Gallery: Whiteout parties in Winnipeg’s downtown By: Photography by Brook Jones Posted: 12:30 PM CDT Thursday, May. 1, 2025

Teen urges premier to reject data centre, ‘put people and the environment first’

A 17-year-old who started a petition against the construction of an AI data centre northwest of Winnipeg has made a personal appeal to the premier to stop it.

Leona Gollub emailed Premier Wab Kinew to voice her concern about the environmental impact of a 5.5-megawatt AI data centre that’s being built on Brookside Boulevard in the Centreport industrial area in the Rural Municipality of Rosser, northwest of Winnipeg.

She said she worries about the noise and light pollution that would be emitted by the facility, and the massive amount of electricity it will require that could instead power people’s homes.

The premier, who recently rejected a data centre in Île dês Chênes, southeast of Winnipeg, thanked her for her concern in an email but did not go beyond that.

Mayor takes RM to court to recover legal fees

Three years after winning a legal appeal against the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, the area’s mayor has filed litigation to recover costs from the court battle that followed a coup by a group of former councillors.

Mayor Joy Sul filed a statement of claim against the RM north of Winnipeg on June 30, seeking indemnity for nearly $50,000 in legal fees she incurred while fighting council’s attempts to strip her of key responsibilities.

“Several years ago, I went to court because I believed the actions being taken against me were wrong and contrary to municipal law,” Sul said in a statement to the Free Press Monday.

“I want to be very clear about one thing: I am not seeking a windfall, damages, or any personal financial gain. I am simply seeking reimbursement for the legal costs I actually incurred while successfully defending my elected position.”

Struggling retailer Toys ‘R’ Us to shutter Transcona store

Playtime is almost over at the Toys “R” Us store in Winnipeg’s Transcona neighbourhood.

Signs hanging in the front windows indicate the longtime big-box chain outlet is closing. “All stock reduced” and “Everything must go” at the store, which has stood at 1560 Regent Ave. W. for more than 36 years. Even the fixtures are for sale.

An employee at the store declined to comment on Monday, directing the Free Press to Toys “R” Us Canada Ltd.’s head office. The company did not respond to interview requests.

Signage at the store does not specify when it will close for good.

Bombers steal win on somber night

HAMILTON — It was supposed to be a showdown between two future Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks.

Instead, it ended up being a somber night for the CFL.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers starter Zach Collaros was ruled out for the contest with an upper body injury after being hit from the blindside on the first play of the second quarter.

And just when you thought nothing could possibly overshadow that, Bo Levi Mitchell — the face of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats who was playing some of the best football of his illustrious career this season — suffered what appeared to be a serious left ankle injury in the third quarter after being taken down by defensive lineman Jake Ceresna for a sack.

Cleanup ‘staggering’ as severe storm slams Whiteshell, Kenora

Chainsaws buzzed around Darren James on Tuesday while seasonal residents cleaned up and assessed damage from a severe storm that hit part of Whiteshell Provincial Park one day earlier.