The family farm in 2020 Posted: 5:07 PM CDT Thursday, Sep. 17, 2020 Last Modified: 10:19 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 Updates

WHO names transmissible new COVID-19 variant 'Omicron'

GENEVA (AP) — An advisory panel of the World Health Organization on Friday classified a worrying new COVID-19 variant first detected in South Africa as a highly transmissible virus of concern, naming it “Omicron” under its Greek letter system.

The U.N. health agency also said early evidence on the variant, until now known by the technical term B.1.1.529, has shown an increased risk of reinfection compared to other highly transmissible variants, indicating that people who contracted COVID-19 and recovered could be more subject to catching it again with Omicron. The WHO suggested that the variant could pose greater risks than the delta variant, which was first detected in India and has been causing ravages worldwide.

The WHO announcement marks the first time in months that it has classified a COVID-19 variant as the highly-transmissible “variant of concern.” The classification also applies to delta, which has become the world’s most prevalent variant. It comes amid a surge in cases of delta in Europe in particular, and at a time when many countries had eased lockdown measures and travel restrictions.

Health officials are closely monitoring to see if current tools – for testing, treatment and vaccination – are affected by the omicron variant. But the outside advisers said current PCR tests continue to detect it.

Hydro temporarily laying off up to 700 workers; union leaders lash out at premier

After saying last year further staff cuts would jeopardize worker safety and customer service, Manitoba Hydro announced Monday it will issue four-month layoff notices to up to 700 employees, starting as early as the end of this week.

The utility had "no other choice" in order to find the savings the Manitoba government asked for in mid-April to support its pandemic response, Hydro president and CEO Jay Grewal said in an email to employees.

The temporary layoffs will be implemented following the provisions of existing collective bargaining agreements, Grewal said in her update to employees about the effort to find $86 million in cost reductions and labour savings.

"Since mid-April, we’ve gone through every part of this organization looking for opportunities to reduce or eliminate discretionary and non-essential spending," she wrote.

Additional candidates register for Winnipeg’s fall election

Every city council ward is set to have a contested race in the Oct. 28 municipal election, barring any withdrawals, after additional candidates registered for two contests.

Dennis Bayomi is running in Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood, where Evan Duncan is the incumbent candidate.

Bayomi is president and co-deputy leader of the Green Party of Manitoba. He’s run for the Greens in provincial and federal elections.

Fred Morris registered to run against incumbent Cindy Gilroy in Daniel McIntyre.

Churchill draws scientists from around the world researching impacts of climate change

CHURCHILL — There is something special about this town.

People who have been here know, though it is challenging to describe. Those who haven’t are told tales of a nearly mystical small community, the unique geography and the magnificent wildlife.

Exactly what makes it such a special place is hard to define, but whatever that intrinsic character is, it acts as a magnetic force for humans and animals alike.

Every summer — as if on cue — the sleek white backs of more than 50,000 beluga whales begin peeking out of the waters of southwestern Hudson Bay as they return to the estuaries of northern Manitoba. Their fidelity to this summer habitat is centuries old, passed on from one generation to the next. This loyalty to the region ensures for as long as this site is safe, these alien-like, curious whales will continue to return.

At last, some good news on homelessness

There is no shortage of reasons to be frustrated about homelessness in Winnipeg. But the latest numbers provide something that has been increasingly difficult to find — evidence that at least some things are getting better.

A city tally presented to councillors Friday shows 245 people were living in 72 encampments across Winnipeg in July. Last September, the city counted about 700 people living in 100 encampments.

That is a remarkable drop.

It does not mean Winnipeg has solved homelessness. It does not mean every person displaced from an encampment has found a home. And it certainly does not mean there is no longer a problem in the city’s streets and public spaces.

Jeff Hamilton

After a slew of injuries playing hockey that included breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone; a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both knees; as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a good idea to take his interest in sports off the ice and in to the classroom.