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RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS 
                                Ed Meichsner, VP of facilities operations, says the arena is designed for quick, nimble transformations.

From bodychecks to sound checks

Canada Life Centre transforms quickly from hosting NHL action, to staging sellout concerts, and back again — often in the space of a day or two

Jen Zoratti 12 minute read Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

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Wendy Sawatzky 9 minute read Preview

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Wendy Sawatzky 9 minute read Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

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Premier Wab Kinew is an imported Manitoban, born in Kenora and raised on Onigaming First Nation in Treaty Three (in northwestern Ontario) before his family moved to Winnipeg. He’s the son of well-known Anishinaabe leader and traditional knowledge keeper Tobasonakwut Kinew and Kathi Kinew.

These are the words we provided feedback on: Boniface, Cockburn, Dauphin, Dene, Hellebuyck, Iafallo, Íslendingadagurinn, Kinew, Kildonan, Malak Abas, Métis, Newfoundland, Orlikow, Pembina, Portage la Prairie, Premier, Regina, St. Vital, Samyn, Schiefele, vínarterta, Wiebe, Generation Z.

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Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The Washington Post

Canals in the city centre of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has taken a two-pronged approach to sustainability by adopting ‘doughnut economics.’

Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The Washington Post
                                Canals in the city centre of Amsterdam. Amsterdam has taken a two-pronged approach to sustainability by adopting ‘doughnut economics.’
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
                                Sheila North is a former journalist and grand chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and will provide insight, guidance and advice to the WPS.

First Indigenous adviser to police ready for monumental challenge

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 3, 2025

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Delivering on a vision

Delivering on a vision

Departing head of Winnipeg Arts Council a fierce supporter of city’s cultural community

Jen Zoratti 9 minute read Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

The province is reporting 20 COVID-19 deaths in one week after changing the way it collects data related to the virus.

The Dec. 3-9 number represents a staggering week-over-week increase in the death toll — a jump of more than 500 per cent compared to the previous week — because of the change in data collection.

“The new reporting standard is both more complete and more timely, as is based on direct reporting from the hospitals to Manitoba Health, compared to the prior methodology,” a provincial spokesperson stated Wednesday, saying prior and current data both report “COVID-associated” deaths.

“The change in reporting methodology is a contributing factor to the increase in reported deaths.

Mayor 2 puts positive spin 3 on city’s less-than-edsfxpected share of federal housing fund

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Preview

Mayor 2 puts positive spin 3 on city’s less-than-edsfxpected share of federal housing fund

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

The city will receive $122 million in federal government housing money, falling about $70 million shy of the municipal government’s original request. However, Winnipeg’s mayor stressed the amount is substantial and should leverage millions of dollars of additional investment.

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Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023

Mayor Scott Gillingham (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Mayor Scott Gillingham (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Economic growth would go down tubes if sewage-plant project left unfinished: city report

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Preview

Economic growth would go down tubes if sewage-plant project left unfinished: city report

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

The City of Winnipeg is warning it could run out of sewage capacity for new development by 2032, while urging senior governments to fund the final phase of a mega project that would alleviate the risk.

The city has called on the provincial and federal governments to each cover a third of the cost for the third and final phase of the $3-billion Main Street sewage treatment plant upgrade, which would boost sewage capacity.

The city previously warned it would run out of capacity to process sewage sludge within four to six years, if the project’s second phase to create new biosolids facilities isn’t completed first.

On Thursday, a new city report predicted the construction of new homes and businesses will not be possible by the year 2032, if the sewage upgrade isn’t completed first.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

Construction workers at the north end sewage plant in March. The city says completing Phase 3 of the project would result in Winnipeg’s economy growing faster.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
                                Construction workers at the north end sewage plant in March. The city says completing Phase 3 of the project would result in Winnipeg’s economy growing faster.

Vacant home demolished after burning fourth time since August

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Preview

Vacant home demolished after burning fourth time since August

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Relief washed over Danielle Pahpasay after a vacant rooming house, which had been struck by arsonists three times, was razed Thursday.

“Finally. Wow. That’s good news,” said Danielle Pahpasay, who lives next door to 539 William Ave., which was ablaze again on Thursday. “The kids were pretty confused. They didn’t know what was going on — then they saw all the fire trucks.”

Pahpasay said firefighters knocked on her door around 12:30 a.m. and instructed her to gather her children and a few essentials and evacuate — the first time her family has had to leave despite the string of recent fires.

