Weekly Recap: May 15, 2026

Weekly News Recap: May 15, 2026

Conal Deeney, https://www.conaldeeney.com/

I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined… look before they cross the road. -- Stephen Hawking

SOME GOOD NEWS

  • America the Undammed (New York Times) I am so happy this is happening. "Last year, more sections of the country’s rivers were reconnected thanks to dam removals than at any other time in history, according to the nonprofit group American Rivers. In 2025, more than 100 dams were dismantled in 30 states, reconnecting around 4,900 miles of waterways, including 156 miles of a branch of the Juniata River that are now reconnected thanks to the removal of Bedford’s two dams."

  • VIDEO: David Attenborough and the Voice That Revealed a Planet (The Ringer) Happy Birthday to one of the world's greatest treasures. "He turned a whisper into one of the most powerful voices in history. At 100, it carries both wonder and warning."

  • Québécois dubbing of The Simpsons saved after outcry from fans (CBC) QUEBEC STORY Yay! A great win for Quebecois French. "The version of The Simpsons dubbed in Québécois French has been saved after Bell Media reached a deal with Disney Entertainment to broadcast the series."

  • 3 Dawson Creek residents honoured for courage, bravery after 2022 bear attack (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY #Heroes "Three Dawson Creek residents who risked their lives to save their friend and mother during a brutal black bear attack in northeast B.C. in 2022 have received two of the country's highest honours for courage and bravery. Leosette Canoy Hansen was awarded the Star of Courage while her niece, Wennali Canoy, and Adrian Bartolome — the son of the attacked woman — both received a Medal of Bravery from outgoing Governor General Mary Simon earlier this year."

  • VIDEO: #TheMoment she gave hundreds of free bikes to kids (CBC) MONCTON STORY I heart this. "Bikes and Trikes for Everyone founder Krista Richard tells The National about the moment she gave hundreds of free bikes to kids in Moncton, N.B."

  • How did Madison find her focus? In a word, birds (Globe and Mail) TORONTO STORY True talents revealed. "Madison is not your average teen. When many are cruising the mall or following the latest social-media drama, she spends hours at a Toronto park snapping kinglets, swallows, hawks and warblers. Photographing them is her passion, her anchor, her solace."

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. Statement by the Secretary-General – on the passing of Ted Turner (United Nations) RIP Mr. Turner, you truly changed our world for the better. "Ted Turner believed in the United Nations – and in its purpose – at a defining moment. And he invested in that mission. Ted Turner bet on humanity – and in the process helped strengthen the security of his own country and reinforced our common values. Quite simply, Ted Turner was the foundation of the United Nations Foundation. Ted’s $1 billion dollar commitment to the United Nations, and subsequent creation of the United Nations Foundation, changed the nature of philanthropy." See also Jane Fonda's heartfelt tribute: VIDEO: Ted Turner Remembered By Ex-Wife Jane Fonda In Heartfelt Post.

  2. VIDEO: Union leaders call to remove John Tibbits’ name from Conestoga College building (CTV) KITCHENER STORY "John Tibbits is no longer with Conestoga College and now some union leaders are calling for his name to be taken off a school building. The Waterloo campus was named the 'John Tibbits Campus' when it opened in 2018. But in the years since, Tibbits has been the focal point for several controversies. Most recently, the province stepped in and fired the school’s board of governors after an audit revealed concerns about significant financial misuse. Specifically, the province cited Tibbits’ salary as one of the problems at the school."

  3. The compassionate heartbeat: Honouring the volunteers of the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village (St. Albert Gazette) ST ALBERT STORY I love this food bank. ViTreo is proud to have worked with the St. Albert Food Bank and Community Kitchen. "Every week, behind the doors of the food bank and Community Village, a quiet force of kindness springs into action. The drivers pick up donations all over the city while others sort, organize, lift, listen, and care. These are our volunteers, the compassionate heartbeat of this organization and the reason so many individuals and families can face challenges with dignity and hope."

  4. RBC unveils new program and online hub designed to help strengthen Canada’s nonprofit sector amid unprecedented strain (WebWire) CANADIAN STORY What an amazing and important investment. Thank you RBC and partners. "At a moment when Canada’s nonprofit sector faces unprecedented strain – surging service demands, financial instability and workforce burnout​ - RBC and RBC Foundation today unveiled the RBC Stronger Nonprofits Program and website as part of their ongoing commitment to help strengthen the capacity and resilience of the nonprofit sector. The new online hub will connect Canadian charitable organizations with essential capacity-building resources, programs and supports, enabling them to continue making a meaningful impact on their communities."

  5. 9 Most Charming River Towns in The Rockies to Visit (World Atlas) CANADIAN CONTENT Nice to see Banff, Canmore, and Fernie in this list. "Find a small town in the Rockies and you’ll usually find a river running through it. Rivers cut through every range and basin in the mountains, and the nine river towns below sit on those rivers from the Colorado at Glenwood Springs to the Bow at Banff and Canmore. Some run on skiing. Others run on hot springs or wine. Each one uses its river as the anchor."

