Advertise on podcast: This is Newfoundland and Labrador

The House of Assembly is set to reopen for its fall session next week and Premier Tony Wakeham says his government's priorities are tackling health care, the cost of living and safer communities. In this pod extra, our media panel breaks down the details, what the opposition leaders have to say and the big stories to keep an eye on going into the session.

Long before the first snowfall, residents were out voicing their concerns at St. John’s City Hall. As council weighs the budget toll of snow clearing, residents highlight a different cost: the physical and mental toll, especially on those trapped in their homes by unplowed and inaccessible sidewalks. Read more: More sidewalk snow clearing this winter? Unlikely, says St. John's mayor https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/breen-sidewalk-snow-clearing-9.7372481

Labrador is home to massive hydroelectricity plants, with more in the works. So why are some remote communities in Labrador still depending on diesel generators to power their homes? Today on the podcast, the CBC’s Andrea McGuire breaks down the frustrations from communities in the Big Land, what N.L. Hydro has to say about it, and why it might be easier to send electricity to a city outside the province than a remote community in it. Read more: Will Churchill Falls benefit diesel-dependent communities in Labrador? Expert says it's 'very unlikely' https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/churchill-falls-diesel-labrador-9.7342529

Affordable childcare has been in the spotlight in recent weeks as some parents feared the loss of $10-a-day care. The province has asked how it can increase fertility rates, but on this episode we dive into issues over spaces and demand, staff work and compensation, funding and red tape – with people on the front lines of childcare. Read more: N.L. education minister confident $10-a-day child care is here to stay https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/child-care-meeting-9.7355544

Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini discusses the Innu Nation's relationship with the Newfoundland and Labrador government and the deep hurt in the community caused by a dispute over history, and what path can amend that relationship. This episode (recorded earlier this month before the vote on the Churchill River energy deal) is being released on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which coincides with the opening of the previously cancelled Innu Pakassiun exhibit at the Labrador Interpretation Centre in North West River.

The new Churchill Falls deal has stirred up a lot of opinions and criticism. While negotiators say the new energy agreement is a safe bet, some fear taking the gamble. In this edition of the podcast, we dig into the root of trust issues in the province, going back to energy development history on the Churchill River and political rhetoric over the years. CBC Journalist Ashley Fitzpatrick and former PUB chair and energy critic David Vardy join host Adam Walsh for the discussion. Read more: Catching up on Churchill Falls? Here's 6 questions about the deal, answered https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/catching-up-on-churchill-falls-here-s-6-questions-about-the-deal-answered-9.7349344

Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly had four long days of debate over the Churchill River power deal with Quebec - ending with a slim vote in favour of moving forward. On this episode, three CBC journalists have been following the debate and breakdown the details, the clashes, and what comes next for the province.

A court case that gripped this province and captured the country’s attention has been brought to a close. Dean Penney is now serving life in prison for the first-degree murder of his estranged wife Jennifer Hillier-Penney. This week on the podcast, we review the events that led to his arrest and bring you details from a packed Supreme Court room in Corner Brook for Penney’s sentencing. You will hear about the victim impact statements, how Hillier-Penney’s murder impacted her community and what Dean Penney had to say about his sentence.

Jaime Fillier, a single mom with two young boys, does a lot of planning and budgeting. She has to if she wants to keep up with inflation. It gets especially hard during the back-to-school season when school supply lists are long and costly – some even asking for brand names. This week on the pod, we speak with Fillier and the Single Parent Association of N.L. about how the financial demands of getting a child ready for school is one example in the big picture of the struggle to keep up with the cost of living. We also look at what could help lessen the burden.

For many rural towns in Newfoundland and Labrador, small budgets and an aging, shrinking population are the norm. And when climate damage strikes, fixes are costly. Hare Bay is a case in point. In recent years it has seen flooding, a storm surge and wildfire threats putting immense pressure on the town’s bottom line and small staff. But “if there is a will, there is a way,” according to the town’s clerk. On this podcast, we walk you through how the small town is rethinking climate preparedness and the program trying to help N.L. municipalities prepare for the worst of climate change.

Members of the network 764 lurk in popular online spaces like Roblox and Minecraft, targeting children around the world, including in Newfoundland and Labrador. The group is known for coercing kids into harming themselves and others. In this episode, the CBC’s Adam Walsh spoke with police and experts to unpack how the group entraps children, the warning signs parents can look out for and what to do in the worst case scenario of a child involved with the group.  If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to look for help: Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website. http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/  Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Search by province or territory for suicide crisis services, suicide bereavement and mental health support. https://suicideprevention.ca/resources/#support-services

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham announced Monday a new agreement with Quebec and Ottawa on the Churchill Falls energy project. The key word of the deal is more — more power, more control, more jobs and more money to N.L. But how good is the new MOU really? In this episode, we give you takes from different perspectives, and a look at what could be next for our province. Read more: N.L., Quebec announce new Churchill Falls agreement worth billions — with help from Ottawa https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/new-churchill-falls-deal-announced-wakeham-carney-frechette-9.7309135

Reporting a property where drugs are bought, sold, or used sounds straightforward – until you try to do it. From red tape, blurred lines around responsibility between police and the city, and the vulnerable people caught in between, it’s far from simple. This week on the podcast the CBC investigative reporter Ariana Kelland explains why closing a trap house is far more complicated than it seems. Read more: Neighbours say some NLHC units operating with impunity as ‘trap houses’ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/neighbours-say-some-nlhc-units-operating-with-impunity-as-trap-houses-9.7154477 'Trap houses' pose neighbourhood concerns. Could shelved N.L. law be a solution? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nl-safer-communities-and-neighbourhoods-act-review-9.7221592

How do you rebuild after your community has been devastated by wildfire? And how do you go about that work when you’re still searching for answers on how it started? We answer these questions on this week’s podcast, as reporters Terry Roberts and Ryan Cooke bring us back to Conception Bay’s north shore one year after the start of the Kingston Fire. Read more: A year after the fires, devastated Conception Bay North communities are slowly rebuilding https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/fires-north-shore-anniversary-9.7289132 In the absence of answers, C.B.N. residents have one burning question: Why us? https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/kingston-fire-anniversary-rcmp-investigation-9.7292040

Ever since its fish plant closed 25 years ago, the rural Newfoundland and Labrador town has been plagued by the foul odor of decaying fish sauce. But after years of pointing fingers on who should scrub the abandoned plant, the provincial government picked up the tab. CBC reporter Leila Beaudoin joins us for a podcast extra to talk about witnessing the first stinky load haul off, the local relief, and how a small-town stench became a global headline. Read more: Decades in the making, work begins to remove rotten fish sauce from St. Mary's plant https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/st-marys-fish-sauce-removal-9.7288539 How do you get rid of 110 vats of smelly fish sauce? This Newfoundland town is finally getting an answer https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/st-marys-newfoundland-fish-sauce-plant-cleanup-9.7229988