As It Happens

CBC
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Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 1min

When cartel violence “becomes something normal”

A resident of Puerto Vallarta tells us what it's like in the Mexican city one day after the killing of a cartel leader triggered waves of violent retaliation across the country.A geopolitical analyst tells us how the U.S. is putting pressure on Mexico to rein in the cartels -- and reflects on the effectiveness of taking out the kingpins like El Mencho.Canada's Artificial Intelligence Minister summons OpenAI officials to Ottawa -- to explain what they knew about the Tumbler Ridge shooter, and when. A UN fact-finding mission to El Fasher says what they found after the capture of the Sudanese city by the RSF bears the "hallmarks of genocide".Profile writer Susan Sheehan's daughter remembers her mother's remarkable gift for disappearing into her subject's lives, and revealing the forces that shaped their struggles.A restaurant in a small British town installs up an official-looking plaque claiming the group Toto wrote a hit song on the premises -- but the local historical society does not bless the claims about "Africa".As It Happens, the Monday Edition. Radio that wouldn't expect this behaviour from a Toto stranger.
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Feb 21, 2026 • 59min

Her family business led the case to overturn Trump’s tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a swath of Donald Trump's tariffs and Nil speaks with a VP from the family toy company behind the winning case -- who tells us what it's like to be insulted by the president. Joss Reimer will be Canada's next Chief Public Health Officer. We'll ask her what's at the top of her to-do list -- and what keeps her up at night.  For decades, the United States' relationship with Cuba has been fraught, at best. Now, long-time observers say it's time to start calling American measures what they are: a blockade. He says a Toronto hospital changed his life by treating his mental health condition -- and now, he's hoping his $10-million donation to that facility will change other patients' lives too. A paleontologist sets off for the Sahara Desert with nothing but an old monograph of an ancient tooth and unearths something truly ferocious, with an appropriately ferocious nickname. Two Michigan men break a record that was exciting to them -- and annoying to everyone in their general vicinity -- by playing pickleball for 28 straight hours. 
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Feb 20, 2026 • 58min

With Andrew’s arrest, anti-monarchists see an opening

British police arrest former prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor – on suspicion of misconduct in public office. An anti-monarchist tells us he thinks pressure from his group helped lead to this moment.Manitoba’s Health Minister responds to the family of a woman who died after a long wait for care in a Winnipeg hospital –- and says the province hears their calls for change.A new, peer-reviewed study that suggests that, if anything, official tolls of Gaza's wartime dead have understated the extent of the devastation. In a heartbreaking Olympic women's hockey final, Canada loses to the U.S. in overtime. A fan tells us through tears that she’s still grateful she was there. Scientists reveal the shocking truth: not only are humans the only primates with chins, but the chins themselves may not actually serve much of a purpose.An operation in Bangkok combined police procedural with costume drama -- as officers track a suspect at a Lunar New Year celebration while disguised as lion dancers.As It Happens, the Thursday Edition. Radio that's glad they weren’t injured in the lion of duty.
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Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 4min

The questions after a deadly avalanche in California

At least, eight people are now confirmed dead after an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, near Lake Tahoe. A skier who just missed that storm wonders why the group -- and their guides -- left the safety of their hut.A Conservative strategist says MP Matt Jeneroux betrayed his principles and his constituents by crossing the floor to the Liberals -- but he doesn't believe people should read too much into the defection.Stacey Ross is now one of several Manitobans who've died after long waits in Winnipeg emergency rooms. Her sister tells us a full, province-wide public inquiry is the only response she'll accept. A mall owner in Minneapolis tells us about the Ramadan festivities he's organizing tonight -- and why he hopes they can be a source of support for his Somali neighbours.A producer of the mockumentary "Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie" tells us about recreating a bizarre Canadian beverage from the '90s called Orbitz. Think lava lamp -- but a drink.A courtroom drama for the ages, as an Illinois judge rules that a fast-food chain can leave "boneless wings" on the menu because it's not misleading -- even though boneless wings aren't boneless wings.As It Happens, the Wednesday Edition. Radio that's always seek nuggets of truth. 
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Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 5min

Carney’s plan to build and buy for the military in Canada

The federal government announces a new -- and ambitious -- defence strategy that prioritizes Canadian-made military equipment -- and promises up to 125,000 new jobs.A U.S. radio host claims that a Google AI tool that creates uncannily real-sounding podcasts copied his voice without permission -- so he's taking the company to court. We remember the late civil rights activist, Jesse Jackson -- whose activism and presidential run fundamentally changed American politics. Determined divers found a Lake Michigan shipwreck after 150 years -- then sat on the news until they could fully document it. One diver tells us keeping the secret was a struggle. After an unfortunate error during the Olympic slalom, and a terrible personal tragedy, a Norwegian skier takes his skis off and walks into a nearby forest.In the '90s, photographer Anne Geddes dressed babies up as plants, cabbages, and pea pods for her first coffee table book "Down in the Garden." Now she's inviting the 30-something former models to get back in touch.As It Happens, the Tuesday Edition. Radio that assumes she's trying to make a peas offering.
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Feb 17, 2026 • 49min

How much business can Canada really do with Mexico?