  6. VIDEO: Boys are falling behind in school, and some experts say it starts in kindergarten (CBC) CANADIAN STORY This remains troubling. "On the standardized French proficiency test in secondary school, boys are below the median for all students, with just over 60 per cent meeting the bar, while it's over 70 per cent for girls. The report also indicated boys are less likely to get into prestigious academic programs in high school. The same report showed boys also struggle with learning disabilities or disorders at a higher rate (8.1 per cent) than their female peers (5.5 per cent). These findings echo research going back decades. A recent New York Times story featured a U.S. study that showed boys falling behind in every metric, sometimes as early as kindergarten."

  7. Why a song contest has emerged as Europe’s most controversial election (CBC) #LoveTheCheese "In the past, when geopolitics has clashed with music at Eurovision, it’s typically been the music that prevailed. The 70-year-old celebration of often-cheesy pop culture, over-the-top ensembles and patriotism mixed with national branding has evolved into the largest live music event in the world. More than 160 million people are expected to tune into Saturday night's finale, with many casting electronic votes to determine the winner."

  8. AFP Position Statement: Protecting Philanthropic Independence in an Era of Political Pressure: A Call to Donor-Advised Funds and the Philanthropic Sector (AFP Global) We shared this issue in a recent recap. Congrats to AFP for making this important statement. "AFP envisions a philanthropic ecosystem in which the act of giving — once a donor has made a considered, values-driven decision to support a nonprofit — is structurally protected from political interference. A world in which donor-advised funds serve as stable, reliable vehicles for honoring philanthropic intent, regardless of the political climate surrounding the organizations donors choose to support. The federal indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center illustrates precisely the gap between the sector we have and the sector we need — revealing how well-intentioned policies at our most valued institutions can be exploited as instruments of political pressure without those institutions having any such intent. This statement expresses our aspirations for the sector, and opens a conversation we believe the philanthropic community must have. The record raises concerning questions."

  9. VIDEO: A look back at David Attenborough's work as he turns 100 (CBC) "Britain's David Attenborough, who has for decades been the world's most authoritative voice on the natural world and whose documentaries have been watched by hundreds of millions, celebrat[ed] his 100th birthday. After more than 70 years of filmmaking, Attenborough's instantly recognizable voice is synonymous ‌with the story of nature. He is still at the vanguard of efforts to protect the environment and has produced some of his most impactful work in recent years."

  10. ‘Community-centred’ Sport Hub program launched by City of Calgary (CTV) CALGARY STORY Sport helps build better humans. Nice work Calgary. "Calgary’s mayor and others are lauding the launch of a new “community-centred” program called Sport Hub. According to the city, Sport Hub is 'designed to reduce common barriers to sport participation, including cost, equipment, transportation and limited opportunities to try different activities.'"

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. Yes, Rock Paper Scissors Has a Real Strategy (Science Spectrum) Ha! I knew it.

  2. In the End, Only Three Things Matter (Andy Murphy) Beautifully stated.

  3. 15 Words That Changed My Life (Andy Murphy) Are you paying attention to the good things in your life?

  4. 11 of the Funniest Quotes From the Greatest Thinkers in History (Change Your Mind) These are all great.

  5. How to Make Any Activity Fun (Age of Awareness) I try to think about this whenever I am facilitating.

  6. How to Improve Strategic Thinking for Effective Leadership (Code Like A Girl) Put some unscheduled time into your day and watch your mind soar.

  7. How America’s independence from England revolutionized US philanthropy (The Conversation) Excellent overview. And a testament to the world's most philanthropic culture.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. Gift to The Future King's Campaign launches the next design phase for the Southeast Corner Project (UKings) HALIFAX STORY "The University of King’s College is moving into the schematic design phase of its groundbreaking redevelopment plan for the southeast corner of King’s campus, thanks to a generous $1.1 million donation to the Welcoming: The Future King’s campaign from King’s Chancellor Debra Deane Little and her husband Robert Little through their Alpha Aquilae Foundation."

  2. belairdirect commits $1 Million to Breakfast Club of Canada to help alleviate hunger at school (NewsWire) CANADIAN STORY "To help address the challenge of rising food insecurity across Canada, belairdirect announced the renewal of its longstanding partnership with Breakfast Club of Canada, committing $1 Million over two years to help serve an estimated 500,000 nutritious school breakfasts to children."

  3. $74 million investment to benefit Architecture and Design students (University of Sydney) "A landmark $74 million co-investment from the Rothwell Family Foundation, partnering with the University of Sydney, will create a new building and position the University to be a global leader in architecture, design and built environment education. "

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

Welcome to our recap of the week's news, articles, and information of note. ViTreo Group Inc. provides this information for the benefit of our clients, associates, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The content is collected and curated by ViTreo President & CEO Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca.

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