Somewhere Right Now: 07:00 in Gander 🇨🇦 — CKGA 650 AM

0:10 Sprecher 1 and the boreal for example and the prevailing winds are moving eastward towards us we're getting we get a lot of populations of bloodworm from quebec migrating over this and landing in our forest and supplementing local populations and then those populations start to build as well and again our forest is largely spur and spruce but it's also very patchy landscape as well so it's been it i think from my understanding again that's like the province's jurisdiction for the the management of things but um it's been uh you know it just from a purely science perspective i think it's it's a challenge to um to try to manage uh things with um such a just intrinsically patchy landscape and things like that as well so it's it's a bit tricky indeed that is joe bowden

0:59 Sprecher 2 and he is a research scientist with natural resources canada discussing the issue around on the spruce budworm it is back and uh we'll have more on this he was speaking with vocm's linda swain and linda has more with joe bowden coming up after the seven o'clock news in the meantime it's a quiet morning so far but we'll update you with all the traffic and weather in just a few moments we come up to news next at seven o'clock on your vocm mornings this is the

1:28 Sprecher 1 The VOCM Radio Network. Local news now. A VOCM News Update.

1:36 Sprecher 3 Brought to you by the biggest conversation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Weekdays at 9 a.m.

1:43 Sprecher 4 VOCM Open Line. 7 o'clock in the sunshine in St. John's. Temperature 15. Good morning. I'm Sarah Strickland. La Presse is reporting that a new agreement on Churchill Falls has been reached between this province and Quebec, VOCM's Richard Duggan reports.

2:01 Sprecher 3 The Quebec media outlet broke the news last night. It says production capacity of the new hydroelectric facilities in Labrador will be greater, which means both provinces can obtain more energy than what was initially agreed upon in an MOU reached in December of 2024.

2:15 Sprecher 1 That increase made the agreement possible, according to LaPresse.

2:19 Sprecher 3 Otherwise, it remains largely the same. The publication cites a source indicating that the new agreement will also breathe new life into the so-called Atlantic Loop project, which would essentially connect the Atlantic provinces to the Quebec grid. LaPresse says the federal government played a facilitating role in the deal and offered financial incentives to Newfoundland and Labrador, including the possibility of extending the Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit, which has a 15% refundable tax credit to be used to finance major energy projects.

2:47 Sprecher 1 A formal announcement on the deal is expected to take place next week.

2:50 Sprecher 3 Richard Duggan, VOCM, Local News Now.

2:54 Sprecher 4 Meanwhile, the Premier's office isn't confirming the deal has been reached, only to say significant progress has been made in recent days with the government in Quebec and with Ottawa. They say that as of now, no deal has been signed and they'll let the media know if that situation changes. The official opposition says that, once again, people in this province are learning about Churchill Falls' developments through the Quebec media rather than the provincial government. They're calling for transparency from the Wakeham government. New data is highlighting how e-scooters and e-bikes can be dangerous and deadly for children. Karen Rebo reports.

3:34 Sprecher 5 The Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program says 10 kids, including 6 in Ontario, died from using these electronic devices last year.

3:43 Sprecher 3 12 more children were admitted to intensive care units and 26 were treated in hospital for more than two days.

3:50 Sprecher 5 As a pediatric emergency physician at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Daniel Rosenfield says he rarely works a shift without seeing an e-scooter injury.

4:00 Sprecher 3 They're inherently unstable, they go very quickly, and people have almost no protection in them or around them.

4:06 Sprecher 4 So, unfortunately, that number didn't surprise me.

4:09 Sprecher 3 The data highlights the need for better policy coordination and public education to clearly communicate the laws.

4:15 Sprecher 1 Karen Rebo, the Canadian Press, Toronto.

4:19 Sprecher 4 Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after a scooter collided with a vehicle on Topsail Road in Paradise Tuesday night. R-N-C say the collision occurred around 20 after 9. The teen's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and was cooperative with investigators. A man is facing charges after assaulting his partner while she was driving. Just before 3.30 yesterday afternoon, a woman walked into R-N-C headquarters at Fort Townsend to report the incident. She stated that it had just happened and that her partner was still sitting out in the car. The 62-year-old man was arrested in the parking lot on charges of assault, assault by choking, and uttering threats A man who tried to get away from officers on his own two feet ended up spending the night behind bars Just before midnight, a woman called about an assault at her home in downtown St. John's When officers arrived, the man had already left the scene About an hour later, he returned and the woman phoned police again This time, officers witnessed the man bolt out the back door and down the street Police ran after him and ended up arresting the 42-year-old at a home nearby. He faces charges of assault and breach of release order. A woman is in the lockup after a kerfuffle outside the Avalon Mall last evening. RNC was called to a disturbance at the shopping center around quarter to seven.

5:43 The woman, believed to be causing trouble, became irate once she saw police had arrived and spat in an officer's face. The 36-year-old was arrested and charged with assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency at St. John's International Airport recently seized more than 26 kilograms of an illegal stimulant from a flight that arrived from London, England. Cat, or Bushman's tea, is a type of plant native to Africa and is usually chewed to get its desired stimulant effects. It's considered a controlled substance in many countries, including Canada. The CBSA says 136 bundles of the illegal stimulant was discovered in two checked bags belonging to a passenger. The traveler was denied entry into Canada, and the seized goods were transferred to the RCMP's Atlantic Serious and Organized Crime Division. vision. Some 825 pounds of cod and fish processing and packaging equipment was seized by DFO as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of fish caught in the recreational food fishery. Officers from the Bay Roberts DFO detachment searched a home and business in the Trinity Bay area on July 30th as part of the investigation. DFO says it is illegal for fish caught in the recreational fishery to be sold traded or bartered and any sale of fish including processed

7:12 fish and fish products outside the licensed commercial fishery is illegal no further information is being made available at this time as the investigation continues snoopers beware the privacy commissioner is recommending that the name of a person who's doing the prying be be released to the person they've been snooping on. Here's BOCM's Linda Swain.

