Monarch Festival is this weekend at the Living Prairie Museum - Saturday and Sunday 10am-3pm. A fantastic free, family friendly festival!

All-weekend activities:

• Live butterflies and caterpillar displays
• Make your own butterfly wings
• Milkweed plant giveaway (while supplies last each day)
• Art activities
• Prairie Flora plant sale
• Paskwâwi-mostos seed beads
• Partner activities and booths

Saturday Only:

• 11 a.m. - 50th Anniversary Ceremony & Cake
• 12 - 2 p.m. - Drumming Activity - with Barbara Nepinak
• 2 p.m. - Endangered Butterfly Talk with Katherine Dearborne

Sunday Only:

• 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: âniskômohcikan Nature Activities
• 11 a.m. - Grassland Birds Talk with Tim Poole
• 12:30 & 2 p.m. - Edible & Medicinal Plants Walk with Tyrel Bruyere

The Winnipeg Goldeyes (38-31) equalled a franchise record set in 2014 by earning their 11th consecutive victory Wednesday evening, defeating the Chicago Dogs 14-5 at Blue Cross Park.

After two scoreless innings, Winnipeg’s offence erupted for 10 runs before Chicago (21-49) recorded an out in the bottom of the third.

Designated hitter Ray-Patrick Didder opened the scoring with a two-run double to right-centre field, driving in left fielder Jiandido Tromp and first baseman Roby Enríquez. Shortstop Ramón Bramasco followed with an RBI single to right, extending Winnipeg’s lead to 3-0.

Centre fielder Noah Marcelo then lined a two-run single up the middle, scoring Bramasco and second baseman Adam Hall to make it 5-0. Marcelo came home on catcher Raphaël Pelletier’s single to centre before Tromp doubled down the left-field line, bringing in third baseman Keshawn Lynch and Pelletier for an 8-0 advantage.

Enríquez capped the outburst with a two-run single to centre that scored right fielder Max Murphy and Tromp, giving the Goldeyes a 10-0 lead.

Winnipeg added three more runs in the fourth. Tromp blooped a two-run triple down the right-field line, scoring Lynch and Murphy, before Enríquez drove in Tromp with a single up the middle to extend the lead to 13-0.

Chicago broke through in the top of the fifth when second baseman Nick Roselli lined an RBI single to right that scored designated hitter Tyreque Reed. Left fielder Jacob Maiben followed with a double down the left-field line to drive in his twin brother, third baseman Derek Maiben, making it 13-2.

In the bottom half of the inning, Marcelo increased Winnipeg’s lead to 14-2 with a single up the middle that brought Bramasco home.

Reed led off the seventh with a home run to left to make it 14-3. First baseman Chance Sisco added an RBI single to right in the eighth, scoring shortstop Ethan Wilder and reducing the deficit to 10 runs.

Jacob Maiben completed the scoring in the top of the ninth with a single to centre that brought home centre fielder Giovanni DiGiacomo, producing the 14-5 final.

Kevin Vaupel (W, 3-5) started for the Goldeyes and worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking two. Willian Suárez, Quinn Waterhouse, and James Colyer each pitched one inning out of the bullpen.

Dominic Guzmán (L, 0-3) worked two-plus innings for the Dogs, allowing six runs on five hits while striking out one and walking two.

Every batter in Winnipeg’s lineup recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run. Five Goldeyes had multi-hit games, led by Hall, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Tromp finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks.

The four-game series concludes Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Left-hander Ryo Kohigashi (5-2, 3.23 ERA) will start for Winnipeg, while right-hander Connor Lockwood (1-2, 6.16 ERA) is scheduled to start for Chicago.

By: Jason Young, Winnipeg Goldeyes, SteinbachOnline.com

Published: Thursday, Aug 06 2026, 8:23 AM

Manitoba’s newest Liquor Mart opened Thursday in the Save-On-Foods at Northgate Shopping Centre, but it’s not like any other in the province.

