‘Nothing is more important than fresh water’: $1.6 million to fund research, outreach projects

The Canada Water Agency is pouring funding into a series of projects and organizations that support the health of Lake Winnipeg — one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world.

“Lake Winnipeg sustains our economy, our communities, our way of life,” Liberal MP Terry Duguid told a small crowd of scientists and stakeholders gathered at FortWhyte Alive Saturday.

“(But) Lake Winnipeg is under pressure, it’s under challenges. Climate change, pollution, land use changes and invasive species all threaten its health.”

Duguid, who pushed for the creation of the national water agency, headquartered in Winnipeg, announced $1.6 million in funding for 10 projects over the next three years.

Reforms by international mail carriers could help Canada Post navigate challenges

When Ottawa announced a series of reforms to Canada Post in late September, reaction to the move highlighted a simmering dissatisfaction when it comes to the mail and parcel carrier.

The changes, ranging from the demise of door-to-door service to a slowdown of some deliveries, are expected to save the Crown corporation millions of dollars annually.

Unionized workers, who began a weeks-long national strike that has since transitioned to rotating stoppages, said it represented an "attack" on their jobs. Some Canadians expressed frustration over eventual reduced service, while others complained their tax dollars shouldn't help an outdated operation stay afloat at all.

The events raise questions over the future of the century-and-a-half-old institution and what form it will need to take in an era where digitization and private competitors threaten its survival.

Renewed fighting tests Gaza ceasefire and Israel briefly halts aid

JERUSALEM (AP) — Gaza's fragile ceasefire faced its first major test Sunday as Israeli forces launched a wave of deadly strikes, saying Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, and an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory was halted.

The military later said it resumed enforcing the ceasefire, and the official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.

A little over a week has passed since the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war. There was no immediate U.S. comment.

Health officials said at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including children. Israel’s military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets after its troops came under fire.

First Nation lifts member’s five-year banishment, but he’s taking band council to court

A Manitoba father of five who was banished from his northern First Nation for resisting a police officer is being allowed to return home four years and seven months early.

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation’s chief and council recently gave Terry Wayne Francois permission to go home. Although the punishment was imposed in May, he was not allowed on the First Nation after being charged with several offences last December.

Francois, 54, challenged the First Nation’s disciplinary measure and checkstop laws in federal court.

“That’s 10 months I will never get back,” he said Friday. “I missed my grandbaby’s birthday because of it.”

HSC crisis response centre desperately understaffed amid surge in patients: union

A mental-health crisis centre in Winnipeg is “dangerously” understaffed and failing to keep pace with a surge in walk-in patients, a union that represents some employees told the Free Press.

How police solved the century-old mystery of ‘the woman in the well’

REGINA - Cindy Camp's great-grandmother was only a name on the family tree until police called.

An investigator told her it was believed Alice Spence had been killed more than 105 years ago, her body dumped in a well in Saskatchewan.

Camp and her daughters were asked in the summer to provide DNA samples. They matched.

“I was stunned, in disbelief,” Camp said in a phone interview from her home in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Canadian curling teams start quest for 2026 Olympic Games at pre-trials

The road to the Olympic Games is long, but donning the Maple Leaf is reachable for eight men's and eight women's curling teams competing in Canada's pre-trials starting Monday.

The men's and women's winners of the Home Hardware Canadian Curling Pre-Trials in Wolfville, N.S., advance to November's trials where Canada's teams for the 2026 Winter Games will emerge.

Teams made it to pre-trials based on their 2024-25 national rankings.

For Jayden King's London Curling Club team all under the age of 24, and fresh out of the junior and university ranks, the pre-trials is a milestone in their young curling careers.

Senior with mental health issues denied bail after phony phone calls to 911

A mentally troubled senior found guilty of making hundreds of phone calls to emergency response services for crises that didn’t exist is back in custody as justice officials continue to grapple with how to provide her the care she needs.

“If a person who has to make a decision in this particular case possessed the wisdom of Solomon, I’m afraid they would still be stumped,” provincial court Judge Malcolm McDonald said before denying the 73-year-old woman bail.

“There simply (aren’t) resources to help her and, unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be resources available to prevent the palpable concern for public safety that this continued behaviour on her part presents,” McDonald said.

The woman remains in custody. Her next court date is Oct. 24.

‘Extreme pain’: home-based jeweller, father shot during robbery; thieves steal gold valued at $1M

Held at gunpoint and faced with the decision to flee, freeze or fight during a robbery at his home business last week, Rajan Dhalla chose the latter — striking back at thieves before being injured by gunfire.