7:35 Sprecher 3 The recommendation comes after someone notified NLHS of a privacy breach. It turns out that curiosity got the better of an employee who accessed the private health information of a patient. The Privacy Commissioner says NLHS took the appropriate action, but she recommends going a step further and releasing the name of the snooper to the person affected. Her argument is that the person involved knows the full impacts of the privacy breach and they should know the identity of the snooper. Kerry Hatfield recommends that NLHS release the snooper's name and the discipline they receive to the person affected and that the health authority consider implementing a policy to inform affected people of the names of those who intentionally and wrongly access their personal health information. Linda Swain, VOCM, Local News Now. Atlantic Lottery is waiting for

8:24 Sprecher 4 the province's latest millionaire to come forward. Some lucky person who purchased a ticket for last Last night's Lotto 649 draw won $1 million in the Gold Ball Guaranteed Prize. More details will be shared once the winner presents the ticket. Up next, your BOCM traffic and weather forecast.

8:43 Sprecher 3 Are you an older adult aged 55 and over, a family member, or someone supporting a senior? Seniors NL is here to help. Through our information and referral service, community outreach, and social prescribing programs, We connect you to trusted information, services, and supports that help you age well. Our service is free, confidential, and dedicated to helping older adults live with independence, dignity, connection, and respect. One call, countless connections. Call 1-800-563-5599 or visit seniorsnl.ca. When you're gassing up, ever fantasize that this bill will be free?

9:19 Sprecher 6 That you'll get free gas for a whole year?

9:22 Sprecher 3 Or that you could win 1 million yay points? This summer, fuel your dreams at North Atlantic and Petro-Canada. July 27th to August 23rd. Fuel up, swipe your yay card, and you could win a $500 gift card. 1 million yay points or free gas for a year. Only till August 23rd at North Atlantic and Petro-Canada. It's the information you need to get where you're going safely and on time. Up to the minute and accurate traffic reports. This is your VOCM traffic update.

9:55 Sprecher 2 So things are moving along pretty well so far this morning as it relates to our traffic. A couple things to mention. We've got slowdowns across most of the metro area today because of sidewalk and other pavement improvements that are going on around the city. Temporary lane closures in effect on Portugal Cove Road near the intersection of McDonald Drive and Prince Philip Drive as well as Majors Path. That's really going to slow you down at Majors Path We're hearing reports of Depending on how long it takes you to get through Sometimes 40 minutes So if you can avoid that whole area Get around it if you can Meanwhile, we've got another change happening To the Trans-Canada Highway westbound exit 42 If you normally made a left on the Kenmount You'll just have to go a little further on and turn right And proceed through the roundabout at Kenmount Road Extension At Carwood Drive Lane reductions in both directions still Still at, well, this is out on the Foxtrap access area. So that's still going on right now as cars are slowing down there at this hour. Otherwise, things look pretty smooth so far on the major routes. But do text if you've got something to mention in your morning commute. 709-273-5211. Send me a text when it's safe to do so. Or leave me a voice memo at that number as well. 709-273-5211.

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11:17 Sprecher 4 Trust us, your eyes will thank you. St. John's Metro, rest of the Avalon, sunshine today, southwest early winds 30, high of 22. Nice evening, low of 14, periods of rain tomorrow, southerly 30 and a high of 19. Clarenville, central Newfoundland, sun and cloud with showers by this afternoon, northwest early winds at 30, high of 23. A few showers for this evening, low of 14.

12:04 Right now in St. John's, we have sunshine. The temperature is at 15. I'll be back with all the news of the day at 7.45 for VOCM News. I'm Sarah Strickland.

12:17 Sprecher 3 This is your VOCM Mornings with Jerry Lynn Mackey and Russell Bowers.

12:24 Sprecher 2 Good morning. It's Russell. Jerry Lynn is away today. She's having a little summer holiday time to herself, but thanks for keeping me company here on this Thursday morning. Coming up over the next little while, the spruce budworm. Oh, that relic of the 70s is back. It's kind of a cyclical thing, but we'll hear more about the efforts to combat it from Natural Resources Canada. It's a miracle, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, a true blue miracle. It's a spectacle, if you will. No, I'm not talking about the deal between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. I'm talking about it's Miracle Treat Day. And there'll be a blizzard of activity coming up here in the next little while on your VOCM morning. So stick around. Lots to talk about.

13:36 I'd love to hear from you as well about other stories that are in the news this morning. You can also text us about your early thoughts on the potential of a deal between Newfoundland and Labrador as well as Quebec on hydroelectric development. That looks like it's coming next week. So we'll have more details on that coming up a little bit later on this morning. But 709-273-5211 is the number to text. If you've got something to say about that or anything else that's on the program this morning, you can leave me a voicemail at that number. You can also leave a voice memo as well. I'll record one of those on your phone and send it on. 709-273-5211. It is 7.13 now here on the program. So I got more now on that spruce budworm outbreak. It seems like there's no immediate relief in sight, but that's according to Joe Bowden. He is a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada. For more on how the spruce budworm has come back into our environment, well, he spoke with VOCM's Linda Swain.

