BC Today from CBC Radio British Columbia

Romance novels are soaring in popularity. B.C. author Danielle McKechnie joins the program to talk about the genre and her new book, This Changes Everything.

Work to tear down Tumbler Ridge Secondary School began Monday, months after a tragic mass shooting. We hear from CBC's Matt Preprost and Tumbler Ridge Mayor Darryl Krakowka for more.A regional park on Vancouver Island has closed after a bear attack that conservation officers are calling defensive. We hear how people can more safely coexist with bears.

MLA for Kamloops Centre Peter Milobar will sit as an Independent member of the B.C. Legislature, writing that his values don't 'align' with the new direction of the B.C. Conservatives. Host of This is VANCOLOUR and CBC commentator Mo Amir joins the show to get audience reaction.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter is back to talk about taking care of gardens during drought, and to take audience questions.

As wildfires continue to burn across the province, we heard guidance on how to protect homes and communities using the FireSmart program.Reporter Brady Strachan joined the show for a wildfire update live from Kelowna.

The CSA Group has published a report on Canadian standards needed to support dementia-inclusive care. We hear more about what they are pushing for and ask our audience what they think is needed to support patients in their communities.

We heard about the impact B.C.'s wildfire seasons are having on businesses in the Okanagan and southern Interior. Young people are growing more interested in learning to sew. We heard what's behind the trend and get some tips for people starting out.

B.C. has temporarily banned the operation of any off-road vehicles for recreational purposes on Crown land in several parts of the province. We ask our audience whether or not they'd like to see backcountry restrictions go farther during wildfire season.Reporter and photographer Jesse Winter joins the program to talk about his new book, Wild Fire: Dispatches from a Country Ablaze. He explains what lessons Canada should be bringing forward from some of the country's worst wildfires in recent years.

CBC's Tiffany Goodwein reported from Penticton where evacuees from Summerland have gathered over the weekend. Thompson Rivers University wildland fire professor Mike Flannigan broke down the situation across the province.We heard more about the death of an 80-year-old woman who died while fleeing the Bald Range wildfire, according to RCMP, and about the supports seniors need while evacuating.

Asking rental prices in Metro Vancouver continue to fall, though the region is still the most expensive in the country. Do you feel rent is becoming more affordable? And, what would you consider affordable rent? We'll talk to UBC's Tom Davidoff.

Marathon season is underway, with some races impacted by air quality warnings and others going ahead. That includes the Lululemon SeaWheeze half marathon, which is returning to Vancouver this weekend for the first time since 2019. So, we want to hear your marathon story. What motivates you? How do you prepare? Lululemon running ambassador Kayla Jeter joins our program.

Firefighters from Mexico arrived this morning to help fight ongoing wildfires in B.C. Registered clinical counsellor Cecile Tucker joined the program to hear your feelings about the wildfires and how to turn your climate anxiety into action.

Delta Mayor George Harvie is the latest politician calling for reforms to the Metro Vancouver Regional District, saying Delta will pull out of its non-core services. Is that doable? Is it a solution to the regional district's governance issues? Mayor Harvie and New Westminster councillor and mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine joined the program.

Wildfire smoke is leading to poor air quality across southern B.C. We talked to the B.C. Lung Foundation about the risks and ways to protect yourself.Classes began today at SFU's new medical school. We talked to the founding dean about how they hope to fill the need for doctors.

Parents are starting to think about back to school now that B.C. Day has passed. Retail analyst Bruce Winder and Peta Wales, president and CEO of the Credit Counselling Society, joined the program to take your calls on the cost of school supplies.

Six major wildfires are burning in B.C., and thousands of people have been forced out of their homes. Many are from the Vernon area, where numerous homes have been destroyed. We'll bring you the latest and discuss the impact of wildfires on mental health. UBC Okanagan researcher Brittany Barber joins the program.From music to movies and games, we talk about the move away from physical media to fully digital content, after Sony announced it will stop selling physical Playstation games. Will gamers miss out? Brian Hughes from Gamedeals Video Games joins the program.

Six major wildfires are burning in B.C., and thousands of people have been forced out of their homes. Many are from the Vernon area, where numerous homes have been destroyed. We'll bring you the latest and discuss the impact of wildfires on mental health. UBC Okanagan researcher Brittany Barber joins the program.From music to movies and games, we talk about the move away from physical media to fully digital content, after Sony announced it will stop selling physical Playstation games. Will gamers miss out? Brian Hughes from Gamedeals Video Games joins the program.

Brian Minter was back to talk about what makes this long weekend special for for gardeners, and he took your questions.

