The First Nations Health Authority says 89 members of its community fatally overdosed from illicit drugs across British Columbia between January and May, an increase of 93 per cent compared with the same period last year. The authority's acting chief medical officer, Dr. Shannon McDonald, says measures to control the spread of COVID-19 have led to people using drugs in isolation as they are less likely to access harm-reduction services. McDonald says 16 per cent of all overdose deaths in the province up to May of this year involved people from First Nations though they represent only 3.4 per

The B.C. government reported an additional 13 cases of COVID-19 on Friday. The additions bring the total number of cases in the province to 2,947, with 162 listed as active. The province did not report any additional deaths. There have been a total of 177 deaths in British Columbia related to the novel coronavirus. The government says six cases that were previously reported in the overall total have been removed from B.C.'s statistics because they were identified as residents of another province. It says those cases will be reported in their home province, which is consistent with regular pro

The RCMP says a school teacher in Delta has been found with child pornography. Mounties say their investigation began more than a year ago when they received an alert from an electronic service provider alleging that an account user was in possession of child pornography. They say 52 year old Surrey resident Elazar Reshef has been charged with three counts of child-pornography related offences. Investigators say no children in the Lower Mainland have been identified as potential victims based on a review of the available evidence, but anyone with information is asked to contact police.

The RCMP are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 26 year old woman outside the courthouse in Prince George on Thursday night. The Mounties say they received a report of the stabbing around 10 p.m. and found the woman suffering from at least one stab wound. They say officers administered first aid and the woman was taken to hospital, where she died of her injuries Friday morning. Prince George RCMP's serious crime unit has been called in to lead the investigation and police say they're looking to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the incident. They did not release the woman's identity

BC is reporting three more deaths due to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 177. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says two deaths occurred at Holy Family Hospital and one at Mission Memorial Hospital. Henry says there have been 24 new cases of COVID-19 over past two days, bringing the total to 2,940. 17 people are in hospital, including two in intensive care.

British Columbia's premier has a message for Americans coming across the border on their way to Alaska: Do not stop in the province while COVID-19 cases continue rising in the United States. John Horgan says he's heard concerns from across B.C. that Americans have stopped in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island instead of heading straight to their destination, putting residents at risk. Horgan says he has spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland about the need for her to discuss the issue with American officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in mid-June that the federal governme

Police are investigating a potential hate crime after a Black man was attacked aboard a BC Transit bus. Victoria Police say patrol officers were flagged down on June 19 just after 4 p.m. and were told that the Black man was allegedly struck. They say video shows a Caucasian man entering the bus, moving towards a seat, standing up and striking the man without warning. They say a few other passengers intervened and the suspect was pushed off the bus. Police describe the alleged suspect as 40-50 years old with a medium to heavy build, blond hair, wearing sunglasses, a black hat and a blue shirt,

Health workers at BC's Surrey Memorial Hospital received a royal thank you today, as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke with them via video call about their experiences working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prince William and his wife Kate told Fraser Health staff their work is appreciated. William said he's proud of how frontline staff have led the way stoically and bravely, putting patient care at the ``top of the list.'' Kate also praised the workers, saying they are playing a ``hugely tough'' role.

Police have released a photo of man charged in a historical child sexual assault investigation in Pemberton and Whistler in hopes of uncovering any further victims. RCMP say they began the investigation in March into alleged incidents that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in the two communities involving two victims. 50 year old Roger Amadio Molinaro of Whistler was charged in April with multiple offences including two counts of sexual assault under the age of 16. Staff Sergeant Paul Hayes says the Mounties are asking any additional victims to come forward.