Here’s a little bit of music psychology. Studies on the power of opinion have found that you are more likely to say that you like a song if you know other people like it. Here’s a sample of one of those studies from Columbia University.

They found 14,000 individual people to sample downloads of 48 unknown songs, tracks no one in the study had ever heard before. And this is important: everyone could see what everyone else was downloading. When all the results were tallied up, there was broad agreement about which songs were best, and it seems that the quality of the music had nothing to do with it. It was all about what other people said they liked as they sought validation for their choices.

It’s a complete bandwagon effect, a herd mentality.  Weird, huh? But somehow, deep down inside, you probably knew that.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember the old-style non-digital jukebox. They used to be in bars and restaurants everywhere. It was usually a big metal-and-plastic-and-glass box more than half the size of a refrigerator, made by companies with names like Wurlitzer and Seeburg, that was essentially a coin-operated record player.

A typical jukebox could hold (at most) a couple hundred seven-inch singles. A single play of a song used to cost a nickel, then a dime and maybe three for a quarter. They were big, clunky, needed lots of servicing, and really didn’t sound all that good because the speakers tended to be terrible and could only reproduce music in mono. But in the era before personal music devices, they were tremendously popular, responsible for millions of dollars in revenue for operators, record labels and publishers. For example, the first music charts were largely based on the number of jukebox plays a record got.

Now these old machines are highly collectible and often sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The history of consumer electronics is littered with devices that just didn’t make it. This is one of the most obscure ones I’ve ever heard of.

Back in 1964, while the world was just getting into 8-tracks and cassettes, Sanyo came out with something called the Micro-Pack. This was a portable tape machine that used a cartridge featuring a continuous loop of tape that was somewhere between an 8-track and a cassette. It was never meant for music. No pre-recorded music was ever released in this format. Instead, it was marketed as an “audio camera,” something that could be used to capture things like a baby’s first words, speeches and letters that were spoken instead of written.

Unfortunately, audio quality was horrible, and outside of a few units that were sold in Japan, the Sanyo Micro-Pack died a very quick and deserved death.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

If you know anything about Josh and the guys in Queens of the Stone Age, you’ll know that they have a quirky sense of humour.

When it came to promoting their Villains album, they decided to enlist some butcher shops. For reasons known only to the band, they printed up their own custom brand of Queens of the Stone Age butcher shop paper—as in the stuff you use to wrap meat. Fans were able to get their steaks, chicken, sausages, fish or whatever wrapped in paper featuring the Queen’s logo and illustrations based on the Villains album artwork. The participating shops were located in Chapel Hill, Nashville, New Orleans, Brooklyn, Washington DC, Denver, Austin and Los Angeles.

We have no idea why, other than it got people talking. In that case, mission accomplished, right?

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A man was injured by a black bear in North Vancouver on Monday morning, according to the Conservation Officer Service.

Officers are advising the public to avoid the Richard Juryn trail network in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve after a man, walking by himself, encountered a bear along the Richard Juryn Trail around 8 a.m.

The bear followed the man for “some time,” the Conservation Office said, despite his attempts to scare it away.

The bear then swiped at the victim’s leg, officers said and they were called to the area.

No bear has been found at this time.

In coordination with Metro Vancouver Parks, the BCCOS asks the public to avoid the trail network until further notice and signs have been installed in the area.

Officers are continuing their investigation. Bear conflicts can be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) ordered a southern Alberta charity to shut down on Aug. 14 after they say they found several major health concerns.

The Southern Community Food Security Society opened in 2022, operating a food bank and thrift store in Raymond, Alta.

However, following an AHS inspection earlier this month, the charity was closed.

AHS says it found evidence of mouse droppings in the food area, improperly refrigerated eggs, expired toddler formula and the hand-wash sink was inaccessible, among other concerns.

“Incompatible storage practices were observed with food items stored in close proximity to non-food related items.”

The inspection report also says the storage area was disorganized and overcrowded, making the inspection itself a challenge.

“The overhead door was open, allowing pest access to the facility. Additionally, there were three cats who were in the food establishment at various times during the inspection.”

In a public statement on social media, the Southern Community Food Security Society says it will be officially closing its doors to both the food bank and thrift store.

“No food will be distributed through our organization and the thrift store will cease to take donations or selling goods.”

They went on to thank their volunteers for the years of hard work.

“We are so thankful for those in the community that have supported our mission these last 5 years. We are honoured to have helped thousands of families and individuals during that incredible time. We cannot thank our team of loyal and tireless volunteers enough for the countless hours they have poured into these charities; they have truly made a difference in so many lives.”

However, they say they were routinely short-staffed and unable to reopen. as a result.

“We have not made the decision to shut down operations lightly. We have continually fallen short on our need for able bodies to help with the manual labor involved in handling and distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of food. While we are indebted to the folks who have shown up routinely, this task has become more than our bodies can continue to allow.”

The group also cited a lack of government support for their shutdown.

“Though there have certainly been members who have done incredible things to support our mission, some have put up major roadblocks to our success in helping relieve food insecurity in rural southern Alberta communities. With the continued lack of supports, we have been left with no choice.”

This loss leaves the small town with limited food security options.

Raymond Mayor Bryce Coppieters told Global News in a statement that he is thankful for the years of service provided by the society, and acknowledges how good the people of the town can be.

“Raymond has always been a community that looks out for its neighbours, and we hope that spirit continues as we look ahead,” said Coppieters.

He says the town is open to new services opening up to help fill the gap.

“We welcome conversations with organizations interested in supporting food security and working alongside our community.”

The Town of Raymond says there are other groups still available to support those in need.