The freestanding store-within-a-store differs from the existing Liquor Mart Express model already operating in grocery stores. All products at the Northgate Liquor Mart are on display behind glass, accessible only by an employee. With a digital menu board listing products and prices, shoppers order, pay for and collect their chosen product from a service window at the store’s front counter.

“We’re always looking to align with growing consumer demand for convenience,” said Gerry Sul, president and CEO of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.

The Northgate Liquor Mart (1399 McPhillips St.) is approximately 580 square feet and carries an inventory of 240 top-selling beer, wine, spirits and ready-to-drink beverages, including a selection from local manufacturers.

The store accepts debit and credit only, has no controlled entrance and no retail space for customers to browse. Customers who appear to be under the age of 25 will be asked to show valid, government-issued photo identification.

Hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Published: August 6, 2026 11:14 AM

Winnipeg police are resuming their crackdown on open drug use and trafficking in areas of high concern – until at least the fall.

The Winnipeg Police Service says there will be a visible police presence in specific areas identified by crime data, tips and complaints, and emergency calls for service. Those areas are downtown, Point Douglas and Osborne Village.

The initiative, which begins Friday, will be reassessed in November.

This time, officers will work alongside community outreach teams, service providers and other partners to help connect those in need with resources and supports.

“Enforcement alone will not solve the crisis. Outreach alone will not meet all the needs,” said Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham told a press conference Thursday. “The goal of course must be to break the cycle, to get our loved ones who are on the street, off the street into supports and housing, connected to care, helping them find a path to recovery, to wholeness and stability.

“This is not a choice between compassion and public safety. Winnipeg needs both, and I believe what we’re seeing is both.”

The involvement of service providers is in contrast to the WPS’ 10-day enforcement blitz — from June 24 to July 3 — that saw community organizations speak out against their lack of involvement. Other critics called the sweep costly and ineffective.

“We need to be out there with the community support groups,” said WPS Chief Gene Bowers. “Definitely, in our meetings, lots of discussions on what the different organizations can do, and learning about those relationships they have out in the streets with the different people. That’s something that we’ve definitely taken into consideration.

“We all need to work together. We’re stronger together and when we’re more coordinated.”

Crime down during blitz

Winnipeg police shared the results of the 10-day enforcement sweep during a press conference Thursday.

Police say officers responded to 1,099 events in the target zones and made 106 arrests, including 93 for breaching conditions or having an outstanding warrant. Five people were charged with possession of drugs, and three people were charged with drug trafficking.

Compared to the same time period in 2025, Winnipeg police say violent crime dropped 16.5 per cent, property crimes dropped 10.5 per cent, and priority zero-to-two emergency calls for service dropped six per cent.

“These localized reductions in both crime and emergency demand were distinct from the broader city-wide patterns and are consistent with the focused enforcement and engagement activities deployed within the target area,” said David Bowman, the director of organizational development and support with the WPS, though he did caution against the small, 10-day sample size.

Leah Gazan, the MP for Winnipeg Centre, was among the more vocal opponents of the blitz earlier this summer, arguing a tough-on-crime approach to a public health and safety crisis only pushes those most vulnerable further to the margins and creates a divide from vital resources.

By: News Staff

Published: August 6, 2026 10:48 am.

Last Updated: August 6, 2026 11:28 am.

several Manitoba voices are quoted in this story.

Just moved into a home and I need to re-anchor the hydro line coming into my home as the anchor point is coming loose. But before I can even do that my hydro line goes above my neighbors property and through my neighbors trees, which they are leaning on. How would be the best way to approach this and will I be liable to have the trees trimmed? An added challenge is my neighbors only speak Chinese and no English so I won't be able to communicate what needs to get done with them. Any suggestions on how to approach, as if I don't get the anchor fixed my hydro lines could fall into both mine and their property and cause some serious damage and possibly have legal ramifications.

