Wednesday, August 26, 2026

📰 News

More students are learning Secwepemctsín as mentorships, bursaries and adult programs expand. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council counted nearly 100 adult Indigenous-language programs across B.C. in its latest survey, up from 54 in 2018. Students interviewed in Kamloops described language learning as a way to preserve oral history, ceremony and identity while carrying the language to younger generations. (The Wren)

Kamloops-founded Médicos en Acción is marking 25 years of overseas surgical and hearing care. Since 2001, the charity has sent teams of surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, audiologists and support workers to Guatemala and The Gambia. Volunteers provide treatment in communities where specialist care can otherwise be difficult to access. (Castanet)

Sixty-four local businesses and organizations are finalists for the Kamloops Chamber’s 40th Business Excellence Awards. The Chamber received 210 nominations across 15 categories. Winners will be announced at the annual awards gala, with the full finalist list available through the Chamber’s announcement. (Castanet)

Kamloops recorded four suspected unregulated-drug deaths in June. BC Coroners Service figures show 17 deaths in the city during the first half of 2026, compared with 13 through May. If that pace continues, the annual total would be the city’s lowest since 2019, though every death still represents a preventable loss in the continuing toxic-drug crisis. (CFJC Today)

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🏛️ What Changed

A B.C. tribunal ordered a Kamloops man to pay his former partner $50,000 for distributing intimate images without consent. The Civil Resolution Tribunal found the images spread online and were viewed tens of thousands of times. The award included compensation for emotional harm and other damages under B.C.’s Intimate Images Protection Act. (Castanet)

A petition is asking Kamloops council to withdraw from B.C.’s electric-kick-scooter pilot program after a local rider’s death. The organizer, a friend of the 18-year-old who died following an August 16 crash, argues the city should reconsider where and how e-scooters are allowed. No policy change has been made; the petition is seeking council consideration. (CBC News)

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🚨 Safety

Police are investigating after a man reportedly spat on a Kamloops transit driver. RCMP say the incident happened around 3:45 p.m. August 9 and that a suspect has been identified. The union representing local transit workers is also discussing the incident with operator First Canada; witnesses who have not spoken with police are asked to contact Kamloops RCMP. (CFJC Today)

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📅 Events

The Kamloops Events directory has more than 400 listings from local calendars. Here are five Wednesday options.

The Wednesday Kamloops Farmers’ Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Vendors set up along the 400 block of Victoria Street beside the TNRD Library. (Kamloops Regional Farmers’ Market)

Studio Chill gives people ages 15 to 25 free studio time from 4 to 6 p.m. The Kamloops Art Gallery drop-in offers materials and space to experiment with different techniques and develop an art practice. (Kamloops Art Gallery)

The Dog Days exhibition continues at the Kamloops Arts Council through Friday. The group show by Minnumato, Dieddo and Sofia-Grace is displayed in the Hallway and Alcove Gallery. (Kamloops Arts Council)

ArtZone Summer Camp continues at Sun Peaks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The children’s day camp combines creative projects and movement; families can check registration availability through the resort. (Sun Peaks Resort)

Sweet Tequila plays Music in the Park at 7 p.m. The free country-rock performance is at the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell. (City of Kamloops)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

🌦️ Wednesday brings a chance of showers and a high near 31°C. The latest AQHI reading was 3.14, at the lower edge of the moderate-risk range. Thursday is forecast to cool to about 26°C with a mix of sun and cloud.

A Highway 5 vehicle recovery is scheduled between Correctional Road and Old Highway 5 Road Wednesday afternoon. The right lane is expected to be blocked from 3 to 7 p.m. Drivers should allow extra time. Highway 5A maintenance between Kamloops and Merritt also continues from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with single-lane alternating traffic.

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🎮 Daily Game

Really Bad Chess: play chess with an absurdly mismatched set of pieces.