14:34 Sprecher 3 Do they have any natural predators and how are they benefiting from this?

14:39 Sprecher 1 Absolutely. So that's that is actually one of the main bits of that's been my research over the last number of years is we've been looking at the natural enemy. So we know that, again, in more diverse forests, like on the mainland, for example, in parts of Lake New Brunswick and Quebec and things, there's a whole they've got a much more diverse forest. And this supports a whole bunch of different, just because it's more temperate or sort of Acadian forest, they support a whole bunch of different kinds of like parasitoids, like predators, like wasps and flies. Even a lot of flies help knock down populations of budworm. There's diseases, again, in any population that gets really dense, disease spreads really fast. And so this is all something, too, that owes to help control populations ultimately naturally. Birds as well feed heavily on budworm and help knock down populations, so we get a lot of migratory birds. We've been noticing a lot of increase in insectivorous birds, like warblers are migrating here more, feeding on budworm. And also we showed a couple of years ago that actually spiders, which are really common in forests, of course, we think about spiders kind of negatively, but there's a lot of spiders. So we were able to show a couple of years ago that one in every three spiders had recently consumed a budworm in the previous, like, hour.

16:01 So we were able to amplify gut contents of spiders and show that they're actually eating a lot of budworm in the forest as well because they're just generalist predators as well. um but overall um our natural any what we call our natural enemy community are the predators and parasitoids budworm that help knock down those populations is a little bit lower than like the rates of mortality on budworm is a little bit lower than we what we see on the mainland just because um again we live on a on an island and so like we don't have a whole uh as many different species of predators that they would have in like new brunswick for example

16:40 Sprecher 3 So the moth stage of this creature now is flying as people are noticing. When do people notice some relief and what does this, how does this bode for next year?

16:53 Sprecher 1 Yeah, good question. So yeah, unfortunately spruce budworm outbreaks are quite lengthy. So we're talking 10 to 15 years in length in total. So this current outbreak on the island, we know started right around 2018 up in the northern peninsula we're probably and and if it and it has been generally following the same kind of trend as the last outbreak which occurred um starting in the early 70s and lasted up until the mid 80s um before we really saw populations really trickling off but here on the west coast for example um we we know that the last outbreak sort of really started to to slow down um here after uh in the in the mid eight and in the early 80s, so it lasted for a good nine or ten years or so just in different forests. And then really we're starting to see very similar patterns of the budworm sort of moving out towards central now, which is mostly a black spruce forest. And we know that black spruce is a much more hardy species and they don't tend to die from budworm feeding. um that's sort of what's been going on and i think we're in for another at least another number of years of seeing these uh these swarms of budworm over and in in this kind of area like

18:18 um you know for example the i think you you referred to the there was a some people circulating videos and things from pasadena i think uh some folks up in hawks bay and then out towards central bay vert and things like that so i think in those areas we're probably in for another couple of of years of seeing um i've seen those kinds of swarms typically you would see those around um mid-july uh again uh because we've had such a cold spring we we these guys are have been about two weeks delayed this year and so that's why we're seeing uh particularly a lot of budworm now

18:54 Sprecher 2 um flying around two years of swarms oh joe you say the sweetest things that's joe bowden and he's He's a research scientist with Natural Resources Canada. Yeah, the spruce budworm is back for another round or two with the province of Newfoundland and our forests. And he's with Natural Resources Canada, and he was speaking with VOCM's Linda Swain. The most complete cast to start your day.

19:19 Sprecher 3 VOCM 745 News, weekday mornings on your VOCM. I'm Claudette Barnes with your Community Minute. The Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the annual Joe and Clarice Goodyear Business Awards Showcase. There are eight award categories this year, including Business of the Year, Customer Service, Environmental and Sustainability, Helping Hands, Small Business, Women in Business, Young Entrepreneur, and the Joe and Clarice Goodyear Business Achievement Award. Know a local business or entrepreneur who deserves some recognition? Nominations are open until Friday, September 4th, and you can nominate organizations in any category you feel they deserve. Please note, the awards gala itself will take place Thursday, October 1st at the Gander Curling Club, with doors opening at 6.30 and the event running until 9. For more information, check out the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. And as always, if you plan on hosting an upcoming event, email us the details at psannl at stingray.com.

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21:19 Sprecher 4 Call Melanie to book your service appointment at 709-256-6100. Engineers and geoscientists are licensed professions with a responsibility to society. Adhering to rigorous standards, they are committed to lifelong learning. PEG-NL regulates the engineering and geoscience professions for competent and ethical practice to protect the public and support licensed professionals in their pursuit of professional excellence. excellence. Before engaging with an engineer or geoscientist, check that they are licensed on our public registry at pegnl.ca. PEGNL, Professional Excellence, Public Trust. Celebrate the Gander

21:56 Sprecher 3 Arts and Culture Center's 50th anniversary from August 18th to September 13th. Join us for a series of free and affordable events. Experience a place to be heard with pianist James Hurley.