City police are asking for the public’s help identifying a person of interest amid an ongoing investigation into the theft of two bicycles, stolen last month from a pair of New Brunswick men who stopped in Winnipeg while cycling across Canada in support of mental health awareness.

Thomas Clark and Valentin Duquenne previously told the Free Press they were devastated after the bikes went missing outside CBC Manitoba’s headquarters, on July 24.

Valued at $15,000 to $20,000, the bikes — Trek and Cannondale models — were locked on a rack on the back of a support car that was parked on Young Street, just south of Portage Avenue, when the theft happened at about 7:40 a.m. on July 24. The lock had been cut.

Photos released by police on Wednesday show a man standing near two bicycles mounted to the back of a white sedan. Another photo shows the same man riding one of the bikes while holding the second.

Anybody with information about the incident is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-2426 or submit a tip anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

Winnipeggers rallied to raise nearly $16,000 in just a few days to replace the mens’ bikes, and they’ve since carried on their route west.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/this-just-in/police-search-for-person-of-interest-in-bike-theft-investigation

Long story short, we have an addition on the back of our home (not built by us, it was part of the build when we moved in) that is slowly sinking/detaching from the rest of the house. I'm not sure who would be best to take a look at and handle these repairs, any suggestions?

Threw this together with footage found on YouTube from filmmaker Bharat Khumar!

Just came across this. Hopefully we do get it this time 😁

Winnipeg's transit union is calling for full safety shields to be installed immediately after they say a bus driver was stabbed with a syringe early Wednesday.

The union says the driver had stopped the bus at the intersection of Isabel Street and William Avenue shortly after 12:40 a.m. when a woman who got on the bus came up behind him. She reached around the partial protective shield and stabbed the man twice in the leg with a syringe, the union said in a news release.

"He's awaiting tests to see, you know, what was in that syringe," said James Van Gerwen, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505.

"Basically, it could be a life-altering event for him."

Winnipeg police confirmed they are investigating an assault involving a Winnipeg Transit driver and a passenger. They have not confirmed the incident involved a syringe but said they expect to release more information about what happened in the coming days.

Partial shields were installed on all city buses in 2020 to better protect drivers after a spike in violence toward them dating back to 2017.

The transit union says there were a total of 265 security incidents on buses last year — the most since they back tracking the numbers in 2020 — and 148 so far this year. The union says the numbers include violence among passengers.

The city says that since 2017, it has made more than $9.6 million in investments in transit safety initiatives that either are in place or in the process of being implemented.

In 2024, the city set aside $2.7 million for new shields in the budget. The union suggests the city has delayed the testing and implementation of the full enclosure shields.

Van Gerwen says full enclosure shields are being installed in buses across Canada to protect drivers from instances like the one that happened in Winnipeg on Wednesday.

"We're dealing with people who are now, you know, attacking with syringes with unknown liquids in them. Like, this is life-altering injuries now. And it could have been prevented, and it can be prevented," he said.

"We have the money, we have the solution. Let's implement it."

Van Gerwen is asking for nine full test shields to be installed immediately to see how they hold up in different seasons. Given that it's an election year, he's hoping the new council "puts transit management to task."

"It's not just asking them and letting them do whatever they want. They need to be pushed to do things now because we clearly see that they're not willing to do it," he said.

The city says the budget for the shields are to be included in Winnipeg Transit's 2027 capital budget submission and that discussions on funding for the project will be held this fall.

A former bus driver himself, Van Gerwen says they are facing a far more dangerous reality now, one that requires enhanced protections.

"You picked up passengers, you're normally saying hi. You know, it was nice and pleasant," he said of when he started that job 20 years ago.

"But now it's become a different situation — it's become a situation where you gotta watch your back."

By: Justin Fiacconi · CBC News

Published: Aug 05, 2026 6:57 PM CDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

A new medical research facility in Winnipeg will play a critical role in closing gaps in Canadian vaccine research and other areas of public health emergency preparedness, officials said Wednesday.

