Tuesday, September 8, 2026

📰 News

TRU paid its top executives just over $1.61 million in total compensation last fiscal year while managing major budget reductions. The university’s disclosure includes salaries, benefits, pensions and transportation allowances, but not travel expenses. Finance and administration vice-president Matt Milovick received the highest individual total at $317,295. TRU is working through roughly $47 million in budget cuts and nearly 200 job cuts and layoffs after international enrolment fell by about 2,200 full-time-equivalent students. (Castanet)

A free home-energy upgrade program has expanded with new federal and provincial funding. Qualifying households can receive an energy evaluation and improvements such as heat pumps, insulation, weatherization and ventilation through the Energy Conservation Assistance Program. Income limits range from $51,000 for a one-person household to $135,000 for a household of seven. BC Hydro and FortisBC say the first-come, first-served program is free from the initial assessment through completed upgrades. (Castanet)

Kamloops Search and Rescue airlifted an exhausted hiker from Tranquille Slot Canyon Sunday. Fourteen volunteers responded after the woman could no longer safely continue on foot. They carried her about 200 metres to a prepared landing zone, and a helicopter flew her to Kamloops Airport for transfer to paramedics. KSAR is reminding hikers to leave enough time, water and energy for the return trip, which can be as demanding as the hike in. (Castanet)

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🏛️ What Changed

BC Wildfire Service has reduced the crews and equipment assigned to the Ainslie Creek fire as containment work continues. The wider Brunswick Complex now has 123 firefighters, five helicopters and seven pieces of heavy equipment, down from 269 firefighters, 10 helicopters and 22 heavy machines late last week. Ainslie Creek remains classified as held, but crews are still strengthening containment lines, removing dangerous trees and extinguishing hot spots. Five evacuation alerts and an area restriction remain in place. (Castanet)

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is investing $1.8 million in three playgrounds. Improvements are planned for Sunnybrae Community Park, Cedar Heights Community Park and Sorrento-Blind Bay Community Park. Designs were shaped through resident surveys and will add more inclusive play features, including shade sails, a sensory play panel and a meadow trail at Sunnybrae. (CFJC Today)

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🚨 Safety

School-zone speed limits are back in effect as Kamloops students return to class. The 30 km/h limits apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and RCMP says drivers should expect increased enforcement. Speeding in a school zone can bring fines from $196 to $253, while failing to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights carries a $368 fine. Police are asking motorists to slow down, leave extra travel time and yield at marked crossings. (Castanet)

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📅 Events

The Kamloops Events directory has more than 400 current listings drawn from local calendars. Here are five options for Wednesday and Thursday.

The FASD Day Family and Friends Celebration takes place Wednesday. Tourism Kamloops has the location, schedule and participation details for the community gathering. (Tourism Kamloops)

The Seniors’ Book Club meets Wednesday at the Kamloops Library. The older-adult group discusses books across several genres, including non-fiction. (TNRL)

Youth Hub opens Wednesday at the North Kamloops Library. The drop-in program for ages 12 to 17 offers space to visit with friends, use technology, make art and play games. (TNRL)

A leather-notebook workshop runs Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kamloops Art Gallery. The adult studio program uses a pay-what-you-can registration scale. (Kamloops Art Gallery)

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” screens Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. The Kamloops Film Society listing has tickets and film details. (Kamloops Film Society)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

☀️ Tuesday is expected to be sunny with a high near 28°C. The latest AQHI reading was 2.7, in the low-risk range. Wednesday stays sunny near 28°C before a chance of showers and a high near 24°C Thursday.

Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes on roads east of Kamloops Wednesday and Thursday. A special event affects the route from Shuswap Road at Adcock Road to Kamloops-Shuswap Road at Stevenson Road between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day.

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🎮 Daily Game

Hexle: identify the exact colour shade from a single visual clue.