Police warn of more ‘distraction thefts’

Police are again warning the public about “distraction thefts” primarily happening in the city’s south end.

The Winnipeg Police Service previously said such thieves use different techniques to steal money, wallets and jewelry. In past incidents, suspects approached elderly victims outside stores and in parking lots.

The suspects are now going to residential areas and approaching victims on their property.

“The encounters are becoming increasingly aggressive and physical in nature,” the WPS said in a news release handed out at a news conference Wednesday.

‘You are not alone’: retired social worker promises to listen during cross-Canada trek

In a polarized and divided world, where many may feel lonely and isolated, Paul Jenkinson has a message: “You are not alone. I will listen.”

‘Transformational’ $500-K gift will allow Harvest Manitoba to expand capacity, CEO says

Manitoba Harvest is celebrating a $500,000 donation, which it hopes will help lay the foundation for a new food processing facility to accommodate an increasing number of people who rely on the food bank.

“It’s a transformational gift,” Vince Barletta, the non-profit’s president and CEO, said of the donation from Farm Credit Canada.

“Our facilities are at their capacity — really beyond their capacity — and now we’re looking to expand to meet the needs of today and moving into the future.”

Manitoba Harvest provides food for more than 100,000 people each month, including individuals, families and children supported through school lunch programs. Food-bank usage in the province has risen by more than 150 per cent since 2020 — a rate of growth that “far outpaces the national average,” according to the organization’s most recent impact report, released last week.

‘Really grateful’: cabinet minister returns to legislature after harrowing battle with sepsis

A Manitoba cabinet minister will assume her seat in the legislature months after a near-death experience — or, in her words, “a moment” that made her want to become an outspoken advocate for women’s health.

MLAs will reconvene Wednesday afternoon to mark the start of the fall session. When they do, Minister of Advanced Education and Training Renée Cable will once again be an active part of question period.

The 46-year-old mother from Windsor Park was absent for much of the spring because of a severe infection and subsequent complications.

“I’m really grateful that I got the care I needed and was able to pull through,” Cable told the Free Press, after she recalled regaining consciousness in hospital following 48 hours of panic among her loved ones.

Jane Goodall, the celebrated primatologist and conservationist, has died

Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91.

The Jane Goodall Institute announced the primatologist’s death Wednesday in an Instagram post. According to the Washington, D.C.-based institute, Goodall died of natural causes while in California on a U.S. speaking tour.

Her discoveries “revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world," it said.

While living among chimpanzees in Africa decades ago, Goodall documented the animals using tools and doing other activities previously believed to be exclusive to humans, and also noted their distinct personalities. Her observations and subsequent magazine and documentary appearances in the 1960s transformed how the world perceived not only humans' closest living biological relatives but also the emotional and social complexity of all animals, while propelling her into the public consciousness.

Thousands mark Truth and Reconcilation Day

As a sea of thousands clad in orange waited, Helen George braids her son’s long, straight hair.

They’re at the RBC Convention Centre, preparing for the grand entry ceremonies hosted by the Southern Chiefs’ Organization to mark the fifth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Tuesday afternoon.

Originally from Ochapowace Cree Nation in Saskatchewan but living in Winnipeg, George is helping her son, Houston, get dressed for the upcoming powwow. For her, seeing so many families coming together to recognize the impact of the residential school system and celebrate Indigenous resilience is touching.

“It’s meaningful,” she said.

Silenced no more: Indigenous languages celebrated at site of former residential school

Languages once suppressed at the Assiniboia Residential School are now prominently displayed at the site.

More than 100 people gathered Tuesday at 621 Academy Rd., on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, for a ceremony unveiling three plaques near the former school.

The plaques are written in Anishinaabemowin, Anishininimowin, Cree, Dakota, Dene, English and French — the languages spoken by children who attended the school.

“It’s very important, and it can also be quite emotional,” said Darian McKinney, a board member for the Assiniboia Residential School Legacy Group, whose grandparents were residential school survivors.

U of M political scientist predicts scrappy fall legislative session

The gloves will be off when members of the legislative assembly return to the chamber today for the fall sitting.

Manitoba faces economic threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and climate impacts from deadly wildfires, but don’t expect any display of unity in the face of adversity, one political expert advised.

“I think we’ll see the two leaders really going at it and I don’t think it’ll be very pleasant,” University of Manitoba political studies professor Christopher Adams said.

Premier Wab Kinew and Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan have verbally attacked each other repeatedly during question period. Outside the chamber in 2023, there was an alleged physical altercation when the pair shook hands at a Turban Day event in the rotunda.

Police investigating fire at Fontaine’s constituency office

The owners of a building leased by a Manitoba cabinet minister say two vandalism incidents in as many weeks are enough, and they want it to stop.

“We’re pretty upset about it,” Linda Orsulak told the Free Press. “We’re private citizens who own the building. This has nothing to do with politics, but they’re politicizing it.”

Linda and her husband, Richard Orsulak, own the 1,000-square-foot property that houses Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine’s constituency office at 1763 Main Street.

Winnipeg police said Tuesday their major crimes unit is investigating a fire after crews were called to the building around 5 a.m. The blaze was brought under control about 40 minutes later, according to a media release.