Some friends from Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta pop by to first give an update on the 2026 edition of the Heroes Challenge; then we get into some recent special Wish stories, and how you can make an impact for or with the organization. This week, we reversed everything, so In Case You Missed It (29:38), our weekly review of the top stories at rdnewsNOW.com, can be found at the end of today's episode. Stick around to the very end for an important bulletin.

Further rdnewsNOW coverage of M-A-W: Yoga classes to support Make-A-Wish, remember late teen

Host Josh Hall gives his two cents on what you can do to make the most of National Indigenous Peoples Day, and welcomes two guests to the show. They are Sylvan Lake Mayor Megan Hanson (15:36), and Sylvan Lake-based Cree knowledge keeper, Mr. Clare Butterfly (23:32). Of course, there's also our weekly segment 'In Case You Missed It' (11:45).

This Sunday, catch the festivities for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Sylvan Lake and Red Deer. Details are at rdnewsnow.com, or -- and just hear me out -- you can get them by listening to this episode of the podcast!

The 2026 Alberta Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony was this past weekend, and podcast host Josh Hall was there to witness the pomp and circumstance, as well as speak with a couple of this year's amazing inductees. That includes Canadian Olympic bronze medallist (curling) Shannon Kleibrink, and longtime HNIC and Grey Cup (among others) statistician David Moir, recipient of this year's Bell Memorial Award for media contributions.

In Case You Missed It (6:43)

Sports Hall of Fame statement (11:40)

Shannon Kleibrink (14:03)

David Moir (23:23)

This week, host Josh Hall takes a trip over to the amazing Fairview Elementary, which is where the school was hosting a division-wide soccer tournament. Learn all about it from the principal there, Teresa Tataryn, and soccer program liaison at Westpark Middle School, Monique Stennes-Koot.

ICYMI (4:20)

Tataryn & Stennes-Koot (9:14)

Next week: The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Induction Gala

The man behind the Forever Canadian petition, Thomas Lukaszuk, returns to the show to talk about all the latest in the separation saga. The conversation with Thomas comes on the heels of our last episode, where we got reaction from several people on the Premier's recent referendum announcement.

In Case You Missed It (4:10)

Community Corner (7:22)

Thomas Lukaszuk (9:00)

You can hear our first conversation with Mr. Lukaszuk on Ep. 35 of the show, from Aug. 8, 2025.

In a whopper of an episode, host Josh Hall speaks with several movers and shakers to get their reaction to Thursday's announcement from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith that Albertans will vote in a referendum on separation this October 19, sort of. It's really a referendum... on a referendum for separation. Gotta love semantics, eh?

Here's where you can skip to for each of today's segments and interviews:

(0:00) Introductory segment

(5:40) In Case You Missed It

(9:22) Community Corner

(11:29) Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi and Canadian Olympic icon Catriona Le May Doan (with news conference questions from Josh Hall)

(17:10) Red Deer Mayor Cindy Jefferies, in conversation

(25:12) Red Deer Chamber CEO Frank Creasey, in conversation

(30:35) Stay Free Alberta lawyer Jeffrey Rath, in conversation

If that's not enough, here's where you can get more on this developing story:

Full May 21 address from Premier Smith

Full May 22 Naheed Nenshi news conference

Host Josh Hall was fortunate to be a participant in this week's Grow Kids event -- specifically the 'Human Library,' where kids got to speak with him about the life of a journalist. They had the chance to interview Josh, and Josh interviewed them... and they had some pretty deep thoughts on certain topics. Plus, In Case You Missed It with the top five stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com, at the end of what has been a very busy week in the news. Josh talks about one of those stories, which went viral on social media this week, and what it would take to stop the violence.

Hear from:

Josh (0:00)

Klay (11:40)

Kenzie (17:01)

Nate & Kingston (24:28)

Vlad (32:56)

Tatiana Tilly with the Red Deer Public Library (38:47)

Jean-Francois Perreault, national chief economist for Scotiabank, joins the program to talk about his outlook for the Canadian economy. We touch on the war in Iran, the new national sovereign wealth fund, immigration, mid-sized cities, Alberta separatism, and more. Plus, In Case You Missed It, with the top stories of the week at rdnewsNOW.com.