There’s nothing like having the window open or the top down on a great day with tunes blasting from the car stereo. Chances are you’ve got your favourite driving song, if not a series of driving playlists. Is it your imagination, or do some songs sound better while driving?

It has to do with the brain’s sweet spot when it comes to rhythm. The background noise of a car—the engine, the road noise, the vibrations—is pretty consistent. But when you combine that with the slightly less consistent rhythm of a song, your brain shifts into a space where it’s more likely to enhance the novelty of the music.

Driving fast (which adds a sense of danger) while knowing you’re in control (which inspires confidence), combined with a great song (which makes you want to move), results in a little extra adrenaline that just makes everything sound better.

Hey, it’s science.

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

The Black Keys have come a long, long way since that first gig in Akron, Ohio, sometime in early 2002.  They played a show in front of just ten paying customers.  The total take for the night was five dollars for guitarist Dan Auerbach and five dollars for drummer Patrick Carney.

Things improved slowly. Their first album was recorded in the basement of Pat’s family’s house. The third album was recorded in an abandoned tire factory. But with each new album, life got a little better–for an indie band, anyway. There was a lot of critical acclaim and much hipster love, but it wasn’t until their 2008 album, Attack & Release, that the rest of the world began to figure out what the Black Keys were all about.  And, of course, things blew up real good with their 2010 album, Brothers.

And where did the band get their name, anyway?  Pat’s father used the phrase “black key” as something that wasn’t quite right.  I wonder what he thinks of his son’s job?

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

Be honest: When you are faced with a dialogue box that wants you to read the terms and conditions of whatever software or service you’re using, you just click “agree” or “okay” and move on. No one reads these end-user license agreements.

A Manchester company called Purple tried a social experiment. In an offer for free Wi-Fi, they buried a “community service clause” deep in the license agreement. They were prepared to offer a prize to anyone who found it.  By blindly clicking “agree,” users agreed to community service activities such as cleaning porta-potties at music festivals.

Some 22,000 people signed up, and only one person read the whole thing.

Purple won’t hold anyone to the clause in their contract, but they did make their point, didn’t they?

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

With just days to go before the FIFA World Cup kicks off, there are still plenty of ways to get in on the action.

Tickets are still available for the first of seven matches in Vancouver and as of Tuesday, there were tickets available for about $400 each.

Tickets for both of Team Canada’s Vancouver matches are also still available, with a ticket for the first game on June 18, starting at around $700.

There are also tickets still available to watch the games on the big screen at the FIFA Fan Zone.

Analysts say hotel occupancy in Metro Vancouver is hovering around 50 per cent, which is lower than at the same time last year.

But that could be due to major conferences choosing to avoid Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup.

“They’re saying, look, I don’t want to compete with the fans for airfare, hotels, and restaurant seats, so let’s just hold off on a corporate event and either have it in March or in October,” Jan Freitag, the national director of hospitality analytics at CoStar, said.

Short-term rentals may also be playing a role.

“While we have a demand that’s level with last year, our occupancy is quite a bit lower,” Bram Gallagher, economics and forecasting director at AirDNA, said.

The company said that the number of short-term rental listings in Metro Vancouver has jumped 17 per cent in just the last two months.

But while demand for short-term accommodation trails most other host cities, Vancouver’s nightly rates are among the highest.

“The average booked rate for game days and game eves in Vancouver, they are up 49 per cent,” Gallagher added.

Meanwhile, hotel rooms just outside of Vancouver are still available for several hundred dollars per night and some downtown hotel rooms are also available for around the same price.

The B.C. government says it expects bookings to pick up as the tournament progresses and analysts are watching what the cost will be for those nightly stays.

“We still think this is going to be a boost to the Vancouver hotel industry just because they can drive the rate,” Freitag said.

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

Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Jake Ceresna was chosen as one of the CFL’s players of the week for his performance in his first game with the Bombers.

Ceresna is the CFL’s third star of the week after a three-sack debut in Friday’s season-opening victory against the Calgary Stampeders.

It was his first career three-sack game, giving him 49 sacks over his eight-year career. He also added five defensive tackles in the win.

