CBC Newfoundland Morning

if you attended a badminton match at the provincial winter games in Gander this week, you probably saw at least one member of the King family keeping score. Or, if you picked up a snack at the athlete's village, it might have been the King family feeding you. The family love to volunteer, and they love to do it together. Tara King and her daughter Sara were in our studio. Engin Diraman, the family's Turkish exchange student, was there, too. He takes part in the volunteer effort, as well.

It was quite a moment on Tuesday at the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games in Gander. As the first racers crossed the finish line in the Girls' 5K Cross Country Skiing race, three competitors from different teams decided to cross the line together - in fact, they came in arm in arm. Juliette Colbourne and Georgia Wiseman are from Team Western, and Jocelyn Coates was racing for Team Eastern. They spoke with CBC's Cherie Wheeler.

It's Day Five of the Newfoundland Winter Games, and there is a pause in the action as athletes head out and move into the athlete's village. There are still a lot of events to look forward to, but if you missed any of the action, you can always get caught up on social media. Content Creator Abby Moss has diligently posted on the NL Games Facebook page. She joined us in the studio to tell us more about her role and the work of the communications committee.

A transgender man from Central Newfoundland is keeping a close eye on policy changes that affect trans people in parts of Canada. Alberta has announced plans to restrict medical care for trans youth in that province. The plan would limit access to puberty-blocking medications and gender-affirming surgery.20-year-old Elliott Blackmore grew up in Grand Falls-Windsor and now lives in St. John's. He says turning medical care for trans people into a political issue is wrong.

Today is the last day of competition for half of the athletes at the provincial winter games in Gander this week. Tomorrow, they'll head back home and the next set of competitors will take their place. Win or lose, table tennis player Divine Aseo will be leaving with a smile. At 18 years old, this will be her last provincial games - but it was the first one for her sister, Courtney. The two members of team St. John's North spoke with CBC's Cherie Wheeler yesterday.

Some residents of Change Islands were left feeling confused at a recent change to their ferry schedule.

The Kamutik W is in service among Change Islands, Fogo and Farewell, while their usual vessel - the Veteran - is having a refit. The recently updated schedule sees a reduction in the number of crossings to Change Islands.

The fewer trips are only believed to be a temporary measure, but the residents say it's much more than a simple inconvenience. Dennis Flood is a councillor for the community of Change Islands and the chair for their transportation committee.

ICYMI: Marble Mountain now has a ski trail named in memory of a person - and It's the first time it's been done. "Drew's Drop" was named on February 18 to honour Andrew Jesso - a ski instructor, DJ, fitness coach, and member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. He was nearly 20 years old when he died in a car accident in 2022. A charity in his name - the Andrew Jesso Foundation - helps provide children with the chance to learn to ski and snowboard. Andrew's family and co-workers gathered at Marble Mountain on February 18 to honour him. CBC's Sarah Antle spoke with Andrew's mother, Laura Jesso.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games continue to entertain sports fans in Gander and area today, and the St. John's North Boys' hockey team went for gold at the Steele Community Centre. Connor Donaghey is one of their coaches. Ben Yabsley and Ben Veitch are players.

All this week on Newfoundland Morning, we've been hearing from athletes, coaches and volunteers at the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games. Gander has been buzzing since Saturday, and people taking photos with cell phones are everywhere. But, now and then, you'll see someone wearing a bright green volunteer shirt. A team of photographers, using professional-grade cameras, are documenting the Games. Scott Cook and Sandra Mills are two of those photographers,

An animal most of us have never seen is making a comeback. The Newfoundland pine marten is one of only 14 mammals native to the island. It's been on the province's endangered species list since the list was created in 2002. Now, more than two decades later, the risk to the pine marten's population has been downgraded to "vulnerable." Brian Hearn is chair of the Newfoundland Marten Recovery Team.