BC Daily Digest — Feb 25, 2026

Want cheaper summer trips? Travel experts say book now — airlines load flights about 11½ months out, and early bookers usually get the best rates. Experts Claire Newell and Barry Choi warn last-minute spring-break bargains are rare, note dynamic (AI-driven) pricing can change fares hourly, and suggest being flexible (Tue–Thu travel), using agents for cruises, and saving loyalty points for long-haul flights.

A festival location change has reopened wounds for a grieving family — Alejandro Samper, who lost his father Daniel, his mother Glitza and sister Glitza in last year’s Lapu Lapu Festival attack, is asking organizers to pause the event. Filipino BC plans a three-day festival April 17–19 at the Italian Cultural Centre (parking lot closed); Samper says victims weren’t consulted, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim promised city support, and organizers say they’re working with first responders.

A family’s life was upended after a 14-year-old was badly hurt skiing at Apex Mountain Resort — Connell Hall was knocked unconscious, airlifted to Royal Inland Hospital and suffered a broken femur, broken wrist and a traumatic brain injury. Connell is now awake and expected to transfer to BC Children’s Hospital for rehab; his father credits a helmet and ski patrol, and an online fundraiser is helping cover mounting medical and travel costs while his mother recovers from breast cancer surgery.

An aging rail bridge stalled marine traffic and trapped 13 deep-sea cargo vessels over the weekend — the Second Narrows Rail Bridge’s lift span malfunctioned, blocking ships that access Parkland, TMX Westridge and Pacific Coast terminals. CN is repairing the bridge (work expected to finish Wednesday) and rail service to the North Shore has been largely unaffected.

A City Council motion to formally oppose any U.S. ICE deployment during the FIFA World Cup was ruled out of order by chair Mike Klassen. Green councillor Pete Fry and COPE’s Sean Orr proposed the motion after ICE attended the Milan Olympics; the chair said there’s no indication ICE will be here, an attempted challenge failed by one vote, and Mayor Ken Sim reiterated ICE hasn’t been invited or authorized to operate in Vancouver.

Here’s who got the money raised after the April 26, 2025 Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy: United Way BC’s Kapwa Strong Fund raised more than $2 million and distributed $1,574,556.04 to 36 agencies. Grants ranged from $3,189.54 (Gallery Gachet) up to six-figure awards like $165,000 to United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC, with many $25,000–$75,000 grants for trauma counselling, arts-based healing and community renewal; United Way wrapped its role in Sept 2025 and the Vancouver Foundation will lead future fundraising.

Ministers told OpenAI they’re disappointed the company didn’t bring concrete safety fixes after the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting (Feb. 10) — the shooter’s ChatGPT account had been flagged last June but OpenAI only alerted police after the attack. AI Minister Evan Solomon and colleagues pressed for clearer thresholds for referring threats to law enforcement, while MPs and experts say Canada’s regulation has been too slow; Solomon promises a federal AI strategy in Q1 and Ottawa is considering changes to privacy and safety laws.

Snow drivers, take note: Environment Canada warns 40–60 cm of snow is expected on the Coquihalla Highway from Wednesday night through Friday. A frontal system will bring strong southwest winds and long-duration snowfall, making travel challenging — check DriveBC, fit winter tires and carry warm clothes, food and emergency supplies.