What’s happening today
People block highway 75 and access to the Canada/US border crossing at Emerson with heavy trucks and farm equipment Thursday. The blockade was a rally against provincial and federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a show of support for similar protests in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Premier on public health orders: Premier Heather Stefanson and Manitoba’s chief public health officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, will give an update on pandemic health orders at a news conference inside the legislative building this morning. It’s the first in-person news conference at the building since a nearby protest against COVID-19 restrictions began one week ago. Stefanson’s office released several statements about escalating protests Thursday but did not speak publicly. Danielle Da Silva reports. READ MORE
Set to face Sweden: Canada is playing Sweden in Olympic women’s hockey right now. The semifinal round of that tournament begins Sunday night. Canada’s men’s hockey team will face the U.S. late tonight and China on Sunday morning. READ MORE
Curling continues: Canada’s men’s curling team is currently playing Switzerland at the Beijing Olympics. Skip Jennifer Jones and her women’s team play Sweden tonight after losing to Japan this morning. READ MORE
Another meeting in Moscow: Britain’s defence secretary visited Moscow for more talks on easing tensions about more than 100,000 Russian troops amassed near the border with Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia could invade Ukraine during the Winter Olympics. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: A few flurries ending later this morning, then clearing, with a high of -21 C, wind chill as low as -37 and wind from the northwest at 40 km/h gusting to 60.
What’s happening this weekend
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSMelanie Maher, a PC candidate vying for the party’s nomination to run in the Fort Whyte byelection.
PCs to name nominee: The Progressive Conservative party will announce its nominee for the Fort Whyte byelection on Saturday. The party will try to retain the seat former premier Brian Pallister resigned in October. Carol Sanders reports. READ MORE
On the road again: The Jets, on a two-game road trip against divisional opponents, face the Dallas Stars tonight and the Nashville Predators on Saturday evening. Mike McIntyre has a column from Dallas. READ MORE
Super Sunday: The Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams will play in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. The Bengals can win their first Super Bowl in the franchise’s third appearance, with both previous berths in the 1980s. The Rams, who are 1-3 in previous Super Bowls and won their only title while in St. Louis, can win their first Super Bowl since moving back to California and become the second team to win a Super Bowl on their home field. READ MORE
Curling champ crowned: The winner of the Viterra men’s provincial curling championship will be decided at the Selkirk Curling Club on Sunday afternoon. Taylor Allen reports. READ MORE
On this date
On Feb. 11, 1957: The Winnipeg Free Press reported a woman and her son, assisted by an unidentified man, succeeded in pulling a five-year-old boy from the icy waters of the Assiniboine River at the foot of Parvkiew Street; the boy, along with other children, had been sliding down the snowy bank of the river. A Steinbach man was sentenced to 23 months in jail after a hit-and-run collision that seriously injured two women.
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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