The Wrap: Skibicki’s NCR defence, drug network busted, new medical residents, remembering Lyle Bauer
Plus: a really great way for people to learn about Winnipeg.

Lawyers for a Winnipeg man accused of killing four women say they plan to argue that he is not criminally responsible because he is mentally ill.

The lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki made the statement in court as the two sides continue to resolve issues before a jury is brought in next week to start hearing evidence.

The defence is seeking to have the high-profile case heard by a judge alone instead of the jury. The judge will deliver his decision on the matter on Friday.

Winnipeg police are grappling with an explosion of guns, drugs and violence as organized criminal networks increasingly use Manitoba’s capital city as a national trafficking hub, due to its central location.

The news comes on the heels of more than a dozen arrests in Winnipeg and elsewhere in Canada — the result of a yearlong investigation targeting a drug network with potential international connections, dubbed Project Soft Landing.

Tyler Searle reports.

Manitoba is filling a record number of medical residencies this summer and expects it will pay off with more doctors staying and setting up their practice in the province.

On July 1, 173 medical school graduates will begin two-year residencies across Manitoba — 17 more than last year. An estimated 73 per cent of U of M medical school grads choose to stay and do their residency in Manitoba.

One of them could be Stefon Irvin. When he completes his two-year residency in 2026, his goal is to have a full-scope northern family medicine practice — from “birth to death” and all the “lumps and bumps” and “regular health maintenance appointments” in between.

Carol Sanders looks at the strategy for getting residents into communities where, hopefully, they’ll stay.

Lyle Bauer was a hall of fame athlete, a respected football executive and a charitable force that improved the lives of thousands.

Known as one of the toughest blockers in CFL history, Bauer helped the Blue and Gold hoist the Grey Cup on three occasions (1984, 1988, and 1990) and was the team’s assistant general manager and, later, president and CEO.

His biggest impact came away from the gridiron when he co-founded the Never Alone Cancer Foundation (NACF) in 2004 shortly after being diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer. For two decades, the organization has helped individuals affected by cancer with emotional, financial and informational support.

Bauer, who lived in B.C. near Slocan Lake, died earlier this week at 65 with his family by his side.

Choi Ho has been hosting Jane’s Walk tours during the annual event — inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs — for nearly a decade.

This year, there are 17 Jane’s Walk tours (and counting) scheduled to take place Friday through Sunday in neighbourhoods across Winnipeg, including Ho’s, on trail between Wolseley and Assiniboine Park, during which she will sport her usual tour guiding uniform: a colourful hat, megaphone and a bucket.

Other Jane’s Walk tours — which are created and led by community volunteers — include a public art trek through Glenelm, a jaunt past Indigenous projects on the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus and a nature walk through Transcona’s green spaces.

Eva Wasney looks at all the places you can go.