--Prairie Update--

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(Alta-Wildfires)

Alberta Forestry Minister Todd Loewen (LOH'-uhn) says roughly 290 square kilometres of forest have been burned so far this year in the province.

That's compared to 52-hundred square kilometres at this time last year.

Loewen says cool, wet weather over the past week has lowered the risk of wildfires in the province, and more rainfall is in the forecast over the next few days.

But he says Albertans must continue to stay up to date on wildfire risk levels, as 30 fires are currently burning across the province. (The Canadian Press)

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(Sask-MLA-Gun)

A Saskatchewan N-D-P critic says it would be alarming for any legislature member to bring gun into the building.

Meara Conway is demanding that Premier Scott Moe's government house leader address allegations he brought a hunting rifle into the legislature and wanted to carry a handgun.

Conway also wrote to security officials asking them what they know about the accusations levelled against Jeremy Harrison by the Speaker nearly a week ago.

Moe previously said Harrison told him the accusations are false. (The Canadian Press)

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(Metis-National-Council) (Alta and Sask note)

The president of the Metis National Council says she will not be seeking re-election in order to focus on family.

Cassidy Caron was elected in 2021 to lead the organization that represents Metis groups in Alberta, Saskatchewan, B-C and Ontario.

The council was in the spotlight recently over a federal bill that seeks to recognize the self-government of some Metis groups.

The next election for a new council leader is set for September 24th in Saskatoon. (The Canadian Press)

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(Mba-MP-Sexual-Assault-Charge) (NOTE CONTENT)

A Manitoba judge has agreed to stay a sexual assault charge against a former N-D-P member of Parliament.

Romeo Saganash was accused of sexually touching a person during a meeting in Winnipeg in May of last year.

He was referred to a restorative justice program last fall, and a Crown prosecutor says Saganash had been a successful" participant in that program.

Saganash is a Cree lawyer who was appointed to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation's advisory committee on missing children and unmarked graves two years ago. (CBC Manitoba)

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(Sask-Workplace-Fatality)

A Saskatchewan company has been fined 325-thousand dollars following two separate accidents that killed one worker and injured another.

Spiritwood Stockyards pleaded guilty last week to two violations of Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

A worker was seriously injured in 2021 after being struck by a gate while trying to load bulls onto a trailer.

And in 2022, a worker died after falling through a fiberglass skylight while trying to clear snow off a roof. (The Canadian Press)

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(HKN-Oilers-Stars-Lineups) (Alta note)

The Edmonton Oilers are sticking with a familiar lineup for Game 1 of the N-H-L's Western Conference final against the Dallas Stars.

Oilers Head coach Kris Knoblauch (NAW’-block) says it'll be the same one that beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7, which means veteran forward Corey Perry will once again be a healthy scratch.

The Dallas Stars, meanwhile, will be without Number One centre Roope Hintz (ROO'-peh HIHNTZ') due to an upper-body injury.

The puck drops tonight in Dallas at 6-30 p-m local time. (The Canadian Press)

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(Prairie Update by The Canadian Press)

The Canadian Press