CBC Newfoundland Morning

Snowmobile enthusiasts from across Canada are in Corner Brook this weekend for a meeting of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations. March is usually prime time for snowmobiling in Western Newfoundland, but there's not as much snow on the trails or backcountry as in a typical year. The snowmobilers came, anyway and, yes, they WILL be riding. Bob Blundon is chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation, as well as vice-president of the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations.

Each year, UNESCO, .the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, looks at worldwide parity in education between boys and girls. Studies have shown that countries where girls and boys have equal access to quality education have stronger economies and better social systems. This year, the report shows that fewer girls are leaving the education system before they finish...but there's still a long way to go. Manos Antoninis is UNESCO's Director of the Global Education Monitoring Report, and he spoke with the CBC's Leigh Anne Power.

It's been a tough winter for snow lovers in parts of Newfoundland. The freeze/thaw, snow/rain cycle hasn't done any favours for people who love winter outdoor activities. The snowmobile club in the Corner Brook area has cancelled two major events this winter, and it's disappointing to people who look forward to the winter fun. Glenn Green is president of the Western Sno-Riders snowmobile club.

Last week on our show, we heard from concerned citizens in the Point Leamington area. They held a public meeting to discuss the possible environmental and tourism impacts of hundreds of wind turbines and an proposed ammonia plant for their region. Now the town council is responding to those concerns. Wilf Mercer is Point Leamington's mayor, and Denny Andrews is the deputy mayor.

It seems like every few weeks, we hear about a new way crooks are scamming us out of our hard-earned money - grandparents scams, CRA scams, and a host of other sophisticated rackets. Add these kinds of deception, though they're not necessarily new. Investment scams, including those targeting cryptocurrency, have become the riskiest in this country. That's according to a warning from the Better Business Bureau. Julia Lewis is the interim CEO for the organization's Atlantic Provinces division.

Even with some snow in the forecast, most winter activities in the province have been hampered lately by the lack of the white stuff. Skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers are getting frustrated, as days pass without enough on the ground - and temperatures are getting milder as spring approaches. The popular Mid-Winter Bivver in Grand Falls-Windsor is one of the latest casualties of the weather. We spoke with the Town's deputy mayor, Mike Browne

Most of us don't go out of our way to talk about death and grief, but author Leanne Friesen doesn't shy away from the topic. She's starting a tour across Newfoundland with her new book about grief. Friesen grew up in Dildo and is now a pastor in Ontario. She lost her sister to cancer in 2013, and she says her only goal is to help people who grieve and to tell them it's okay to make room for their grief. The title of Friesen's book is "Grieving Room."

Duane Collins, a certified polar bear guard with extensive experience living and working in polar bear country in northern Manitoba, has tips for people in Newfoundland and Labrador on how to avoid coming face-to-face with the beasts as we enter peak feeding season.

To some Canadians, the crime of human trafficking may sound like a problem that only happens in faraway parts of the world,  But Jennifer Holleman of Nova Scotia will tell you the real story. In 2012, her daughter, Maddison Fraser was living in Alberta and was lured into prostitution. She was 19 years old. Maddison died in a car crash in Edmonton in 2015. She was in a vehicle with a a man believed to be her "john." Ever since the tragedy, Holleman has been telling Maddison's story and speaking out against human trafficking. She spoke at a school in Port Aux Basques on Tuesday and was guest speaker at the Gateway Status of Women Council last night.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper wants to cut wood near the city's water supply. The paper company has made the request to the City of Corner Brook, and the deadline for public comment is coming up this Thursday. We spoke with Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons and read a written response from Kruger Inc.