Free Press Head Start for Aug. 10

Good morning.

The Louis Riel School Division is investigating after “freedom fighters” sent a cheque to a trustee who was suspended from her duties without pay after making anti-LGBTTQ+ comments and signal-boosting conspiracy theories on social media. Maggie Macintosh has the story.

A rural Manitoba addictions treatment facility and the RCMP have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit, amid allegations they were too slow to search for a man who died by suicide after straying from his group on a nature hike. Dean Pritchard reports.

— David Fuller

Your forecast

Cloudy with showers beginning this afternoon. Expected high is 22C, UV index 7 or high.

What’s happening today

Steve Vai, who set a Guinness World Record in 2011 for leading the largest online guitar lesson, will provide a master class in guitar solos Thursday when he plays the Burton Cummings Theatre, at 8 p.m. For ticket information, click here.

Steve Vai (Balazs Mohai / The Associated Press files / MTI)

The Winnipeg Goldeyes play the Lincoln Saltdogs at Shaw Park, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers play the Edmoton Elks at at Commonwealth Stadium, starting at 8 p.m. Taylor Allen has this week’s 5 game day storylines.

Today’s must-read

Kat Smith-Sutherland keeps a safe, tidy fire at the Fort Douglas Park encampment. Steven Antle is there to make sure it stays that way. In a year when fire calls to homeless encampments have averaged 50 per month, Antle, a fire-prevention officer with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, visits up to five camps each workday to encourage the residents to do their part for fire safety. Erik Pindera has the story.

Steven Antle (right) and Kat Smith-Sutherland talk on Wednesday morning (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

On the bright side

The Winnipeg Sea Bears walked away with four prestigious individual awards announced Wednesday night. Star guard Teddy Allen, guard Jelani Watson-Gayle, forward Simon Hildebrandt and bench boss Mike Taylor (coach of the year) topped league voting.

Star guard Teddy Allen capped a spectacular season by earning MVP honours. (Jessica Lee / Free Press files)

On this date

On Aug. 10, 1953: The Winnipeg Free Press reported voters would know the results of the federal election after polls closed in Western Canada that evening, as the Liberals under prime minister Louis St. Laurent sought to hold power. The early vote in Winnipeg lagged despite sunny weather, and in Brandon and rural areas turnout appeared to be higher than in the capital. North Winnipeg’s oldest synagogue, the House of Jacob, was desecrated by vandals; police were questioning five youths in connection with the damage. Health authorities in the city warned the public against unauthorized persons peddling the polio vaccine. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

Top news

Carol Sanders:

Kinew unveils NDP ‘fiscal framework’: balanced budget, no PST increase

With the start of the provincial election campaign still weeks away, the NDP unveiled its fiscal plan Wednesday in the clearest signal yet the party isn’t waiting to start courting voters. With the... Read More

Erik Pindera:

‘It comes down to wanting to keep people safe’

Fire safety outreach at city homeless encampments sparks connections Read More

Malak Abas:

Liquor Mart strike plan hangs rural communities out to dry, mayors say

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is leaving many rural communities parched while it tries to deal with a strike by its 1,400 workers across the province, leaders outside the Perimeter Highway say. The... Read More

New in Sports

Taylor Allen:

Elks look to Canadian QB Ford to get motor running

They’re winless, scoring the fewest points in the CFL, and committing more penalties than anyone. Say hello to the trainwreck known as the Edmonton Elks. Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Central Division shuffle

Plenty of offseason movement creates intrigue among Jets and divisional foes Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

Alan Small:

Survival songs

Opera’s Kyle Briscoe channels life experiences in new pop album Read More

Skyler Trepel:

Five wild rides

The best films based on Disney theme parks Read More

AV Kitching, Ben Sigurdson, Alan Small, Ben Waldman, Eva Wasney, Jen Zoratti:

What’s up: Master class in guitar solos, beer fest and tattoo convention

A rock guitarist’s guitarist ready to crank it up at the Burt Steve Vai Thursday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Tickets: $66.25-$109.50 at ticketmaster.ca Steve Vai, who set a Guinness World Record in 201... Read More

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

Businesses ‘under siege’

Restaurant association calls for immediate solutions amid rapid rise in thefts, property damage Read More

Tyler Searle:

Security costs for business ‘insane’

Smashed windows, theft and property damage have become an infuriating reality for some restaurant owners, who’ve begun referring to Winnipeg as “Gotham City.” “It’s expensive to do business in Winn... Read More

Gabrielle Piché:

Northern First Nations planning power, trade corridor

Treaty 5 partnership announces major infrastructure project linking Manitoba to Alberta Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Grocery prices will sting worse yet

Think food is expensive now? Food production could become more difficult — and food much more expensive — as weather patterns switch to more unstable patterns: late and unexpected frosts as a result of a weakened jet stream, more frequent intervals of intense flooding and drought, faster drying soils due to higher temperatures. Read More

Dan Lett:

Kinew’s quiet campaign kickoff suggests NDP plans to party like it’s 1999

On Wednesday, at the unofficial launch of the NDP’s fall election campaign, Leader Wab Kinew unleashed a rather subdued message. He promised no big changes, balanced budgets, no tax increases and a... Read More

Shannon Sampert:

World Police Fire Games a lost opportunity for reconciliation

The World Police and Fire Games wrapped up over the weekend, after 10 full days of events. Around 8,500 athletes from 55 countries competed in more than 60 sports across 40 venues in Winnipeg and Manitoba. Was it a success? I think it depends on who you ask. Read More

Head Start