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Free Press Head Start for Aug. 26, 2025

Good morning.

The man convicted of mailing bombs to his ex-wife and two lawyers continues to deny responsibility more than 10 years after his arrest, claiming police framed him for an explosion that maimed one victim and traumatized others. Tyler Searle has the story.

The Progressive Conservative and NDP candidates in Spruce Woods spent Monday racing around the constituency in a last-ditch effort to earn votes ahead of today’s byelection. The Brandon Sun’s Alex Lambert reports.

— David Fuller

 

 

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Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud. Becoming sunny this morning, with increasing cloudiness late this afternoon. High 28 C. Humidex 31. UV index 6 or high.

What’s happening today

The Free Press Book Club and McNally Robinson Booksellers are pleased to welcome Vancouver-born, New York-based author Jack Wang to the next virtual meeting tonight at 7 p.m. to read from and discuss his historical-fiction novel The Riveter.

Jack Wang (Holman Wang photo)

Jack Wang (Holman Wang photo)

Today’s must-read

A troubling increase in violent attacks on Winnipeg letter carriers has prompted their union to ask Canada Post to provide self-defence classes.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Winnipeg Local 856 president Sean Tugby says there have been 12 attacks on mail carriers over the past year, well above the one or two, on average, over previous 12-month periods.

“(Carriers) are concerned for their safety. They’re concerned for their mental health when they’re going out and constantly looking over their shoulders. It’s been ongoing for some time,” Tugby said Monday. Nicole Buffie has the story.

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Winnipeg Local 856 president Sean Tugby says there have been 12 attacks on mail carriers over the past year. (Christinne Muschi / The Canadian Press files)

Canadian Union of Postal Workers Winnipeg Local 856 president Sean Tugby says there have been 12 attacks on mail carriers over the past year. (Christinne Muschi / The Canadian Press files)

On the bright side

Eric Comrie was quick to find a silver lining moments after his 184th and final shot of the Manitoba Open dropped into the cup. “First Jets player to play the weekend,” he told the Free Press on Sunday with a sheepish grin.

True, even if that accolade is going to come with a giant asterisk we suspect all of his teammates will be quick to point out. The club’s backup goaltender only got to tee it up on Saturday and Sunday at Breezy Bend because play on Thursday and Friday was washed out by heavy rain, turning the 72-hole event into a 36-hole affair with no cut.

Comrie, 29, fired rounds of 96-88, finishing dead last in the field of 156 players at 42-over par.

“It was fantastic. I had a lot of fun. You get an appreciation for how good the guys are out here,” he said. “They’re unbelievable. They hit it right where they want every single time.” Mike McIntyre has more here.

Eric Comrie had a blast watching the pros deftly handle the golf course. (Mikaela

Eric Comrie had a blast watching the pros deftly handle the golf course. (Mikaela

On this date

On Aug. 26, 1935: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that over the weekend, two armed bandits attempted to hold up two taxi drivers and two motorists, but made off with only a watch, a small amount of cash, and possibly one car, although whether it remained stolen or was abandoned was not confirmed. Italian premier Benito Mussolina declared that any country levelling economic sanctions against Italy would face “armed hostilities” from his country. 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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Top news

Maggie Macintosh:

Province drafts lesson plan to combat high teacher turnover in North

As many as 50 per cent of educators leave First Nations every year Read More

 

Chris Kitching:

Parents of teen who drowned last spring sue city, lifeguards

‘Family felt failed,’ after tragedy at Cindy Klassen pool Read More

 

Scott Billeck:

Norwegian hiker’s family thanks searchers after body found

The family of Norwegian hiker Steffen Skjottelvik, whose body was discovered in a remote region of northern Manitoba, has been on an “emotional rollercoaster” since he first went missing 10 days ago. Read More

 

Dean Pritchard:

Beaten, bullied former Portage man wrongly accused of child sex crimes files lawsuit against RCMP

A former Portage la Prairie resident who was beaten up and became a target for community vigilantes after he was mistakenly charged with sex crimes against children is suing RCMP, alleging there was clear evidence he was not the man they were looking for. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Joshua Frey-Sam:

‘Letting my results speak for themselves’

Lacap golden at pickleball nationals as Winnipegger looks to go pro Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

Deal to make Connor latest ‘Jet for life’ priority on roster docket

Title of largest contract in Winnipeg Jets’ history on table for left-winger Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

Into the wild

Winnipegger chronicles journey to visit every named lake in the Whiteshell Read More

 

Denise Duguay:

Death is only the beginning of this fall TV season

The fall season arrives with death, death and more death. And not just of people. In one of this edition’s five viewing suggestions, a critic deals a death blow to one series while resurrecting another. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Harvest detour ‘timing couldn’t be any worse’

RM of Macdonald road shuttered 8 weeks for construction adds costs, ups pressure at critical point in season, farmer says Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Cytophage Technologies products gain federal OK in fight against salmonella

A Manitoba company aims to change the way food is protected from unwanted bacteria leading to outbreaks such as salmonella. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Apathy reigns ahead of UN climate summit

There is a worldwide problem in the fight against climate change: no one in power is taking it very seriously. Read More

 

David Nutbean:

Teaching and AI — new tools, new methods

As teachers and students get prepared to start the new school year, the effect of artificial intelligence in the classroom looms large. For students, they may wonder what’s the point of school at all if AI can give them any answer they want with a few keystrokes. Read More

 

Thomas S. Axworthy:

Manitoba and Canada’s wildfire response

In a world where wars are fought over resources and climate change destabilizes nations, it is not alarmist to say that water is now a matter of national security. Read More

 
 

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