BC Today

Summer blockbuster season is in full swing with major titles looking to draw audiences to the theatre. Chelsea Birks, the learning and outreach coordinator at The Cinematheque, previews the summer movie release schedule. The CBC's Ali Pitargue discusses the phenomenon of "sequelitis" where Hollywood studios feed the movie market with sequels, reboots and remakes.

Vancouver police provided an update Friday on the vehicle that crashed into the Pacific Coliseum entrance at a Cirque du Soleil show Thursday. A man was arrested under B.C.'s Mental Health Act. CBC reporter Jessica Cheung breaks down what we know so far.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control issued a reminder to prepare for summer heat after Environment Canada warned of an incoming early season heat event in southern B.C. Vancouver Coastal Health medical health officer Dr. Michael Schwandt answers questions about the health effects of extreme heat as we ask viewers what can be done to help people adapt to heat events. Jen Miles is a planner at the City of Kelowna.

The Burnaby Teachers' Association is calling on the province to increase funding for public education, with the school district's budget seeing $4.2 million in cuts. Its president Alex Peters joins the show as we ask viewers about the cuts they're seeing in their schools.

A new documentary is set to be screened this week chronicling the old growth logging protests at Fairy Creek on Vancouver Island. Director Jen Muranetz and producer and director of photography Sepehr Samimi join the show.

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne answers questions about the province's efforts to expand involuntary care. This week, B.C. announced 18 new involuntary care beds in a "home-like" facility in Maple Ridge for people certified for long-term care under B.C.'s Mental Health Act.

B.C. announced the opening of 18 involuntary care beds in Maple Ridge for people with complex mental health disorders. Health Minister Josie Osborne says Alouette Homes will provide a "home-like" setting for individuals who are a danger to themselves and others, in contrast to beds at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, which is meant for people already in custody. Steven Hall, a family group facilitator with Together We Can Addiction, Drug, and Alcohol Recovery and Education Society, and Jonny Morris, the CEO of the B.C. division of the Canadian Mental Health Association, join the show as we ask viewers if this expansion of involuntary care is what B.C. needs to tackle mental health and safety.

After 355 years in business, Hudson's Bay has closed its department store doors for good. We hear from nostalgic shoppers as we ask viewers what the closure of the Bay means to them and what they think should replace the former locations. Retail analyst Bruce Winder joins the show.

B.C.'s minimum wage now sits at $17.85 per hour after the province mandated an increase of 45 cents. Marc Lee, a senior economist at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and Cory Redekop, the CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, discuss the impact of the increase as we ask viewers if it is enough.

BC Today gardening columnist Brian Minter joins us to answer your gardening questions.

Graduation season is underway. UBC president Benoit Antoine-Bacon joins the show as we ask viewers what advice they have for new grads turning over a new chapter in their lives.

The Filipino community is still reeling from the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy more than a month later. BC Today host Michelle Eliot met up with Christi-Ann Watkins, a DJ who was injured at the festival to get her story.

The City of Williams Lake is looking into imposing a state of local emergency over an increase in street disorder and violence. Coun. Scott Nelson put forward the motion, citing increased threats to public safety. He joins the show to explain, as we ask viewers if such a measure is warranted.

Vancouver city council unanimously approved a motion to look at finding locations and funding for accessible public washrooms. Locations would be at high traffic areas, including near public transit. Vancouver Green Party Coun. Pete Fry joins the show to explain the motion.

Nicotine vaping continues to be common among teens and young adults. Christopher Lam, the president and CEO of the B.C. Lung Association, joins the show to discuss health risks.

Environment Canada is warning of a daylong hotspell in much of B.C., with projected temperatures between 5 C and 12 C above normal for many areas. ACORN Canada national representative Nichola Taylor joins the show to discuss how the organization is advocating for hot weather protections for low and moderate income renters.

As summer rolls in, allergies can make it tough for people to enjoy the season. Clinical immunologist and allergist Dr. Ryan Lo discusses the health impacts while CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains how climate change can cause allergy seasons to worsen.

King Charles's throne speech outlined the Liberal government's agenda and highlighted Canada's diversity and identity. We ask viewers for their takeaways as University of the Fraser Valley professor Hamish Telford discusses how the government goes forward with the policies it laid out.

Thom Armstrong, executive officer of the Co-operative Housing Federation of B.C., joins the show to discuss challenges facing co-op housing.

UBC assistant professor in the department of history Brad Miller explains the context behind this visit.