“In the meantime, residents experiencing food insecurity can access the three Little Free Pantry locations throughout Raymond, which provide basic food and hygiene items, and may also contact local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to learn about available assistance.”

The Southern Community Food Security Society’s statement also says they are now working with other local groups to ensure Raymond is still supported.

“We will be working with local charities to receive our goods, equipment and inventory as we dissolve our operations. We hope to make lasting ripples in other charities with what we have built here. Food security has always been our mission and we aim to benefit charities with like minded missions. Please stay tuned for more information on this.”

Global News reached out to the Southern Community Food Security Society for an interview, but did not hear back.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

One person has been taken to hospital with critical injuries after they were involved in a hit and run in the northeast end of Calgary on Monday.

The incident happened shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the intersection of 44th Avenue Northeast and 52nd Street Northeast in the community of Temple.

https://x.com/CalgaryPolice/status/2092013241652154783

An officer on scene told Global News that the pedestrian was crossing the road at the crosswalk along 44th when they were hit.

Police say the pedestrian suffered critical non-life threatening injuries and that they were taken to hospital, however the driver of the vehicle involved didn’t remain at the scene.

According to stats from Calgary police, more than 280 pedestrians have been hit by vehicles between Jan. 1 and July 31.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The latest turn in the Canada-U.S. trade war is putting more industries on edge.

Many in Saskatchewan are still digesting the news after trade talks recently broke down, putting industries at risk in this province.

“We need to recognize that things are going to get rough for Canadians and the North American economy,” said Premier Scott Moe.

It’s the latest twist in a trade war heating up between Canada and the U.S., with 50 per cent tariffs on to $20 billion worth of goods being imposed as of midnight Friday.

In response, Ottawa is promising to enact dollar for dollar counter-tariffs on targeted U.S. products. Those measures are set to take effect Sept. 8.

Premier Moe said he supports the move, with the impacts set to be felt in the Saskatchewan manufacturing, forestry and even the honey industries.

“We’re engaging on the impact of the president’s tariffs, engaging on what a suite of counter-tariffs could look like. Trying to ensure that they have a minimal impact of what they do and on Canadian businesses and Canadian families,” said Moe.

As the province focuses on that, the Saskatchewan NDP is focusing on booze, calling on the province to remove America alcohol from Saskatchewan store shelves.

Saskatchewan is one of two provinces where American liquor is still widely available, the other being Alberta.

“It’s about creating an economic pressure that can be bargained for at the negotiating table,” said Kim Breckner, shadow minister of trade and export development.

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority shadow minister Don McBean agreed.

“The rest of Canada looks at Saskatchewan and say, ‘Why aren’t you on the team?'”

So how much does this latest episode in the ongoing trade war change the game for Saskatchewan overall?

“For Saskatchewan, I don’t think that much,” said Jason Childs, economic professor at the University of Regina.

Childs says a lot of what Saskatchewan produces has been carved out of this tariff war so far.

“The U.S. generally isn’t interested in tariffing potash, or oil, or uranium. Those things are not where they want to focus,” Childs said.

As for industries facing the biggest pressure, like manufacturing, the province says it will engage industry leaders through roundtables this week to figure a path forward.

But with no clear end in sight, many are waiting to see how far this latest trade fight will go and how seriously they will be impacted.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Numbers released by Statistics Canada show that while the FIFA World Cup brought visitors to Vancouver and Toronto, the overall bump in international guests was relatively small.

International arrivals to Canada in June were up just 3.3 per cent and up 5.8 per cent in July, for a total of about 76,000 people.

Arrivals from countries that had World Cup teams playing in Canada were up by just 33,000, mostly from Australia, Panama and Germany.

Vancouver saw packed crowds at the FIFA Fan Festival at the PNE, the Granville Street Block Party and The Last Mile to BC Place, but many of those were likely local fans, one expert said.

“This was never an event that was going to deliver the economic benefits promised. It was always going to cost more, it was always going to lose money, and the fact that the data is now bearing it out is not at all surprising to me,” Moshe Lander, a sports economist with Concordia University, said.

“It really shouldn’t have been surprising to any political leader if they had done their due diligence, and that’s unfortunately a sign of the negligence with which they approached hosting this event.”

The B.C. government said the goal of hosting the World Cup was always boosting long-term economic benefits by showcasing the province to the world.

The FIFA Organizing Committee said a full accounting of the economic impact is expected next spring.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The provincial government has cancelled an overdose prevention site in Vancouver.

Three months ago, the government announced the site at 900 Helmcken St. in Vancouver, prompting backlash from residents, businesses, and the City of Vancouver.

“Community voices matter,” Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim posted on X on Monday.

“Today, Health Minister Ravi Kahlon called me personally to confirm that the proposed 900 Helmcken drug injection site will not move forward.

“Thank you to the residents, businesses and community members who stood together, made their voices heard, and advocated for public safety and better, more compassionate care for our most vulnerable.

“We can be kind. We can be compassionate. We can be caring.”

https://x.com/KenSimCity/status/2091976573025214738

Kahlon told Global News that the province still needs a commitment from the city to meet the needs of that population.

“We’re not moving forward with the ops site at that location, but we need a commitment to work with the city and all partners in Vancouver to ensure that the most vulnerable people have the supports that they need so we don’t have overdoses in front of our businesses in our communities and that’s a commitment the mayor shared with me,” Kahlon said.

In October, Vancouver voters will head to the polls and answer a plebiscite to ask about strengthening city laws on open-air drug use and if the old St. Paul’s Hospital or another site should provide more involuntary care beds.

“I think it will send a really strong message to every future city council and whoever is in Victoria,” Sim told Global News.

The Helmcken Street site was leased for two years for $179,000. The province says it will consider the location for alternative uses.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.