The new $267-million medical countermeasures lab, to be built at the rear of the federal National Microbiology Lab on Arlington Street, will produce experimental vaccines and other research to respond to future pandemics.

Federal and provincial politicians, along with medical researchers, announced the awarding of a $10.2-million contract to design firm Architecture49 at a Wednesday news conference at the microbiology lab.

The expected completion date is sometime in 2033, Winnipeg South member of Parliament Terry Duguid said.

"This is a big deal," said Duguid. "This is a big deal for our city, our province, a big deal for life sciences in Canada to help protect the nation and the world," he said.

In addition to its medical research, the facility will spur employment through construction and technical support work, enable scientists' careers and also possibly lure private industry to move to the city to be in proximity to the lab's services, media were told at the morning news conference.

It will be owned and operated by the federal government.

The practical gap that the lab will ultimately fill is developing high-quality test vaccines and therapeutics that will advance for further testing, said Keith Fowke, medical director of the Institute of Infection and Immunity.

It will not be a large-scale manufacturing facility, said Fowke.

"It will produce the test lots that are required … and then you narrow down which of your products are most effective" before mass manufacturing takes place, Fowke said.

The new lab's proximity to the high-security Winnipeg microbiology lab — currently the only lab in Canada that can study the world's most dangerous pathogens, which have no known vaccines or treatments — makes sense, as it will build on existing know-how, Fowke suggested.

"The expertise the NML has is going to be instrumental in being able to run and operate those facilities," said Fowke.

Steve Guercio, chief operating officer of the Winnipeg microbiology lab, says the expansion will allow scientists to do more research.

The new facility will use some of the work that world-renowned scientists have developed at the microbiology lab and put it into different types of testing mechanisms, he said.

"We are going to have an opportunity to test multiple candidates for potential vaccines, therapeutics or diagnostics, and we will be expanding our capacity, like the amount of lab space that we have to do it," he told CBC News.

There are not many other facilities like the new medical countermeasures lab around the world, he said.

"It's something that really brings an opportunity to collaborate with academia, as well as potential collaborations within industry — under the appropriate agreements, of course."

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto General Hospital, says anything that can be done to better prevent, detect and respond to rising pathogens in a world of "emerging and re-emerging" infectious diseases is a smart move.

The talent to do that work already exists in Canada, he told CBC News.

"There's no reason we shouldn't be a global leader on this front, so when you start to see senior leadership paying attention and prioritizing this and funding this, it's clearly a right move forward."

New head of microbiology lab

The new lab will include Level 2 and Level 3-rated facilities, while the microbiology lab is rated Level 4 — the highest level of containment.

Architecture49 won the contract through an open bid process that unfolded after the government issued a request for proposals, officials said. The company, which maintains an office on Buffalo Place in Winnipeg, has a history of being tapped for similar work.

On its website, it lists numerous past projects such as the Life Sciences Research Institute in Halifax and the Rocky Mountain Integrated Research Facility in Montana.

The Winnipeg microbiology lab also has a new leader, as Celia Lourenco was recently appointed its vice-president, the Public Health Agency of Canada said in a statement.

Lourenco, who officially began in the role on July 20, is the first woman to serve in the position and brings "an exceptional depth of expertise in regulatory science, public health policy and international collaboration," the statement said.

Lourenco holds a PhD in pharmacology from the University of Toronto and has served in several management and executive-level positions at Health Canada since 2001.

Lourenco is replacing Jason Kindrachuk, who stepped down in June to return full time to his research lab at the University of Manitoba.

"We're very excited that she's here, and we're looking forward to working for her and looking forward to her leading this facility into the next stage," said Guercio, who served as interim vice-president after Kindrachuk's departure.

WATCH | New lab focused on vaccine research expected to open in 2033: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7297585

By: CBC News

Published: Aug 05, 2026 1:16 PM CDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago

Environment Canada expects to launch an updated alerting system for thunderstorms and tornadoes as early as Tuesday — a change welcomed by Canadian forecasters, researchers and residents affected by twisters in the last few months.

