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Free Press Head Start for April 23

Good morning.

Manitoba Health is reviewing outdated swimming pool regulations amid a surge in backyard pool rentals via booking apps or websites. Chris Kitching reports.

Business leaders in Osborne Village are launching a free music festival in the hopes of bringing a large-scale event back to the neighbourhood. Tyler Searle has the story.

— David Fuller

 

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Your forecast

Rain or drizzle ending near noon, then cloudy. Wind from the northwest at 30 km/h. High 8 C. UV index 2 or low.

What’s happening today

Local African-Canadian author and lawyer (and Free Press book reviewer) Zilla Jones, whose short fiction has been widely lauded and published by writing prizes, literary journals and magazines, launches The World So Wide, her first full-length novel, tonight at 7 p.m. at McNally Robsinon’s Grant Park location.

Award-winning author Zilla Jones (Ian McCausland photo)

Award-winning author Zilla Jones (Ian McCausland photo)

Today’s must-read

The Manitoba government has ordered a high school that has been “ungrading” for the last five years to revive — at least partially — its zero-to-100 marking scale.

A new directive calls on the Louis Riel School Division to ensure all of its Grade 9-12 campuses include percentages on midterm and final report cards in 2025-2026.

At the same time, administrators are facing questions from within their division about the tangible results of Glenlawn Collegiate’s avant-garde practices.

“Me and my children, in our experience, we’re motivated by grades. They can be practical guideposts. They can motivate and incentivize and empower learners,” said Celia Valel, a mother of three children enrolled in a nearby feeder school. Maggie Macintosh has the story.

Glenlawn Collegiate Principal Dionne Potapinski (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)

Glenlawn Collegiate Principal Dionne Potapinski (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)

On the bright side

Marissa Naylor-McCall made bowling history this year, but her impact on Manitoba’s bowling community transcends time and hardware. Naylor-McCall became the first woman to win the Marinelli City Singles bowling tournament in its 65-year history.

“I think being the first woman is really cool,” she said. “Also, showcasing that women can compete against the men, and we can hold our own — and that we can also beat them.”

Female representation in sport continues to grow across North America, and Naylor-McCall hopes her win inspires a new generation of women’s athletes. Ben Little has more here.

Bowler, mentor and coach Marissa Naylor-McCall says she wants “to leave whatever I’m doing in a better place than I found it.” (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Bowler, mentor and coach Marissa Naylor-McCall says she wants “to leave whatever I’m doing in a better place than I found it.” (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

On this date

On April 23, 1940: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Norway, fast-moving British, French, Norwegian and Canadian columns threw German forces on the defensive on all key fronts. Near Komarno, Man., the body of a 60-year-old farmer was found a week after he had been shot and killed at his home. In London, Britain’s war budget was estimated at £12 billion. 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.

 
 

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Federal election

Malak Abas:

Campaign vital signs

Despite accessibility of digital media, most candidates rely on old-fashioned political messaging Read More

 

Kevin Rollason:

Ballot box issue: Elections Canada criticized over long lines

Deciding to vote early, Bill Lopuck opened the door to his riding’s advance poll in St. Norbert last week, saw a sea of humanity, and promptly left. Read More

 

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press:

Most Conservative voters say they don’t trust media reports on party leaders: poll

OTTAWA - A new poll suggests more than half of Conservative voters don't trust what they see or hear about federal party leaders in the media during the current election campaign. Fifty-six per cen... Read More

 

Maura Forrest, The Canadian Press:

Here’s how the Liberal and Conservative platforms stack up on key issues

MONTREAL - With less than a week to go until election day, all of Canada's major political parties have released their costed platforms. On Tuesday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre becam... Read More

 

Jessica Scott-Reid and Kaitlyn Mitchell:

