Show Notes
MONDAY, FEB. 11, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. The Pope has decided to step down amid health concerns. And, more information surrounding last year's massive fire at Regina's co-op refinery. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. Saskatchewan's potash royalty regime is being called incredibly "complex and bizarre." Dr. Jack Mintz, tax expert and director of the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, is proposing a simpler, more efficient structure. David has that story.
4:00 p.m. Centrally controlled currencies such as the Canadian loonie or the American greenback are facing the threat of an online and completely digital currency known as Bitcoins. If converted into US dollars, all of the circulating Bitcoins in the world would add up to more than $200-million. Ethan Erkiletian of Saskatoon is a frequent buyer and seller of the online money. Ethan explains how Bitcoins may provide more bang for your buck than the money in your pockets.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Bronwyn Eyre and Jackson Middleton join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Pope Benedict will resign at the end of the month due to health reasons. This makes him the first pontiff to step down in nearly 600 years. Now the favourite to take over the helm is believed to be a Cardinal from Quebec. Father David Tumback, Pastor of the Cathedral in Saskatoon, shares his thoughts on the recent announcement.
5:30 p.m. With Valentine's Day this week, is it better to be single or in a relationship? When it comes to love and sex, it's economics, and not romance, that is at the root of major relationship decisions. That's according to University of British Columbia economist Dr. Marina Adshade, who believes people make better decisions when they can take a sober look at their probabilities for success in marriage.
FRIDAY, FEB. 8, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Senator Patrick Brazeau was formally charged today with assault and sexual assault when he appeared in court. No sign of the army yet, but Toronto and Southwestern Ontario is being inundated with its worst snowstorm in five years. And, this time Bambi gets shot. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. Despite the gloomy outlook for California's finances, Ontario appears to be in much worse shape. That's according to Jason Clemens, Executive Vice-President of the Fraser Institute. Jason explains what a troubled Ontario on the brink of collapse would mean for Saskatchewan and the other provinces.
4:00 p.m. Earth-like planets may be closer and more plentiful than anyone has ever imagined. Astronomers reported this week that the nearest planet with great potential to carry life may be just next door -- galactically speaking. Harvard University graduate student Courtney Dressing is the lead author of the study. Courtney joins David.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Movie Geek Craig Silliphant and CKOM News Director Angela Hill join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Ottawa is going back to court to prevent Canada's 200,000 Métis and 400,000 non-status Indians from falling under federal jurisdiction. The Federal Court made the initial ruling early January. Métis Nation of Saskatchewan President Robert Doucette shares his thoughts on the appeal.
5:30 p.m. He is known as the "Rink Guy," and now he is being featured in a national Shreddies commercial after Post's search for a Canadian "Ice Rink Hero." Saskatoon's Greg Epp has spent the last seven years making sure his neighbourhood's ice is ready for the kids. David takes you to the heart warming commercial.
THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield received a phone call from William Shatner today. The soon-to-be space Captain speaks with the former pretend Captain. Also, a manhunt is underway after a shooting spree by a suspected former police officer. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. Sentencing will be handed down tomorrow for a Sub-Lieutenant naval officer who has confessed to spying for Russia. Jeffrey Delisle transmitted sensitive data to Russian agents for five years before he was arrested in early 2012. Jane Taber, senior political writer with The Globe and Mail, has been covering the trial. Jane joins David.
4:00 p.m. The Conservative Party of Canada is doing an about-face, now admitting it's behind a string of "robocalls" made in Saskatchewan last week. The calls said a report suggesting the province move to more urban-only and rural-only election ridings would "destroy Saskatchewan values." Jane Hilderman, project manager with civic engagement advocate group Samara, explains why instances like this forces the electorate to lose faith in politics.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Bronwyn Eyre and Jackson Middleton join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Two Canadian space Captains came together today. From the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield spoke with Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner. Hadfield becomes Captain of the Space Station next month. Today's conversation was in front of an audience of "space tweeps" gathered at the Canadian Space Agency. David takes you to the conversation.
5:30 p.m. A man admitting to being a Russian spy in Canada will have his sentencing read tomorrow. Sub-Lieutenant naval officer Jeffrey Delisle sent secretive information to the Russians for five years before confessing to a judge earlier this week. The Globe and Mail's senior political writer Jane Taber has that story.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Responsibility for a line of "robocalls" made in Saskatchewan last week to deter urban-only and rural-only ridings is now being claimed by the Conservative Party of Canada, after denying any connection last week. Also, the Boys Scouts of America is considering lifting its longstanding ban on gay scouts and leaders. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. The chief and five of the Standing Buffalo First Nation's six councillors have been impeached after refusing to show up to a meeting about questionable spending. Aboriginal Affairs, however, is only allowed to step in when there is a threat to life or health. Colin Craig, Prairie Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, joins David to question why corruption is not included in the mandate of Aboriginal Affairs.
