Morning North
with Markus Schwabe

Karen Passmore is with the Ministry of Natural Resources in Timmins. She updates Markus on the latest about Timmins fire number 9. Listen (runs 5:58)

Denis Flanagan is public relations manager for Landscape Ontario. He joins Markus to talk about landcaping for the home gardener. Listen (runs 6:39)

On this week's phone in... It's far from a done deal, but we ask: Is building a new casino in downtown Sudbury a good idea? Tony Bitonti of the OLG joins us for the conversation and of course we have listeners join in. Listen (runs 16:40)

Can they do it again? Some Laurentian University students are at the 2012 NASA Lunabotics competition in Florida. The Laurentian team's robot took home the big prize last year. We talk to one of the students taking part in the competition this year. Listen (runs 6:26)

In our weekly report for Queen's Park, we talk to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Liberal MPP for Sudbury, Rick Bartolucci. The discussion touches on the the ONTC, a new casino for downtown Sudbury and the possibility of a summer election. Listen (runs 8:18)

We speak with a conservation officer with the enforcement branch of the MNR. He talks about investigating forest fires to figure out if they are caused by humans or mother nature. Listen (runs 5:25)

Reporter Megan Thomas brings us an update from Matheson on the fires burning in the northeast. The Kirkland Lake fire has affected some major hydro lines and the fire burning between Timmins and Gogama is forcing evacuations and highway closures. Listen (runs 7:31)

Chief Isadore Day of Serpent River First Nation took part in a meeting between Prince Charles and First Nation leaders. He told us about meeting the prince and about the meaning of a special ceremony involving a belt. Listen (runs 6:21)

Project Georges was started about three years ago to help troubled First Nation youth. The need for the camp has grown to the point where the First Nation in Moose Factory is no longer able to sustain it. Outside funding is needed to keep the camp going. Listen (runs 5:02)

Panoramic Properties purchased the General Hospital in Sudbury a few years ago. It now plans to convert the old hospital into condominiums. We spoke to the architect of the project about the plans for the site. Listen (runs 6:36)