James Vaughters led the Bombers in sacks last year with just six all season long, and Ceresna is already halfway there just one game into the new season.

Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin was the first star of the week after putting up 102 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving. Montreal Alouettes defensive back Robert Kennedy was the second star after returning an interception for a touchdown.

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

The Rural Municipality (RM) of Corman Park is giving a northern Saskatoon-area planning district a six-month lifeline, following discussions of withdrawing earlier this year.

In April, Corman Park’s planning committee considered a report from the RM’s administration on the status of its participation in the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) and the potential options and implications of withdrawing.

This came after concerns from the RM’s reeve and council about challenges stemming from the partnership, including a slowdown in development approvals and the RM’s council feeling they lack the same powers as their counterparts.

P4G membership includes Saskatoon, Martensville, Warman and Osler and was created with the intention of developing the regions, supporting sustainable land use and strategizing for decades of growth.

On Tuesday, the RM’s planning committee considered a new report from administration outlining the implications of annexation, costs, and engagements with partners should Corman Park leave the planning district.

But councillors pushed forward a proposed motion by Corman Park Reeve Joe Hargrave instead, which entails that partners renegotiate the terms of P4G over the next six months to come to a more agreeable arrangement for Corman Park.

“We want to continue to work together. We’re friends, we’re neighbours. We want to benefit the whole area, not just one individual portion,” Hargrave told Global News in an interview Tuesday following council’s decision to push forward his motion in an 8-1 vote.

The more amicable approach to the decision to remain in P4G follows what Hargrave said were productive discussions with the mayors from the other cities over the past month. Hargrave says the other mayors are open to making changes.

“Let’s sit down and formally do this in negotiations and make a formal change rather than just agree that we need to make change, but let’s actually do it,” Hargrave said.

Before voting on Hargrave’s motion, councillors raised concerns about remaining in P4G, including delays in development approvals and a sense that the RM’s voice is not being heard. Some also shared concerns about meetings with counterparts taking place in camera, asking for public attendance.

“I’m fed up to here, far past my height, drowning in P4G. I’m tired of it, and something absolutely needs to change,” Coun. David Greenwood said to council on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, representatives from Martensville, Osler and Warman attended the meeting and shared similar sentiments of support for keeping P4G. Representatives from the City of Saskatoon were not physically present at the meeting but attended virtually.

Global News reached out to the City of Saskatoon for comment.

“It was good to see the other three partners that were here but it doesn’t change things,” said Hargrave.

“I’ve had a really good meeting with Mayor Block and with the City Manager, so I know their feelings on it, that they really are in favour of the change, of making some changes and trying to come to an agreement.”

Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk says he is pleased with the decision to return to the table.

“The spirit of it is to leave a legacy of growth within our region that continues to go. And we can look back on and say that we were part of all of this to move it forward instead of stifling at this time,” Philipchuk told Global News in an interview.

While withdrawal threats have cooled, they are not fully off the table. Hargrave says he hopes to see two main issues addressed by planning district partners: improving development approval timelines and increasing the RM’s say in development decisions.

“The cities are talking about a 50-year plan, well, we’re looking more like a 15-year plan, let’s get that figured out where we’re going in the next 15 years,” said Hargrave.

At the end of the six-month timeline, Hargrave says councillors will decide whether negotiations have resulted in any improvements to continue its participation in P4G.

“If council doesn’t like what we’ve negotiated, that portion, then we will initiate a withdrawal process,” he said.

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

Former Toronto police drug squad officer Brian Sukhram cried in a downtown court Tuesday morning after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine and methamphetamine, breach of trust and obstructing justice.

Ontario Court Justice Joseph Callaghan sentenced the 39-year-old officer to four years in prison, agreeing to a joint position from Crown and defence.

Sukhram was then taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

Just minutes earlier, Sukhram stood up and addressed the court through tears.

“I just want to apologize. I just want to thank the Crowns. I want to thank my lawyer as well, Gary, I just want to apologize,” Sukhram sobbed.