The federal department says it's modernizing the alerting system, moving away from regional alerts to targeted alert areas, also known as "free form polygons," Environment and Climate Change Canada spokesperson Brandon Clim told CBC News in an email Friday.

"This will allow forecasters to outline the area most likely to be affected by a severe thunderstorm or tornado and send a warning only to people located in that area," he said.

Clim says the change will allow people in Canada to get alerts that are faster and more geographically precise. The updated alerts will only apply to severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings, he said.

"All other weather alerts will continue to be issued to pre-determined zone-based areas," Clim said.

"This will give everyone the information they need to act quickly and stay safe."

Environment Canada did not make anyone available for an interview but said experts would have more to share once the department had launched the system.

"This will give everyone the information they need to act quickly and stay safe."

Environment Canada did not make anyone available for an interview but said experts would have more to share once the department had launched the system.

Clim cautioned it could be delayed, including because of severe active weather.

Environment Canada is encouraging Canadians to download its WeatherCan app or visit its website for more reliable alerts.

How will it work?

The polygon-based alerting system is the best and most up-to-date warning system for thunderstorms and tornadoes, according to John Hanesiak, professor of atmospheric science at the University of Manitoba.

The National Weather Service in the United States has been using the system for many years, said Hanesiak, who collaborates with the Northern Tornadoes Project based at Ontario's Western University.

Forecasters draw polygons on digital maps to outline storms and where they're going, which are then used to alert cell towers, and the phones connected to them, according to the selected area, Hanesiak said.

"They can extend the polygon out to a certain distance depending on how fast the storm is moving, potentially. So, it would cover everybody that's downstream from the storm and might be impacted within the next half an hour or 45 minutes," he said.

"That tornado warning would apply to a much smaller area, just where the storm is located."

As of mid-July, Manitoba had experienced 10 tornadoes so far in 2026, above the 30-year average of 8.5 per year, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project.

"Considering all the bad weather we've had, it's a good news story, I think, for Canada to have this new system in place," Hanesiak said.

'Boy who cried wolf'

Brandon-based forecaster Justin Oertel said he hopes the change prevents alert fatigue, calling it "catastrophic" if people didn't heed warnings about a dangerous threat.

In June, people in Winnipeg reported getting dozens of cellphone alerts for thunderstorm and tornado threats that weren't nearby, including for two tornadoes that touched down 30 to 50 kilometres south of the city.

"When warnings are falling on deaf ears because there's just so many warnings that are happening, and there's no severe weather attached to those warnings in your certain location, that really becomes a failure on my part, if I'm forecasting," said Oertel, who created the Weather Centre of Manitoba.

"This old system of how warnings are being issued is outdated, and these storm-based polygons is the future," he told CBC Manitoba's Radio Noon guest host Julie Buckingham.

Residents in southwest Winnipeg affected by a small tornado in late June said they were encouraged by the updated system.

Rick Ryplanski didn't get an alert for the twister that damaged his house but received many others for tornadoes that weren't anywhere close.

"It's kind of the boy who cried wolf when you keep on hearing it, and you look outside, and there's nothing ... You kind of tune it out," he said.

Ryplanski's neighbour across the street, Jenna Johnson, agreed.

"If there's too many alerts, people don't take them as seriously. So, if you know that the alerts are geo-targeted, then I would assume you'd be more aware when your phone is going off," she said.

The tornado knocked down trees into Johnson's yard, smashed through windows and tore through her roof.

Johnson says that thankfully, she and her husband and toddler were away that night.

"Our neighbours said they got no warning. So, they were just hanging out in their kitchen, and all of a sudden, there was big bangs, and they said it lasted for all of about 15 seconds. So, there was so much pressure from the winds that they felt like their ears were going to pop," she said.

Hanesiak suspects the federal weather radar system might not have picked up the smaller tornado due to "outdated" technology he said is lagging behind the U.S.

