A recent audit report found there are 694 cases of underutilized child care spaces in Saskatchewan.

As part of the Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan Volume 2 report, it analyzed whether the Government of Saskatchewan continues to meet its requirements under the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Although the province has increased its number of child care spaces to 41,163, the report found there are 694 instances of approved spots that are in locations that do not need them or do not have enough Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) available.

“We can create as many spaces as we want, but without the creation of more early childhood educators, it’s not going to matter,” expressed Megan Schmidt, director of the First Years Learning Centre Inc. in Regina.

“Part of that comes down to wages. We still don’t have a pay grade from the government. We’re getting wage top ups from the government, which is wonderful … but I think a wage grade would feel a lot more solid to a lot of early childhood educators.”

Despite enrolling dozens of new families in the past few months, Schmidt said there are still hundreds of kids waitlisted.

“Our waitlist is at 1,913 children. Prior to September, it was over 2,000,” she said.

In addition, the report states there is a lack in tracking the number of ECEs across Saskatchewan by the government which could increase the risk of approving spaces that cannot be staffed.

As part of its deal with the federal government, the Ministry of Education committed to increase the number of child care spaces to about 46,000 by March 31, 2026.

“The report confirms what, frankly, families and workers have known for a long time, which is Saskatchewan is falling behind on its commitments to create childcare spaces to make sure they’re adequately used and staffed. The current approach by the provincial government is not working,” said Kent Peterson, president of CUPE Saskatchewan.

From the 41,163 spaces created as of March, 2025, there were 7,635 spots reported to still be under development.

Peterson said the underutilized spaces can be credited to a shortage of workers.

“The government can say they have a certain number of spaces, but unless there’s a worker there to meet the standards of ratios and the quality of care being provided, parents can’t actually access that space,” he added.

By focusing on recruitment and increasing wages, Peterson said more people may be interested in pursuing the career for the long-term.

“We can take early childhood educator positions, these childcare workers, and turn them from being a temporary job that someone might work until they move on to the next thing and turn them into actual careers that allow some stability in the system and proper utilization, full utilization of those approved childcare spaces,” he explained.

According to the report, the province also has over 1,200 licensed child care providers (centres and homes).

In a statement to CTV News, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Education said it plans to implement the recommendations made by the auditor in its agreement with the federal government, which was extended in late-November.

“The ministry is pleased with the results of the audit on the processes to achieve the accessibility outcome outlined in the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. As of September 30, 2025, Saskatchewan is 91 per cent of the way towards reaching the target of 28,000 additional early learning child care spaces as part of the agreement,” read the statement.

“The ministry accepts the recommendations to develop a sustainable funding model for the provision of child care, analyze key data related to making child care accessible and track and report on all key information to the federal government as outlined in the agreement.

The purpose of the report is to make sure child care is accessible across Saskatchewan by tracing the unmet demand, space utilization, and early childhood educators required. In addition to see if the ministry is meeting its intent of the agreement with the federal government.

Chris Fahlman, the man accused of second-degree murder in the death of Tanya Myers, had a quick court appearance this week.

Fahlman appeared in Weyburn Provincial Court on Tuesday. His matter was adjourned till Dec. 18.

The 42-year-old Regina man was arrested on Nov. 1 and was originally charged with manslaughter with a firearm, careless use of a firearm, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence and occupying a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm inside.

The original charges were eventually dropped and replaced by one count of second-degree murder and one count of intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless as to the life or safety of another person.

Fahlman has also been denied bail, with reasons being under a publication ban. He has remained in custody since his arrest.

On Sept. 12, Myers was travelling in a vehicle just outside of Weyburn on Highway 39 when she was struck by a bullet. She later died at the scene. Another vehicle was also hit by gunfire during the incident.

Saskatchewan RCMP investigated the shooting for seven weeks before an arrest was made.

Travel into Canada through Saskatchewan’s border crossings dropped this year.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has released its 2025 year-in-review, detailing activity at its 14 ports of entry in the province.

From Jan. 1 to Oct. 31, about 480,000 travellers entered Saskatchewan, down from roughly 543,000 during the same period last year.

Officers made 196 illegal narcotic seizures, including about 30 grams of opioids, one gram of cocaine and 2.5 kilograms of illegal cannabis. That is roughly 60 fewer drug seizures than last year.

The CBSA also seized 25 firearms, 24 prohibited weapons and more than 1,000 gun or magazine parts. Last year, officers seized 22 firearms and 53 prohibited weapons.

Officers also confiscated about $72,000 in suspected proceeds of crime, nearly double last year’s total of $38,000.

Scott Kienlen, corporate chief for the Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan district, said he is proud of the CBSA officers.

