Author: Sophie Mitchell

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…

Streaming Platform Unveils Trailer for Second Installment of Mercedes Ron Adaptation Prime Video has released the official trailer and confirmed the global launch date for “Your Fault: London,” the second film in the English-language adaptation of Mercedes Ron’s bestselling Culpables trilogy, as the streaming platform continues investing in internationally recognised young adult franchises. The romantic drama will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on June 17, 2026, across more than 240 countries and territories. The release follows the success of “My Fault: London,” which helped expand the popularity of the Spanish-born literary franchise among international streaming audiences. Starring Matthew Broome (“The…

Sony Pictures Television and Prime Video Prepare Global Launch of New Marvel-Inspired Series Prime Video has released the first official trailer for “Spider-Noir,” the upcoming live-action superhero series starring Nicolas Cage, marking the Academy Award-winning actor’s first leading role in a television series. Produced by Sony Pictures Television exclusively for MGM+ and Prime Video, the series is scheduled to premiere globally on Prime Video on May 27, 2026, in more than 240 countries and territories. The release represents another major expansion of comic book intellectual property into the streaming market as studios continue investing heavily in globally recognised franchises to…