CBC Newfoundland Morning

Twelve years ago, a group of scientists studied the way the federal government manages fish stocks. They concluded the powers of the fisheries minister must be limited. That's because past ministers routinely ignored scientific advice in favour of making politically-based decisions instead. Now, more than a decade later, the commercial cod fishery has reopened. Federal fisheries minister Diane Lebouthellier made that announcement even though scientists warn against it. Ian Fleming is a professor of ocean sciences at Memorial University, and he co-wrote that paper twelve years ago. He spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

The federal government is spending 1.7 million dollars to help a marine conservation group based in the Gros Morne region. Atlantic Healthy Oceans Initiative, also known as AHOI, is a non-profit group that does work in Western Newfoundland to protect the health of oceans. It will use the new federal money to expand its programs. Long Range Mountains MP Gudie Hutchings announced the money on Friday in Norris Point, and the CBC's Sanuda Ranawake was there.

On Sunday, people got to hear lots of "moos," "b-a-a-a-hs" and "clucks, " as farms throughout the province opened their gates and let members of their communities in. Atlantic Open Farm Day shows people first-hand where their food comes from. CBC’s Amy Feehan stopped by Robbins Family Farm in Deer Lake and spoke with co-owner Terri-Lynn Robbins.

In many ways, a young man from Gander is like other university students. Evan Ralph is busy with classes and his studies these days. But there's one thing he doesn't have to be AS concerned about, and that's the cost of tuition,...books,...living in residence. The graduate of Gander Collegiate had already put in a lot of hard work to earn a major scholarship worth 120,000 dollars. Evan Ralph is a student at the University of Waterloo in Ontario now, and that's where we reached him.

If you're looking for somewhere to hike in Gros Morne, Parks Canada can tell you one place NOT to go. The national park announced earlier this month that part of the old Green Gardens trail is not only re-routed, it's closed and off-limits. In fact, the park says there's a 150-dollar fine for trespassing on the Wallace Brook section of trail. That doesn't sit well with experienced hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, and they worry they could be banned from more trails in the future. Becky O'Keefe is a long-time resident of Bonne Bay, a tourism operator, and a volunteer with the Gros Morne Hiking Festival.

More than 30 parents in Western Newfoundland gathered last night to talk about supports in the classroom for children with disabilities.They came together in Corner Brook to talk about the help needed for their children, and to plan next steps. CBC spoke with parents at the start of the school year when they realized that the supports available in schools last year had been cut back. Some children with disabilities haven't been back to school since. Parents say part of the issue has to do with federal funding for Indigenous children under a policy called Jordan's Principle.The CBC's Sanuda Ranawake and Alex Kennedy covered Thursday night's meeting.

Black-legged ticks CAN carry Lyme disease. Up until recent years, people who live in Newfoundland didn't have to worry about them in Newfoundland, but this year, the online platform e-Tick had 24 reports of black-legged ticks on the island. Joe Bowden is an entomologist.

If you want to know more about where your food comes from, this weekend is your chance. Sunday, September 15 is Open Farm Day and more than a dozen farms in this province will open up their gates to welcome visitors. Crooked Branch Orchard in Jamestown produces apples. The CBC's Gavin Simms recently met up with orchard owners, John and Valerie Barron, to hear how things are growing.

A Grand Falls-Windsor man is being remembered fondly this week as an environmentalist, proud Mi'kmaw, man of faith and, most of all, a family man. Don Pelley died this past Sunday at the age of 76. Several archeologists who worked in the Exploits Valley area relied heavily on Pelley's knowledge of the region and its history.Laurie McLean and James Williamson spoke with Bernice.

On Thursday, Kirk Keeping was sentenced yesterday to life in prison for the murder of Conne River woman Chantel John in January 2019. He must serve a minimum of 16 years before he is eligible for parole. In April, Keeping had pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and second-degree murder. Keeping also pleaded guilty to uttering threats and two breaches of probation. In addition to the life sentence, he received various additional sentences, all of which will be served concurrently. The CBC's Troy Turner attended the sentencing in Supreme Court in Grand Falls-Windsor. He spoke with crown attorney Karen O'Reilly; Chantel John's aunt, Veronica McDonald; and Mi'sel Joe, traditional chief of the Miawpukek First Nation.