Winnipeg Free Press – Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada

Storm insurance claims could set Manitoba record

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Updated: 5:42 PM CDT

Manitoba is on pace to set a record for insurance claims related to this week’s storms.

Insurance brokers have been inundated with calls to assess and process claims for flooded basements and properties. Local insurer ONE Insurance said it has received more than 700 claims and expects to issue millions of dollars to its clients.

“It is definitely the single largest event that we’ve experienced in our organization,” said interim CEO Rey Girardin.

Residents in the RM of Rockwood, including in Stonewall and Balmoral, have submitted the most claims, he said.

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Premier Wab Kinew has promised a supervised drug consumption site will open in the city by the end of June.

‘Fentanyl fold’ on city streets stresses prompt need for supervised consumption site: premier

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Preview

‘Fentanyl fold’ on city streets stresses prompt need for supervised consumption site: premier

Carol Sanders 4 minute read 5:13 PM CDT

Alarmed after seeing the “fentanyl fold” on city streets, Premier Wab Kinew promises a supervised drug consumption site will open this month — despite concerns essential staffers have yet to be hired.

In a sit-down interview with the Free Press Friday, the premier reinforced that the site — announced in the summer of 2024 — would be operational by the end of June.

“The urgency of the drug crisis is so visible in a way that everyone sees it,” Kinew said.

The province received approval from Health Canada for the Indigenous-led site, at 366 Henry Ave., in May.

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5:13 PM CDT

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
If Cassano-Bailey follows through with her resignation, Manitoba will be left with only five interventional radiologists.

CancerCare MDs, staff call attention to specialist’s resignation, warn of dire consequences

Tyler Searle 6 minute read Preview

CancerCare MDs, staff call attention to specialist’s resignation, warn of dire consequences

Tyler Searle 6 minute read Updated: 4:52 PM CDT

A group of doctors and medical staff has warned the possible departure of a highly specialized Health Sciences Centre physician would be “devastating news” that could spark an exodus of skilled medical professionals from Manitoba.

The 14 doctors and medical staff at CancerCare Manitoba wrote a letter May 7 about the pending resignation of interventional radiologist Alessandra Cassano-Bailey.

The document, which was addressed to three members of the organization’s senior leadership, said Cassano-Bailey tendered her resignation after efforts to introduce a liver cancer procedure — which is available elsewhere in Canada — were ignored for years.

“It will be a huge loss to the province if such an excellent and compassionate doctor leaves,” reads the letter, obtained by the Free Press.

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Updated: 4:52 PM CDT

Business

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Ivleen Pandher with a Madonna Strawberry milkshake at Holy Shakes at St. Vital Centre.

‘Exceeded expectations’: Holy Shakes opens first Manitoba shop in St. Vital Centre

Aaron Epp 4 minute read 5:20 PM CDT

Sports

DAVID MAHUSSIER PHOTO
Manitoba Fearless rookie quarterback Tianna Hutter (2) has led her club to the Prairie Conference semifinal. Kickoff goes at 1 p.m. Saturday at the St. Vital Mustangs Field.

Women’s tackle football team one win away from conference final

Grace Penner 5 minute read Preview

Women’s tackle football team one win away from conference final

Grace Penner 5 minute read 5:28 PM CDT

The Manitoba Fearless have tackled its way into the post-season.

Winnipeg’s Western Women’s Canadian Football League club are set to clash with the Regina Riots Saturday with a spot in the Prairie Conference final on the line.

This will be the third head-to-head matchup between Manitoba and Regina this season. The Fearless have taken both previous games — downing the Riot 17-7 in its season opener back on May 10 and then 31-28 on the road back on May 31.

Head coach Andrea Backlund emphasized the need for the team to continue to play the way it has all season — with confidence, timing and execution.

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5:28 PM CDT

Soccer

Canada's Cyle Larin (9) celebrates after scoring his sides first goal of the game with Promise David (24) in the second half of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Canada and Bosnia, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Toronto. ( (AP Photo/Sam Balkansky)

Canada earns first-ever World Cup point after 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Canada earns first-ever World Cup point after 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 6:14 PM CDT

TORONTO - In many ways, a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina felt like a victory for Canada on a historic day for the host side at the FIFA World Cup on Friday.

An upset loss was a real possibility for the Canadians as they couldn't convert despite many glorious opportunities. Cyle Larin finally provided relief when he scored the equalizer in the 78th minute to send the capacity crowd at Toronto Stadium into a tizzy.

It was the first Canadian goal scored on home soil in this tournament and the first point for the country in seven all-time World Cup games.

"An amazing feeling, just to score a goal at home," Larin said. "I haven't scored in a while, but I knew it was coming. I've always (come) up when Canada needed me."

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Updated: 6:14 PM CDT

Opinion

Importance of Indigenous languages outweighs any soccer tournament Niigaan Sinclair 1:33 PM CDT
City’s encampment bylaw not intended to end homelessness, but it’s making a difference Tom Brodbeck Updated: 3:28 PM CDT
A tale of two bridges and one president Editorial Updated: 3:45 PM CDT
Middle Eastern wars: wait for September Gwynne Dyer Updated: 7:39 AM CDT

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MORBERG HOUSE
‘There was no justice for Ethan Wildcat,’ says Willis.