22:05 Sprecher 4 Take part in free music workshops and join a public piano meditation commemorating Gander's response to 9-11 explore an exhibit sharing the restoration of the center's original concert

22:14 Sprecher 3 grand piano plus don't miss sweet williams society featuring bill brennan and andrea kaziel with special guest evan smith and come from away star petrina bromley for tickets visit arts and culture center.com the super vent 2100 jm all fuel chimney is available at pritchett's timber mart it's stainless steel and built to vent gas liquid or solid fuel fire residential appliances

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23:35 Sprecher 2 Here's the weather for Thursday, starting with St. John's, the metro area, and the rest of the Avalon. Sunshine today and a high of 22. A nice evening ahead, head, although Friday some rain and 19. Rain into the weekend as well. For Clarenville and central Newfoundland, it's sun and cloud for the most part today, but some showers this afternoon. Today's high 23. Showers overnight and more showers continuing into Friday and a high of 18. For the south coast, sun and cloud today and a high of 23. More cloud overnight, but rain, drizzle and fog on the way for Friday. Tomorrow's high 19 degrees. And for the west coast, southwest coast Most in the northern peninsula, sun and cloud today and a high of 21. We'll have a nice evening, but rain on Friday and a high of 18 degrees.

24:19 Sprecher 1 This is your VOCM Mornings with Jerry Lynn Mackey and Russell Bowers.

24:27 Sprecher 2 Taking a look at our news headlines to this hour. A teenager is taken into hospital yesterday after he was struck by a vehicle on his bike. A 15-year-old boy also taken to hospital after a scooter collided with a vehicle on Topsail Road in Paradise Tuesday night. and over 800 pounds of cod as well as fish processing and packaging equipment seized by dfo as part of an investigation more details on these stories coming up in the major news at 7 45 here on your vocm mornings 7 23 now here on your vocm mornings and it is august 13th it is thursday august 13th and around here you know we call this the tastiest day of the year don't we janessa ward

25:08 Sprecher 6 We sure do. It is Dairy Queen's Miracle Treat Day.

25:11 Sprecher 2 Indeed. The manager of donor engagement with the Janeway Children's Miracle Network and the Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation, Janessa Ward, has joined me with blizzards in hand. How are you?

25:22 Sprecher 6 I am so good. I mean, how better could I be with blizzards for breakfast?

25:28 Sprecher 2 Oh, you know, it's the breakfast of the guy who came last. But, you know, here's the thing. This is such an important day for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon. That comes around every year that we're a part of, of course. And what does a day like this mean for you, Janessa?

25:44 Sprecher 6 For me, honestly, it's a day where the community comes together. I'm so grateful to be able to, you know, give back to the community and support the Janeway Foundation and to kind of rally the Dairy Queen teams and our whole community to support Janeway kids. This fundraiser, like many others throughout the year, is vital to the Janeway Hospital

26:31 So, you know, it's a day of fun and it's a day where we get to enjoy the blizzards. But when we think about really the impact that it can have on the community, it kind of goes widespread. And we're looking forward to seeing what can happen today.

26:41 Sprecher 2 It is tangible, isn't it? Because you get to, you know, you hear those testimonials every year at the telethon and so forth. How much extra business do you expect to do on a day like this?

26:50 Sprecher 6 It's going to be a busy day. So last year, actually, Miracle Street Day was kind of, it was postponed due to the wildfire. So it was in the fall. It was a little bit of a different time. time so we're really looking forward to having a full miracle street day on a nice sunny day since the last time we've done this there's been a few new stores pop open across the island so you know cornerbrook has the store grand falls windsor again or mary's town now dearly got one a few years ago carboneer so we're really seeing it spread across the province and we're excited to see the results from today and kind of what we can accomplish but it really does require everyone to kind of spread the word get out get a blizzard all sizes and 100 of the net proceeds go to the so we're not just talking a dollar or two dollars which is great but we're talking the net proceeds from every blizzard purchase today um we'll stay right here in newfoundland and labrador and help local kids at the jayway so regardless of size any size you're you're going to make those donations any size any flavor so you can get you know anything from something on the summer blizzard menu to smarties like you're eating this morning or anything else smarties here this morning i gotta

27:52 Sprecher 2 say listen um you're right about that factor the fact that it is on the day when you know when you're used to having it and I was looking at the weather you've got the weather for it today

28:01 Sprecher 6 we do have the weather and now all we need is the people I know we have many Janeway families across the province that will support us today that are going to visit stores so you may even see some of them when you're out at your local store but this really is a community event and a community effort I know the Dairy Queen teams are prepared and they're stocked up and they're ready to go and now we need the people so like you said the sun is out it's a good day for an ice cream and what better way than to give back to children and families all across the province

28:29 Sprecher 2 uh your blizzard poster child is carly she is tell me a little bit about carly so carly is our

28:35 Sprecher 6 2026 janeway champion um so anyone who has followed us along on socials or watched the telethon they'd be very familiar with her um when carly was just 23 days old she was diagnosed with um two serious heart conditions and she actually her heart was too big which we joke now because because she gives back to the community and does so much for the Janeway. So we say that we're blessed by her big heart to give back. But she had needed life-saving care, just a small baby. Spent a lot of time at the Janeway when she was young, kind of getting the extra support she needed. And thanks to the care she received, Carly is thriving. She'll be in Dairy Queen and Carboneer today, so anyone in that area, pop in. She's doing competitive dance. She just actually signed up for a pageant. and she is really able to thrive, which is something that, you know, to be able to give her that experience and to see her kind of, you know, in this position and really give back to the community has been so special for me. I get to spend a lot of time with her and just to see her connection to the hospital and how much she relies on the care is super important. And I know just last year alone, we bought two new echocardiograms at the Janeway, which is something that Carly uses at every appointment. And as her heart grows, it needs to be monitored to ensure sure she doesn't need any follow-up surgeries or any other care. So we're really lucky to have that equipment here in the province for kids and families when they need it. So yeah, events like Miracle Treat Day help support things just like that. They help kids like Carly and so many others

