Hundreds Helping To Battle Saskatchewan Forest Fires
Firefighters from as far away as Newfoundland and Labrador are in northern Saskatchewan battling wildfires that have forced more than five-thousand people from their homes.
About 50 towns, villages, and reserves in the areas of La Ronge and La Loche have been either partially or completely evacuated.
So far, fire has destroyed a rural home southwest of La Ronge and some cabins in remote areas.
The 600 firefighters battling the blazes could get some help from the weather forecast, which calls for rain this weekend.
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Canola And Soybean Acreage Expectations Down
Canadian farmers have either planted or intend to plant more corn for grain, wheat, barley and oats this spring.
Statistics Canada says growers are cutting soybean and canola acreages.
National soybean acreage -- at 5.4 million -- is down 2.5 per cent from 2014.
Ontario's 2.9 million acres is down 4.6 per cent.
Canadian farmers reported planting 3.3 million acres of corn for grain, up 5.7 per cent from 2014.
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Corrections Officer Sentenced For Assaulting Inmate
A former Manitoba corrections officer has been given an 18-month suspended sentence for assaulting a mentally ill inmate who verbally attacked her.
Brooke Sophie Klima, who is 33, had been seeking a discharge, which would have allowed her to maintain a clear criminal record.
But provincial court Judge Rocky Pollack rejected that bid in a written decision handed down last week.
Klima was fired from her job at the Remand Centre shortly after the incident was reported in the summer of 2012.
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Thousands Evacuated Due To Tennessee Derailment
Five-thousand people are out of their homes in eastern Tennessee after a freight train hauling toxic cargo derailed and caught fire Wednesday night.
Dozens were taken to hospital with nausea and breathing troubles, although everyone is expected to survive.
The intense heat of the blaze is preventing firefighters from getting close to the burning car, which is carrying a liquid used in the making of plastic.
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Greek Referendum A "Virtual Toss-Up"
Major rallies are planned for today in Athens by both sides heading into Sunday's crucial referendum on bailout terms.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (SEE'-pruh) is expected to be at the rally for the ``no'' side.
He's urging Greeks to reject creditors' demand for severe belt-tightening in exchange for vitally-needed bailout funds.
The ``yes'' side says Sunday's referendum is a vote on whether Greece will stay in the eurozone and in Europe.
A poll released today says Sunday's referendum is a virtual toss-up.
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Just The Cowboy Way
The Calgary Stampede, often called ``The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,'' gets started this morning.
The 10-day event celebrating the cowboy way of life begins with a parade that's expected to draw a-quarter of-a-million spectators.
The parade marshal is Calgary native Kaillie Humphries, a two-time Olympic bobsled champ.
Humphries says she enjoys the stampede's atmosphere and food, but adds the rodeo stands out for her.
