Author: Sophie Mitchell

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Kaitlin Butts has received the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame’s Rising Star Award, adding another recognition to a career that has been gaining attention across the U.S. country and Americana music scene. The honour was presented during a ceremony in Muskogee, Oklahoma, as Butts prepared to perform at the Muskogee Balloon Festival. The award recognizes emerging Oklahoma musicians whose careers show significant potential for continued growth and broader success. Kaitlin Butts Honoured in Muskogee Butts accepted the award before an audience that included members of her band, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame board members, invited guests and previous…

BritBox has released the first look at Edward Bluemel as legendary detective Hercule Poirot in Hercule, a new six-part drama now filming in Liverpool and being produced for audiences in North America and the United Kingdom. The series, developed by Mammoth Screen and Agatha Christie Limited for BritBox and the BBC, will offer a new exploration of one of the most recognizable characters in crime fiction. Rather than focusing solely on individual mysteries, the production is being positioned as an intimate portrait of Poirot and a broader depiction of Britain during the period between the two world wars. Hercule Draws…

Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a five-day inquest into the death of Richard Preston, a 79-year-old man who died in hospital in 2019 after being transferred from the Toronto South Detention Centre. The inquest is set to begin at 9 a.m. on September 21, 2026, and is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Preston’s death, according to an announcement from Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General. Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region’s Central West Office, announced the date on August 21. Dr. James Kovacs will serve as the presiding officer, while Indira Stewart…

TORONTO — Ontario is investing $3 million in 75 projects aimed at strengthening Francophone communities across the province, with funding directed toward cultural initiatives, French-language services, workforce development and new economic opportunities. The investment, delivered through the province’s 2026-27 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP), will support organizations working to expand community services, train employees, improve outreach and create employment opportunities. The provincial government said the projects are intended to reinforce the social, cultural and economic vitality of Ontario’s Francophone population while improving access to services in French. “Our government is investing in the people, businesses and organizations that are driving…

Edmonton-area heavy rock band Famous Strangers has released its debut self-titled album, marking a major milestone for the Alberta group after three years of writing, experimentation and musical development. The seven-track record combines elements of grunge, punk, blues, classic metal and contemporary heavy rock, while exploring themes including self-worth, personal growth, vulnerability and resilience. The release is accompanied by a new rehearsal video for “Fire Inside,” one of the album’s key tracks. Famous Strangers Builds Debut Around Growth and Self-Worth The album represents the culmination of material developed across different stages of the musicians’ careers. Some guitar riffs had remained…

Ontario is committing nearly $75 million to training and workforce development programs aimed at strengthening staffing across the province’s long-term care sector, as demand for skilled health-care professionals continues to rise alongside an aging population. The funding, announced in Ottawa on August 21, will support thousands of students and existing workers over the next three years, with investments targeting personal support workers, registered practical nurses and registered nurses. “Our government is protecting our long-term care system by adding skilled, qualified care providers to the workforce,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Ontario’s investments in training will prepare thousands of…

Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner has scheduled a mandatory inquest into the deaths of four men who died while in custody or following transfers to hospital from the Toronto South Detention Centre. The proceedings examining the deaths of Anton Chadide-Yamine, Anthony Chatzimanolakis, Darrell Harper and Robert Quinn will begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 14, 2026. The inquest is expected to run for approximately 10 days and hear evidence from about 16 witnesses. The Ministry of the Solicitor General announced the date on August 20 through Dr. Richard Wells, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Toronto West Region. Inquest to…

NORTH GRENVILLE, Ont. — August 20, 2026 — Ontario is investing $865,000 in the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) to expand markets for forest biomass, improve management of privately owned forests and create new supply chains for underused wood and mill by-products. The provincial government says the investment is designed to strengthen Ontario’s forest sector while creating new revenue opportunities for private landowners. The initiative will test a business model that could double sustainable harvesting from private forests over the next 10 to 15 years. “Ontario is a G7 forestry leader, with forest products backed by world-class sustainable forest management,” said…

The Ontario government is investing $9.8 million to establish a new millwright training centre in Port Hope, a project expected to train 2,550 apprentices, journeypersons and new entrants over the next five years as the province works to address growing demand for skilled trades workers. Announced on August 20, the investment is being provided through Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream. The nearly 45,000-square-foot facility will focus on preparing workers for jobs across the energy, manufacturing, construction and industrial sectors, where millwrights play a key role in installing, maintaining and repairing machinery. New Port Hope Training Centre to Expand…

The City of Cambridge is pressing the Ontario government for greater support on mental health and addictions treatment, critical flood infrastructure and new municipal privacy requirements following a series of meetings with provincial officials at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference. Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett and senior municipal officials used the Ottawa conference to advocate for provincial action on issues the city says carry significant implications for public safety, municipal finances and economic development. The city’s priorities included sustained addictions and mental health care, cost-sharing for the Riverside Dam and efficient implementation of privacy requirements under Bill…