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Free Press Head Start for Oct. 24, 2025

Good morning.

Dr. Jesse Krikorian decided it was time to leave his country after U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders that target transgender Americans in January. The single, 36-year-old was looking into New Zealand or Canada when a friend suggested he check out Winnipeg. Carol Sanders has the story.

Manitoba children have been hit by vehicles 36 times this year. Seven of them were in September, as kids made their way back to school after the summer break. Manitoba Public Insurance’s latest analysis of road incidents also reveals there have been dozens of collisions involving school buses in 2025. Maggie Macintosh reports.

— David Fuller

 

 

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Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud, clearing near noon. Wind becoming south at 20 km/h gusting to 40 this morning. High 10 C. UV index 2 or low.

What’s happening today

Begonia is releasing her new album, Fantasy Life, with a listening party at Frenchie’s Records, 260 Taché Ave., noon to 2 p.m.

Begonia (Supplied)

Begonia (Supplied)


The connections between Cubans and Canadians are explored in a new book by Karen Dubinsky, which launches tonight at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location in an event co-presented by the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Human Rights and Research.

Strangely, Friends: A History of Cuban-Canadian Encounters spans the days of the Cuban Revolution to today to examine personal and cultural links between the two nations. Dubinsky will be joined in conversation by U of M history professor Jorde A Nállim.

Today’s must-read

Beverley Rowbotham’s last surviving sibling will light a candle tonight, a sombre ritual every Oct. 24, when fond memories intertwine with anguish over her horrific slaying 25 years ago.

Barb Kilpatrick hasn’t lost hope that new information will emerge, or something will happen in her lifetime, to bring closure and justice for her sister. Chris Kitching has the story.

“Bev has been dead for 25 years. That’s a very long time, and all the things she’s missed, all the family things — her boys growing up, all the new nephews and nieces — we’re just feeling really sad,” Kilpatrick, 76, told the Free Press. “I hold on to hope. Hope is everything.” Chris Kitching has the story.

Beverly Rowbotham was found dead in her vehicle in Selkirk, Man. on Oct. 25, 2000.(Jeff De Booy / Free Press files)

Beverly Rowbotham was found dead in her vehicle in Selkirk, Man. on Oct. 25, 2000.(Jeff De Booy / Free Press files)

On the bright side

The Toronto Blue Jays have given Robert Stanton something to look forward to every day.

The 70-year-old retired supply chain manager has been a baseball fan since he was five and he’s been entranced by the Cinderella story of the Jays’ most recent evolution, on their way to the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Seconds after George Springer’s three-run homer Monday night, Michael Greer knew exactly where he wanted to be. He dashed out the door of his apartment and took the subway to the Rogers Centre, where a sea of fans jumped in a mosh pit of joy celebrating outside the dome.

The unifying pull of Jays fandom stretches coast-to-coast as Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, and experts say it’s actually very healthy, despite the Loonie Dogs, beers and cheesy nachos synonymous with watching the ball game. That collective identity creates a sense of belonging, which can mitigate isolation and loneliness at a time when those feelings are all too common. The Canadian Press has more here.

Michael Greer stands in front of a wall of Toronto Blue Jays hats at the Eaton Centre, in Toronto, on Wednesday. (Hannah Alberga / The Canadian Press)

Michael Greer stands in front of a wall of Toronto Blue Jays hats at the Eaton Centre, in Toronto, on Wednesday. (Hannah Alberga / The Canadian Press)

On this date

On Oct. 24, 1974: The Winnipeg Free Press reported mayor Steve Juba won re-election, and that while city council would be controlled by the Independent Citizens Election Committee, the ICEC’s majority on council dropped by eight seats, leaving the group with 29 councillors. The NDP maintained its grip on the Winnipeg School Board, with five trustees on the nine-member board; ICEC-endorsed candidates won two seats. 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

Joyanne Pursaga:

Seven candidates, their top three issues

Crime, transit, roads, affordability top of mind in Elmwood-East Kildonan Read More

 

Tyler Searle:

Bail changes long overdue, Manitoba leaders say

Political leaders in Manitoba are cautiously optimistic bail reform will keep more dangerous offenders off the streets while some on the front-lines of the justice system aren’t convinced. The Liberal... Read More

 

Kevin Rollason:

Developments get thumbs-up from city’s appeal committee

Buyers of new homes in a south St. Vital development will not be allowed to drill wells and will instead have to get their water from cisterns. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Stingy Kraken stymie Jets

Tight-checking, strong-goaltending Seattle gives Winnipeg taste of its own medicine Read More

 

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bisons future bright, even without Light

National champion women’s volleyball team adjusts to departure of cornerstone players Read More

 

Taylor Allen:

Big Blue sell out

Bombers fans fill stands for every home game of 2025 Read More

 

The Canadian Press:

Yesavage gets the start as Jays open World Series against Dodgers

TORONTO – Rookie Trey Yesavage’s improbable season continues today when he gets the start for the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the World Series. The 22-year-old right-hander, who played... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

Aces high

Rock band made up of current and former air traffic controllers taking off Read More

 

Conrad Sweatman:

Canadian horror picks with slashed budgets, killer scores

Canadian films, at least outside Quebec, don’t get enough love. Lo-fi grit, unrefined performances and other rough edges often take on an endearing quality in Canadian music. In film, they tend to tri... Read More

 
 
 

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

National bank eyes national defence spending

Ensuring Canadian small, medium businesses part of value chains on large contracts BDC priority, CEO tells Winnipeg crowd Read More

 

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press:

Trump terminates trade talks with Canada because of tariff ads

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is terminating trade negotiations with Canada because of television advertisements pushing back on his tariffs. “Based on their egregious behavior, ALL TRADE... Read More

 

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press:

Toys “R” Us Canada customers notified of breach of personal information

TORONTO – Toys “R” Us Canada has notified customers of a data breach it says may have compromised their personal information. In an email sent to shoppers Thursday morning, the toy s... Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Tom Brodbeck:

Poilievre’s Trump-north routine reckless, dishonest and disgraceful political theatre

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre knows exactly what he’s doing when he tells Canadians that former prime minister Justin Trudeau should have been jailed for past ethics violations. Read More

 

Editorial:

Dealing with CRA more gruelling than necessary

Earlier this week, federal Auditor General Karen Hogan released startling numbers about the accuracy and availability of information provided by the Canada Revenue Agency to Canadians looking for tax help. Read More

 

Judy Waytiuk:

Finding a dose of truth on TV

Nostalgia invariably wears rose-coloured glasses. So, it’s inevitable that this old journalist is convinced that, back in the ’60s and ’70s, broadcast journalism — now infested with unchecked claims and flat-out lies that go unchallenged — was in the business of unfailingly fair, unbiased, honest truth-telling. Read More

 
 

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