New art exhibition invites Kamloops to remember, mourn and celebrate the Red Bridge 🎨 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social ‘This is a celebration of a historic landmark that touched all of us,’ Shay Paul, co-curator of the exhibition says. #BCnews #Kamloops #RedBridge

‘More than just a news report’: Loved ones reflect on Muhammad “Ash” Zafar’s life and legacy ❤️‍🩹 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Friends and coworkers honour Muhammad “Ash” Zafar during a candlelight vigil Jan. 19. #BCnews #Kamloops #MuhammadAshZafar

Land claims, clarified: What does the Quw’utsun Nation title case mean for Kamloops? 💬 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social As misconceptions spread about Indigenous land claims and private property, lawyers unpack the history, legal realities and local implications. #Kamloops #Tkemlups #landclaims

What are some Secwépemc traditions celebrated in the winter? ❄️ by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Long winter evenings supported rest, knowledge sharing, spirituality and more, says Secwépemc cultural advisor Ted Gottfriedson. #BCnews #Kamloops #Secwépemc #Tkʼemlúps

A do-it-yourself holiday gifting guide 🎁 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Want to put a personal spin on your holiday gifts and save money? Here are a few options for your whole list. #Kamloops #DIYgifts #Holidaygiftingguide thewrennews.ca/a-do-it-your...

Will Kamloops be an AI hub? 🧑‍💻 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social With 6 AI data centres finding a home in the region, what impacts will the energy-hefty centres have? #Kamloops #AIdatacentres #BCnews thewrennews.ca/will-kamloop...

Kamloops authors you should know about by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social A locally curated list of authors to support this holiday season and throughout the year. #Kamloops #BCnews #localauthors thewrennews.ca/kamloops-aut...

Is there a non-alcoholic movement in Kamloops? 🍹 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social ‘I call alcohol free products, life uninterrupted,’ says co-owner of Mocktail Mixery. #Kamloops #non-alcoholic #BCnews thewrennews.ca/is-there-a-n...

‘Hatred is not welcome here’: Kamloopsians unite against residential school denialism 💭 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Across Canada, the movement of residential “school” denialism keeps growing. #Kamloops #BCnews #Tkemlups #Secwépemc thewrennews.ca/kamloopsians...

In depth: How Kamloops sex workers find support through community ❤️‍🩹 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social ‘We are the ones best positioned to say what we need in this industry,’ a sex worker in Kamloops tells The Wren. #BCnews #Kamloops #KSACC thewrennews.ca/in-depth-how...

In photos: Indigenous Veterans Day in Tkʼemlúps 🇨🇦 Reporter @macarenamantilla.bsky.social went to the event hosted by Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc. #IndigenousVeteransDay #Tkemlups #Kamloops #BCNews thewrennews.ca/in-photos-in...

How the Kamloops Library and Art Gallery can help you beat the winter blues by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Various free programming in town is available to help those seeking connection in the winter. #Kamloops #winterblues #BCnews thewrennews.ca/how-the-kaml...

Where is Kamloops with truth and reconciliation? 🤝 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Kamloops city council members reflect on the city’s efforts to live up to the TRC’s Calls to Action. #Kamloops #Truthandreconciliation #BCnews thewrennews.ca/where-is-kam...

What is happening with the Red Bridge? by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social ‘We can’t get a straight answer,’ business owner says of government timelines for a proposed replacement bridge. 🏗 #Kamloops #BCnews #Redbridge #RedBridgeKamloops thewrennews.ca/what-is-happ...

Echoes of the Homesick Heart seeks to answer the question: ‘What do we do to heal our communities?’ 🎥 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Laura Michel’s play aims to support language revitalization with learning tools and a bursary. #Kamloops #languagerevitalization thewrennews.ca/echoes-of-th...

Wrote this article about dog poop. You read it right. Click the link below to know why leaving dog poop behind is actually a big deal.