4:00 p.m. A Senate finance committee is delivering its report today explaining why it is Canadians pay more for the exact same goods and services than Americans. Dr. George Bragues, professor and program head of the University of Guelph-Humber's business department, believes the price discrepancy is from a number of factors from taxes to minimum wages.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Sarah Mills and Amanda Williams join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Will publicly shaming drunk drivers solve the problem or make things worse? PEI's Transportation Minister believes a special licence plate for convicted drivers will deter drinking. However, a study released this week by University of British Columbia researchers suggests attempting to shame people out of drinking will only make the situation worse. Co-author and lead researcher Dan Randles joins David.
5:30 p.m. The Standing Buffalo First Nation is swamped in turmoil surrounding questionable spending. The chief and five councillors have been impeached after refusing to show up to a meeting about the spending. Canadian Taxpayers Federation prairie director Colin Craig joins David.
TUESDAY, FEB. 5, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Coach Dave King will be returning to the province to speak at a luncheon ahead of the University Cup. King has coached everywhere from the NHL to the KHL, and internationally at the Olympics and World Juniors. Also, the man convicted of a stabbing above a Saskatoon nightclub last year was sentenced to 11 years in prison this morning. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. The population of moose are starkly on the rise in Saskatchewan. Now the Ministry of Environment is looking to study the movements of the many moose to help property owners and drivers on the road. Dr. Ryan Brook, with the U of S College of Agriculture and Bioresources, explains how and why tracking the large wild animals will help.
4:00 p.m. She may be new to hiking and climbing, but a Waldheim woman is setting goals ambitiously high by climbing her way to the top of a Himalayan mountain. Denise Heppner is making the rigorous 5.5 km vertical trek to help raise money for women in developing countries. Denise joins David.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Craig Silliphant and Angela Hill join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Last week, MADD Canada upped the pressure on Saskatchewan to toughen up its drinking and driving laws. Yesterday, PEI's Transportation Minister made his case to David as to why convicted drivers should face public shaming. Today we look at Alberta's new laws that went into effect last year. Edmonton Sun columnist Lorne Gunter joins the conversation. He calls them "Draconian."
5:30 p.m. The province is turning to U of S researchers to help track the moose population that has been spiraling out of control. Dr. Ryan Brook, who is leading the project, explains why this information is needed to help keep drivers and property safe.
MONDAY, FEB. 4, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. The Canadian penny is officially laid to rest today. While last night, many pretty pennies were bet on the Super Bowl. Also, the 500-year-old remains of King Richard III, who died in battle, was found beneath a parking lot. These and more with today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. A number of wild turn of events at yesterday's Super Bowl. The champion Ravens almost let a large lead slip in the dying seconds, following the lights going out for a half hour at the Superdome, while Beyoncé rocked the half time show. This was all in addition to the much anticipated Super Bowl commercials. News Talk Radio's Wray Morrison and Craig Silliphant look back at the night that was.
4:00 p.m. The countdown is on to Valentine's Day. It's a special time for many couples in love, while others hold deep disdain and disgust for the so called commercial holiday. Marni Soupcoff, managing editor of Huffington Post's blogs, is one of those people. Marni joins David to explain why she is the self-proclaimed Valentine's Day grinch.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Bronwyn Eyre and Jackson Middleton join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. As MADD Canada calls on Saskatchewan to get tougher on drinking and driving laws, Prince Edward Island is considering a unique approach. The Transportation Minister is proposing a public shaming of drunk drivers by issuing a special licence plate for those who are convicted. Minister Robert Vessey joins David.
5:30 p.m. A part of Saskatchewan's history is going from the ice to the big screen. Trilight Entertainment has announced production on one of Canada's greatest hockey stories to be called Sudden Death: The Incredible Saga of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos. Producer Shayne Putzlocher explains the cultural significance of the '86 Broncos, and why it is that a film about Saskatchewan's history will not be filmed in Saskatchewan at all.
FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. MADD Canada is looking for tougher driving laws and the Super Bowl takes centre stage. David has the big stories of the day.
3:30 p.m. Top athletes like Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan may have had an upper hand than their competitors right from the start. A new study from the University of Montreal suggests these super elite stars have a special form of intelligence. As Dr. Jocelyn Faubert explains, they have the ability to process and react to complex and rapidly changing visual cues.
4:00 p.m. It's not just enough to pay for health care services through your taxes, but a former Saskatchewan NDP finance minister suggests we need to cough up additional cash for care too. Dr. Janice MacKinnon argues that providing health care for all Canadians, while encouraging a robust economy, will require a more efficient system with better methods of funding in future years. She joins David to explain how the best way to levy those costs would be to use the income tax system with a ceiling at three per cent of income.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Amanda Williams and Jackson Middleton join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Super Bowl Sunday pins the San Francisco 49ers up against the Baltimore Ravens. News Talk Radio's Wray Morrison previews the championship game and gives you his pick.
