CBC Newfoundland Morning

Premier Andrew Furey gave a State of the Province speech at the St. John's Board of Trade meeting yesterday, while the opposition continues to criticize his government's work. Is it politics as usual, or might there be hints of a provincial election around the corner? Amanda Bittner is a political scientist at Memorial University.

Diwali, or the "Festival of Light," is a huge celebration in India. This year, the Indian community in Corner Brook gathered at Saint Michael and All Angels Anglican Church. Over 100 people joined the event, which included music and food from all parts of India. The CBC's Sanuda Ranawake was there.

Every year, the Playwrights Guild of Canada recognizes an author whose work challenges conventional thinking and questions the status quo. A couple of nights ago at a ceremony in Toronto, Leahdawn Helena was presented with the John Palmer Award for her play, "Stolen Sisters." 

Hallowe'en is creeping up, and as they say… Go big or “gourd” home! This past weekend, the Town of Clarenville held its very first Giant Pumpkin Festival, welcoming people and prized pumpkins from all over the island. The event was organized by Leslee and Krista Lake, whom you might remember as the couple who grew "Gourdzilla" a few years back, the largest pumpkin ever recorded in this province.

The Western Environment Centre in Corner Brook is always working to make our little corner of the world greener. They've teamed up with with various organizations to expand their community compost program. The centre will supply compost bins and share tips on maintaining them. Katie Temple is the Executive Director of the organization.

The towns of Roddickton-Bide Arm, Conche, Main Brook, and Englee sit on the west side of White Bay, with a population 15-hundred among all of them. After years of seeing economic stagnation in the area, the White Bay Central Development Association has decided to change things by hiring an Economic Development Officer. The new position was created to revitalize the economy. The CBCs Sanuda Ranawake spoke with Darrell Randell, the new Economic Development Officer for the region, as well as Della DeMoss, the president of the Association and mayor of Roddickton-Bide Arm.

Millions of people in this country struggle to get primary healthcare. At the same time, there aren't enough people to provide it. Those are just a couple of highlights from a fresh report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Kathleen Morris is Vice President of Research and Analysis with the Institute and she spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The provincial government will add new, long-term care beds in Corner Brook. It made the announcement on Friday. Right now, patients who should be in long-term care are in acute-care beds instead at the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital, and that's causing capacity problems at the hospital. Teara Freake is chief operating officer for the western zone of NL Health Services.

Qalipu First Nation has returned Jenny Brake to the job as Chief. She had been serving in that role on an interim basis, after Brendan Mitchell was named this province’s first ever regional chief in the Assembly of First Nations last year. Brake defeated candidates Laura White and Byron Alexander.

Marble Mountain will see big changes this winter season. In August, the leadership at the ski resort decided it would no longer have volunteer patrollers, ending an over 50-year partnership with the Canadian Ski Patrol. The staff at Marble Mountain haven't given a reason for the decision. Meaghan Kells is President of the Atlantic/East Division of the Canadian Ski Patrol, and she spoke with CBC’s Colleen Connors.