30:00 Sprecher 2 across the whole province. Well, Dairy Queen has been supporting the Janeway for over 40 years now, and you know, as long as there's kids, they'll get boo-boos and they need a little help every now and then, and this all goes to that. It is Miracle Treat Day, so DQ is giving fans of the the blizzard a big opportunity today you buy a blizzard treat any size and the proceeds for that blizzard treat goes to the janeway children's hospital foundation it all stays in the province janessa ward who handles donor engagement for the children's miracle network janessa thank you for coming in thank you especially for the blizzard and uh you have yourself a miracle of a day thank

30:38 Sprecher 6 you very much for having me i can't wait to have blizzards today and i hope everyone else listening in this morning does as well.

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32:14 Sprecher 3 debt-free future. Support the Central Northeast Health Foundation through exciting annual events and everyday fundraisers. Join the Fly Your Car in Gander with Sideways Motorsports and Golf for Health. Enjoy Gander Burger Battle with Steel Hotels, Tree of Love, and Christmas Appeal. Daily giving opportunities include the Goldmine 50-50 Lottery with Gander Rotary Club, Heartwood Tree memorials, and the Flight of Life displays across several health centers.

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34:45 Sprecher 1 Your VOCM.

34:52 Sprecher 2 Now taking a look at our news headlines to this hour, a teenager has been taken to hospital this morning and that is a result of being struck by a vehicle while on a bike. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency at St. John's International Airport recently seized more than 26 kilograms of an illegal stimulant. The press is reporting that a new agreement on Churchill Falls has been reached between this province and Quebec. In international and national headlines, new data is highlighting how e-scooters and e-bikes can be dangerous and deadly for children. Three New Brunswick teens have been arrested following a car-surfing video that went viral on social media. And the Privacy Commissioner is recommending that the name of any person who's been spying on someone be released to the person they've been snooping on. More details come. These stories coming up shortly here on your VOCM Mornings.

36:10 Now, over by Memorial University on Elizabeth Avenue between Churchill Park and the sand pits, there are some issues going on over there. That's on Prince Philip Parkway, I should say, in front of or that runs between Memorial University. So you want to watch out there. Again, Portugal Cove Road as you head towards Majors Path. That whole area there is a bit of a mess this morning, so you could have some long delays if you can. go around it if you can go in through another way we've got some slowdowns happening uh through the rest of the city now as a thorburn road some slowdowns there also chem mount road up and down chem mount road today you'll see some slowdowns for some of that patchwork and sidewalk work that's happening freshwater road also is a bit of a choke spot as well with a lot of work being done there and also at portugal cove road at the turnoff between mcdonald drive and prince philip drive as well. There's some slowdowns there. And of course, you've got the slowdowns that are happening out on the highway at the Foxtrap access point as well. That's a look at your

37:18 Sprecher 1 traffic to this hour. So for today, we are looking at pretty good weather today, especially...

37:24 Sprecher 2 Now, let's take a look at that weather. And to help me with that, it is Maxine Cloutier-Gervais at the Gander Weather Office. What kind of day have we got ahead of us, Maxine?

37:35 Sprecher 1 So for today, we are looking at pretty good weather today, especially for the west and south coast, as well as the Avalon. But it makes the sun and cloud and high temperatures in the low 20s in general. Over central and northeastern Newfoundland, some showers could develop later in the afternoon. And there's a risk for some scattered thunderstorms that could develop this afternoon and early this evening as well. And there is also an exception over the northern peninsula. So there's going to be some showers. We are seeing them right now, and it's going to last until later this afternoon for today.

38:12 Sprecher 2 Well, it wouldn't be a week without some showers.

38:14 Sprecher 1 Yep.

38:16 Sprecher 2 Does that carry on through much of Friday? What kind of Friday are we looking at as we head into the weekend?

38:23 Sprecher 1 Yes, so there's a low-pressure system that's incoming with rain that is expected to start from the southwest tonight night and eventually make its way over the Avalon in the morning, Friday morning, and the northeast Friday afternoon. So it's pretty much, today is the day to soak up the sun before everything

38:44 Sprecher 2 clouds back up with the incoming rain tomorrow. That is Maxine Cloutier-Gervais, the meteorologist with the Gander Weather Office of Environment Canada, taking a look at what kind of day we got ahead of us today and a rainy weekend promised as well it's 7 37 here on the program and you've been hearing in the news charges laid against a 17 year old boy for making possessing and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials and in fact using ai to create sexualized images of children dr adrian peters is a criminologist and associate professor at memorial university and she's been vocal about the safety of the province despite rising crime crime statistics, but these crimes, well, they seem to be presenting whole new challenges for the criminal justice system. Adrienne Peters joins me now. Dr. Peters, good morning.

39:33 Sprecher 5 Good morning. Thanks so much for having me, Russell.

