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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 6 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)

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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 4 minute read Preview

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

Carol Sanders 4 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

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‘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 5 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026

FP Features

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

Kevin Rollason 2 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.

Local

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 3 minute read Preview

City council committee votes in favour of airport-area development

Malak Abas 3 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

Education

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 2 minute read Preview

Online threat forces closure of North End high school Monday

Marsha McLeod 2 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

Local

Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation has claimed responsibility for a legal threat that caused boats to be banned from Clear Lake this year. Blackbird said the action came from his deep interest in the health of the lake, which has served as a place of healing for his family for generations. (Connor McDowell/The Brandon Sun)
Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation has claimed responsibility for a legal threat that caused boats to be banned from Clear Lake this year. Blackbird said the action came from his deep interest in the health of the lake, which has served as a place of healing for his family for generations. (Connor McDowell/The Brandon Sun)

Not consulted on Clear Lake motorboating: Chief

Connor McDowell 4 minute read Preview

Not consulted on Clear Lake motorboating: Chief

Connor McDowell 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

BRANDON — The chief of Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation says he did not consent to the return of motorboats at Clear Lake.

Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird, responding Wednesday to Parks Canada’s boat policy announcement, said the decision did not reflect a collaborative or mutually supported outcome, even though engagement sessions took place.

“Our people have a sacred responsibility to protect these waters,” Blackbird said in a public letter. “Engagement without consent is not partnership, it is process without authority. We will not allow our rights to be interpreted as agreement where none has been given.”

He said the First Nation, which has land on the northwest shore of Clear Lake, would continue to assert its jurisdiction in all matters concerning the lake and surrounding lands.

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Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

The owner of the Marlborough Hotel is asking the city to close the back lane behind the hotel. City officials support the request.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The owner of the Marlborough Hotel is asking the city to close the back lane behind the hotel. City officials support the request.

Back lane paved with trouble

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

Back lane paved with trouble

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

A downtown property owner is asking the City of Winnipeg to close the stretch of lane between the shuttered Marlborough Hotel and the Garrick Theatre amid safety concerns, including vandalism and arson.

An administrative report on the agenda of next week’s meeting of city council’s property and development committee details the proposal from Harminder Walia, who owns the two long-vacant properties.

He has applied to close the public lane between 330 Garry and 331 Smith streets and consolidate it with his title over the two properties.

“The applicant has cited significant safety concerns in the lane,” reads the report penned by city public service officials. “Closing the lane is intended to mitigate ongoing issues of vandalism, arson and other similar activities.”

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Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

Local

MIKE SUDOMA/FREE PRESSFILES

Last month, the province said it was working to move nearly 200 residents of N’Dinawemak into housing or relocate them to other shelters.
MIKE SUDOMA/FREE PRESSFILES Last month, the province said it was working to move nearly 200 residents of N’Dinawemak into housing or relocate them to other shelters.

Social agencies needed more time before province could close shelter, Kinew says

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Preview

Social agencies needed more time before province could close shelter, Kinew says

Scott Billeck 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

The province pushed back plans to close and renovate an inner-city homeless shelter until next Wednesday to allow for better co-ordination among social agencies, Premier Wab Kinew said Friday.

Sources previously told the Free Press that there wasn’t enough time from Kinew’s March 19 announcement to hit the targeted date for N’Dinawemak at the beginning of this month.

“We just want to make sure that everybody is feeling good about how we’re working together to take people out of tents and moving them into housing,” Kinew said when asked about the delay. “We’re going to keep working with them at 190 (Disraeli).”

Last month, the province said it was working to move nearly 200 residents of N’Dinawemak into housing or relocate them to other shelters, including Main Street Project, Siloam Mission and the Salvation Army.

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Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

Local

PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES

Michael Kalo has been a named applicant or defendant in 68 separate court actions since 2006.
PHIL HOSSACK / FREE PRESS FILES Michael Kalo has been a named applicant or defendant in 68 separate court actions since 2006.

Frequent litigant apologizes for ‘outrageous comments’ in court

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Preview

Frequent litigant apologizes for ‘outrageous comments’ in court

Dean Pritchard 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

Following two hearings derailed by his continuous outbursts, lewd insults, and antisemitic commentary, Michael Kalo returned to court Friday muted and seemingly contrite.

“I would like to apologize for my disruptive behaviour,” Kalo told a judicial justice of the peace Friday after agreeing to a one-year peace bond prohibiting him from having any contact with a Palestinian-born sheriff’s officer who had accused Kalo of threatening and intimidating him.

“My behaviour during the hearing was shameful and I am truly sorry for it,” said Kalo, who identifies as Jewish. “I should not have made the outrageous comments I made, and I regret making personal comments about your worship… and others during these proceedings.”

Kalo has been a named applicant or defendant in 68 separate court actions since 2006. He was previously designated a vexatious litigant, meaning he must secure court approval before launching any future court actions. His often combative behaviour with front-line court staff routinely attracts the attention of sheriff’s officers who follow him closely during his frequent visits to the Law Courts building.

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Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

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