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Free Press Head Start for Nov. 10, 2025

Good morning.

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission published the long-awaited results of a probe into how schools are teaching children to read — or failing to do so — at the end of October.

The Free Press interviewed four elementary students to learn how the school system, despite teachers’ best efforts, failed to help them become fully literate. Their experiences mirror the Right to Read’s conclusions that there’s a patchwork of teaching, intervention and strategies, and that Manitoba families are paying thousands of dollars out of pocket to help their children master a basic skill. Maggie Macintosh has the story.


There will be no Head Start on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and the Free Press is not publishing a print or e-edition; but readers can visit our website for the latest news and information. You can read about events for Remembrance Day as well as closures affected by the holiday here.

— David Fuller

 

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Your forecast

Mainly cloudy, with fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind becoming south at 20 km/h then increasing to 40 gusting to 60 near noon. High 1 C. Wind chill -14 this morning. UV index 1 or low.

Today’s must-read

The recent suicides of two on-duty Manitoba RCMP officers have renewed calls to address burnout and revamp the force’s policing model.

The union representing RCMP members confirmed one officer died by suicide in September and a second suicide death occurred last month. Both Mounties were on duty when they died.

“Suicide and related rates in RCMP are just so incredibly high,” said Bobby Baker, the prairie director for the National Police Federation.

Mental-health issues are on the rise as staffing shortages force officers to work more and longer shifts, Baker said. Nicole Buffie has the story.

Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, Commanding Officer, RCMP Manitoba (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

Assistant Commissioner Scott McMurchy, Commanding Officer, RCMP Manitoba (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

On the bright side

From musician to real estate agent to volunteer, Brian McMillan has done a lot in his life. “I always joke around that the only thing I was trained to do was be a rock star and when that didn’t work out I had to explore other options,” he says.

The 73-year-old played guitar in a touring rock band in his early 20s before deciding life on the road wasn’t for him.

He became a real estate agent for seven years, started a family and then gave up selling homes to start two businesses: Prairie Studio Glass and Home Instead Senior Care. In recent years, he’s returned to selling real estate.

He’s also a member at Woodhaven Men’s Shed, where he volunteers his time chairing the group’s board of directors. The organization is part of a worldwide network of groups that give men an opportunity to socialize. Aaron Epp has more here.

Brian McMillan (left), James Turnbull and Richard Lockhart are among the 115 members of Westhaven Men’s Shed. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Brian McMillan (left), James Turnbull and Richard Lockhart are among the 115 members of Westhaven Men’s Shed. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

On this date

On Nov. 10, 1927: The Manitoba Free Press reported in Ottawa, the federal government would announce a royal commission to probe the issue of federal subsidies to provinicial governments. The opening of development of Slave Falls as a power generating site for the city of Winnipeg was approved by the committee on public utilities. In Ironton, Minn., bank robbers stole $35,000. 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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Lest we forget

Maggie Macintosh:

Manitoba teenagers honour war victims during trip to Europe

Jamella Hernandez was so overcome with emotion upon learning this summer that she’d been nominated for an all-expenses-paid trip to visit Anne Frank House, among other historical sites in Europe, that... Read More

 

Ian Stewart:

A complicated campaign

After 140 years, volunteers of 90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles largely forgotten Read More

 

Kevin Rollason:

Expressions of remembrance

Our monuments, statues and memorials give form to honouring, grieving lives lost in war Read More

 

Melissa Martin:

Undaunted defiance amid raw remembrance

In the heart of Kyiv, perched on a hilltop beside a ravine, there stands the remains of a 17th-century fortress. Built to defend the city from invasion, it was rebuilt and repurposed over the years, and now houses a massive military hospital complex; in normal times, it’s also a tourist site with a small museum. Read More

 

Sharon Chisvin:

Countering darkness with light

Yad Vashem campaign helps Jewish community mark Kristallnacht tragedy Read More

 
 
 

Top news

Skye Anderson:

Calls mount for mental health court to serve Westman region

Longtime Brandon lawyer says program focusing on treatment — not punishment — needed Read More

 

Scott Billeck:

‘Keeping her name out there’: family marks 15 years since Indigenous woman vanished

Time has stood still for the family of Amber Guiboche. Monday will mark 15 years since the young Indigenous woman vanished without a trace — a painful milestone that brings no new answers, only the en... Read More

 

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press:

Manitoba premier talks election preparation at NDP convention

BRANDON – Manitoba New Democrats, riding high in opinion polls and taking in large amounts of money in donations, were urged by Premier Wab Kinew to start preparing for an election still almost... Read More

 

Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press:

What's in the legislation to end the U.S. government shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A legislative package to end the government shutdown appears on track Monday after a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to break the impasse in what has become a dee... Read More

 
 

New in Sports

Ken Wiebe:

Jets fall 4-1 to Ducks, leave California empty-handed

Team lose three consecutive games first time this season Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

Botterill takes her place among hockey legends

First Manitoba woman inducted into hockey’s hallowed hall after a career defined by family, dedication and love of the game Read More

 

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press:

Montreal quarterback Alexander to be key figure during Grey Cup week

The Grey Cup spotlight will be on Davis Alexander this week in Winnipeg. The Montreal quarterback takes an unblemished 13-0 career record as a CFL starter into the Alouettes’ Grey Cup showdown w... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

AV Kitching:

Art of friendship

A pinhole camera image of bells rings from one Hannah to another Read More

 

John Einarson:

Before Hollywood, Redwood

Now 80, Neil Young's pivotal Winnipeg years helped shape him as an artist Read More

 

Jen Zoratti:

Artificial art a threat to human creativity

Even if you don’t know the name Drew Struzan, you’ve definitely seen his work. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Embracing warmth of ‘global love’

With roots in Winnipeg since 1957, Canada Goose has become outerwear icon on strength of employee pride, innovation Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Changed names, the law and sex offenders

The NDP government of Manitoba cannot say why it passed — but did not enact — a 2024 law preventing citizens convicted of child sexual offences from legally changing their names. All we know is that government is now scrambling to put this law into effect after its shortcoming was fully revealed to the public. Read More

 

Jace Kettner:

Rent control loopholes must be dealt with

Amid an affordable housing and homelessness crisis, why has the provincial government gone back on its word to “make life more affordable for renters?” Read More

 

John R. Wiens:

Ruling without limits

In 1788 James Madison, in Federalist No. 48 commenting on the American Constitution wrote, “An elective despotism is not the government we fought for … the powers of government should be divided and balanced among several bodies (legislative, executive, judicial) of magistry as that no one could transcend their legal limits without being effectually checked and restrained by the others.” Read More

 
 

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