39:35 Sprecher 2 What does a crime like this say about the times we live in?

39:40 Sprecher 5 This type of incident, and of course, in this case, it's actually multiple incidents involving multiple young people. There's really a lot to unpack here and to talk about. So speaking speaking most prominently for current times, just the role that digital technologies and various devices are playing in our lives and how quickly and rapidly those are shifting and changing

40:01 Sprecher 2 dynamics that we have to try to keep up with. The fact that AI can be used this way, what's it doing to young people? It brings an element of risk into the world that they're not asking for

40:13 Sprecher 5 and perhaps didn't plan. Yeah, and I think that's a really important point to underscore is just how how much none of us really ask for this, let alone as young people, just developmental, normal experiences that are pretty typical for that life stage, which includes managing various relationships, relationships with individuals that they want as friends or in other forms of relationships, perhaps romantic or intimate, which are challenging enough in and of themselves, let alone when you introduce the kind of online digital component that can go into that. And so for me, for young people in particular, when I'm thinking about this topic, it's really just thinking about the kind of removal that they may feel when you engage in behaviors, when any of us again are even sending an email or just simply online, we may not be realizing just how much of an impact what we're doing in those environments may be having. And there's almost like a removal from it, even going back to when I was a young person, just like chat rooms and messenger that presented new harms for young people then. And I remember being warned myself and or playing on them and feeling bad for playing on these devices or services, perhaps because of the new harms and risks that they invite and not really knowing who's on the other side of that. And then also us as users not really thinking about them, the consequences are feeling a bit removed from the potential consequences.

41:35 Sprecher 2 Regardless of the fact that these are AI images or AIs being used to prey on young people, what's the criminal mindset here?

41:44 Sprecher 5 Yeah, and that's a tough question, I think. And I know how society and we as a public are often trained and educated in various forms to think about these issues. But for me, that's a really important place to kind of pause and to think about what may be going on. From my research that I've done on young people who've been involved in sexual-based offenses and convictions, there's often a lot of misunderstanding in terms of their actual intentions. So a lot of times these young people aren't even necessarily, like I've said in terms of the digital world, but even in terms of any situation, they're not necessarily thinking about the consequence to the other person. They're even not thinking about the consequence themselves. And it may not even be malicious as awful as these incidents are and as serious and sensitive the impacts are to individuals. They're highly traumatizing. They're incurring immense harms that can take years, if not entire lifetimes, to ever try to manage and recover from. But unfortunately, young people are at such a developmental life stage that they're not necessarily thinking about those consequences. And so it may be as simple as a young person who's maybe socially isolated, who has not a lot of friends, who perhaps learned certain ways of interacting with others within their home environment or within the setting in which they live and or go to school.

43:08 And so, again, they may not themselves be even aware of the harm that they're engaging in. But, of course, we cannot discount that the fact that these incidents are incredibly serious.

43:20 Sprecher 2 These seem to be centered on kids who are in secondary school. How much of our school system needs to be re-evaluated about how it educates kids about what kind of mental health issues that are being faced these days by young people and how they can perhaps find help if they need it before it gets to this point?

43:38 Sprecher 5 I'm so glad that you mentioned that because that's where I was going to go next. So after family homes and parents and caregivers, we can't put the responsibility on them alone or even them at all in some cases. And so it really lies with the school system and starting very early. So often really not even in secondary, we need to be having these conversations in primary and elementary school at age appropriate ways, of course. But recognizing that young people, especially with online digital platforms and devices and also influencers, including social media, that they are being exposed to all forms of behaviors, violence, sexual activities and or sexual ideas and or images at very early ages. And so the school systems really should be looking to how we can evolve a number of our social courses and then also, of course, like you said, health-related courses so that young people are more aware of what some of this can mean, some of the potential harms, and not doing so in a scary way, of course. So also talking about these things in a positive way and teaching more so positive behaviors and positive use of these tools rather than inducing a lot of fears and focusing on the risks alone.

44:51 Sprecher 2 Dr. Peters, as I'm sure you're aware, there is a fairly healthy constituency out there for, well, if they break the law, toss them in jail and forget about them. This seems a bit more complicated than that. Is our criminal justice system, whether it's the police or the prosecution, well-suited, situated to take care of this and deal with it appropriately?

45:10 Sprecher 5 Yeah. And so, again, I recognize, again, the public's response and often desired response in this way, which then results in the law enforcement involvement and the legal justice approach that we take. And sometimes perhaps that does need to be looked at. But from the work that I've done involving specifically young people involved in sexual violations, it often goes back to mental health challenges, even neurodiversities like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. So not even understanding what it is that they're doing, not meaning to do what they're doing, not having the social experience and or tools and skills to be able to engage with other people and have meaningful relationships. And so simply by using the justice system, we are potentially creating more harms for these young people and putting them in situations in which rather than preventing or reducing the likelihood that these things can occur through education and also supports, we're instead maybe increasing the likelihood that they will continue to engage in this. The young people that I did research on, a lot of them received appropriate responses and supports related to various things around relationships and including sexual and romantic and intimate relationships. relationships and very quickly you could see the remorse they felt, but not only that, how quickly then their behaviors changed and they never, ever, ever re-offended. They actually had the lowest

46:37 re-offending rates of all the young people I studied when they were given the appropriate

46:41 Sprecher 2 services. Dr. Adrienne Peters studies criminology and crime in our community and I'm so grateful that Dr. Peters has had some time for us this morning to discuss the issues around this particular case. Dr. Adrienne Peters, thank you so much for joining us once again. I hope we talk

46:57 Sprecher 5 again soon. Thanks so much for chatting and for the great questions.

