Bus driver’s assault sparks calls for better protection, possible transit police unit

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 president James Van Gerwen said the attack happened near Polo Park mall at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. The investigation remains open, police say.

Wounded wombs: Indigenous women who were involuntarily sterilized still grieving their losses

Grace Whiteway is still haunted by memories of feeling helpless and alone, even 30 years later.

As the delivery of her fifth child neared, she had already spent a month in Winnipeg, separated from her family in remote Berens River First Nation.

She remembers being exhausted and barely awake after the birth of her daughter when a nurse placed a piece of paper in front of her and told her to sign it.

The decision fills Whiteway with regret. She had always wanted a big family, but the document she signed in her vulnerable state gave permission for her fallopian tubes to be tied — an irreversible surgical procedure that renders a woman sterile.

Police chief unveils anti-corruption plan following high-profile case

Winnipeg’s top cop hopes enhanced oversight of officers will help the service regain public trust after its reputation was tarnished by the corruption of a disgraced officer and his co-accused colleagues.

“The trust that the public has in the police is paramount. Without it, we can’t do our job,” Chief Gene Bowers said Friday after meeting with the Winnipeg Police Board.

Among other things, the Winnipeg Police Service has added three investigators to its professional standards unit and the top brass have met with all members to reaffirm the service’s standards and expectations of professionalism and integrity, the chief said.

“The vast majority of our members work with integrity and they’re dedicated, but when somebody does step out of line… I want the public to trust in the fact that we will hold members accountable.”

Family awaits proper apology after son was target of anti-Palestinian slight

The Canadian Palestinian Association of Manitoba is calling out the Gray Academy of Jewish Education after it says a 12-year-old Palestinian boy was the target of racism from one of its students.

Ramsey Zeid, president of the association, said the boy from Laidlaw School had just finished playing a basketball game against the Gray Academy team at the school at the Asper Jewish Community Campus, when he noticed his cellphone, which had a sticker on it that said “Palestine,” had been drenched in water and covered with an Israeli flag.

“This wasn’t schoolyard mischief. It was a targeted act of anti-Palestinian racism,” Zeid said Thursday.

Zeid said the boy is his nephew. The boy’s family complained to Gray Academy within days of the mid-January incident, hoping it could be resolved as a teachable moment with the student offering an apology.

Brad Gushue, Brad Jacobs stay in Brier contention with playoff wins

ST. JOHN'S - Brad Gushue recovered from a blunder to stay in contention at the Canadian men's championship and extend his curling career Friday.

The six-time champion attempting to win a record seventh in his hometown, and in what he says is his last Brier, beat Ontario's Jayden King 12-6 in a playoff game.

Up 5-4 coming home in an earlier playoff game against Matt Dunstone, Gushue hogged his final rock to leave the Manitoban an opening for the winning shot.

Gushue, third Mark Nichols, second Brendan Bottcher and lead Geoff Walker were firmly in control of their evening game against King by the seventh end when they scored three for an 8-4 lead. King shook hands after Gushue scored another four in the ninth.

Health concerns, affordability spur trend to drink less booze

When it comes to raising a glass, fewer Manitobans are choosing beer, spirits or wine.

Statistics Canada says there continues to be a decline in alcoholic beverage sales and the volume consumed in Manitoba.

The only category that has gone up — continuing the trend since 2020 — is ciders, coolers and other alcoholic refreshment beverages.

Colin Koop, co-owner of Devil May Care Brewing, which bills itself as the city’s smallest brewery by capacity, said he agrees beer consumption is down.

Listen to what kids are saying; their lives may depend on it

Eleven-year-old Marietta Star Colombe died by suicide Feb. 4. Her grief-stricken parents say she was bullied at school.

The Grade 6 student’s drawings illustrate her torment.

In one, she drew herself dead as seven boys and girls applaud and yell “yay!”

In another, she lies buried in a grave as a group of children cheer.