Farmers say gopher holes are so big cows are breaking their legs. The pesticide strychnine was banned two years ago and many point to a growing gopher population that has caused huge problems. Saskatchewan and Alberta called for the ban to be reversed, but this week Health Canada said no. Our political panelists Jeremy Simes and Murray Mandryk say this isn’t just about politics. Farmers’ crops are taking a hit.

Businesses in Saskatoon and Regina say a streak of smashed windows in both cities is upsetting and costly. What’s behind the crimes? Is there a way to curb this kind of vandalism? They are often deemed a minor incident, but we take stock of how broken windows weigh on owners and the wider community.

The B.C. premier says it's “treason” for Alberta separatists to meet with U.S. officials. The Manitoba premier says in his province, a referendum on staying in Canada would be a choice between 'yeah and heck yeah.’ What is Premier Moe’s take? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk raise their voices today on the premier’s statements on separatism after meetings in Ottawa with the prime minister.

Regina is adding a neighbourhood the size of Moose Jaw but there’s no plan yet for a school. Turns out, it’s a common problem in many new suburbs. People move to a newly-built neighbourhood and the nearest school quickly fills up. So what is it like inside those schools and just how crowded are they? CBC’s Katie Swyers focuses on the province’s two biggest cities to look at how divisions and parents are coping with crowded schools.

New security measures are being introduced in some Saskatchewan emergency rooms. Unions representing health care workers have been calling for improved safety measures after the seizure of several weapons and an increase in violence. Meanwhile, the Saskatchewan Health Authority wants to bring in a system to anonymously report employees suspected of violating SHA policies. Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk help us make sense of this.  

In this special co-production episode, we’re diving into life on the border of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. While the two prairie provinces have many things in common, we also have our differences. We speak with residents of Flin Flon, Man., about how living on the divide complicates everything from buying a vehicle to emergency response efforts. Then, we hear from a woman in Creighton, Sask., who says interprovincial gaps in health care failed her mother. 

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It’s the moment every canola producer has been waiting for, with huge implications for the province. Canada and China have cut a deal that Prime Minister Mark Carney says will result in lower canola seed tariffs. It also means Chinese electric vehicles will be allowed to enter the Canadian market. How much of a win is this for Premier Moe? Our political panelists Alexander Quon and Murray Mandryk measure the impact of the tariff weight finally being lifted.

A cancer patient is in hospital receiving chemotherapy. An altercation ensues. The patient ends up dying. What actually happened at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon that led to his death? Saskatoon police say an imitation handgun and drugs were found after the fight with security. The family thinks someone might have mistaken his pink pistol-shaped cigarette lighter for a gun. We share how the family is working with Indigenous officials to get answers.

Read more of our coverage below.

Who was Trevor Dubois? Loved ones want people to understand the man they knew

Family disputes police claim about imitation firearm in Saskatoon hospital death

About 900 people are on the waitlist for swimming lessons through the City of Regina. Why is demand significantly outpacing what the Queen City can offer? The CEO of the Lifesaving Society in Saskatchewan says there aren’t enough pools to accommodate the growing population. Will this cause problems for people looking to get out on the water?

Curious about the state of outdoor pools in Regina and Saskatoon? Read Circling the drain: Sask. cities face the problem of aging outdoor pools by Phil Tank.

The leader of Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP is proud her party brought forward legislation on health care, rent control and wildfire response this year. But did it move the needle at all? Today, we feature CBC provincial affairs reporter Alexander Quon’s year-end interview with provincial NDP Leader Carla Beck.

To listen to CBC’s year-end interview with Premier Scott Moe click here: https://link.mgln.ai/M82oKA