Elaine Shein

Elaine Shein is Managing Editor of the Western Producer. Last week, she described how a 1990 public consultation’s findings on government accountability have not been implemented. This week, she looks at what the study said about agriculture. The 1990 document Leading the Way: a Blueprint for Saskatchewan was the result of meetings involving more than […] Read more

A recent walk along mainstreet Camrose, Alta., at high noon was a reminder of what is important to rural towns. A local business played the closing street prices for grain over an external loudspeaker. Some farmers walking down the street paused to hear the numbers. At a restaurant, people chatted about the crops recently harvested. […] Read more

Elaine Shein is Managing Editor of the Western Producer. Five years ago, on Sept. 15, 1990, a 100-page-plus document appeared promising a vision for Saskatchewan’s future, reflecting “the values and aspirations of Saskatchewan people.” This was unveiled a full year before the provincial New Democrats swept to power over the Conservatives, claiming 55 of 66 […] Read more

At the beginning of each story is a placeline. The community identified serves as a clue to readers how the information was gathered for the story. According to Canadian Press style, reporters should “place stories where incidents occur rather than at the news centre that reports the news, provided the scene is more than a […] Read more

Last week our out-of-town reporters travelled to join our Saskatoon staff for three days of discussion and training. One of the debates among editors and reporters was how much detail to include about the origin of quotations in a story. Were the quotes obtained from a phone or face-to-face interview? A press release? A news […] Read more

In a year’s time, a lot of things can change. A child can grow taller, get a crewcut, maybe start to wear glasses. A field can grow a different crop. The landscape may have different buildings, taller trees, a newly-painted house, and past machinery may have been sold. A photograph may have reflected life a […] Read more

Western Producer staff The federal agriculture minister is inviting every farmer to move beyond coffee row’s square tables and contribute to round-table discussions. Although it’s the busiest time of year for most farmers, circle Sept. 29 on the kitchen calendar – that’s the deadline for submissions from people to share their views on the future […] Read more

Last week our paper ran a story about the confrontation between a rancher and natives illegally occupying his land. Dene Moore wrote from her hometown in 100 Mile House, B.C., about an event receiving national media attention. Since Sept. 8, Moore has joined our Saskatoon staff for a three-month internship. She is a journalism student […] Read more

Western Producer staff Elaine Shein is a member of Western Producer management and a former member of the Grain Services Union. I was jarred awake at 6 a.m. by the lead story on the radio last May 12. Conciliation talks had broken off the night before between Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and Grain Services Union. When […] Read more