MORE JOBS LAST MONTH, AND THOUSANDS MORE WORKING FROM HOME
It’s not what economists were expecting, but there’s good news from the people who count paycheques across Canada. Stats-Canada says there were almost 2,800 new jobs in Nova Scotia last month, dropping our provincial unemployment rate to 8.7 per cent. Across the country, the unemployment rate shrank to 8.9 per cent of the workforce. That’s a slight improvement from September, when the jobless rate came in at 9 per cent. On another front, this survey shows more and more Canadians are working from home each month. The number of people working from their house grew by 150,000 people in October, and is now up by 2.4 million since the beginning of the pandemic.
TRUMP FEEDING “MORE LIES” INTO U-S ELECTION – “HEALING PRESIDENT” NEEDED – BIDEN AHEAD IN FOUR STATES
As of Friday afternoon, the U-S Democratic challenger was leading in 4 key states, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada. As a result, there’s speculation in the United States that by their traditional presidential swearing in day on January 20th, the Americans will have Joe Biden as their new President. Donald Trump, in the words of a respected Ohio lawyer and presidential historian Jim Robenalt, is just “throwing things at the wall to see what will stick.” Robenalt also says in the wake of Trump’s chaotic behaviour, “America is going to need a healing President, which Biden will be.”
Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci says Thursday night’s parade of “even more lies” by Trump about the U-S voting process – is ample evidence of why Trump is unfit to be President. Speaking after his Thursday evening news conference where Trump produced zero evidence for his accusations, Scaramucci told CBC News Network, “ If America needed a wake-up call about how dangerous Donald Trump is, they got it tonight.” For his part, Biden says every vote needs to count, and people will just have to be patient and wait it out. He also says “Nobody is going to take our democracy away from us…now or ever.” The electoral college count on Friday afternoon was…..264 Electoral votes for Biden, and 214 for Trump. It takes 270 to win the U-S Presidency.
(With files from CBC, Canadian Press Photo)
PICTOU COUNTY COUNCILLOR PART OF POLICE PROBE ON TRENTON VOTE
The police probe into actions by a supporter of Trenton mayor-elect Don Hussher during last month’s municipal campaign will need to go ahead, no matter what happens with the candidates.
Pictou County’s returning officer, Josephine MacDonald, with 36 years of experience in elections, turned the complaint over to New Glasgow police. In order to remain impartial, she’s not able to give us an interview now, But MacDonald says she will speak once a decision is made. Meanwhile, Mayor Elect Don Hussher tells our newsroom that he’s ready and waiting to be sworn in as mayor this coming Tuesday. Insiders say Pictou County Councillor Peter Boyles used his phone to help a group of people vote in the race. Boyles admits that, but says he spoke with the returning officer before election day, and the practice came to an end. The Municipal Government Act says Hussher’s swearing-in on Tuesday is legal, despite the ongoing police investigation. But Section 157 of that same act says , any councillor who is convicted of corrupt practices under the act “ceases to be a councillor.” Boyles was acclaimed for his County seat and the rest of the Pictou County council has already been sworn in. Trenton CAO Wayne Teasedale has not returned our phone calls about the situation on two occasions this week.
GAS PRICES DROP AGAIN IN NS – NOW BELOW THE 90-CENT MARK FOR REGULAR
Gas Prices in the local area are down this week by more than a cent-and-a-half. Your best price for self-serve regular in the local pricing zone is 89.8 cents per litre. Diesel prices are exactly the same as last week, at 87.9 cents per litre.
NEW TREATMENT DETAILS FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE TO BE REVIEWED TODAY
One of the biggest drug decisions in decades is looming as U.S. regulators consider whether to approve the first medicine that’s claimed to slow mental decline from Alzheimer’s disease.
A panel of outside experts meets today (Friday) to advise the Food and Drug Administration on aduca-numab, a drug from Biogen Inc. and Japan’s Eisai Co. The FDA doesn’t always follow the panel’s advice but usually does …and has until March to decide.
The drug does not cure or reverse Alzheimer’s; the claim is that it modestly slows the rate of decline. The evidence is murky: The companies stopped two studies last year when the drug didn’t seem to work, then did an about-face and said additional results suggest it was effective in one study at a high dose. Results still have not been published.
An FDA staff report released Wednesday gave a generally glowing view, saying the positive study might be “exceptionally persuasive.” But an FDA statistician is noting that flaws and inconsistencies in the results and potential safety issues. (Cdn Press)
There’s one new case of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, and the number of active cases has dropped, falling from 19 down to 18. Public Health says the new case is in the Central Zone. There are currently no coronavirus patients in Nova Scotia hospitals.
NEW RESEARCH COMING TO LOOK AT BOOSTING ATLANTIC SALMON
The federal government is announcing the country’s first research chair to focus on growing the Atlantic salmon population, with the emphasis on restoring the species. Ottawa says the research chair will be located at the University of New Brunswick and held by prof. Kurt Samways. The federal government is adding another $431,000 to Parks Canada’s five-year Atlantic salmon recovery project as a result. Samways will work with teams in five national parks in the Atlantic Region. That includes Cape Breton Highlands, Fundy, Gros Morne, Terra Nova and Kouchibouguac — to assess how ecosystems function before and after salmon recovery action. (Cdn Press)
MUNICIPALITIES LOOKING FORWARD TO FEDERAL CASH
There’s pleasant reaction now that the province is forwarding $67.5 million along to municipalities to help lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The McNeil government says the cash is coming through the Safe Restart Agreement. It’s meant to help meet operating costs while municipalities are bringing in lower revenue while also paying for COVID-19 anti-infection services. Local municipalities are welcoming the extra money. New Glasgow is set to receive around $504,000, with Pictou slated for around $120,000 and Truro will be able to get its hands on close to $752,000.
SPORTS
The Weeks Jr A Crushers had their home opener spoiled last night, losing 7-0 to the Amherst Ramblers. They’re back in action on Saturday night in Yarmouth.