“They conduct a lot of hard work, screening travellers and goods coming into the country and I think this shows a record of the good job that we’re doing,” he said.

A complicated two-month investigation by the Regina Police Service (RPS) has resulted in six people facing a combined 46 charges.

The RPS Property Crimes Unit began an investigation in October 2025 into multiple instances of shoplifting, trailer thefts, and trafficking of stolen property. The investigation led the unit to an abandoned farmyard on the western outskirts of Regina.

Officers discovered three trailers, a number of snowmobiles, a snowblower, an ATV and car parts at the scene. These items had been reported stolen from locations in east Regina in October 2025.

The RCMP received a call on Nov. 7 from an individual who located what they believed to be stolen items at a second abandoned farm the same area west of the city. It was determined the items were part of the same investigation being done by RPS. Five snowmobiles inside an enclosed trailer, which was reported stolen from Moose Jaw in late October, were located on site.

On Nov. 13, the RCMP were called again to the same area west of Regina. The caller reported that an individual was driving a truck pulling a skid steer on a trailer. Further investigation confirmed the trailer and skid steer had been reported stolen earlier that day from the 2000 block of McDonald Street.

After several more weeks of investigation, six individuals were arrested and charged. In addition to the vehicles, trailers and ATVs, the list of stolen items also included groceries, high-end electronics, appliances, clothing and tools.

Police claim the approximate value of the stolen items to be $260,000.

The individuals charged are:

Taylor Reid, 33, of Emerald Park, who is facing 20 charges, including 10 counts of theft under $5,000 and two counts of theft over $5,000. Reid made his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Dec. 1.

Mitchell MacPheat, 32, of Silton, has a total of 15 charges, including 12 counts of theft under $5,000. MacPheat made his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Dec. 3.

Alisen Gill, 44, of Regina, faces four charges, two of trafficking stolen property over $5,000 and two of possession of stolen property over $5,000. Her first appearance in Regina Provincial Court was on Dec. 1.

Randy Heilman, 47, of Buena Vista, has been charged with trafficking stolen property over $5,000 and theft over $5,000. Heilman made his first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Nov. 28.

Fiorenzo Ricci, 62, of Regina, has been charged with possession over $5,000 and tampering with a serial number. He made is first appearance in Regina Provincial Court on Dec. 4.

Dustin Ross, 33, of no fixed address, is facing three counts of theft under $5,000. His first appearance in Regina Provincial Court was Dec. 1.

Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a third person in relation to the quadruple homicide on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation back in February.

On Dec. 10, officers with the Saskatchewan RCMP’s major crimes unit and Indian Head detachment executed a search warrant at a home on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.

Officers arrest a 17-year-old male at the home. He cannot be identified due to the protections of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The accused has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of Tracey Hotomani, Sheldon Quewezance, Shauna Fay and Terry Jack.

He also faces one count of attempted murder, stemming from an altercation between the accused and a fifth person at the home where the killings occurred.

The 17-year-old is now the third person charged in relation to the four deaths.

Darrius Racette, 18, and another male youth aged 15, also face four counts of first-degree murder.

At around 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2025, officers with File Hills First Nation Police Service responded to a report of sudden deaths at a home on the First Nation.

Police discovered the bodies of four people at the home. Saskatchewan RCMP were called in shortly after, with the major crimes unit taking control of the investigation.

Racette was arrested in Yorkton on Feb. 18. The 15-year-old accused was also arrested the same day on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.

Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation is located 70 kilometres east of Regina.

The Government of Canada has added four new groups to the list of terrorist entities recognized under the Criminal Code.

The groups include 764, Maniac Murder Cult, Terrorgram Collective, and the ISIS affiliate Islamic State-Mozambique.

“The Government of Canada is taking action to counter terrorism and violent extremism, in particular the radicalization of young people online, by adding four new organizations to the Criminal Code list of terrorist entities,” a news release issued by the federal government read.

“These measures help protect Canadians and communities from intimidation, hate, and acts of violent extremism and terrorism.”

The move means Canadian law enforcement and security agencies will have more tools to “prevent and disrupt terrorist activity,” the government noted.

All property owned by these groups in Canada must be frozen and reported to the RCMP or Canadian Security Intelligence Service and it is now a criminal offence for anyone in Canada and Canadians abroad to “knowingly deal with property belonging” to these entities.

“Providing property or financial services that benefit these groups is also prohibited,” the news release noted.

“Immigration and border officials can use this listing to inform decisions on admissibility under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.”

Billionaire Elon Musk believes his cost-cutting stint as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was “a little bit successful,” though he thinks he could have otherwise spent time focusing on his companies.

