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SUPPLIED Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park.

Manitobans continue to draw line in sand, choose not to cross once-neighbourly line on land

Chris Kitching 7 minute read Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park, which has drawn skiers and snowboarders across the border for decades.

While there hasn’t been an official tally of visitors this season, the park’s general manager doesn’t think she’s seeing as many Manitobans amid the steep decline in Canadians venturing south.

“I would say it’s maybe decreased some from last year. They’re definitely still coming down to ski,” Regner said from the park, which is close to Walhalla, just 10 kilometres south of the border.

“We just love having them come down. They’re super nice people.”

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A city committee heard a report Tuesday on the planned development of Winnipeg Airports Authority land. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Jet to the west

A city committee heard a report Tuesday on the planned development of Winnipeg Airports Authority land. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Opposition house leader Derek Johnson, right.
Opposition house leader Derek Johnson, right.

Health care at heart of spring session as MLAs head back to legislature

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Preview

Health care at heart of spring session as MLAs head back to legislature

Carol Sanders 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026

Health care bills top the NDP government’s legislative agenda as MLAs return for the spring session Wednesday.

Premier Wab Kinew said Tuesday that a patient safety charter, nurse-to-patient ratios “and then ending mandatory overtime” are his government’s priorities.

“Those are the ones I really want to see,” Kinew told reporters Tuesday, echoing messages contained in November’s throne speech.

The Manitoba Nurses Union said it supports bills to strengthen health care but isn’t sure how and when they can be enforced.

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Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026
‘The fireman grabbed me… and pulled me out’

‘The fireman grabbed me… and pulled me out’

Survivor recounts horror of losing granddaughter, cousin; within four minutes, small West End fire became fatal inferno

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

FP Features

FP Features See More

‘Thought it was the flu’: more sick after eating at hotel buffet

Kevin Rollason 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

More possible victims of a case of suspected food poisoning at a prominent hotel have come forward.

A provincial government spokeswoman said two more reports came in on Friday after an article was published in the Free Press.

It brings the official total to 17 people who have complained they got sick after eating at a buffet at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre at 1808 Wellington Ave., last weekend.

However, the Free Press heard from others who got sick but didn’t report it.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES

A city committee heard a report Tuesday on the planned development of Winnipeg Airports Authority land.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES A city committee heard a report Tuesday on the planned development of Winnipeg Airports Authority land.

City council committee votes in favour of airport-area development

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

City council committee votes in favour of airport-area development

Malak Abas 4 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026

A City of Winnipeg council committee has voted in favour of allowing the development of land along the airport’s edge, but what will go there remains up in the air.

Multiple sources told the Free Press last week that Calgary-based WestJet Airlines Ltd. is considering the Manitoba capital for a potential aircraft maintenance facility.

Will Rossall, director of real estate and land development for Winnipeg the Airports Authority, told city council’s property and development committee Tuesday a maintenance facility could go on the land slated for development, but was scant on details.

“The WAA can and should be acting as an economic engine for the city,” Rossall said. “There are unique aspects to airport development that can be leveraged by community members and businesses to grow Winnipeg as a whole.”

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Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026

St. John’s High School in Winnipeg (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
St. John’s High School in Winnipeg (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Online threat forces closure of North End high school Monday

Marsha McLeod 3 minute read Preview

Online threat forces closure of North End high school Monday

Marsha McLeod 3 minute read Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

A North End high school was closed Monday morning after a threat was posted online.

St. John’s High School, located on Church Avenue, was closed “out of an abundance of caution,” said Matt Henderson, superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division.

The Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit is investigating the threat, Henderson said.

Henderson initially said he was hopeful the school could reopen Monday afternoon, but later said students wouldn’t return for half a day.

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Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

’Where’s the party?’: disgraced ex-WPS officer gave traffic checkstop info to civilian

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read Preview

’Where’s the party?’: disgraced ex-WPS officer gave traffic checkstop info to civilian

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:05 PM CDT

Elston Bostock was just four days away from being arrested when, on Nov. 2, 2024, the now-imprisoned former Winnipeg Police Service constable texted another officer to find out if there were any traffic checkstops that night.

The other officer confirmed there were no checkstops scheduled, after which Bostock messaged a “non-police officer” with the news, according to search warrant documents filed one day after Bostock’s Nov. 6 arrest.

“No checkstops all night sir…. Coast is clear,” Bostock told the man, not knowing his communications were being monitored by investigators with the WPS professional standards unit.

The man told Bostock he wasn’t drinking that night, but, “Thanks, great to know.”

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Yesterday at 7:05 PM CDT

More Local

Mike Deal / Free Press Files

The City of Winnipeg said Friday it will continue to fund Main Street Project’s mobile van, that helps the city’s homeless population.
Mike Deal / Free Press Files The City of Winnipeg said Friday it will continue to fund Main Street Project’s mobile van, that helps the city’s homeless population.

City extends Main Street Project mobile-outreach contract

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Preview

City extends Main Street Project mobile-outreach contract

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:42 PM CDT

The City of Winnipeg is renewing funding for the only 24/7 mobile outreach provider that helps the homeless population.

The city said Friday it will continue to fund Main Street Project’s mobile van, but didn’t reveal the cost; it has provided support since 2021.

The van will operate in all parts of the city. Staff check on people’s well-being, drive people to housing and emergency shelters, and hand out warm clothing, blankets and water.

The renewed funding is tied to the requirement that MSP comply with the city’s encampment policy, which was rolled out in November. It prohibits encampments in many public spaces and restricts them from being set up near schools, daycares, recreation centres, and other facilities.

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Yesterday at 4:42 PM CDT

City again using hotel tax revenue to cover convention centre expansion loan payment

Joyanne Pursaga 3 minute read Yesterday at 1:51 PM CDT

The City of Winnipeg will cover another loan payment this year for the convention centre expansion.

A memo to city council notes hotel tax revenue will be used to cover the $1.3-million annual payment on a $33-million loan guarantee, which is linked to the expansion that was completed in 2016.

The city has made similar payments every year since the first charge came due in 2017. The new payment will bring the total to more than $12 million since the project was completed.

Council’s finance chairman said the payment is not a pressing concern.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES

Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union president Kyle Ross
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union president Kyle Ross

Minister promises $14M more for corrections after union complains about overcrowding

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Preview

Minister promises $14M more for corrections after union complains about overcrowding

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:16 PM CDT

Manitoba’s justice minister has promised more resources after the union for corrections officers said Friday inmate overcrowding and chronic short staffing is putting lives at risk.

“Help’s on the way, our government has focused on hiring up as many new corrections officers as we can and we want to continue to build on that work,” Matt Wiebe told reporters.

Wiebe revealed the province will spend an additional $14 million on corrections in the 2026-27 budget, which is to be unveiled next week.

On Friday, the union released the results of a survey of corrections officers and other jail staff that suggests there’s widespread discontent and concern about inmate overcrowding and short staffing.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:16 PM CDT

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