“This is a sad day for Mr. Sukhram,” defence lawyer Gary Clewley told the court. “For 13 years, he served the community. He risked his safety and his life to serve and protect. At the beginning of September 2023, he sought help. He has expressed remorse.”

According to an agreed statement of facts, on July 3, 2024, Sukhram worked overtime to process property he and fellow drug squad officers had seized after executing a search warrant on Jarvis Street on July 2, 2024, at the home of an accused known as Kenneth G.

Mr. G was arrested after undercover drug squad officers bought cocaine and MDMA from him during a street-level drug investigation.

After departing the Toronto Police Service drug squad parking lot around 1:24 a.m. in plain clothes while wearing a black JanSport backpack, Sukhram entered an unmarked 2018 TPS Honda Accord and drove away.

The facts state that shortly after exiting the parking lot, Sukhram was involved in a collision at a construction site approximately 800 metres away, causing damage to construction equipment and his car. He failed to remain and continued to drive into Peel Region, where he was involved in further driving offences and ultimately arrested by Peel Regional Police at 2:06 a.m.

Those driving offences were the subject of a separate proceeding in Peel.

During a search conducted by Peel Regional Police officers, the backpack was located in the front passenger seat area of the car. Inside the backpack, officers located a sealed, plastic TPS evidence bag containing 83.65 grams of methamphetamine, 147 grams of crack cocaine in a clear plastic baggie and a quantity of erectile dysfunction pills.

In addition, $2,229 in Canadian currency was found in Sukhram’s pocket, rolled up with an elastic.

The facts state that subsequent to the arrest, the TPS Professional Standards Unit started an investigation into the source of the controlled substances found on Sukhram upon his arrest. That investigation was later taken over by the Ontario Provincial Police in early 2025.

The investigation revealed that Sukhram was not on duty at the time of his arrest and had no reason to be in possession of those substances. It also revealed that the batch ID numbers on some of the erectile dysfunction packages seized from Sukhram matched the batch ID numbers on packages seized during the search warrant at Mr. G’s residence.

The approximate value of the 83.65 grams of methamphetamine seized ranges from $1,200 to $8,365, depending on how it’s sold, based on 2024 prices. The meth seized from Mr. G and the 83.65 grams in Sukhram’s possession both tested at 100 per cent purity.

The cocaine located in Sukhram’s possession was determined to have an 82 per cent purity level and was cut with Levamisole. The approximate value of 147 grams of cocaine ranges from $4,725 to $17,640, depending on how it is sold, based on 2024 prices.

The facts state the TPS evidence bag found in Sukhram’s backpack had a number in sequence with evidence bags in his office desk at the drug squad on July 4, 2024.

Mr. G. was charged with various offences, including trafficking and possession of Schedule I, II, and IV substances. However, because of Sukhram’s arrest and charges, Mr. G’s prosecution was subsequently stayed by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC). The PPSC also stayed charges from four other TPS Drug Squad investigations in 2024 involving Sukhram’s team.

In regard to the driving offences in Peel in February, Sukhram pleaded guilty to impaired operation and flight from police.

According to the agreed facts in that case, Sukhram, who acted for more than five years as an undercover officer purchasing drugs from drug dealers, many of whom were armed, turned to alcohol to deal with the stress of his job.

In September 2023, he sought and paid for the assistance of a mental health psychotherapist. He sought a way out of his work-life imbalance.

On July 3, 2024, after participating in the execution of a search warrant in the premises of a drug dealer, he returned to the drug squad office and began consuming alcohol.

Sukhram then went out to buy pizza for his team and consumed more alcohol. Not long after, he left to go home. It was then that he drove into a construction site and significantly damaged his car. He panicked and drove away from the scene.

Once in Peel, the facts state Sukhram was observed by an ambulance operator driving erratically. The occupants of the ambulance alerted police, who attempted a tandem stop, but Sukhram drove away. He continued driving in an erratic manner, for a time driving the wrong way, and through two red lights without stopping.

Finally, a number of police cars were able to box Sukhram in, but not before he made contact with two police cars, causing damage to them and causing minor injuries to some police officers.

