Beyond Local

MILK RIVER, ALBERTA — RCMP say a second blockade on a highway leading to the main United States border crossing in Alberta has choked off traffic. "Protesters have stopped traffic from going southbound on Highway 4," RCMP Cpl.

Five environmental organizations are following through on a threat to sue Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and the provincial government for defamation.

OTTAWA — Manitoba MP Candice Bergen is the new interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Conservative MPs chose Bergen for the role in a secret ballot Wednesday night after voting to remove Erin O'Toole from the top job earlier in the day.

OTTAWA — The head of the Ottawa police says "all options are on the table" when it comes to ending an ongoing — and potentially resurging — anti-vaccine mandate protest that some local councillors are now calling an "occupation" of the capital city.

“We need a whole lot more around Highway 2 … but the northern part of the province needs some love,” said William York, a board member for the Electric Vehicle Association of Alberta.

With an increasing reliance on rapid tests in Alberta, businesses that have signed up for the province’s rapid testing program are unsure when they will receive their next allotment of testing kits.

COUTTS, Alta. — There has been a breakthrough to resolve the impasse at a protest blockade at the United States border in southern Alberta. Chad Williamson, a lawyer representing truckers blocking access to the border crossing at Coutts, Alta.

After crawling out of his burrow at the Blue Grass Ltd. Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre, east of Highway 2, local groundhog/weather forecaster Balzac Billy looked around and spotted his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.

A grant of $1.4 million is being distributed amongst four non-profit groups and seven researchers to further research and support for first responders being affected by post-traumatic stress injuries.

OTTAWA — Erin O'Toole has lost a vote to remain leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. The party's members of Parliament met virtually today to cast secret ballots after about one-third of them signed a notice that triggered a leadership review.