47:17 Sprecher 3 Brought to you by The Biggest Conversation in Newfoundland and Labrador.

47:22 Sprecher 2 Weekdays at 9 a.m., VOCM Open Line.

47:26 Sprecher 3 Brought to you by The Biggest Conversation in Newfoundland and Labrador. Weekdays at 9 a.m., VOCM Open Line.

47:37 Sprecher 4 7.45, we have some sunshine in St. John's. Temperature 16. Good morning, I'm Sarah Strickland. In our news, La Presse reporting that a new agreement on Churchill Falls has been reached between this province and Quebec. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency at YYT recently seized more than 26 kilograms of an illegal stimulant from a flight that arrived from London, England. There's a new millionaire in this province. It's not me. Is it you? Check your lotto tickets. And in national news. You start looking at these devices as kind of motor vehicles as opposed to children's toys, which often they're kind of marketed as. We'll hear about a study published today about the deadly consequences of e-bikes and e-scooters in Canada. Plus, we'll take a look at traffic, weather, the VOCM question of the day. But first in our news, La Presse is reporting that a new agreement on Churchill Falls has been reached between this province and Quebec. VOCM's Richard Duggan reports.

48:39 Sprecher 3 reports. The Quebec media outlet broke the news last night. It says production capacity of the new hydroelectric facilities in Labrador will be greater, which means both provinces can obtain more energy than what was initially agreed upon in an MOU reached in December of 2024. That increase made the agreement possible, according to the press. Otherwise, it remains largely the same. The publication cites a source indicating that the new agreement will also breathe new life into the so-called Atlantic Loop project, which would essentially connect the Atlantic provinces to the Quebec grid. LaPresse says the federal government played a facilitating role in the deal and offered financial incentives to Newfoundland and Labrador, including the possibility of extending the Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit, which has a 15% refundable tax credit to be used to finance major energy projects.

49:25 Sprecher 1 A formal announcement on the deal is expected to take place next week.

49:28 Sprecher 3 Richard Duggan, VOCM, Local News Now.

49:32 Sprecher 4 Meanwhile, the Premier's office isn't confirming that a deal has been reached, only to say significant progress has been made in recent days with the government in Quebec and with Ottawa. They say that as of now, no deal has been signed and they will let the media know if that situation changes. The official opposition says that once again, people in this province are learning about Churchill Falls developments through the Quebec media rather than the provincial government. They're calling for transparency from the Wacom government. New data is highlighting how e-scooters and e-bikes can be dangerous and deadly for children. Karen Rebo reports.

50:10 Sprecher 5 The Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program says 10 kids, including 6 in Ontario, died from using these electronic devices last year.

50:19 Sprecher 3 12 more children were admitted to intensive care units, and 26 were treated in hospital for more than two days. As a pediatric emergency physician at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children,

50:31 Sprecher 5 Dr. Daniel Rosenfield says he rarely works a shift without seeing an e-scooter injury.

50:36 Sprecher 3 They're inherently unstable, they go very quickly, and people have almost no protection in them or around them.

50:42 Sprecher 2 So, unfortunately, that number didn't surprise me.

50:45 Sprecher 3 The data highlights the need for better policy coordination and public education to clearly communicate the laws. Karen Rebo, the Canadian Press, Toronto.

50:55 Sprecher 4 A 15-year-old boy was taken to hospital after a scooter collided with a vehicle on Topsail Road in Paradise Tuesday night. RNC say the collision occurred around 20 after 9. The teen's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and was cooperative with investigators. Meanwhile, a teenager was taken to hospital yesterday morning after he was struck by a vehicle while on his bike. The collision happened just before 8.30 at the intersection of Mundy Pond Road and Murphy's Lane. The 16-year-old boy riding the bike Jake was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A man is facing charges after assaulting his partner while she was driving. Just before 3.30 yesterday afternoon, a woman walked into RNC headquarters at Fort Townsend to report the incident. She stated it had just happened and that her partner was still sitting out in the car. The 62-year-old man was arrested in the parking lot on charges of assault, assault by choking, and uttering threats. A man who tried to get away from officers on his own two feet ended up spending the night behind bars. Just before midnight, a woman called about an assault at her home in downtown St. John's. When officers arrived, the man had already left the scene. About an hour later, he returned and the woman phoned police again. This time, officers witnessed the man bolt out the back door and down the street. Police ran after him and ended up arresting the 42-year-old at a home nearby.

52:20 by. He faces charges of assault and breach of release order. A man wanted by police in central Newfoundland is now facing a slew of new charges after a chase and catch encounter Tuesday night. VOCM's Richard Duggan. 27-year-old Cody Torreville caught the attention of police after they spotted

52:39 Sprecher 1 him during proactive patrols on Monday. Police say Torreville fled after they attempted to pull

52:44 Sprecher 3 him over. The following day, the same vehicle was found outside a home in Grand Falls, Windsor.

52:49 Sprecher 1 However, Toraville would not go willingly with police. After an altercation, he sped away in what police say was a dangerous manner.

