As 2025 unfolded in Regina, readers of the Regina Leader-Post gravitated towards a diverse mix of headlines that defined the year in the Queen City. The stories that captured the most attention ranged from significant institutional changes and local controversies to the triumphs and unexpected disruptions in the world of sports.
A Year of Major Change for Regina Police
The Regina Police Service (RPS) experienced a dramatic leadership shift that dominated local news. Chief Farooq Sheikh was fired in October 2025 by the city’s Board of Police Commissioners after less than two years in the role. Mayor Chad Bachynski cited allegations of "misconduct and inappropriate communications" between Sheikh and a complainant who had served on the police board.
"We hold people, especially those in positions of authority and especially those of our Regina Police Service, to a very high standard," Bachynski stated at the time.
This pivotal moment was followed by a historic appointment in December. Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies was promoted to lead the RPS, becoming the first female police chief not only in Regina's history but in the entire province of Saskatchewan. "If you can see it, you can be it," Davies told reporters during her introductory press conference, marking a new chapter for the service.
Sports Stories That Captured Regina's Heart
In the realm of sports, the Saskatchewan Roughriders provided both expected glory and an unexpected mid-season twist. While the team's Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes with a score of 25-17 was a major highlight, it was not the most-read Riders story of the year.
That distinction went to a simpler report about a regular-season game postponed until Saturday due to heavy smoke. This story resonated deeply as it intersected two major summer realities in Saskatchewan: fervent Rider pride and the ominous threat of wildfires roaring in the province's northern forests. The image of a beloved sporting event disrupted by environmental forces proved compelling for readers.
Notable Legal and Local Interest Stories
Beyond policing and sports, other narratives drew significant public interest. In April 2025, there was considerable attention on Alena Pastuch, who was granted a new government-funded lawyer. Pastuch, who had been convicted on fraud, theft, and money laundering charges after representing herself in a 2019 trial, was seeking to have her guilty plea declared null.
Additionally, the hockey world took note of a local story in January. Regina Leader-Post sports writer Taylor Shire reported that 14-year-old Regina hockey phenom Maddox Schultz had decided not to apply for exceptional status, which would have made him eligible for a full WHL season at age 15.
From changes in civic leadership and the justice system to the passions of the playing field, the most-read stories of 2025 offered a revealing snapshot of the issues and events that matter most to the people of Regina.
