current.

Saskatchewan premier Scott Moe's promise to eliminate the industrial carbon tax moves away from the province's own climate plans, says one economist. It could also open the door to a potential federal election issue, says another.

Forced to put the cost of extractions and dentures on a loan, 74-year-old Gale Uhlmann writes about being unable to retire, the cost of living in her small Ontario community, and why she wants seniors dental care to be on voters minds at the ballot box.

Another measles case has been confirmed in Saskatchewan, prompting an exposure risk in about a dozen locations between Saskatoon and North Battleford.

The City of Swift Current is dealing with rising water levels from the spring run-off.

They've placed barricades on the Chinook Parkway near Chaplin St. bridge on the east side of Elmwood Groceries and the section along Connaught Dr. 

City officials are asking the public to stay away from those sections of the parkway.

They also closed Lee Lam Bridge last week due the rising water levels.