The Tesla and SpaceX founder made the remarks in a podcast interview released Tuesday with Katie Miller -- a former DOGE spokeswoman and wife of Stephen Miller, U.S. President Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff.

Working out of a small bureau in the executive office building, Musk led DOGE for several months, taking a hatchet to the US federal workforce and agencies after Trump returned to office for his second term.

But Musk broke spectacularly with Trump in June over the White House’s flagship tax and spending bill, which he called “utterly insane and destructive.”

When asked if he would “do DOGE again,” Musk answered: “No, I don’t think so.”

“I think instead of doing DOGE, I would’ve basically...worked in my companies, essentially. And they wouldn’t have been burning the cars.”

The comment referenced incidents of vandalism reported at Tesla dealerships and charging stations while Musk was at the helm of DOGE.

“We were a little bit successful. We were somewhat successful,” Musk told the podcast. “We stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense, that was entirely wasteful.”

The actual savings from DOGE have been hard to quantify, with independent observers insisting the figures claimed by the US government -- the DOGE website currently posts cuts of $214 billon -- fall short of actual savings.

Alberta RCMP say one man has been charged with wilful promotion of hatred and other offences after officers seized several guns and a flag bearing a swastika from a home.

Mounties say the search at the house in Lloydminster, a city straddling the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary, came after an investigation into threats of violence toward “identifiable groups of people.”

An RCMP photo shows several long guns, a crossbow and ammunition that were seized, as well as a flag with a swastika and a Confederate flag bearing the words: “The South will rise again.”

The 38-year-old man has also been charged with unauthorized possession of firearms and unsafe storage of firearms.

He has been released on conditions and is slated to appear in court in January.

RCMP Sgt. Christopher Byford says officers take any threats of violence or hate seriously.

🎉 Update Completed Successfully! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that our scheduled network update has been completed without any issues! 🚀 All our broadcast stations, streams, and websites are now fully operational and running better than ever.

What’s New?

Here’s what you can expect from this update:
✅ Improved Audio Player – No more interruptions or cutting off! Enjoy seamless streaming on our websites.
✅ Enhanced Stream Stability – Our radio streams are now more reliable than ever.
✅ Upgraded Security & Quality – Improved protection and enhanced broadcast quality for an unmatched listening experience.

Fully Operational Services:

🎵 Stations:

• Z103.5 – https://z1035.evoradio.ca/
• 979 The Cowboy – https://979thecowboy.evoradio.ca/
• 101 The Rockhound – https://101therockhound.evoradio.ca/
• Classic 88.7 The Goat – https://887thegoat.evoradio.ca/

🌐 Websites:

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• EVO Media Corporation – https://evomcorp.com/
• DJ Spinderella – https://djspinderella.evomcorp.com/

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Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process. We’re committed to providing you with the best listening experience possible and appreciate your support!

🎧 Happy Listening!
The EVO Radio & EVO Media Corporation Team

We’re committed to providing our audience with a listening experience like no other! To maintain this standard, we’re excited to announce a major update to our Broadcast Network.

What’s New?

This update will bring:

• A Better Audio Player: Improved performance on our websites to resolve issues with streams cutting off.
• Enhanced Session Operations: Ensuring error-free radio streams.
• Upgraded Security & Quality: Improved protection and overall broadcast quality.

Downtime Details:

• Expected Downtime: 1 hour (we’ve allocated up to 4 hours for any unforeseen circumstances).
• Impacted Services:
  • Live Broadcasts & Website Access for these stations:
    • Z103.5 – https://z1035.evoradio.ca/
    • 979 The Cowboy – https://979thecowboy.evoradio.ca/
    • 101 The Rockhound – https://101therockhound.evoradio.ca/
    • Classic 88.7 The Goat – https://887thegoat.evoradio.ca/
  • Websites:
    • EVO Radio Advertiser Access – https://advertiseraccess.evoradio.ca/
    • EVO Media Corporation – https://evomcorp.com/
    • DJ Spinderella – https://djspinderella.evomcorp.com/
  • Third-Party Apps: Any apps relying on our live broadcasts will also be affected.

Commitment to Excellence:
During the downtime, our team will work diligently to complete the update and monitor the network to ensure peak performance. We’re committed to enhancing your listening experience to the highest standards.

Stay Updated:
Follow us on Facebook or check our websites for real-time updates:

• EVO Media Corporation: https://www.facebook.com/EVOMediaCorporation/
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• 101 The Rockhound: https://www.facebook.com/101TheRockhound/
• Classic 88.7 The Goat: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093402861183

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we work to improve our services.

Thank you for your continued support,

The EVO Radio & EVO Media Corporation Team