Author: Sophie Mitchell

Canadian folk artist expands children’s storytelling franchise with music, live events and community outreach Simcoe, Ont.-based singer-songwriter and author Tia McGraff is expanding her growing children’s entertainment catalogue with the release of a new single, “Caterpillar Song,” timed to coincide with the upcoming launch of her middle-grade book In Your Dreams, Jake later this fall. Released through Bandana Records, the track marks McGraff’s latest venture into children’s music and storytelling, a segment that has become an increasingly visible part of her career alongside decades of work in Canada’s roots and folk music scene. Produced by McGraff’s husband and longtime collaborator…

Five graduate students recognized for research supporting dairy producers and agricultural innovation ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has selected five graduate students conducting research aimed at advancing the dairy industry as recipients of the organization’s 2026 National Dairy Leadership Scholarships. The scholarship program, which supports academic research relevant to dairy cooperatives and producers, recognizes students whose work addresses challenges and innovation opportunities across animal science, food safety, dairy manufacturing and environmental sustainability. The recipients were confirmed during the NMPF Board of Directors meeting held June 9 in Arlington, Virginia. “Congratulations to each recipient of this year’s…

Province launches first phase of largest campground expansion in more than 50 years PORT ELGIN, Ont. — The Ontario government is adding 67 new campsites across three of the province’s busiest provincial parks as part of a broader effort to expand outdoor tourism infrastructure ahead of the peak summer travel season. The expansion, announced Tuesday by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, will introduce nearly 5,000 additional reservable camping nights at MacGregor Point, Killarney and Driftwood provincial parks beginning later this month. The new sites form part of the first phase of a nearly $60-million, multi-year provincial investment…

BCCLA and Policing-Free Schools call on provincial government to prohibit police presence in public schools VANCOUVER — The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) and advocacy group Policing-Free Schools (Canada) are calling on the British Columbia government to immediately end all police-in-school programs across the province, arguing that the presence of law enforcement in educational settings creates significant risks for students, staff and marginalized communities. In a letter sent to the BC Minister of Education and Child Care and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, the organizations urged the province to prevent the reintroduction or expansion of school policing…

Civil liberties group to participate in legal dispute over land acknowledgments, EDI policies and statements on Israel The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has been granted intervener status in an ongoing legal challenge involving the University of British Columbia’s policies and public statements related to land acknowledgments, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and the conflict in Israel and Palestine. The case, Irvine et al v University of British Columbia, centres on claims brought forward by petitioners who argue that several actions taken by the university violate British Columbia’s University Act. The petitioners contend that UBC’s use of land acknowledgments, implementation…

Premier Doug Ford pushes for renewed continental trade co-operation and stronger CUSMA agreement WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has concluded a two-day mission to Washington aimed at advancing the province’s renewed “Fortress North America” strategy, a plan focused on strengthening trade ties and economic co-operation between Canada, the United States and Mexico through an updated Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). During meetings with U.S. senators, members of Congress and business leaders from key industries including automotive, aerospace and agriculture, Ford argued that deeper continental collaboration would help create jobs, reduce costs for consumers and strengthen North American security. “Ontario…

Founding member of Rhinoceros releases blues-driven single “Put Back My Heart” alongside family-centred album project Alan Gerber, the Chicago-born and Val-David, Quebec-based singer-songwriter and founding member of the late-1960s Elektra Records supergroup Rhinoceros, has released his new single “Put Back My Heart,” the opening track from his latest album The Well, now available. The release marks another milestone in a career that has stretched across more than five decades and positioned Gerber as one of Canada’s enduring blues and roots performers. Co-written with his son Eli Gerber and jointly produced by the pair, the new single combines upbeat rhythm-and-blues energy…

Writers’ retreat returns following strong debut turnout in Scotland Ignite the Spark Retreats, a screenwriting and playwright development program founded by filmmakers and writers Robin Bradford and John Strong, will hold its second annual retreat from Oct. 8 to 14, 2026, at Weston Park, a private estate in England. The week-long program will take place at the 1,000-acre Weston Park estate in Weston-under-Lizard, located roughly 110 miles north of London. Organizers said registration for the retreat is now open through the company’s website. The event follows the inaugural retreat held in October 2025 at Scotland’s Dunskey Estate, which organizers described…

Province Launches Highway and Bridge Rehabilitation Project Along Key Northern Trade Corridor The Ontario government has begun major rehabilitation work on a section of Highway 17 near Echo Bay as part of a broader effort to improve road safety, strengthen supply chains and support economic growth across northern Ontario. The project includes resurfacing nearly 17 kilometres of Highway 17 between Echo Bay and Highway 548, along with repairs and replacements for several bridges and culverts along the corridor. Provincial officials say the upgrades will help maintain a critical stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway that supports the movement of people, goods…

City Secures More Than $171,000 Through Field of Dreams Program The City of Cambridge is set to move forward with major accessibility improvements at the Kin 1 Baseball Diamond after receiving $171,659 through the Jays Care Foundation’s 2026 Field of Dreams grant program. The funding, announced Sunday, will support upgrades designed to make the baseball facility fully accessible and inclusive for athletes, families and spectators of all abilities. City officials say the investment represents an important step in expanding access to recreation and adaptive sports programming across the region. The Kin 1 Baseball Diamond serves as a key recreational hub…