As we head into the BC Day long weekend, we launch our aunnual summer bracket with Justin McElroy. This summer it's all about finding BC's best roadside attraction, across all corners of our beautiful province! We're asking: What are the best roadside attractions in our beautiful province?

WestJet travellers are in limbo after flight attendants gave a 72-hour strike notice Thursday. Julia Smith from the University of Manitoba labour studies program joined us, as we ask how you're impacted.

We're sharing your appreciation for your neighbours. We heard your good neighbour stories with David Balzer from the Chatterbox Project.

A new poll conducted by the Angus Reid Institute found 15 per cent of Liberal voters are migrating to the NDP over concerns about Ottawa's climate change policies. Shachi Kurl, the president of the institute, discusses the findings as we ask viewers how climate change factors into their view of political parties.

As many countries move to ban social media for children, others raise concern about youth losing out on some of its benefits, particularly for queer youth. Shelley Craig, the Canada Research Chair in Sexual and Gender Minority Youth, discusses how social media bans can affect 2SLGBTQ+ kids who have found communities and resources in online spaces.

It's Pride week in Vancouver, with no shortage of events. The Dyke March and Festival takes place on Saturday along Commercial Drive and Grandview Park. Organizers Clio Lake and Robyn Travis join the program to share their excitement and describe what makes their event different from other Pride celebrations.

Vancouver has decided on the creation of 17 "villages" throughout the city, aimed to build more "missing middle housing." CBC B.C.'s municipal affairs reporter Justin McElroy joins the program to look at the proposal and discuss how large-scale densification should be decided in communities across the province.

We continue the conversation on the role of AI in arts and entertainment ahead of the fourth annual East by Northwest Summit, which is focusing on how AI can improve representation in media this year.

Emergency crews are facing hot and dry conditions as wildfires spread in B.C. CBC's Troy Charles gave the latest on evacuation orders and alerts. Plus, Actor and filmmaker Randall Park joined the program to talk about AI in the arts and Asian representation in film.

How much protein are you eating? We spoke with fitness instructor Karina Inkster about why protein is such a focus on our grocery shelves.

Extreme heat and wildfire smoke prompted weather warnings across B.C. this week. We spoke with Nicole Mucci and Dr. Michael Schwandt about how heat impacts vulnerable people in the province.

The premiers of nine provinces announced that they're removing major barriers to interprovincial sales of alcohol. But will this be enough to combat the threat of more tariffs from Trump? Northern Lights Estate Winery owner Doug Bell and B.C. Food & Beverage CEO James Donaldson share their perspectives.

We looked at some of the best beach reads and what makes a book a summer success with Kootenay-based author Angie Abdou.

Are you looking for a new place to connect with people? We'll hear more about the unique places where you can forge new friendships and why younger people are feeling more lonely.

U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to impose 50 per cent tariffs on a wide range of Canadian exports next month. So how should Canada react? Michael Devereux, a professor at UBC's Vancouver School of Economics, joined the program to take your calls.

Spain emerged victorious in the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, defeating Argentina 1-0. BC Today's World Cup panel came back to discuss how it all went and what being a host city has meant for Vancouver.

Former B.C. Liberal MLA and education minister Mike Bernier is the new leader of the Centre B.C. party. We asked our audience if their perspective is reflected in the province's political landscape.

After a stormy night in many parts of the province, several new wildfires are burning, including the Brunswick complex fires, which have doubled in size over the last week. CBC reporter Troy Charles joined the program for the latest on the fire and fire ecologist James Whitehead talked about what can be done to reduce the risk of more fires.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter is back to answer all your gardening questions

A wildfire is growing near Pemberton and officials have issued evacuation alerts for parts of the area. We checked in with reporter Alanna Kelly who is on the ground in the community.We're deep into festival season and this weekend is no exception. We hear from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the Port Moody Ribfest about good music and good eats. Corbin Murdoch from the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and barbecue master Rusty Johnson joined the program.

Canfor closes another mill in Prince George. It's the latest blow for an industry facing growing challenges. Forester David Elstone joined the program to discuss the impact of the closure and what B.C. needs to do to stabilize the forestry sector.

Safety concerns continue to rise for E-scooters after two serious collisions. We looked at how to make the roads safe for everyone who uses them with Alex Bigazzi, an associate professor in UBC's department of civil engineering.

Descendants of Canadians can now apply for citizenship, with many of these described "lost Canadians" looking to make the move here. We talked to immigration lawyer Ciara McLean about what this all means.

Vancouver city council is holding a public hearing on the city's proposal to build 17 "villages" across the city. The new villages would feature a mix of commercial and residential spaces. So, if you designed a neighbourhood, what would it look like? Vancouver housing advocate Peter Waldkirch joined the program.