52:56 Sprecher 3 He was located a short time later in Bishops Falls and taken into custody without further incident. Toraville is now facing charges of flight from police, dangerous driving, failing to comply with a probation order, and driving while prohibited. RCMP say further charges are possible. Richard Duggan, VOCM, Local News Now.

53:14 Sprecher 4 now. A woman is in the lockup after a kerfuffle outside the Avalon Mall last evening. RNC was called to a disturbance at the shopping center around quarter to seven. The woman, believed to be causing trouble, became irate once she saw police had arrived and spat in an officer's face. The 36-year-old was arrested and charged with assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest. Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency at St. John's International Airport recently seized more than 26 kilograms of an illegal stimulant from a flight that arrived from London, England. Cat or Bushman's tea is a type of plant native to Africa and is usually chewed to get its desired stimulant effects. It's considered a controlled substance in many countries, including Canada. The CBSA says 136 bundles of the illegal stimulant was discovered covered in two checked bags belonging to a passenger. The traveler was denied entry into Canada, and the seized goods were transferred to the RCMP's Atlantic Serious and Organized Crime Division. Some 825 pounds of cod and fish processing and packaging equipment was seized by DFO as part of an investigation into the illegal sale of fish caught in the recreational food fishery. Officers from the Bay Roberts DFO Detachment searched a home and business in the Trinity Bay area on July 30th as part of the investigation.

54:41 DFO says it is illegal for fish caught in the recreational fishery to be sold, traded, or bartered, and any sale of fish, including processed fish and fish products, outside the licensed commercial fishery is illegal. No further information is being made available at this time as the investigation continues. continues. Charges laid against a 17-year-old boy for making, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse and exploitation material by altering pictures using AI is a stark reminder of the seriousness of the crime. RNC is emphasizing the importance of getting the word out and making sure that young people in particular know the consequences of altering and sharing images of a sexual nature. Constable Steph Myers says the constabulary has been working with Thrive in getting out to schools and spreading the word about the consequences involved. She says it's also important for parents to speak with children and teens about the responsible use of technology and social media.

55:40 Sprecher 3 Certainly we want parents and caregivers to have conversations at home

55:43 Sprecher 4 with the youth in their lives about responsible technology use,

55:47 Sprecher 1 the subject of consent, and then the consequences of online behavior. This isn't to get mad at youth or to punish them. It's to ensure that they feel comfortable having those conversations,

55:57 Sprecher 3 they're comfortable coming forward and reporting and also to recognize if they are a victim of a

56:03 Sprecher 1 crime through online and social media so we want to make sure that they know how to report where

56:09 Sprecher 4 to report and who to speak to if they should find themselves in a similar situation the toronto area city of oakville has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data centers becoming the first ontario municipality to take the step. Hannah Stolls reports. Local lawmakers are still grappling with the concerns surrounding the new wave of facilities powering AI. Councillors directed staff to study whether the town's own regulations need to be updated to address potential noise, vibration, and emissions issues from data centers, as well as broader land use considerations. Oakville's moratorium comes as neighboring Mississauga is set to vote next month on its own data center freeze, and other Ontario municipalities study what guardrails they they can put around new developments. Hannah Stolls, the Canadian Press. Snoopers beware! The Privacy Commissioner is recommending that the name of a person doing the prying be released to the person they've been snooping on. Here's VOCM's Linda Swain.

57:07 Sprecher 3 The recommendation comes after someone notified NLHS of a privacy breach. It turns out that curiosity got the better of an employee who accessed the private health information of a patient. The Privacy Commissioner says NLHS took the appropriate action, but she recommends going a step further and releasing the name of the snooper to the person affected. Her argument is that the person involved knows the full impacts of the privacy breach and they should know the identity of the snooper. Carrie Hatfield recommends that NLHS release the snooper's name and the discipline they receive to the person affected and that the health authority consider implementing a policy to inform affected people of the names of those who intentionally and wrongly access their personal health information. Linda Swain, VOCM, Local News Now.

57:54 Sprecher 4 Federal officials this week announced the arrest of nearly a dozen people involved in what they describe as one of the largest marriage fraud schemes in U.S. history. ABC's Sophie Flay has the details.

58:07 Sprecher 5 Prosecutors in New York say the ring arranged hundreds of sham marriages, pairing Chinese nationals seeking green cards with American citizens willing to marry them on paper for a price. The foreign nationals paid as much as $100,000 each and the Americans were allegedly paid $30,000 to say, I do. According to the indictment, some of the fake weddings were held at restaurants where the couples changed into traditional Chinese wedding attire to make the ceremonies look real.

58:36 Sprecher 4 Three New Brunswick teens have been arrested after a car surfing video went viral on social media. The video, with hundreds of thousands of views, appears to show a boy sitting on the roof of a moving car on Vaughn Harvey Boulevard. Mounties say the vehicle was reported stolen, and the teenagers are also suspected of breaking and entering, as well as stealing from multiple businesses and residences. A police foot chase resulted in a 16-year-old boy and girl being arrested, and a 14-year-old boy later turned himself in. Atlantic Lottery is waiting for the province's latest millionaire to come forward Some lucky person who purchased a ticket for last night's Lotto 649 draw won the $1 million gold ball guaranteed prize More details will be shared once the winner presents the tickets The executive director of the Buckmaster Circle Community Center hopes new landscaping outside the building will have a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood The grounds outside the center are now adorned with various types of flowers thanks to a grant that they received from the Green Cities Foundation.