A large delegation of Canadian businesses are in Mexico this week to talk trade. We’ll hear from an industry rep taking part, who says the sky's the limit when it comes to the two countries.Mourners in Solwezi, Zambia gather to remember a member of their community: Abel Mwansa -- one of the young victims of last week’s mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge.A California mother pushes her school district to give her children homework that doesn't involve screens. She says despite the challenge, every parent should be given that option.Nordic combined is a sport that involves both ski jumping and cross country skiing. And you can watch it at these Olympics, but only the men's event. There isn't one for women , and a U.S. athlete tells us why she's fighting so hard to change that. A trio of New Yorkers take daily shifts to take care for -- and protect -- a now-famous wild turkey named Astoria who has made the streets of Manhattan her home. A herd of llamas thwart a suspected thief’s escape by encircling him in their field. As It Happens, the Monday edition. Radio that respects a fleece and desist order.  
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Feb 14, 2026 • 1h 9min

U.S. rolls back long-standing environmental protections

The Trump administration strips the Environmental Protection Agency of much of its power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions -- revoking a ruling that said they pose a threat to public health. As the people of Tumbler Ridge, BC gather for a vigil, an Alberta father who lost his son in a school shooting also mourns their loss -- and tells us how he survived his.  After student protests toppled the longtime leader of Bangladesh, the country elects a new government. One young voter tells us it was his first chance to vote for his future. Researchers discover that a nineteenth-century house-turned-museum in New York City was a stop on the Underground Railroad, after deciphering a cleverly hidden secret compartment. Scientists develop a wearable device to measure human flatulence -- with the noble goal of creating a complete flatus atlas. Italy's national broadcaster for airing an Olympics promo in which a famous male figure drawn by Leonardo da Vinci appears, with his genitals erased. As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that thinks you've gotta draw the loin somewhere.
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Feb 13, 2026 • 56min

As Tumbler Ridge mourns, local library becomes a refuge

A librarian in Tumbler Ridge tells us who's been stopping by after this week's shooting -- and what she's doing to ensure everyone knows they have a place to go.There's another surge of measles cases in Manitoba; a doctor there explains where the highly contagious disease is believed to be spreading, and why.From the ashes, Part One. An Alberta woman fulfills a years-long wish and visits the mountain peak where the ashes of her late husband and daughter are scattered.From the ashes, part two. An art exhibit featuring the works of the late Jenifer Darbellay is set to open in B.C. -- nearly a year after she was killed in the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy.Cool and calm -- but uncollected. A small town mayor tells us what it's like to live in one of 35 Ontario communities that were promised recycling pickup at long last -- only to learn they'll be waiting months, or maybe a year.And ... The family silver. Canadian flag bearer and skier Mikaël Kingsbury won a silver medal in Italy today after a history-making tiebreak. He says competing in front of his son was as good as gold.As it Happens, the Thursday edition. Radio that knows every second counts.
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Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 4min

Tumbler Ridge, B.C. mourns after mass shooting

Canada is stunned and heartbroken, after one of the deadliest mass shootings in the country's history. Yesterday, eight people were killed -- six of them children -- in the small municipality of Tumbler Ridge, BC. The school library was the epicentre of the violence.We'll find what authorities know so far about what happened. And we'll talk to people in Tumbler Ridge -- including a local pastor -- about the horror and heartbreak that has gripped their community.It's been a week-and-a-half since Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy disappeared. And the mystery of her apparent abduction is only deepening.A new video game by a South African company allows you to conduct heists at some of the fanciest museums in Europe -- so you can steal back African artifacts and return them to their rightful homes. The Trump administration has cut thousands and thousands of workers from the civil service. Now, dozens of them have decided to come out from behind the scenes, and run for office.It never rains but it pours -- and it never doesn't rain. It's true that a lot of British towns are used to fairly regular drizzle. But the town of Cardinham is getting pretty fed up with the weather -- after forty-two consecutive days of rain. Meaning the entirety of 2026 so far. 
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Feb 11, 2026 • 1h 5min

Windsor mayor slams Trump’s bridge post as “unhinged”

Windsor, Ontario’s mayor Drew Dilkens says Donald Trump's online rant about the new bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit is “full of lies” -- and insists that bridge will open soon.Years after his office first flagged major inequities facing military reservists, the Canadian Forces ombudsman says little progress has been made towards helping them access the supports they need. After more than a year of handing out meals to people in need outside an apartment building, a group of Toronto volunteers says they're being told they're trespassing and need to go.An engineering student describes the thrill of taking part in the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race. Which is exactly what it sounds like. A football fan tells us about the weeks he spent preparing for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. A show that saw him, and hundreds of others, dress up as bunches of grass. As it Happens, the Tuesday edition. Radio that hopes to go down in a blade of glory.

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