CBC Newfoundland Morning

One in five Canadians lives with arthritis and its many forms, and people with the condition are twice as likely to have mental health issues. NL has had the highest incidence of arthritis in the country. The Arthritis Society of Canada recently released its Top 10 List of Research Advancements for 2023, and it cited work done by a team of researchers at Memorial University. Dr. Christie Costello is part of that MUN research team.

Black Students at College of the North Atlantic in Grand Falls-Windsor are upset at the lack of recognition for Black History Month. Every February since 1995, events and festivities have been held across the country ro honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities. Johnny Alubu Selemani is the International Students’ Representative for the Grand Falls-Windsor campus of CNA, and the incoming International Students' Representative with the Canadian Federation of Students for NL. Martin Jones went to the Grand Falls-Windsor campus to speak with Seleman.

A provincial women's organization in Newfoundland and Labrador wants to see an end to gender-based violence, and it's asking for action that people can see. The Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women has released a report that includes 88 calls to action. The main call is for a task force on gender-based violence to be put in place. Sharon Williston is a co-chair of the organization.

If you live on Newfoundland's west coast, it helps if you can learn how to love winter. There are loads of options to get you out there -- snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. But when snow is in short supply, businesses and organizations that rely on it have to find a way to make do. The CBC’s Amy Feehan headed to Blow Me Down Trails cross country ski park in Corner Brook. She hopped aboard their trail groomer to learn how they keep their trails in tip top shape.

It takes time to fulfil a dream, but chef Colleen Hiscock's vision for her business has grown by leaps and bounds in just the past few years. Hiscock has been owner of Java Jack's Restaurant in Rocky Harbour since 2016. Since then, she's added a line of retail products, so you can enjoy the taste of Java Jack's right in your own home. You may have seen her preserves and bakery mixes in your local grocery store. Last week, Atlantic grocery store chain Sobeys featured her in their flyer as a way to mark International Women's Day.

In February, a group of film students and instructors from College of the North Atlantic decided to take in a movie. But not the latest offering at the local movie theatre. Nope! They hopped on a flight to Germany for the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. They experienced the red carpet, rubbed elbows with major industry players, were invited to an event at the Canadian Embassy - and, oh yeah. and saw a few films. too. Ben Smith is an instructor with CNA's TV and Film department. Oliver Bartlett is a student currently studying TV and Film Technical Production.

More than half of 2SLGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse people in this province say their mental health is poor or very poor. Over 73 percent say they needed mental health care services but never got them. That's according to a research project by Quadrangle NL, funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada. The report considers all health care services in this province, and the results are anything but optimistic. Charlie Murphy is the executive director of Quadrangle NL. Ainsley Hawthorn is the project's research manager.

Last year, the provincial government overhauled its municipalities act. The new Towns and Local Services Act gives community governments more power to deal with their own issues as they see fit. The Town of Harbour Grace, supported by many other councils around the province, led the way in lobbying for one particular addition to the new law. The towns want to have the right to demolish derelict buildings that are either dangerous or have become eyesores. Don Coombs is the mayor of Harbour Grace.

Millions of people will tune in to see the Academy Awards this Sunday night. A select few hundred will get to actually be there in person...including Michael Schulman. He's a huge Oscars fan, and the author of Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears.

Stephenville's town council is back to a full lineup again. Voters picked three new councillors:in a byelection. Former Mayor Tom O'Brien had 1,083 votes, Maurice Hynes got 804, and Darren Roberts attracted 784. Twelve people were on the ballot after Tracy Boland, Tristan Hulan, and Lenny Tiller resigned in January. Roberts wasn't available today, but we spoke with O'Brien and Hynes.