Friday, May 8, 2026

Good Morning

A quick schedule note before the weekend. I’m away for part of the weekend, so Saturday, May 9 will be a lighter edition with Mother’s Day brunch ideas, events and anything useful for getting through the weekend.

There will be no Sunday, May 10 edition. We’ll be back in your inbox Monday, May 11.

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📰 News

A Kamloops-based trial will test AI wildfire-prevention technology. B.C. is investing up to $1 million in Skyward Wildfire Technologies, whose aircraft will be based in Kamloops for July testing of forecasting and targeted lightning-reduction tools. (Castanet)

A North Shore walk marked Red Dress Day in Kamloops. The Wren reports the community walk honoured missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people while advocates called for a Red Dress Alert in B.C. (The Wren)

SFU and TRU have signed a new partnership agreement. The universities say the memorandum of understanding will support collaboration in areas including AI, cybersecurity, health, wildfire management, emergency response and Indigenous language revitalization. (TRU)

Kamloops earned its shot at a repeat B.C. rugby title Saturday. The men’s team faces the Kelowna Crows in the Division 2 B.C. final, while the women’s team plays Capilano for the first-division title the same day in South Surrey. (CFJC Today)

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🏛️ City Hall

The City says a provincial homeowner-grant change could feel like an 8 per cent tax increase for affected residents. The city says the additional $200 homeowner grant for the Interior and northern B.C. is set to be removed in July 2027, and the increase is not the responsibility of local government. (CFJC Today)

A citywide evacuation plan is in the works. Emergency preparedness manager Ty Helgason told council the city is building a scalable evacuation framework with zones, playbooks for notifications and partner coordination, and support planning for vulnerable populations. (Castanet)

Coun. Dale Bass says she will seek re-election this fall. CFJC reports Bass is completing her second term and says she wants another four years to complete several ongoing community projects. (CFJC Today)

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🚨 Safety

BCWS crews are responding to small lightning-caused fires around Kamloops. CFJC reports several spot fires popped up after Wednesday evening’s thunderstorm, while BCWS said cooler temperatures and some showers are expected in parts of the Kamloops Fire Centre over the weekend. (CFJC Today)

B.C.’s police watchdog is seeking witnesses to a Monday arrest at Valleyview Square. The Independent Investigations Office says it is investigating after a woman sustained injuries during an incident involving police at a business in the 2100-block of the East Trans-Canada Highway. (Castanet)

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📅 Events

Brock Secondary hosts a kids carnival fundraiser Friday, May 8. The cash-only event runs 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with carnival games, food and inflatables raising money for students’ educational trip to London and France to learn about World War history. (Community submission)

Kamloops Art Gallery’s current exhibitions wrap Saturday, May 9. Tourism Kamloops lists SLUG EGGS by Bree Apperley and FUTURES by Rajni Perera as running at the gallery through Saturday; regular Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tourism Kamloops)

Lac Le Jeune Resort hosts a Mother’s Day High Tea Sunday, May 10. Reservations are staggered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the resort lists adult tickets at $55 plus fees and children’s tickets at $35 plus fees. (Lac Le Jeune Resort)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

⛽ Cheapest gas: Regular is listed at 189.9¢/L at Costco on Versatile Drive. (Gas prices)

🌤️ Weather ahead: Environment Canada calls for cloud and a high of 22°C Friday, sun and 27°C Saturday, then a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 22°C Sunday. AQHI is moderate.

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🎮 Daily Game

TimeGuessr — place the photo on the map and guess the year.