Here are some of the stories that made headlines in April 2025.
Conservatives Pick Up Two Seats on Liberals, Terra Nova-The Peninsulas Remains Too Close to Call
There were plenty of surprises in Newfoundland and Labrador, and when the dust settled, the political landscape was more evenly split than it has been in recent memory.
The NDP did not factor in any of the races as its support virtually collapsed.
The Conservatives increased their total to two seats from one, and the Liberals garnered four seats, down from six. One riding, Terra Nova-The Peninsulas, remained too close to call on election night.
Terra Nova-The Peninsulas was recounted later in May.
You can read the full story here.
Province Putting Significant Focus on Education, Health Care in Budget 2025
Provincial Budget 2025 (VOCM News)
The 2025 budget includes some significant spending in education, accounting for 17 per cent of total expenses.
Perhaps the biggest increase goes to the K-12 system.
Government is pumping an additional $20-million into the teaching services budget, which they say will result in 400 new teachers and learning assistants. That funding will increase to $44-million next year. As well, government is putting $850,000 towards recruitment and retention initiatives for positions in hard-to-fill areas.
You can read the full story here.
Ode to be Sung at MUN Convocation in May
(File Photo courtesy Memorial University.)
Memorial University is apologizing again after re-instating the Ode to Newfoundland.
President Jennifer Lokash told VOCM News they’re sorry for the confusion caused by the Ode being dropped.
She says the actions were taken by a “former-former president” and do not reflect the university today.
At the time, then-president Vianne Timmons said the Ode to Newfoundland wasn’t inclusive and was subsequently dropped from convocations.
You can read the full story here.
Man Arrested for Murder at Ferry Terminal Held for Court
Police arrest the Hussein brothers at the ferry terminal in Port aux Basques. (Submitted/file photo)
Members of the RCMP-RNC Joint Forces Operation West were involved in the dramatic take-down in Port aux Basques of a man wanted for murder in St. John’s.
Police launched a manhunt for 19-year-old Ibrahim Hussein after a 33-year-old man was gunned down in the capital city’s east end in what police call a targeted attack.
The victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital. RNC issued a public advisory to be on the look-out for the 19-year-old suspect, culminating in his arrest at the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in Port aux Basques.
Another person was arrested at the same time – later found to be his brother.
You can read the full story here.
Mayor Left Speechless After Theft of Amelia Earhart Statue in Harbour Grace
(Conception Bay Museum)
First the plaque was taken, now thieves have boldly made off with a statue dedicated to a world-famous aviation pioneer.
A statue depicting Amelia Earhart, the American aviatrix who went missing while crossing the Pacific in 1937, was stolen from Harbour Grace overnight.
The theft comes just days after two plaques from the same site were also stolen.
Earhart famously took off from Harbour Grace in 1932, becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. A statue dedicated to Earhart was unveiled on the 75th anniversary of that historic achievement.
You can read the full story here.
NL’s First NHLer, Alex Faulkner, Passes Away
(Hockey NL/Wikipedia)
Former NHLer and Newfoundland hockey legend Alex Faulkner passed away, just a few months after his brother George.
The Bishop’s Falls native passed away at the age of 88.
Faulkner started playing shinny on the frozen Exploits River with his brothers—including older brother George, the first Newfoundlander ever to play professional hockey.
You can read the full story here.