Wrote this great piece on how artists are supporting local art in Kamloops. Give it a read

How Kamloops artists are creating new local spaces to showcase art 🎨 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social A vibrant local arts scene is ‘well worth the investment,’ local artists and community builders say. thewrennews.ca/kamloops-art... #Kamloops #Art #Kamloopsartists

Western Canada Theatre celebrates its 50th anniversary with all-Canadian plays 🎭 ‘I think that there’s no better place’ organizer says of Kamloops for prioritizing Indigenous and Canadian plays. Latest by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social #Kamloops #WCT #Theatre thewrennews.ca/western-cana...

Kamloops Heritage Railway Society celebrates the ‘magic’ in reviving its beloved 113-old steam train 🚂 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Canadian National No. 2141 is considered to be one of the last trains of its kind. #Kamloops #HeritageRailway #train thewrennews.ca/kamloops-her...

Thompson-Nicola camping: What to know and where to go ⛺ There are many sites for outdoor recreation near Kamloops. Here are a few. #Kamloops #thompsonnicola #camping thewrennews.ca/thompson-nic...

‘This isn’t just a woman’s issue,’ Red Dress Day walk organizer says 👗 Red Dress Day honours and commemorates Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQIA people. #Kamloops #RedDressDay #MMIWG thewrennews.ca/kamloops-red...

‘They’re always happy coming here and experiencing something different,’ Valid Dreams Foundation brings connection to Kamloops’ multicultural community 🫂 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social #Kamloops #ValidDreamsFoundation #Community thewrennews.ca/theyre-alway...

Fullest Table serves up a feast of vulnerable conversations among Kamloops women 💜 by @macarenamantilla.bsky.social Each dinner has a different theme, offering expert speakers on the topic as well as chances for participants to build community. #Kamloops #fullesttable thewrennews.ca/fullest-tabl...

Wrote an article about Indigenous restorative justice programs for @thewrennews.ca It brings victims and eligible offenders into healing conversations — in stark contrast to the colonial judicial system, advocates say. #Kamloops #Indigenousrestorativejustice thewrennews.ca/indigenous-r...

You can provide feedback on the Govt of Canada site about counter-tariffs on books forms-formulaires.alpha.canada.ca/en/id/cm7upm... On page 2, you’ll be asked for the specific items and whether you support or oppose them. The relevant numbers are: 4901.10.00, 4901.91.00, 4901.99.00, and 4903.00.00

Hiking trails and viewpoints in Kamloops: Where to go and what to know ⛰️ If you are combating the winter blues, here are some great options for hiking trails and viewpoints in Kamloops. #Kamloops #outdoors thewrennews.ca/hiking-trail...

New Indigenous Justice Centre in Kamloops to help ‘strengthen community safety’ ⚖️ ‘When our people are well, our communities are safe,’ says vice-chair for the B.C. First Nations Justice Council. #Kamloops #IndigenousJusticeCentre thewrennews.ca/new-indigeno...

Wrote this great story about the play ‘Little Red Warrior and His Lawyer’ directed and written by Kevin Loring. If you are in Kamloops don't forget to see it starting Feb. 20 If you are curious about more details check out my story @thewrennews.ca #Kamloops thewrennews.ca/little-red-w...

Kamloops’ oldest parade photos reveal pomp, circumstance and racism at the turn of the 20th century 🕰️ From a dragon dance to a revisionist ‘centenary,’ these historic parade photos provide a unique window to the young town of Kamloops. #Kamloops #Kamloopsnews thewrennews.ca/kamloops-his...

New article @thewrennews.ca about the Interior Women’s Centre Society, located in downtown Kamloops (Tkʼemlúps). To read more about it click the link thewrennews.ca/at-the-inter...

Thanks to my editors for believing in the pitch as much as I did. Thanks to those folks who spoke to me and shared their stories. Thanks to @thewrennews.ca for holding space for stories like mine. The #COPAawards are in February 2025 but I feel happy to be considered. Pt. 3 of 3

This article was nominated for a Canadian Online Publishing Award #COPAawards under Best Local Community News. I just finished J school this year and it is a bit surreal to be nominated to something already. Although I have not received the award officially I am really honored. Pt 2 of 3

One of my proudest articles to this day is one I did on the lowest barrier shelter in Kamloops. I went to the shelter three separate times to get the story right. It was a very transformative experience for me not only as a journalist but also as a person. Pt. 1 of 3 thewrennews.ca/meeting-the-...