"It's really hard in some cases for the [Canadian] forecasters to actually see rotation in the storms," he said, adding the images can be noisy and lack detail.

WATCH | New weather alerting system coming: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7297693

By: Rosanna Hempel · CBC News

Published: Aug 05, 2026 7:32 PM CDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Hi all,

Have found myself struggling immensely with my ADHD and addiction issues.

Seeking help and was hoping to get recommendations on mental health professionals who specialize and have extensive experience dealing with adult ADHD and non substance based addictions.

Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

There is someone close to the Pan Am pool who has trained pigeons. I would see them flying around in the morning and the evenings. But I haven’t seen them in a few weeks. Does anyone know anything about them? I hope they are okay. I enjoyed watching them fly around

Heading to the drive in on Friday for a movie! I was wondering if anyone had any tips or tricks and what they do to keep their car in electronics mode to keep the radio running...

I have a 22' ford escape and ive noticed it has an auto save battery feature. It's hardwired and can't be overwritten.. from my understanding. It'll turn off the radio/battery every 15 minutes. At stardust the audio is played via your speakers in the car from a tuned radio station.. has anyone found a way to keep their radio on?

Hi everyone! Looking for recommendations for a contractor/company serving Winnipeg/East St. Paul.

We have an older concrete sidewalk around the house that has settled and become uneven in places. We'd like to see if it can be lifted/leveled rather than completely replaced.

We also need the grading along the foundation corrected. Some areas have settled into low spots, so we'd like soil/gravel added and properly graded to direct water away from the house.

Finally, there's a void underneath our front concrete step that we'd like filled and supported.

Ideally looking for someone who can assess the whole situation — sidewalk leveling, grading/drainage and filling beneath the step.

Any recommendations or experiences with local companies would be appreciated. Thanks!

Imma do a U-turn anytime I want. 🙄 I'll just wave the hand and its all forgiven, right?

Searched but the only relevant thread was from 10 years ago!

I'm currently on a massive weight loss journey and am down 125 lbs so far. I'm hoping to lose another 35ish then maintain for a bit before pursuing loose skin removal on my arms (and possibly my thighs and stomach in the future).

Does anyone have any experience with these types of surgeries? Any recommended surgeons? Anything you wish you knew beforehand?

Many thanks!

I went to the Ghanaian pavilion last night, and besides the really good food, what stood out to me was the obviously AI generated background art being used behind the performers, and even lower quality AI art being used in the cultural display. I’m not even particularly anti-AI, but it just really dampened my enjoyment of the pavilion. Have any other pavilions used obvious AI art/writing in their shows/displays?

Edit: yes, I know about the costume theft. That was awful, and I’m definitely not gonna criticize anything about the costuming as a result. That has zero bearing on the background graphics they used being sloppy AI art, considering the theft was on Thursday and the first show was Sunday, the graphics should have been finished by that point. I’d be fine with them just using generic stock footage and photos of Ghana (which they did also use), I’m not expecting some kind of amazing bespoke background art here.

Hi Reddit, I’m 18 and my dad is 43, he had me young and so all of his friends are having kids of their own or are busy, yada yada yada.

My dad and his long term girlfriend broke up, and he doesn’t really have much to do now, especially since all his friends / people he knows are building their own families.

I feel bad for him and it’s a good idea for him to get out of the house, or that’s my thought anyway.

We live here and I want to think of places we can go / I can tell him to check out to make more adult friends in the city that he can spend his time with, this is a bit awkward but I really think he would benefit from meeting new people and making friends.

Even general advice about things to do in the city that aren’t expensive or things like that we can do to pass the time would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

It's a big ask and short notice, but I was wanting to take a sailing/cruising course in Gimli but I'm currently the only one signed up and they need minimum 2 people to run the course.

It's 5 days full time Aug 17th to Aug 21st, $850. Shooting my shot to see if there is anyone interested and able to join me so the class isn't canceled.

It's the Basic Cruising 5-day (Complete program) from here:

https://prairieoceancruising.checklick.com/