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Happy Friday, Langley!
After days of atmospheric river chaos across the Fraser Valley, the sun has finally shown its face, and it's a mild 13°C out there. Soak it in!
Today's big story is the Junior All-Native Tournament, which wraps up its championship finals across multiple Langley venues.
Meanwhile, BC Transit has frozen all bus expansions outside Metro Vancouver for 2027, killing a planned Fraser Valley route in the process.
Langley City is asking for public input on two major Invest Langley City projects, a Langley activist marks one year of cross-border peace rallies at Peace Arch Park, and the Vancouver Giants close out their season at Langley Events Centre tomorrow night.
Plus, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is one step closer to the moon as Artemis II rolls toward the launch pad.
Tiny Creatures, Giant Mission: Greater Vancouver Zoo's Conservation Efforts
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is stepping up its game when it comes to protecting Canada's smallest and most vulnerable species.
A new behind-the-scenes video showcases the zoo's partnership with Wildlife Preservation Canada, revealing the intensive care and breeding programs designed to boost populations of endangered species.
These programs focus on creatures that often don't get the spotlight—the tiny animals whose disappearance could trigger devastating ecological consequences.
The zoo's staff work meticulously to create the perfect conditions for these species to thrive and eventually return to their natural habitats.
Langley City Wants Your Input on Invest Langley City's Biggest Projects
Langley City is asking residents to weigh in on two major infrastructure proposals: an expanded Timms Community Centre with a performing arts space, and a new or renewed aquatic facility.
Both projects could go to voters as part of the next municipal election. The City is hosting pop-up events, an in-person open house on April 14, and a virtual session on April 29, with an online survey open from April 7 to May 1 on Let's Chat, Langley City.
If you care about what gets built in this community, now is the time to show up and say so.
Junior All-Native Tournament Crowns Champions Today in Langley
B.C.'s biggest youth basketball tournament wraps up today as the 2026 Junior All-Native Tournament reaches its championship finals across multiple Langley venues.
The week-long event features seven age groups, with U13 and U17 divisions battling through knockout rounds at locations including Langley Events Centre, R.E. Mountain Secondary, and Walnut Grove Secondary.
Tickets for today's championship games are $10 (free for kids 12 and under and seniors 65 and over) and available at showpass.com.
Live streams of all games are available for free at cfnrfm.ca/jant.
Atmospheric River Triggers State of Emergency in Fraser Valley
Heavy rain from a series of atmospheric rivers has prompted a local state of emergency in the Chilliwack area and evacuation alerts for nearly 40 homes.
Environment Canada warns that the Fraser Valley and parts of Metro Vancouver could see up to 130 millimetres of rain, with Coquitlam already recording 133 millimetres as of Thursday afternoon.
A mudslide in Coquitlam stranded residents and damaged power lines on Thursday.
The system is expected to move out Friday, but meteorologists say a prolonged dry period will be needed before conditions stabilize.
B.C. Shelves All Transit Expansion Plans Outside Metro Vancouver
BC Transit has frozen all bus service expansions for 2027, telling communities across the province there is simply no money in the budget.
The cuts hit the Fraser Valley directly, killing a planned route that would have connected Agassiz and several First Nations to Mission and the West Coast Express.
Last year, municipalities committed funding for 119 new buses, but BC Transit could only match 56 of them, and now even that limited progress has stalled.
When a province keeps pushing denser housing and climate action but won't fund the transit to make it work, maybe the problem it's more of a revenue problem than a spending problem (cough...tax the rich!...cough)
Canadian Labour Movement Pushes to Declare Israeli Goods 'Hot Cargo'
Labour For Palestine is organizing ahead of the Canadian Labour Congress convention in May, where delegates will vote on a resolution to declare all trade with Israel "hot cargo" that workers can refuse to handle.
The campaign builds on successful resolutions passed at four provincial labour federations last year, including Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The resolution also calls on the CLC to cut ties with Israel's Histadrut labour federation, whose chair was photographed signing a missile bound for Gaza in 2023.
Canadian labour law limits the scope of what workers can do, since solidarity strikes are illegal, but organizers say the hot cargo declaration gives workers a concrete way to act on the Palestinian trade union call to end institutional complicity.
Canadian Astronaut's Moon Mission Inches Closer as Artemis II Rocket Rolls Out
History is literally rolling toward the launch pad as the Artemis II rocket carrying Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen begins its journey to the platform.
NASA has confirmed that the rollout process has begun, marking a major milestone ahead of the planned April flight date that will see Hansen become the first Canadian to travel around the moon.
The rollout is a slow, methodical process, but it signals that preparations are entering the final phase.
Hansen will join three NASA astronauts on this historic mission, which represents Canada's most significant participation in space exploration since the early days of the International Space Station.
For Canadians watching, it's a moment of national pride and a reminder that our contributions to space exploration continue to punch above our weight.
Giants Gear Up for Season Finale Against Blazers
The Vancouver Giants are heading into their final games of the season with a home-and-home series against the Kamloops Blazers.
Fresh off a 3-2 overtime victory against the Seattle Thunderbirds, the Giants (25-38-1-2) will travel to Kamloops Friday night before returning home to the Langley Events Centre on Saturday for their season closer.
While the Giants won't be making the playoffs, there's still pride on the line, especially after losing three straight to Kamloops earlier in the season. The Blazers, meanwhile, are fighting to solidify their playoff seeding, tied in points with Spokane but trailing in the all-important wins tiebreaker.
For Langley fans, it's one last chance to see their team in action before the offseason, and the Giants will be looking to send their supporters home happy.
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