8:30 – Concerns about the Omicron variant of COVID-19 prompted the federal government to recommend against non-essential travel outside of Canada on Wednesday. But while the new variant certainly sounds scary, early studies indicate its outcomes are less severe than previous strains. To tell us what the latest science says about Omicron, John is joined by microbiologist Dr. Joseph Blondeau.
LIVE: Dr. Joseph Blondeau, microbiologist and head of clinical microbiology at RUH and the U of S
9:00 – Bugsday… The Hour of Rage!
10:00 – Regina’s City Council approved a $3.5 million budget increase for the city police in 2022, increasing the police service’s net operating budget to just under $92.8 million. Included in the increase is money for a police plane and the creation of an air support unit. Regina Police Chief Evan Bray joins John to tell us about the new air support unit and other crime and policing issues in the Queen City. Do you have a question for the chief? Call 1-877-332-8255!
LIVE: Evan Bray, Regina Police Service Chief
10:30 – Since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on Aug. 30, the country has been in the grips of the resurging Taliban, with dire consequences for those who helped Canada and its allies. Kevin Weedmark in Moosomin has been working for months to secure safe passage out of Afghanistan for the man who helped him as an interpreter and guide during his own time in the country, along with the interpreter’s family. Weedmark joins Gormley with a very positive update to the story.
LIVE: Kevin Weedmark, Editor and Publisher of the World-Spectator
11:00 – When does the Christmas season officially start for you? For some, it’s the first time they hear their favourite carol. For others, it’s getting together with family they haven’t seen in a long while. It could be as simple as watching your favourite Christmas movie, or decorating your home. Call 1-877-332-8255 and fill in the blank: “It isn’t Christmas until _______!”
12:00 – A Saskatchewan rancher and his family was quarantined in a Toronto Hilton hotel after returning from South Africa earlier this month, where they visited friends and family of his wife. Larry Kennedy, along with his wife and two young children, was in the hotel from Dec. 2-7, and while he has no issue with the need for their quarantine stay, he says the conditions were not adequate. Kennedy, who was separated from his checked luggage after going into quarantine, says he had to work hard to get hot water, diapers, milk for his 13-month-old child, dish soap, laundry, and other essentials from the Red Cross. Kennedy joins Gormley to tell us about the experience, and how it could have been improved.
LIVE: Larry Kennedy, Saskatchewan rancher who stayed in quarantine hotel after returning from Africa