Despair, spelled with the letter of the law

Dean Pritchard 8 minute read Preview

Despair, spelled with the letter of the law

Dean Pritchard 8 minute read 1:50 PM CDT

The day started with an email from my editor.

“Are there any updates on Ethan Wildcat?” she wanted to know.

Good question, and one I was curious to answer, as well. It had been more than three years since Wildcat, a young first-time offender, was sentenced to three years in prison in a case that highlighted how differently Indigenous and non-Indigenous offenders in similar circumstances can be treated by the justice system.

Wildcat was 19 when he was arrested in March 2021 following a firearm incident at a Winnipeg home that resulted in no injuries.

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1:50 PM CDT

Local

Teens get maximum youth sentence for fatal beating

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read Preview

Teens get maximum youth sentence for fatal beating

Dean Pritchard 5 minute read 4:30 PM CDT

Two Winnipeg teens who stabbed and beat a stranger to death during a mugging have been sentenced to seven years in custody and conditional supervision in the community — the maximum youth sentence for second-degree murder.

Steven Loonfoot, 45, died in hospital following an attack outside a Manitoba Housing complex on Qu’Appelle Avenue on Feb. 24, 2025.

“This was an intentional, senseless and violent crime on a stranger… (and) there was an element of planning involved,” said provincial court Judge Rachel Rusen.

The 17-year-old offenders cannot be named under terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The Free Press is identifying them by their first initials — C and M.

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4:30 PM CDT

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The Pride flag. (Mike Sudoma/Winnipeg Free Press files)

Point of Pride

Winkler hosts first LGBTTQ+ celebration Saturday

Josiah Neufeld 6 minute read 1:49 PM CDT

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GOFUNDME
The 22-year-old student Rodiyat Alabede who died in 2025, after donating plasma at a Grifols facility in Winnipeg.

Plasma-collection machine sounded multiple warning alerts before woman’s seizure, death: Health Canada

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Plasma-collection machine sounded multiple warning alerts before woman’s seizure, death: Health Canada

Malak Abas 5 minute read 4:44 PM CDT

The machine that was used to collect plasma from a 22-year-old Winnipeg university student before she went into cardiac arrest and later died issued multiple warning alerts, including at least one that should have resulted in halting the donation, according to newly obtained Health Canada documents.

Rodiyat Alabede’s family received a tranche of documents this week related to investigation by Health Canada and plasma collection company Grifols into the Taylor Avenue Grifols Plasma Donation Centre, where Alabede donated plasma before her death last October.

The machine connected to Alabede issued four alerts related to high return pressure in the vein and lack of blood flow in the approximate 45 minutes she was donating plasma Oct. 25, the Health Canada report revealed.

Staff are required to stop the procedure if the return pressure is greater than 40 millimetres of mercury at zero millilitres per minute return rate but they continued the collection process when Alabede’s return pressure hit 52 millimetres of mercury at zero millilitres per minute return rate, the documents say.

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4:44 PM CDT

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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg police are warning against the escalating threat of nihilistic violent extremism targeting children and youth online.

Winnipeg police warn of nihilistic violent extremism targeting children

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Preview

Winnipeg police warn of nihilistic violent extremism targeting children

Scott Billeck 5 minute read Updated: 4:29 PM CDT

Winnipeg police have warned against the escalating threat of online nihilistic violent extremism that targets children and youth and said officers are investigating incidents in Winnipeg.

Police said Friday online predators, who reject societal values, are intent on causing destruction or chaos rather than achieving a defined ideological objective.

“It’s happening, it is real,” Const. Claude Chancy said. “That’s why we have this whole plan process in effect. But at this point, we just cannot speak to any type of specifics in regards to investigations.”

Const. Andrea Lefort, an expert in violent extremism, said the public must understand the scale of the problem, noting the RCMP and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service are aware of cases across the country.

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Updated: 4:29 PM CDT

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WAYNE GLOWACKI / FREE PRESS FILES
Seven Oaks General Hospital

Nurses’ vote makes Seven Oaks General Hospital fourth Manitoba facility on safety-focused grey list

Carol Sanders and Tyler Searle 5 minute read Preview

Nurses’ vote makes Seven Oaks General Hospital fourth Manitoba facility on safety-focused grey list

Carol Sanders and Tyler Searle 5 minute read Updated: 5:35 PM CDT

Nurses at Seven Oaks General Hospital have voted in favour of grey-listing, adding to the list of Manitoba health facilities where union members are urging colleagues not to accept work due to safety concerns.

The Manitoba Nurses Union said 98 per cent of members working at Seven Oaks voted in favour of the action, amid mounting frustrations over violence, security gaps, poor communication and unsafe staffing levels that compromise the safety of staff and patients.

The results were announced days before Monday, when the province promised to have institutional safety officers in place at Seven Oaks.

“The problem is nurses don’t trust that those promises are actually going to happen,” union president Darlene Jackson said in an interview Friday.

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Updated: 5:35 PM CDT