As It Happens

Canada's Minister for Emergency Management and Community Resilience responds to calls for a national forest fire secretariat -- and speaks to a wildfire season that's already the country's second-worst on record. 

A business owner in Paddy's Pond, Newfoundland and Labrador tells us -- folks there have had their fill of fire ... but community spirit has been a saving grace in the face of flames. 

In the wake of Donald Trump's takeover of D.C. law enforcement, Washington's unhoused residents are fearful about what the president's order that they "move out" will mean for them. 

Driving force. A cancer survivor in Ontario tells us what inspired her to celebrate her 63rd birthday by paying patients' parking fees ... and about the change she's hoping that gift will inspire. 

Digital age part one. A recent event saw dozens of newlyweds tie the knot at a ceremony for virtual pets known as Tamagotchis. And their human keepers are hoping the joining of hand...held devices will be record-setting. 

Digital age, part two. We'll hear from a diver whose recent encounter with an octopus ended in the picture-perfect selfie...taken by none other than the 8-limbed mollusc, it-self-ie. 

As It Happens, the Tuesday edition. Radio that imagines it was an armed struggle.

A shadow senator in DC says Donald Trump’s plan to take over policing in the city will not, as the President claims, make residents more safe. 

After his colleagues are killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike, an Al Jazeera journalist in Gaza says it’s another reminder that there's no guarantee he’ll make it to tomorrow. 

A Newfoundland resident tells us people are frightened and angry in her community after, once again, being forced from their homes by fire. 

Out of the woods. Stranded deep in the B.C. interior, a man survives for 9 days alone by building a makeshift shelter, drinking pond water, and writing out a message that's visible from the sky. 

In an announcement that no one was expecting, because who uses dial-up anymore, AOL announces a plan to discontinue its dial-up Internet service. 

After failing to break the record last year, an Indiana man says he’s done it now and grown the world’s tallest sunflower. 

As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that’s more than a one-trick peony.

A coach who worked with eight-year-old tennis hopeful Vicky Mboko tells us the now-eighteen year old's victory at the National Bank Open last night left her energized and inspired.

As wildfires continue to burn in Newfoundland and Labrador, the president of the provincial fire services association weighs in on the push for a national forest fire coordination agency.

Transgender people serving in the U.S. Armed Forces were already being forced out of service. Now, those in the Air Force who were relying on early retirement have been told they aren't eligible. 

The invasive Asian hornet is bad news for honeybees in Europe -- thanks to their tendency to consume them. But new research into the sounds their hives make -- is giving researchers hope.

A new study of cockatoos finds they've got even more dance moves than we knew, but their taste in music is somewhat less impressive... given researchers found they were just as likely to bust a move to a finance podcast as they were to a dance anthem.

A Chicago artist is causing a stir -- and attracting 100s of customers -- after offering what he calls “terrible portraits” ... including one of Rebecca.

As It Happens, the Friday edition. Radio that kinda hopes he doesn't go back to the drawing board.

As multiple US states consider redrawing congressional maps -- Rep. Kevin Kiley tells us why he wants to put a stop to the upheaval -- and ban mid-decade gerrymandering. 

Frustrated by the city's response, a group of pedestrians marched into action -- then used their own hands to paint D-I-Y crosswalks on L.A. streets. One tells us it's taken hundreds of dollars in fines... but they've finally managed to pressure the City into action.

We hear from the caregiver of a rare, 400-year-old bonsai that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima -- about the tree's remarkable history and why its preservation is more important now than ever

Italians are outraged when a UK food website suggests including butter in cacio e pepe. That prompts us to revisit our interview about another controversial cacio e pepe ingredient - cornstarch.

A rare book specialist tells us about discovering a first edition print of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit -- something she calls one of the holy grails of book collecting -- and which just sold for 79-thousand dollars.

A Toronto man is racing every streetcar route in the city on foot. He says his undefeated record proves the notoriously slow method of transit isn't worth anyone's time. 

As It Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that presumes he’s all over the map.

We reach ex-Israeli intelligence and military head Ami Ayalon who’s calling on Benjamin Netanyahu to end the country's war in Gaza, and for Donald Trump to help.  

As Air Canada flight attendants vote in favour of a strike mandate -- one tells us how they're fighting to be paid for hours of unpaid work each month -- and they're not afraid to ground flights if they need to.

A planned wind farm project in Scotland has been touted as an important part of the climate solution. But a conservationist tells us the rewards aren't worth the devastating risks for local seabirds.

