There's an annual competition that some in the agriculture industry prepare for. It's called Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers' program. It recognizes young farm couples in the country who have shown excellence in their profession. Seven regions compete against one another. And representing the Atlantic region are the Smallmans — Morgan and Karissa from J and J Farms in Knutsford, P.E.I., just outside of O'Leary. CBC's Mikee Mutuc gave the farm a visit. And she spoke to Morgan who talks to us about what it means to represent the Island AND the Atlantic region in this competition. Take a listen.

(Produced and reported by me. Originally aired on 27 July 2022 for CBC Radio's Mainstreet PEI)

Atlantic Region candidate for Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers

P.E.I. is full of treasures and Anne Muckle may have just found hers —
a Steinway grand piano that was built in the late 1880s. Her and her husband won it in a bid at UPEI in May last year. And it was delivered to her home that September. CBC's Mikee Mutuc dropped by her home to learn more about why it's so special. And to ask questions about where it may have come from. Here's what Anne had to say.

(Produced and reported on by me. Originally aired on 29 July 2022 for CBC Radio's Mainstreet PEI)

Antique Piano Mystery

At least two people were sent to hospital over the weekend after an attack at the Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival. East Prince RCMP say they were called to the Evangeline Recreation Centre for an altercation involving at least five people in the parking lot. P.E.I.'s Francophone integration cooperative, which provides assistance to French-speaking immigrants to P.E.I., says some of those people were newcomers. And has called it "acts of racist violence". One of the people injured was an employee at the Pomme et Rinette daycare, which will be closed the rest of the week. CBC's Jessica Doria-Brown spoke to Patrick Buswell.  He is the vice-president of the board of directors at the French Daycare Association of P.E.I. And after, you'll hear from Jeanne Gallant, the Acadian Festival's president.

(Reported by Jessica Doria-Brown and produced by me on 6 Sept. 2022 for CBC Radio's Mainstreet PEI)

Two people sent to hospital following Acadian Festival attack

P.E.I.'s healthcare crisis is in part due to a severe staffing issue. And that's one way internationally trained workers are hoping to help. But getting accreditted to work here isn't an easy process, so now the province plans on hiring its FIRST international recruitment coordinator. Rebecca Gill is P.E.I.'s recruitment and retention director for the Health and Wellness department. She spoke to CBC's Steve Bruce about the incoming role.

(Produced by me, reported by Steve Bruce. Originally aired on 14 Sept 2022 for CBC Radio's Mainstreet PEI)

P.E.I. to hire first international recruitment coordinator

Fiona moved from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm as it traveled north from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada on Friday, Sept. 23. But though the distinction of the weather event changed, it did not wane in intensity. Wind gusts from 90 km/h began around midnight and accelerated up to 170 km/h in some parts of P.E.I. And it did not let up until early evening the next day. As of Saturday, Sept. 24, the whole Island has been without power for more than 24 hours with significant damage that could take weeks to fix.

CBC Radio One broadcast regional news covering all provinces in the Atlantic region (i.e. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador). In P.E.I., Mikee Mutuc spoke to some people Saturday night to talk about the aftermath.

Here is Jerry MacKenzie, one of the wharf managers in Georgetown P.E.I. who finally got a chance to get out that evening to check out the damage when weather calmed.

(Originally aired on Saturday, Sept. 24 on CBC Radio One)

Atlantic Canada and Hurricane Fiona: Wharf Manager

Fiona moved from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm as it traveled north from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada on Friday, Sept. 23. But though the distinction of the weather event changed, it did not wane in intensity. Wind gusts from 90 km/h began around midnight and accelerated up to 150 km/h in some parts of P.E.I. And it did not let up until early evening the next day. As of Saturday, Sept. 24, the whole Island has been without power for more than 24 hours with significant damage that could take weeks to fix.

CBC Radio One broadcast regional news covering all provinces in the Atlantic region (i.e. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador). In P.E.I., Mikee Mutuc spoke to some people Saturday night to talk about the aftermath.

Here is Jerry Arsenault, the owner of Branch Manager Tree Services. He and his crew have been working since Friday night to get power back to the city of Charlottetown, and will now add the city of Summerside to the to-do list.

Atlantic Canada and Hurricane Fiona: Branch Manager

Fiona moved from a hurricane to a post-tropical storm as it traveled north from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada on Friday, Sept. 23. But though the distinction of the weather event changed, it did not wane in intensity. Wind gusts from 90 km/h began around midnight and accelerated up to 150 km/h in some parts of P.E.I. And it did not let up until early evening the next day. As of Saturday, Sept. 24, the whole Island has been without power for more than 24 hours with significant damage that could take weeks to fix.

CBC Radio One broadcast regional news covering all provinces in the Atlantic region (i.e. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador). In P.E.I., Mikee Mutuc spoke to some people Saturday night to talk about the aftermath.

Here is Boyd Rose, a potato grower and packer from eastern P.E.I. His packing facility was destroyed during the storm.

Atlantic Canada and Hurricane Fiona: Potato Farmer

Hockey fans on P-E-I usually start rallying in cold arenas around this time. Last Friday, U-P-E-I would've kicked it off with a game against McGill. And that would've been at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. But like most arenas, the Island-wide power outage melted the ice by Monday. Bill Schurman is the Eastlink Centre's general manager. He spoke to Mikee Mutuc about what the past few days have been like.

(Originally aired 28 September 2022 for CBC Radio One's Mainstreet PEI)

P.E.I. ice rinks melt after province-wide power outage

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is one of many warming centres on P.E.I. But it's also become the headquarters for the Charlottetown Mutual Aid. The group consists of a few residents who regularly help neighbours in need. Now they're focusing their efforts to help Islanders affected by Fiona. Mikee Mutuc stopped by and spoke to some mutual aid members. One of them is Kali Ross. And after, you'll hear from Nouhad Mourad.

(Originally aired on 29 September 2022 for CBC Radio One's Mainstreet PEI)

Charlottetown Mutual Aid group focusing Fiona relief efforts for Islanders in need

P.E.I. Provincial Debate on Health Care

My work has been featured in outlets like CBC News and Shameless Magazine. This is a curated archive of broadcast radio pieces I've either reported on or produced. Written stories are linked. (Liked tracks are afrobeats/house/hiphop/rnb/dancehall mixes I listen to while I'm working or at the gym ~ enjoy!)

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