5:30 p.m. The verdict is read today surrounding the foster mother accused of criminal negligence in the drowning of a toddler near Aberdeen. News Talk Radio's Bre McAdam has been covering that story. Bre joins David.
THURSDAY, JAN. 31, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Top stories today include a look ahead to the Super Bowl, accusations of misspending on Standing Buffalo First Nation, and of course, another round of cold. David has more.
3:20 p.m. While conditions in Saskatchewan dip to the -35 mark with wind chill, planet Mars is enjoying a balming high of +6 today. Fortunately, warning preparedness meteorologist John Paul Cragg says the temperature will begin to pick up heading into next week.
3:30 p.m. Alberta finds itself in a large hole as Premier Redford announces a $6-billion shortfall in oil revenue. But what does this mean for resource rich Saskatchewan? Business analyst Paul Martin explains what this may mean for our pockets.
4:00 p.m. Kick off to Super Bowl XLVII goes this Sunday. If you're not watching the game, you will likely be tuning in for the commercials, priced at $4-million per 30 second ad. Jani Yates, President of the Institute of Communcation Agencies, explains what advertisers need to do to grab your attention.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Bronwyn Eyre and Jackson Middleton join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. The province may be facing a labour shortage, but one economist suggests Saskatchewan should avoid hiring temporary foreign workers. The University of Calgary's Dr. Herb Emery believes it's a quick fix solution and that conditions will turn sour in the long run. Dr. Emery joins David.
5:30 p.m. A part of Saskatchewan's history is going from the ice to the big screen. Trilight Entertainment has announced production on one of Canada's greatest hockey stories to be called Sudden Death: The Incredible Saga of the 1986 Swift Current Broncos. Producer Shayne Putzlocher explains the cultural significance of the '86 Broncos, and why it is that a film about Saskatchewan's history will not be filmed in Saskatchewan at all.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 30, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. It's a frigid day in Saskatchewan, with a high of -25 in Saskatoon, while Regina bundles up for extreme wind chill at -43. Also, RIM shares dip slightly on the day that it formally changes its name to "BlackBerry Limited" and releases its new BlackBerry 10. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. We're just days away from Super Bowl XLVII, and with it comes the big production half-time show. This year, Beyoncé is set to take the stage just a week after taking criticism for lip syncing at President Obama's inauguration. Movie Geek Craig Silliphant looks ahead to this weekend's show.
4:00 p.m. The mining sector in Canada's North is forecast to almost double its output and employment by the end of the decade. According to the Conference Board of Canada, that's staggering growth compared to the Canadian economy as a whole. However, Anja Jeffrey, Director of the board's Centre for the North, has a slew of worries from regulatory uncertainty to skill shortages. Anja joins David.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Sarah Mills and Amanda Williams join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. The BlackBerry 10 may be new and shiny, but is it enough to launch Research In Motion, now known as "BlackBerry Limited," back to the centre stage? Theresa Tedesco, chief business correspondent with the National Post, explains if top competitors Apple and Google should be worried.
5:30 p.m. Rowdy MPs may soon get a lesson in being respectful to one another. A new motion in the House of Commons, described as the Civility Project, is looking to give the Speaker more power to discipline name-callers, hecklers, and generally rude members. Former MP and Deputy Prime Minister Sheila Copps shares her memories of House civility and how she perceives it now.
TUESDAY, JAN. 29, 2013 with David Kirton
3:00 p.m. Today's deportation hearing for a Romanian mother and her daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy was cancelled. Also, Saskatchewan's federal electoral ridings could soon get a shake up. David has today's top stories.
3:30 p.m. Canada's top one per cent of earners now represent 10 per cent of the country's income. Statistics Canada's lastest report says that's down from 12 per cent in 2006, all while taxes have increased for the most wealthy. Dan Simon, investment consultant with EuroPacific Canada, explains Canada's income and tax trends over the last few decades.
4:00 p.m. The new BlackBerry 10 will hit shelves tomorrow. Some are suggesting it could bring Research In Motion back to the forefront. As tech expert Kris Abel explains, the BlackBerry 10 will be a fresh start for RIM.
4:30 p.m. Round Table - Craig Silliphant and Angela Hill join David Kirton on the round table.
5:00 p.m. Saskatoon and Regina's ridings could get a facelift ahead of the next federal election. The Federal Electoral Commission has tabled its proposal to Parliament, which could shake up the rural and urban boundaries. Saskatoon MP Brad Trost and former candidate Nettie Wiebe share their thoughts on the new maps.
5:30 p.m. The parents of twin newborns in Ottawa are going to the Federal Court of Appeal to gain 35 weeks of parental leave so they can both care for their daughters at the same time. Should parents of multiple births be entitled to more time off than single birth parents? Sheila Catto, co-chair of Multiple Birth Canada, and mom of 12-year-old triplets, joins the conversation.