 Left in the lurch. Forced from home by wildfires, we hear from evacuees in Saskatchewan who say they aren't getting the help they need.

Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa remembers his friend, the late cult hero Terry Reid -- known for his powerful pipes and sublime songwriting.

An eleven-year-old entrepreneur from PEI gives us the scoop on her ice cream business.  

As It Happens, the Wednesday edition. Radio that offers cold comfort.

Canadian officials are in Mexico, hoping to strengthen economic ties. A former Mexican diplomat tells us how the trade tensions with the U.S. makes that friendship more important than ever.

She delivered bad news about jobs statistics -- and found herself out of a job. Now, an expert on stats says Congress needs to investigate Donald Trump's firing of the country's top labour statistician.

A Democratic Texas lawmaker tells us why she thinks the best way to oppose proposed changes to the congressional map in her state is by leaving the state -- along with her colleagues. 

We remember Razia Jan who opened a free school for girls outside Kabul. Her friend and colleague says that was risky business, but Ms. Jan somehow made it look easy. 

A resident of an island in the Bay of Fundy tells us why a local shed filled with hundreds of free books is a symbol of community -- and honours the legacy of a beloved resident.

The United States Department of Agriculture is trying to ward off wolves by blasting AC/DC -- and a particularly intense spat from the film "Marriage Story."

As It Happens, the Tuesday edition. Radio that objects to the strategy on quarrel grounds.

A new review in the Lancet details what our dependence on plastics is costing human health. And one of the experts behind it hopes countries will heed his warnings ahead of negotiations toward a global plastics treaty.

A 150-hectare wildfire bears down on small towns in eastern Newfoundland... and we hear from a councilor for a town where residents have been ordered to evacuate for the third time this summer.

Plus...New technology helps scientists uncover the tattoos of a 2-thousand-year-old Siberian mummy. We hear from the author of the study - who just happens to be a traditional tattoo artist himself.

As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that hopes to leave a lasting impression. 

The former QC premier, Jean Charest ... a member of the Prime Minister's council on U.S. relations ... says Canada still has options to fight back against Donald Trump’s new tariffs.

Running on empty. An aid worker in Haiti tells us how much worse the situation has become in the capital Port-au-Prince. 

A Texan who recovered bodies from his property after last month's floods says he feels abandoned by the leaders in his state. 

In an effort to protect South African rhinos from poachers, scientists take the nuclear option -- by making the animal's sought-after horns radioactive.

A New Zealand comedian manages to get a thousand people to show up to watch him fold a fitted sheet.

Jose Caballero began his game yesterday in the infield for the Tampa Bay Rays. But by the time it was over, he was signed by the team he was playing against: the New York Yankees.

As tomorrow's tariff deadline looms, with no agreement in sight, the head of Canada’s largest private sector union tells us no deal is better than a bad deal.

An online radio station in Yellowknife finally gets the FM license it's been hoping for. A news editor there says that it’s great for his team -- but even better news for his diverse community. 

A non-profit director calls on European governments to stop a plan to destroy millions of dollars of US-owned contraceptives that were bound for Africa. 

We remember Jeannie Arsenault, who spent half a century as an organizer, performer and enforcer at a beloved Montreal country/bluegrass open mic night...and whose stature belied her impressive impact. 

An 88-year-old North Bay resident says it’s time to find a new home for the unique piece she’s featured in her garden for years: a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted carousel that features a pig, a goose, and horses. 

As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that has a colt following.

One day after the UK makes a similar statement, Ottawa announces plans to recognize Palestinian statehood in September. We'll reach Canada's former Ambassador to the United Nations. 

The head of the Stephen Lewis Foundation tells us what a new million-dollar donation will mean for organizations whose capacity to help was suddenly slashed when the Trump Administration cut billions in USAID funding.

A Maui resident tells us he and his neighbours were lucky to avoid any major damage after living through a tsunami warning last night. But that doesn't mean they should be any less prepared next time.

A St. John's fire chief tells us about the fires that destroyed two historic fishing stages last night and how it felt to watch them burn, helpless to stop the flames.

Canada's 18-year-old swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is chasing five individual golds this week at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Her mother, a former Olympic swimmer herself, tells us what it's like to watch her daughter lean all the way in.

A man in Argentina was shocked, outraged and then really, really embarrassed after a Google Street View camera captured him in his yard ... fully naked with his bottom on full display.

As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that imagines he'll be happy when the whole incident is in the rearview.