Author: Sophie Mitchell

Environmental Group Claims Pacific Seafood Violated Clean Water Act at Quilcene Bay Facility Hatchery operations allegedly discharged excess wastewater and heat into sensitive marine habitat QUILCENE, Wash. — Environmental advocacy organization Center for Food Safety has announced plans to sue two Pacific Seafood-affiliated companies over alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act tied to shellfish hatchery operations in Washington State. The proposed legal action targets Dulcich, Incorporated and Pacific Shellfish—Quilcene, LLC, collectively referred to by the group as Pacific Seafood. According to the notice of intent filed by the organization, the companies allegedly discharged wastewater and excess heat beyond…

“New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart” Mark First Release Through New Sun Music Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Alicia Kayley is making her commercial debut with the release of two singles, “New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart,” through New Sun Music, the Nashville-linked label founded by Grammy-nominated artist Crystal Shawanda. The simultaneous release positions Kayley as one of the emerging Indigenous voices in Canada’s contemporary Pop/R&B and Blues/Soul landscape. Dubbed the “Indigenous Adele” by the Ottawa Citizen, the Algonquin and Tahltan Nation artist is entering the national music market with a project designed to showcase both emotional depth and commercial crossover…

Toronto dinosaur-metal band expands global reach with debut full-length album featuring major names from the rock and metal world TORONTO — Toronto-based music project Howdytoons, which has amassed more than 1.5 billion YouTube streams and over 50 million Spotify plays through its dinosaur-themed rock catalogue, has released “Smilodon,” the lead single from its debut full-length album, Megafauna Metal. The release marks a major milestone for the Canadian band, which has evolved from a niche children’s music experiment into an internationally streamed heavy metal project supported by prominent musicians from the global rock scene. Written by Mike Whitla and his son…

Wolf Parade songwriter returns with a piano-driven record shaped by life on Vancouver Island Canadian indie rock songwriter Spencer Krug is set to release his new solo album Same Fangs on May 15, 2026, marking another chapter in a career that has quietly helped define the outer edges of modern indie music for more than two decades. Issued through Pronounced Kroog, the album arrives as renewed attention gathers around Krug’s catalogue following the resurgence of Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” through Netflix’s Heated Rivalry. The renewed exposure has introduced a younger audience to a body of work spanning Wolf…

Upcoming album Second To None set for release June 19, 2026 Toronto indie rock band The Get Alongs is expanding its sound ahead of the release of its sophomore album Second To None, with the launch of its latest single, “Sunday Afternoon,” released publicly on May 15, 2026. The track serves as the second advance release from the forthcoming album, due out June 19, 2026 through Having Fun and We Are Busy Bodies. At just over two minutes long, the song marks a stylistic shift for the Toronto four-piece, moving away from the rawer edge of earlier material and toward…

Community and environmental groups say updated rules still fall short of safeguarding waterways and rural residents PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon regulators have finalized a long-delayed permit governing hundreds of factory farms across the state, drawing criticism from environmental and community organizations that argue the updated rules still fail to adequately protect waterways and rural communities from agricultural pollution. The finalized National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), issued by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, establishes pollution control requirements for factory farms over the next five years. The…

Inquest to Begin June 1 in Thunder Bay The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced a new date for the inquest into the death of Kevin Mamakwa, a 27-year-old member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation who died while in custody at the Thunder Bay Jail in 2020. Dr. Kevin Miller, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region’s Thunder Bay Office, confirmed that the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 189 Red River Road in Thunder Bay. The proceedings will be overseen by Dr. Michael Wilson, who will serve as the presiding officer.…

Project to Add 104 Modern Long-Term Care Beds and Support More Than 200 Jobs The Ontario government has officially broken ground on the redevelopment of the Carveth Care Centre in Gananoque, a project that will deliver 104 modern long-term care beds and create more than 200 jobs in the region as the province continues its broader expansion of long-term care infrastructure. The redevelopment, supported through Ontario’s Capital Funding Program (CFP), is part of the province’s long-term strategy to modernize care facilities while increasing capacity for seniors across Ontario. Provincial officials say the project aligns with commitments outlined in the 2026…

Province proposes new compliance measures aimed at protecting children and improving adoption safeguards The Government of Ontario has introduced proposed legislative changes aimed at strengthening oversight of private and international adoptions, as the province moves to enhance protections for children and prevent misconduct within the adoption system. Announced Thursday in Richmond Hill by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the proposed reforms would expand the province’s compliance and enforcement powers while tightening licensing rules for adoption professionals and agencies operating outside of children’s aid societies. The legislation is designed to reinforce safeguards around adoption services and address growing…

New public art initiative highlights culture, community and urban beautification The City of Prince Albert has completed the installation of four new Indigenous-designed transit shelter artworks as part of its ongoing Municipal Cultural Action Plan, adding vibrant cultural elements to key public transit locations throughout the city. The project, which was finalized this week following the arrival of warmer weather, aims to enhance public spaces while celebrating Indigenous identity, community connection, and local artistic talent. City officials say the installations are intended to create a more welcoming and visually engaging experience for transit users while contributing to broader community wellbeing…