Whale never before seen in B.C. washes up
A rare Bryde's whale, the first one researchers have ever encountered in B.C., has washed up on a beach in Port McNeill.
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CTV News
40 minutes ago
- CTV News
Longtime North Bay editor challenges himself by writing fiction
Allister Thompson's first book was self-published, but his second, 'Birch and Jay: The Knowledge Seekers: Book 1,' was published by Latitude 46. A North Bay editor turned author has released his second book. Allister Thompson's first book was self-published, but his second, 'Birch and Jay: The Knowledge Seekers: Book 1' was published by Latitude 46. Allister Thompson book Allister Thompson's first book was self-published, but his second, 'Birch and Jay: The Knowledge Seekers: Book 1' was published by Latitude 46. 'I have been an editor for most of my life, and I had my first bookstore job when I was 16,' Thompson said. 'I edit fiction every day, all day long. Eventually, you start to think, can I do this? Have I learned from analyzing other people's stories and telling them what to do? Can I tell myself what to do?' He asked himself whether he could tell a compelling story. The first book he wrote was a long time ago. 'This is my first mature piece of work, I would guess you could say,' said Thompson. 'I really just wanted to see if I could do it.' Book is set in 'Norbay' The main characters in his book are Birch and Jay. They are living in North Bay 100 years in the future. 'The community is renamed Norbay,' he said. 'They are two teens who are in a relationship. Jay is a member of a guild in a town called the 'Knowledge Seekers.' The founders of the town who were survivors of the climate collapse were very idealistic. What they want to do is gather and archive the knowledge of the previous generations.' Thomspon said Jay is a member of the guild, but Birch is not. He said Birch is a more impetuous type who has not figured out what to do with her life. 'Birch has not figured out if she wants to join this guild, and she is in a bit of conflict.' Thompson said that Jay is sent out on his first mission to get his feet wet on former Highway 11. He added that it pains him that this is a very realistic book. 'This is about looking at things that really could happen,' he said. 'The things you will face in a lawless society will be wildlife, dangerous animals, but more so dangerous people.' Thompson's book is available at
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Manitoba tops up research funding following pleas from scientists
Manitoba's NDP government is topping up its annual funding for Research Manitoba following complaints from scientists about inadequate support for the agency responsible for providing the bulk of research funding in Manitoba. The province will increase its annual funding for Research Manitoba from $14 million to $19 million, Innovation and New Technology Minister Mike Moroz announced Wednesday in a press release. Oversight of the agency is also moving over to his ministry from advanced education, he said. The increase in research funding comes two months after dozens of Manitoba scientists, researchers and academics penned an open letter to the government, noting funding to Research Manitoba had not increased significantly since the former Progressive Conservative government cut the agency's budget. That letter was inspired by comments made in March by Premier Wab Kinew, who mused about attracting disaffected U.S. scientists to Manitoba. Dylan MacKay, a University of Manitoba food scientist who was among the signatories of the April letter, said Wednesday he was pleasantly surprised the provincial government listened to him and his peers. More funding for Research Manitoba will translate directly into more actual research and make the province more competitive, both nationally and internationally, MacKay said. Provincial funding for Research Manitoba bottomed out at $12 million in 2023, according to the agency's most recent annual report. In 2023-24, the agency allocated nearly $7 million to health research, slightly more than $5 million to natural science and engineering research, and just over $500,000 for the social sciences and humanities, according to the report. That supported 195 researchers and 267 students at a total of 154 organizations, the report stated.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Lamb-scapers return to Conestoga College
Sheep are baaack at Conestoga College. For the second straight year, Conestoga College has enlisted the help of a flock of sheep to keep their solar panel fields neatly grazed. This year's roster includes 35 sheep and 15 lambs. 'A lot of them were here last year so they understood right away when they got out of the trailer, where they were,' Tim Fisher, the sheep's shepherd, said. 'They were very excited to be here.' They've once again been tasked with chewing away at the roughly three acres of land surrounding the school's solar arrays. Instead of using gas-powered landscaping equipment such as lawn mowers, the flock offers an environmentally friendly alternative. 'We no longer need to use chemical herbicides or fertilizers,' explained Graham Aikenhead, associate director of sustainable automation and energy optimization at the college. Officials estimate the project has reduced the school's herbicide use by approximately 60L and its fertilizer use by 160 kg. This year, the flock is also providing an opportunity to forge connections. 'We've had classes out of the college. A bunch of instructors from the college have come in, staff, just to see what's going on,' Fisher said. Another newly discovered perk stemming from the sheep's presence is re-naturalization in the area. 'We've noticed an increase in the number of insects and birds and other wildlife at the space,' said Aikenhead. The wooly workers will be heading back home to All Sorts Acres Farm on Friday morning but will return to Conestoga for two weeks in July.