Sukhram was arrested and charged with a number of driving offences. His blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of the collision was 180 mg/100 ml of blood, or more than twice the legal limit.

The officer was subsequently suspended without pay and has been diagnosed with complex PTSD, substance use disorder (alcohol) and anxiety disorder with panic features.

Sukhram is scheduled to be sentenced on those two charges in Brampton on June 12.

Callaghan told the court in handing down his sentence on Tuesday that Sukhram pleaded guilty to a series of offences committed while he was a police officer and had no criminal record at the time.

The judge called the case a “serious breach of trust,” given that the crimes were committed through Sukhram’s employment.

“His criminal conduct as a police officer degrades public trust. It’s extremely aggravating. The offences strike at the heart of the administration of justice,” said Callaghan.

“The fact Schedule I substances are involved is also an aggravating factor. I see too many lives broken because of the use of crack cocaine substances,” the judge added.

The judge also noted there were consequences to other prosecutions that could not go ahead because of Sukhram’s actions.

Callaghan said mitigating factors include the fact that Sukhram pleaded guilty, saving multiple weeks of court time, is remorseful, has no prior criminal record and has a pro-social background.

“His career is over and that career has ended in a very public way. That is inevitable when a police officer chooses to commit criminal offences,” said Callaghan.

Just before being led out of the courtroom, the judge wished Sukhram well.

“Mr. Sukhram, this is clearly a dark chapter in your life. You’re still a young man. This is clearly a difficult sentence given your previous job as a police officer, but I hope you take the time to reflect, continue to work on yourself, prepare yourself to re-enter society and continue to contribute to the betterment of society,” said Callaghan.

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

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are nearing a sellout for Thursday’s home opener but whether fans see receiver Nic Demski on the field is still to be determined.

Demski missed Tuesday’s closed-door practice, according to the official injury report, and is now questionable to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats due to an ankle injury. Demski was a full participant in their first practice of the week on Monday.

Demski had just two catches for 28 yards in their season-opening victory against the Calgary Stampeders last week.

He’s the only new addition to the injury report but defensive lineman De’Shaan Dixon has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury and has been placed on the six-game injured list.

Linebacker Jaiden Woodbey missed a second straight practice day and is listed as questionable with a calf injury. But defensive back Major Williams (hip), offensive lineman Tui Eli (ankle), and linebacker Brody Clark (thigh) were all back on the field as full participants after sitting out on Monday.

The Ticats have already ruled out linebacker Wynton McManis as he’ll miss a second straight game with a knee injury.

Just a thousand tickets remain for Thursday’s game as the Bombers close in on a record 15th straight sellout. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM at Princess Auto Stadium.

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

Some Saskatchewanians who feel neglected by Ottawa are banding together to advocate for the province to become independent, said the separatist group known as the Saskatchewan Prosperity Project.

In an effort to spread that message, the group’s president is hosting town halls province-wide. More than 40 have been completed, president Brad Williams estimated. He described the project as desiring independence to ensure fair representation.

“Those who tell you that we’re trying to tear the country apart and we’re traitors — tell them to go suck an egg,” Williams told a town hall audience in Moose Jaw in late May.

“Because no, we’re actually patriotic.”

One of the main grievances bringing the separatists together is perceived overreach by the federal government. Many members have also voiced fears of culture or freedoms being under attack, while others have criticisms about taxation and natural resource extraction, he said.

The project’s board is comprised of eight people, and its Facebook group has 10,000 members. Many supporters aren’t even online, according to the project’s president.

Williams said some members are interested in unifying with Alberta, should voters in that province choose to separate. Unifying the two provinces as a single nation would also be popular among Alberta independence supporters, according to Williams.

“When you start looking at all the values, and the culture, and the resources, (you will find) that we all would benefit from being our own country,” Williams told Global News.

Ken Coates, a political analyst and professor emeritus from the University of Saskatchewan, says he is taking the movement “very seriously.”

“This is not a new thing at all. It’s a very old thing, but this one is quite different because it actually is very much stronger and is much angrier,” Coates said.