Canada’s horse export trade and the election

Do you remember back in 2021, ahead of the last federal election, when the Liberal Party promised to end Canada’s cruel export of horses for slaughter? Animal lovers sure do. For many of us it felt like a rare political win — a clear, compassionate promise that aligned with public values. Read More

 

Peter Denton:

The fleeting promise of political change

Whenever I hear politicians earnestly promising a change, I am reminded of a joke I read long ago, probably in the “Humour in Uniform” section of Reader’s Digest. Read More

 

Tom Brodbeck:

Carney’s calm, stable, competent campaign has him close to victory

Less than a week before the federal election, Mark Carney seems poised to lead the Liberals back to power. How did we get here? The short answer: experience, timing, and a series of blunders from his opponents. The long answer is worth exploring. Read More

 

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press:

Poilievre addresses the Assembly of First Nations on natural resources, campaign plan

OTTAWA - Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told the Assembly of First Nations Tuesday a government led by him would guarantee economic prosperity and said that First Nations peoples should... Read More

 
 
 

Top news

Gabrielle Piché:

Trump’s tariff war with China forces U.S. non-profit’s escape to Winnipeg

An American non-profit organization is moving its warehouse to Winnipeg in order to avoid crushing tariffs on the products it imports from China, and there are signs others will follow suit. Read More

 

Maggie Macintosh:

‘In dire need’: rural healing centre pleads for funding

Mental health and addictions specialists in rural Manitoba are pleading with the province to reconsider funding their “in-house healing program” despite its deficit. Read More

 

Carol Sanders:

Tories suggest finance minister spent tax dollars on own therapy; contract pays for landfill searchers’ counselling

Manitoba Tories earned howls of protest from the NDP Tuesday after questioning a $10,000 government expense for therapy services — later revealed to be for people searching a landfill for the remains of murder victims. Read More

 

Maggie Macintosh:

Zoo residency gives students memorable connection to nature

Students and tigers and polar bears, oh my! Assiniboine Park Zoo is winding down its free classroom residency programs for 2024-25 as staff prepare to accept applications for the upcoming school ye... Read More

 
 

New in Sports

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Schimnowski’s sensational season

Two-way Bruins forward first-round material in WHL Bantam Draft Read More

 

Mike McIntyre:

‘Confidence in our style of play’

Jets not concerned about days off between upcoming games Read More

 

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press:

Canada Soccer to honour veteran Desiree Scott at May friendly in her native Winnipeg

Veteran midfielder Desiree Scott is calling time on her international soccer career, making her final appearance in Canadian colours May 31 against Haiti in her hometown of Winnipeg. The game at Pr... Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

A coaching connection

Mutual admiration for Arniel, Montgomery dates back to Manitoba Moose days Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

Caffeine culture boom

Saintuary and Sho Coffee and Bar solidify the Exchange as go-to coffee scene Read More

 

Jake Coyle, The Associated Press:

The Oscars mandate voters watch all nominated movies, set new rules for AI and refugee filmmakers

NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar voters will no longer be able to skip watching some of the nominated films. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Monday announced that members wil... Read More

 
 

New in Business

Joyanne Pursaga:

City urged to chase American tourism dollars

U.S. visitors tend to stay longer, spend more, and should be made to feel welcome: agency Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

WestJet plots new links between Winnipeg, East Coast

WestJet will launch more flights from Winnipeg to the East Coast — a market it’s growing for European travel. Read More

 

Martin Cash:

Seeking awards, landing credibility, raising profile

Norm Silver and David Berkowits have an ideal partnership in QDoc Inc. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Crime and poverty — two parts of a problem

Manitoba’s persistent struggle with deep poverty is not just a moral concern — it is now a pressing economic issue that is hitting the province’s retail sector hard. Read More

 

Kathy Mallett and Liz Ambrose:

Law brings campaign finance rules in line

The provincial government is to be commended for introducing Bill 39 — The Public Schools Amendment Act to better protect democracy from third-party election interference by regulating campaign financing for school trustees. Read More

 
 

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