Your forecast
A mix of sun and cloud, with fog patches dissipating this morning and wind up to 15 km/h. High -2, wind chill near -10.
What’s happening today
Swiftmas: Taylor Swift Dance Party takes place at the Park Theatre at 9 p.m., with Winnipeg Jets and Bombers DJ Fin-S spinning deep cuts and chart toppers alike from all of Swift’s eras. For ticket info, click here.
Taylor Swift (Chris Pizzello / The Associated Press file)
Real Love Winnipeg’s Bands as Bands series takes its final bow at the Good Will Social Club with a triple-header of local acts covering radio-friendly rock and pop with attitude. Advance tickets are sold out, but a handful will be available at the door.
The Winnipeg Jets host the Boston Bruins at Canada Life Centre, starting at 7 p.m.
Today’s must-read
Amanda Westervelt was stalked by a convicted sex offender for years, an experience she describes as like living in a “horror movie.”
So it came as a shock when she received a call from Manitoba Justice a decade ago telling her that the man, Kevin Scott Steppan, had legally changed his name. It was another “nightmare” for the single mom who went to great lengths to keep herself and her young son safe.
And it’s still the case: convicted sex offenders continue to have the right to change their legal names in Manitoba. This little-known fact outrages victims and victims’ advocates who say it gives perpetrators a chance to hide from their past and possibly harm others. Katrina Clarke has the story.
Monique St. Germain says preventing sex offenders from changing their names in Manitoba would send a message of support to victims.(Jessica Lee / Winnipeg Free Press)
On the bright side
A romance that united sports and music fans, a celestial wonder that drew millions of eyes skyward and a spiritual homecoming for some Native American tribes were just some of the moments that inspired and brought joy in 2023. The Associated Press has a roundup of good-news stories here.
Gray wolves are thriving at Isle Royale National Park five years after authorities began a last-ditch attempt to prevent the species from dying out on the Lake Superior island chain, scientists said in June. (Rolf Peterson/Michigan Technological University via The Associated Press files)
On this date
On Dec. 22, 1971: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Ottawa, the 739-page tax bill that had nearly died in the House of Commons owing to a prolonged debate was swiftly passed in the Liberal-dominated Senate after three days, and was now certain to become law. North Vietnam escalated the level of warfare in Laos, massing tanks and artillery near the Plain of Jars. Indigenous people in Manitoba began a massive drive to revamp and regain control of the educational programs being offered to their children. 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.
|