“I think what’s going on right now in Saskatchewan and Alberta is a frustration and anger with Confederation, the likes of which we haven’t seen before.”

Provincial leaders say progress is happening

The group’s concerns about Ottawa overstepping are not unfounded, but are being addressed since the Trudeau government was replaced by the Carney government, said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

“It’s not perfect. I won’t agree with everything Prime Minister Mark Carney puts forward, but at least you’re being heard,” Moe said.

The premier said the Saskatchewan Prosperity Project is shortsighted and failing to consider the benefits of being in Canada. He pointed to the country’s membership in the G7 and inter-provincial collaboration as examples.

“We live in a very good place. We have differences. We need to continue to respect those differences, but also then, move forward where we can,” Moe said.

“The work is beginning, and it is starting to show some results.”

Carla Beck, leader of the Saskatchewan NDP and Official Opposition, said it would be “a tragedy” to waste recent progress in interprovincial cooperation in favour of allowing political division to take hold.

She said some of the grievances held by members of the Saskatchewan Prosperity Project are shared by federalists like herself.

“But this is a time when I can also have more optimism than I’ve had in a very long time that some of those grievances could be resolved,” she elaborated.

What comes next?

Albertans will vote on Oct. 19 whether they want to stay in Canada or begin a process to undertake a second referendum. That second vote would be binding and pave the way for separation from Canada.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she hopes “it doesn’t come to that.”

First Nations in Alberta have expressed anger with separatist sentiments, with the grand chief of Treaty 8 threatening to get in the way of industry, if necessary, in that province.

Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi has said talks regarding Alberta’s separation cannot happen without consultation with First Nations, as treaties were struck between First Nations and the federal Crown — not individual provinces.

Smith has maintained the referendum vote does not trigger her province’s duty to consult First Nations. Her comments come after a recent Alberta court decision quashed a petition in favour of separation, saying the provincial government failed to consult with First Nations.

There are six numbered treaties covering the province of Saskatchewan, which were struck with the federal government between 1871 and 1906. First Nations groups in Alberta and Saskatchewan have also been vocal, saying separatism encroaches on their treaty rights.

Williams says he has spoken with some of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous leaders.

“We don’t want to change any treaties. That has nothing to do with the people that are coming to these meetings. What we want to do is change our agreement that we have as non-First Nations people with Ottawa,” he said.

Separation sentiments were a central theme during the Western Premiers Meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., last month, as tensions rose between leaders, as well as in some communities with resource-dependent economies, Moe said.

“At the very heart of the issue is that we do need a commitment. Not just by the federal government, but a serious conversation by all Canadians that wherever we live in this nation, we’re going to be able to develop our resources,” the premier said.

“We’re going to get them to the world in a safe manner, in a consulted manner.”

Calls for separation have also been heard from some northern B.C. and Yukon residents.

–with files from The Canadian Press

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

A patient being rushed from one hospital to another ended up having to be picked up and airlifted the rest of the way, after the ambulance he was in was involved in a collision with a tractor north of Calgary.

The crash happened Tuesday around 12:30 p.m., just east of Beiseker, Alta., near the intersection of Highway 9 and Range Road 254.

Acute Care Alberta said the ambulance was transferring a high-acuity patient between health-care facilities — that is, someone who’s condition is critical or unstable.

Airdrie RCMP said the ambulance, driving quickly with its emergency lights and sirens activated, and the tractor were both headed west on Highway 9 when they collided.

The crash at the intersection beside the Beiseker Airport happened about 50 km northeast of Calgary in Rocky View County.

After the crash, Stars Air Ambulance was called in to take over getting the man in life-threatening condition to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary.

The paramedic driving the ambulance, along with their partner who was tending to the patient in the back of the ambulance, was also injured.

Acute Care Alberta said they were both driven by ground ambulance to hospital — one, in serious, but stable condition and the other in less severe condition.

Police did not share if the driver of the tractor suffered any injuries.

As of publishing, Highway 9 was closed at the intersection while the crash was being investigated.

RCMP said they were unable to share more about what happened, as both police and OHS were still investigating what happened.

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