The two-and-a-half-storey house, vacant before the first fire on Aug. 18, also burned on Sept. 26 and Oct. 31.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

SCOTT BILLECK / FREE PRESS

A vacant house on the 500 block of William Avenue is demolished Thursday after a fire that started late Wednesday.

SCOTT BILLECK / FREE PRESS
                                A vacant house on the 500 block of William Avenue is demolished Thursday after a fire that started late Wednesday.

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Grandfather of baby who died with meth in her bloodstream testifies in daughter’s trial

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Preview

Grandfather of baby who died with meth in her bloodstream testifies in daughter’s trial

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

The father of a woman arrested after her infant daughter died with methamphetamine in her bloodstream told a court Wednesday he never saw any evidence his daughter was using drugs at the time of the girl’s death.

“Not while I was around,” Lou Muise testified at the trial of his daughter Alison Muise. “I didn’t see liquor or beer in the house. I didn’t see her being high, drunk or anything.”

Alison Muise, 42, is on trial charged with one count of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Three-month-old Layla Mattern-Muise was rushed to hospital Feb. 2, 2022, after Muise and the child’s father Christopher Mattern awoke to find her not breathing. She was pronounced dead that day.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

The father of a woman arrested after her infant daughter died with methamphetamine in her bloodstream told a court Wednesday he never saw any evidence his daughter was using drugs at the time of the girl’s death.

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
                                The father of a woman arrested after her infant daughter died with methamphetamine in her bloodstream told a court Wednesday he never saw any evidence his daughter was using drugs at the time of the girl’s death.

Thousands of fare evaders denied bus rides since crackdown began in September

Free Press staff 3 minute read Preview

Thousands of fare evaders denied bus rides since crackdown began in September

Free Press staff 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Thousands of would-be bus passengers have been turned away since September, when the city started cracking down on people who don’t pay.

Since then, 7,614 people were either denied rides (4,944) or they walked away before being prompted to pay, the city said Wednesday.

The city said 931 warnings have been issued and that 359 riders paid after being asked. The warnings were issued by transit safety officers for fare-related issues.

Winnipeg Transit inspectors have made more than 6,800 fare checks since September, and safety officers have spent more than 1,400 hours enforcing issues.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES

A Winnipeg Police Service vehicle parked next to the transit loop at CF Polo Park in September. Since then, 4,944 would-be passengers have been denied bus rides.

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
                                A Winnipeg Police Service vehicle parked next to the transit loop at CF Polo Park in September. Since then, 4,944 would-be passengers have been denied bus rides.

Rare red auroras dazzle as part of Manitoba light show

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Preview

Rare red auroras dazzle as part of Manitoba light show

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Solar storm chasers, rejoice: 2025 was an excellent year for aurora borealis, and the remainder of the year could be just as active.

Tuesday night’s dazzling display of crimson northern lights grabbed the attention of sky gazers across Manitoba, no matter where they were in the province.

“The colours were striking even from inside the city,” said Scott Young, an astronomer at the Manitoba Museum Planetarium. “It was one of the brightest red auroras that I remember in my lifetime.”

Young noticed a grey haze in the sky but didn’t think it was the northern lights, which were forecast to appear the following evening.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Owen Humphreys/ The Associated Press

The aurora borealis glow in the sky over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast, England.

Owen Humphreys/ The Associated Press
                                The aurora borealis glow in the sky over St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay on the North East coast, England.

Stegall credits faith for getting him through grief of losing son

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Preview

Stegall credits faith for getting him through grief of losing son

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

At a Salvation Army luncheon filled with laughter and nostalgia on Wednesday, it was Milt Stegall’s poignant football analogy about faith — and the loss of his son this past summer — that quieted the room and touched every heart at Canad Inns Polo Park.

Stegall, 55, shared how his faith was shaken after his 20-year-old son, Chase, died unexpectedly from epilepsy in June. Chase was found in his dorm room at DePaul University in Chicago, where he was a member of the school’s soccer team.

In the weeks that followed, Stegall said he pleaded with God for answers — and fast ones.

“(God) told me he was going to tell me in football terms that he knows I’ll understand,” Stegall said, recalling how about 60 to 70 per cent of plays an offensive co-ordinator calls fail for one reason or another. “But God said, ‘I’m the life offensive co-ordinator, and every single play I call has always been right. It’s never wrong. It’s worked every single time. You might not like the play I am calling, but it’s for the betterment of the team.’”

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS

Milt Stegall poses for a photo with Mayor Scott Gillingham.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS
                                Milt Stegall poses for a photo with Mayor Scott Gillingham.

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