In the season three premiere of The Everything Red Deer Podcast, host Josh Hall takes a reflective and retrospective look back at the Pine Lake tornado, which caused its devastation, including 12 fatalities, 140 injuries, and over $3 million in property damage, 25 years ago, as of this Monday, July 14. Following 'In Case You Missed It,' (9:10) Josh speaks with long-time central Alberta media personality Jim Claggett (13:31) who was reporting at the time in Red Deer, and covered the tornado in its aftermath. Jim also sticks around for 'The Page,' (30:16) our weekly segment in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library. Read the written companion piece to this podcast episode here: https://rdnewsnow.com/2025/07/11/podcast-25-years-later-reflections-on-the-devastating-pine-lake-tornado/

Could the Women's Football Alliance, the largest women's tackle football league in the world, succeed in a market like Red Deer? The group looking for Canadian ownership groups thinks so. This week, host Josh Hall has 'In Case You Missed It' (5:06), with the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com. Then, he speaks to Cary Kaplan, president of Cosmos Sports & Entertainment (8:32), as well as Martin Rheaume, head coach with the Central Alberta Fire girls football program (24:07).

Easily the most decorated lineup of guests to grace The Everything Red Deer Podcast is featured on this bonus episode, and it all happened thanks to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, which held its 2025 induction ceremony on June 7, 2025 at the Red Deer Resort & Casino.

Host Josh Hall tees things up and then is in conversation first with Cor Ouwerkerk and Mike Harnett of the 1981-89 Red Deer College Queens volleyball team, which won an unfathomable 8 consecutive ACAC titles. (6:34)

Then, Josh speaks with Canadian wheelchair basketball pioneer and 2x Paralympic gold medalist (2000 and 2004), Ross Norton, to speak about his inspiring journey to the pinnacle of his sport. (17:54)

Finally, Josh is joined by the only Canadian Olympian to medal at both a Winter and Summer Games; she is an incredible ambassador for mental health causes, and promoting females in sport. She is the one, the only, Clara Hughes. (25:48)

Oh, and Clara was awesome enough stick around and help us with 'THE PAGE' -- our segment in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library! (35:01)

Companion story is at rdnewsNOW.com.

We start this week with some words about D-Day, with June 6, 2025 being that fateful day's 81st anniversary. Host Josh Hall takes you through 'In Case You Missed It' (4:06) and the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com; a message about an upcoming fundraiser called 'Appetite for Instruction' (7:57); in conversation with Bradley Lafortune, executive director of Public Interest Alberta about their call to the UCP government for an independent seniors advocate (8:58); Josh relays a response from the provincial ministry of hospital and surgical services (19:13); Josh is in conversation with Lisa Manning, executive director at Red Deer's Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre (22:01); we hear from participants young and old in the 2nd annual Steps Across Generations Walk (27:39) -- and my sincere apologies for biffing the event's name a couple times; finally, it's 'The Page,' in partnership with the Red Deer Public Library -- this week, special guest Sheldon Spackman tells us what he's reading! (31:48).  

The podcast is graced this week by the fine folks at Make-A-Wish, including Wish Kid Blake, who's just 10-years-old. Blake, along with mom Amanda, and the organization's development manager for Edmonton region, Kathryn McLean, join host Josh Hall to talk about the upcoming Heroes Challenge event, happening Sept. 24 at The Dome, and to give you a sense of what families go through before, during and after a wish is granted. On today's episode, we have 'In Case You Missed It' (4:44), followed by a message about the 17th annual Community Spring Feast (8:20), then we have our interview with Make-A-Wish (9:30), and finally, it's 'The Page', in partnership with Red Deer Public Library (27:02). To register for the 2025 Heroes Challenge, click here.

College-turned-pro hockey player Jesse Jack, who is from central Alberta, as well as Central Sport CEO Trevor Thomas, join the podcast for the May 23, 2025 episode to talk about the upcoming 'She Plays' event at Red Deer Polytechnic. Host Josh Hall has 'In Case You Missed It' and counts down the week's top five stories (2:15); then hear from Trevor Thomas about what Central Sport does and how you can register for the event on May 31 (4:50); and Josh speaks with Jesse Jack who shares her incredibly inspiring story of perseverance (13:22). Finally, it's 'The Page,' brought to you by Red Deer Public Library (29:33); and Josh has a final message about wildfire season. To register for 'She Plays,' email [email protected].

May 16: The Everything Red Deer Podcast welcomes back Mayor Ken Johnston this week to talk about the idea of and discussion around Alberta separating from Canada, and you'll hear that chat right off the hop as host Josh Hall visits the mayor in his City Hall office. Because we're a little backwards this week, then you'll hear 'In Case You Missed It,' where we run down the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com (44:09); and finally, a brand new segment on the podcast, brought to you by the Red Deer Public Library -- it's called The Page! (48:58) - *Note: You may notice some audio difficulties in this episode; my apologies, but thank you for listening.

Two very different guests and subjects comprise the May 9, 2025 episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast. After 'In Case You Missed It' (4:07), which by the way features an amazing update about some very scientific grade threes, host Josh Hall talks to the new CJHL Rookie of the Year, Easton Daneault of Red Deer and the AJHL's Drumheller Dragons (11:06); finally, Josh is in conversation with Kelley Arnold from the Red Deer Native Friendship Society about Red Dress Day and what it means to walk for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP), or those who are often referred to as MMIWG2S+ (14:58). If you are affected by the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, and need immediate emotional assistance, call 1-844-413-6649.

We close the door on the 2025 federal election on this week's episode of The Everything Red Deer Podcast. First, host Josh Hall goes over some fast facts from the results of local ridings, then it's 'In Case You Missed It' (6:19). Without further ado, Josh speaks with Red Deer MP-elect and House of Commons first-timer Burton Bailey (10:48); and finally, Pattison Media's Alberta news director Sheldon Spackman is in conversation with Ponoka-Didsbury MP-elect Blaine Calkins, who has been elected for a seventh time (21:36). Both MPs represent the Conservative Party of Canada. To close, Josh has one final election-related request for everyone (30:17).

This week, hear reflections on the visit of the late Pope Francis to Maskwacis, Alberta on July 25, 2022, from people who were there. Francis, who died April 21, made an apology that day to Indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in the Indian Residential School System. After our weekly segment ICYMI (5:50), which runs down the week's top stories, host Josh Hall speaks with Reverend Tony Snow of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation (11:15), and former rdnewsNOW journalist Alessia Proietti (32:40) -- both of whom were present in Maskwacis with Pope Francis. A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line remains available to provide support for former students and those affected. People can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419, or visit hopeforwellness.ca. Companion story is at rdnewsNOW.com.