Weekly News Recap: March 14, 2025

Weekly News Recap: March 14, 2025

Liberal Leader Mark Carney talks to media as he leaves the prime minister's office and makes his way to a caucus meeting in Ottawa on Monday, March 10, 2025. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

When someone shows you their true colors, believe them. -- Dolly Parton.

SOME GOOD NEWS

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. 5 Years After Covid Closed the Theaters, Audiences Are Returning (New York Times) "It was five years ago [...] that the widening coronavirus pandemic forced Broadway to go dark, museums to shut their doors, concert halls and opera houses to go silent and stadiums and arenas to remain empty. At the time, they hoped to reopen in a month. It took many a year and a half. Since live performances resumed, the recovery has been uneven, but there are signs that audiences are finally coming back. Here’s a snapshot of where things [stand]."

  2. VIDEO: Sesame Street non-profit to 'downsize significantly' with layoffs (CBC) #SadNews "Sesame Workshop is planning major layoffs, CEO Sherrie Rollins Westin said in a memo to staff [...] The non-profit behind the iconic children's TV show Sesame Street informed staff of its plan to 'downsize significantly' and change its benefits and bonus program, shortly after more than 200 employees announced plans on Tuesday to unionize. The move also comes months after Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns the streaming service Max where Sesame Street has been available since 2020, announced it would not renew a distribution deal for new episodes of the show, which is in its 55th season."

  3. New developments, office conversions to bring 1,100 housing units to Calgary's downtown (CBC) CALGARY STORY Good news. We need more housing. "Three new residential developments were unveiled by the City of Calgary Monday, along with the announcement of two now-completed office-to-residence conversions, that will bring more than 1,100 new homes in total to the city's downtown west end."

  4. Backgrounder: Minister Duguid announces federal investments to grow the performing arts sector in Alberta (Government of Canada) ALBERTA STORY Congrats to all. Some very significant grants in this announcement. "PrairiesCan is investing $8,356,420 in non-repayable funding for 13 projects in Alberta through the Prairie Performing Arts Initiative (PPAI). Through PPAI, PrairiesCan investments support local performing arts organizations as they re-engage and attract audiences and diversify their revenue. Funding will support the long-term economic resiliency of arts organizations by helping them innovate their current practices and enhance their offerings."

  5. How the cap on international students is hurting Alberta's smaller post-secondary schools (CBC) ALBERTA STORY We are about to see job losses :-( "As post-secondary institutions across Canada grapple with the impact of having fewer international students, Alberta's smaller colleges and polytechnics say it's disproportionately hurting local communities and school budgets. On the surface, the tighter restrictions shouldn't affect schools in Alberta, given that the number of international students is well below the allowable maximum. The problem is that international students have stopped applying."

  6. Stamp featuring Edmonton-designed Canadian prayer rug coming to a mailbox near you (CBC) EDMONTON STORY A terrific idea and a nice looking stamp. "A project celebrating Edmonton's Muslim community and deep-rooted connections to the land has stamped a place in Canadian history. The Canadian Prayer Rug created nine years ago in Edmonton is now set to travel the country as the image on Canada Post's newest stamp released in honour of Eid celebrations."

  7. VIDEO: In the 'steel city of Canada,' Trump's tariff threats generate 'fear and confusion' (CBC) HAMILTON STORY "If the goal of U.S. President Donald Trump is to create 'fear and confusion' with his tariff threats, he's succeeding in the 'steel city of Canada,' says Frank Crowder, a Hamilton union president. 'It scares us, it scares families,' said Crowder, president of United Steel Workers Local 7135, after Trump threatened to impose 50 per cent tariffs Tuesday morning."

  8. VIDEO: Who is Mark Carney, Canada's next prime minister? (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "How Mark Carney went from his upbringing in Alberta to central banker in tough economic times, and now leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister-designate."

  9. VIDEO: YMCA fundraising to preserve Camp Chief Hector (CTV) CALGARY STORY Congrats on a great campaign launch. ViTreo is proud to be supporting YMCA Calgary with its campaign for Camp Chief Hector. "YMCA Calgary has launched the final phase of its fundraising campaign to preserve and revive Camp Chief Hector."

  10. VIDEO: Golden, B.C., ski gondola loaded with 8 passengers falls to the ground (CBC) GOLDEN STORY This is a big fear of many. "A gondola cabin has crashed to the ground at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C. Witness Scott Wilson said the cabin fell only moments after it was loaded with people and departed up the hill."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. From Bowie to Baseball to Bitcoin: Ten Nonfiction Books to Check Out in March (LitHub) This is an AWESOME list. I am particularly drawn to four. "Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine", "Run the Song: Writing About Running About Listening", "Style Codes: David Bowie" (I mean, c'mon, essays on style from David Bowie! How great!), and "Cellar Rat".

  2. How to walk the path of “everyday enlightenment” (Big Think) As many of you know, I am a huge proponent of kindness.

  3. What It Was Like to Eat with Anthony Bourdain (Food & Wine) I really miss Tony.

  4. The baby boom in seven charts (Our World In Data) Data and demographic nerds rejoice.

  5. The Origins Of McDonald's Beloved Egg McMuffin And How It Changed Breakfast Sandwiches Forever (The Takeout) The Egg McMuffin is my favourite breakfast when I am about to go on a road trip #DirtyLittleSecret.

  6. How are clouds’ shapes made? A scientist explains the different cloud types and how they help forecast weather (The Conversation) I have always wondered.

  7. Vienna Taught Me The Secret To A Life Worth Living (Digital Global Traveler) I have never been to Vienna but this makes me want to go even more.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. $1-million transformational gift will help power CKUA's artistic voice (Edmonton Journal) EDMONTON STORY #Woot Congrats to all. "Longtime listener and supporter Brian Beresh has pledged $1M to help secure CKUA’s future. 'We are exceedingly grateful for Brian’s generosity and for all the donors who sustain CKUA,' says Kevin Fitzgerald, CKUA’s chief development officer."

  2. KU Natural History Museum receives largest donation in its history (WIBW) "[Tom] and Jan Hardy, KU alumni, gifted the museum $2 million to help boost its preservation efforts for the Panorama. The Panorama is a 132-year-old exhibit that displays a variety of preserved animal specimens in their habitats, with North American mammals showcased at the center."

  3. VIDEO: Tivoli Theatre in Downtown Chattanooga Receives $1 Million Donation for Major Renovations (WDEF) "The historic theatre, a cornerstone of Chattanooga’s cultural scene, is set to undergo extensive upgrades with a generous $1 million donation from the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation. This donation will be pivotal in funding the renovation of several key areas, including a larger lobby, improved ADA access, new elevators, and an upgraded air system."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

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