The Morning News with Gord Gillies & Sue Deyell

Welcome to the Morning News Podcast for Friday August 9.

With plans recently announced for a Stephen Avenue redevelopment, we talk with Economics Professor Moshe Lander about whether its an economically sound idea for Calgary council to make right now.

On Friday's we check in with Global's Washington Bureau Chief Jackson Proskow to talk about all things American politics. Today Jackson shares a touching story about the repatriation of a US soldier that he witnessed while waiting to fly out of the Dallas airport. 

It's been 50 years since Charles Manson and his "family" terrified the people of Los Angeles during a 2 night killing spree in 1969. To this day we're still fascinated by the details of the case, and Global National Correspondent Jeff Semple joins us to talk about the details.

And if you look up, way up, you'll catch sight of the Perseid Meteor Shower. We check in with The Backyard Astonomer Gary Boyle about what Perseid is, and when best to view it.

We begin by talking with UBC researcher Dr. Poul Sorensen, who discovered a gene mutation in certain cancers, which has resulted in Health Canada approving a new cancer drug that attacks tumours in kids and adults.

Matthew Conrod from Global News Calgary joins the program to talk about upgrades coming to Stephen Avenue, after a European design firm has been hired to re-imagine and re-purpose the 1980’s pedestrian street.

There’s disappointment that Grow Calgary is only growing weeds in their garden this summer, after the previous and current Provincial governments told them they had to move their location thanks to the building of the SW ring road, but wouldn’t help them find a new plot of land to use.

And finally we check in with Canadian country music star Chad Brownlee, who announced he’ll be performing a live concert on the 10th fairway at the upcoming Shaw Charity Classic Super Saturday event in Calgary!

Senior Global Correspondent Jeff Semple joins us from Dayton, OH, to talk about the reaction to a visit by President Donald Trump following a mass shooting that claimed 9 lives. 

We're joined by former police officer Pamela Barnum who offers up tips on how to interpret body language in order to spot, and ultimately protect yourself, from a potential predator. 

One armed Muay Thai fighter from Calgary, Jake Peacock,  joins us to talk about his big win in Vegas and how he feels about his 'disability'.

Finally, we talk to a team of four 11-year-old Calgary girls who are representing Canada on the global tech stage at the Technovation World Pitch competition in California with an app they created to help young people deal with social anxiety issues.

Today we talked with Global News Ottawa Bureau Chief Mercedes Stephenson about the legacy left behind by longtime Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai, who passed away over the weekend.

Also joining the program from Dayton, OH, was senior Global correspondent Jeff Semple, who talked about the feeling in that city following a mass shooting that claimed 9 lives.

From Alberta Health Services, provincial medical officer of health Dr. Nick Etches joined us to talk about the new street drug showing up in Alberta and B.C.

And our tech guru, Marc Saltzman offered up some ideas for back to school tech for that student in your life!

We begin by checking in with Global News Washington bureau chief Jackson Proskow, and the latest goings on in the United States.

It's National Drug Drop Off month, so we chat with pharmacist Agusia McGrath about how to safely dispose of unwanted, expired prescription drugs from your home. 

It's a long weekend, and a lot of people will be headed to the mountains. We talk with Greg Danchuk with Parks Canada, to find out how to make your trip to Banff National Park hassle-free!

The Gay Rodeo is on at Stampede Park this weekend and everyone is welcome. Judy Munson, President of the Canadian Rockies Gay Rodeo Association tells us about the events and the cowboy competition.

UFC superstar, Michelle Waterson, aka the Karate Hottie, joins us to talk about why she's in Calgary kicking butt and raising money for a great cause.

And, Brett McGarry of the Couch Potatoes has the latest on the big movie that's opening in theatres this long weekend!

On today's podcast, Calgary city council will consider using transit and bylaw officers to enforce residential traffic safety and why Councillor Shane Keating believes it might make streets safer and save money.

For the first time in 80 years Calgary is getting a new cemetery. City Superintendent Gary Daudlin explains where it will be and why it's needed.

Kathe Lemon joins us from Avenue Magazine to reveal what goes into becoming one of Calgary's top rated communities.

Global News reporter Jeff Semple has the latest on the manhunt for two BC men wanted in connection with three murders.

Finally, coming face to face with a mother Grizzly Bear and her cubs. Olympian Emma Lunder talks about how she had to use her bear spray to stop a potential attack.

We begin with reaction to 'the deal'. Mayor Naheed Nenshi and city councillor Jeff Davison look to the future now that the event centre has been approved.

We know the Saddledome will be demolished as part of the development, will it be missed? Josh Traptow shares some history and reminds us of its controversial beginnings as well.

Global News' Sean O'shea remains in Gillam, Man., as the search continues for two murder suspects. With no confirmed sightings for days, how much longer will a full scale manhunt continue?

Finally, something fun to do on this Heritage Day long weekend: "The Brutal Tour." "Architech-tourist" Cynthia Klaassen hosts a walking tour of some of Calgary's most recognizeable and not-so-pretty landmarks.

We begin with some hard questions about the proposed event center and arena deal in front of Calgary city council. While MRU's Duane Bratt likes some elements of the deal, he also has concerns.

The search continues for two men in northern Manitoba in connection with three murders in B.C. earlier this month. Reporter Sean O'Shea joins us from Gillam where the community remains on edge.

Calgary police believe a crack down on street racing is beginning to work. Sgt. Brad Norman says more than 300 tickets have been handed out and drivers seem to be getting the message.

What does a Snowbird pilot do on his day off? Major Denis Bandet took a ride down the bobsleigh track at Winsport. His journey to joining Canada's famous aerobatic flying team began at what was then Mount Royal College.

Finally, with all of the e-scooters popping up all over the city, is it a good thing or a bad thing for scooter sellers?  We check in with David Grant of Vermin Scooter Shop to find out.

We begin with the latest on the search for two murder suspects believed to be in northern Manitoba. Global's Sean O'Shea is in the small community of Gillam where he says RCMP are pulling out all the stops to find the men.

Criminologist Ritesh Narayan from Mount Royal University is worried the manhunt could end violently. He explains why having 2 suspects on the run raises the potential for trouble.

The opioid crisis is the focus of two special series on Global TV and radio this week. Reporter Chris Chacon looks at the devastating impact on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta and Online reporter Laura Hensley examines what kind of a role the relationship between big pharma and the medical field  may have played in creating the crisis.

Stroke survivor Bret "The Hitman" Hart joins us to talk about the signs to watch for concerning stroke and his best advice on recovery.

Finally, what two young Calgarian's are doing to help feed the homeless living on our streets with their Zero Waste YYC initiative.

We begin with the latest on a Canada-wide search for two murder suspects. Reporter Diana Foxall says the small Manitoba community of Gillam remains on high alert as it’s believed the pair is still there.

Reggie Cecchini joins us from Washington, D.C., on what’s being described by some as ‘flop’ testimony to Congress by Robert Mueller this week. His take on how it all came down and what President Trump had to say.

Dental surgeon Dr. Len Smith joined us to talk about tooth decay and gum problems with children. He believes it’s a health crisis that’s costing the health care system millions of dollars and shares his advice for parents includes checkups as early as six months old.

Our own Sue Deyell joins us to talk about her special assignment today – flying with the Snowbirds!  A tip: Don’t barf.  Canada’s famous aerobatic team is in town for the Wings Over Springbank airshow.

Finally, Quentin Tarentino fans have been waiting to see his latest - "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood." What our Couch Potato reviewer Brett Megarry is hearing about it.