Head Start
Winnipeg Free Press Logo
 

Free Press Head Start for May 15, 2026

Good morning.

Open drug use and overdoses in the inner city are causing difficulties for nearby schools and community groups. Scott Billeck has the story.

Motorboats can return to Clear Lake this summer for five days a week, but they must be inspected, registered and launched by June 7 or be subject to a 45-day quarantine. Carol Sanders reports.

Advertisement

Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.

 

An animal rights organization is demanding Assiniboia Downs install closed-circuit cameras in stables after a whistleblower leaked footage of a horse being beaten in 2023. Tyler Searle has more here.


The Free Press is not publishing a print or e-edition Monday, but readers can visit winnipegfreepress.com for the latest news and information. You can read about what’s closed and what’s open on Victoria Day here.

Head Start will return on May 19.

— David Fuller

 

Advertisement

Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.
 

Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud, with a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon. Wind from the southwest at 40 km/h gusting to 60 increasing to 60 gusting to 80 this morning then becoming northwest 50 gusting to 70 this afternoon. High 20 C. UV index 6 or high.

What’s happening today

Ontario’s top court is expected to release its decision today in the case of former fashion mogul Peter Nygard, who is contesting his sexual assault convictions and prison sentence. The Canadian Press reports.

Peter Nygard (Cole Burston / The Canadian Press files)

Peter Nygard (Cole Burston / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

When Robert Dobson died last year, no one attended his funeral.

It’s not that family members didn’t want to be there; they were unaware it was taking place due to what appears to be miscommunication between two provincial bureaucracies.

As a result, Dobson became part of a startling statistic; he was one of a record 238 unclaimed bodies recorded in 2025 by Manitoba’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“He was very ill,” older brother Phil Dobson said. “His passing was a bit of a relief because he was suffering. But how he was treated after he died, I’m ashamed.”

The number of unclaimed bodies in 2025 was up by 70, or a 40 per cent increase over the previous year and a 53 per cent increase compared to the five-year average of 155. Morgan Modjeski has the story.

Phil Dobson is calling for a review of the 237 other cases where a body went unclaimed last year. (John Woods / Free Press)

Phil Dobson is calling for a review of the 237 other cases where a body went unclaimed last year. (John Woods / Free Press)

On the bright side

Sunrise is still 45 minutes away, but don’t tell that to the 12 horses inside Steve Keplin Jr.’s barn.

A flick of the light switch at 5 a.m. and, like clockwork, the magnificent animals rise in their stalls and poke their heads out, ready to begin their day.

It’s a big one, too. The start of the 2026 racing season has arrived at Assiniboia Downs, with the first of 50 race nights on tap.

Outside the barns, a similar sense of anticipation is in the air. From the backstretch to the final stretch, everyone is raring to go.

The Free Press spent Tuesday at the track, chronicling a day in the life at the Downs and what it takes to get the 69th season of live racing up and running. Mike McIntyre has more here.

Trainer Steve Keplin juggles work calls and early-morning tasks. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Trainer Steve Keplin juggles work calls and early-morning tasks. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

On this date

On May 15, 1965: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the United States had stopped bombing North Vietnam pending an intensive reconnaissance survey of damage done and a further high-level policy decision. Manitoba premier Duff Roblin indicated he would not join Saskatchewan premier Ross Thatcher in protesting the federal government over an extenstion of the three-year tax exemption to potash mines.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

 
 

Advertisement

Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.
 

Top news

Morgan Modjeski:

Murder charge laid after remains found in Riverton identified

A 41-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after investigators confirmed human remains found in Riverton Wednesday belonged to a man who’d been missing since mid-March. Richard Le... Read More

 

Joyanne Pursaga:

City working to reduce number of vacant buildings but can do more, mayor says

After several blazes ripped through vacant homes earlier this week, Winnipeg’s mayor is highlighting efforts to seize dozens of empty properties and reduce that risk. The city has started the proce... Read More

 

Erik Pindera:

Dry, windy conditions generate wildfire warnings across province

The leader of a Manitoba municipality devastated last year by a deadly wildfire is reflecting on how his community has rebuilt — and is preparing for what’s next — as dry, windy conditions spark conce... Read More

 

Connor McDowell:

Flying season begins this weekend in Brandon

BRANDON — The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum will host the first public heritage flight of its new warplane — the 1943-built Boeing Stearman Kaydet — with the launch of the flying season this w... Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Zoe Pierce:

‘I want to be the least sacked team’

Bombers’ Broxton ready for business as O-lineman enters sixth CFL season Read More

 

Joshua Frey-Sam:

‘He was before his time’

Garrow’s son on mission to get Indigenous hoopster inducted into Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame Read More

 

Thomas Friesen:

From small-town Westman to college softball’s biggest stages

Boissevain’s Nell pitches Boston back to NCAA Division 1 regionals Read More

 

Mike McIntyre:

Sign on the dotted Laine?

Former Jets forward could be good gamble for club Read More

 

The Canadian Press:

‘Hockey city’: experts say Canadiens fever fuelled by team’s winning history

Almost everyone appears to agree that the Montreal Canadiens fans are the loudest and rowdiest of any team in the National Hockey League. And the “Habs fever” is only intensifying as the team pursues ... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Musical mastermind

Dry Cold Productions co-founder retires after 25 years of onstage merriment Read More

 

Alison Mayes:

Uplifting musical Kimberly Akimbo one for the ages

It’s hard enough being the new girl at a high school in suburban New Jersey. Read More

 

Ben Waldman:

Theatre kids still wild about environmental issues

After 35 years, an eco-conscious theatre company has begun operating under a new name, one that better reflects its mission to bring educational, all-ages programming to audiences across the province. Read More

 

Alison Gillmor:

Family matters

Canadian drama Blue Heron gets meta in layered exploration of mental health Read More

 
 

New in Business

Malak Abas:

Manitoba Innovates revs up already bustling new HQ

A new organization dedicated to supporting Manitoba startups is celebrating its new Winnipeg headquarters and the small businesses already working in it. Read More

 

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press:

‘It’s insane’: Summer gas prices could hit record highs, upending budgets and travel

MONTREAL - Since gas prices started climbing in March, Sarah Bradley has found herself bargain hunting across multiple grocery stores in Montreal. “Before, I’m a one-stop shop person,... Read More

 

Sheikh Saaliq, The Associated Press:

BRICS ministers fail to issue a joint statement over differences on conflict in the Middle East

NEW DELHI (AP) — A two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the BRICS nations concluded in New Delhi on Friday without a joint statement because of “differing views among some members” on th... Read More

 

Christopher Rugaber, The Associated Press:

Powell’s tenure as Fed chair marked by fight for independence while trying to tame inflation

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Jerome Powell was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve eight years ago, economists worried that inflation and interest rates were too low and that too few Americans... Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Is it worthwhile courting data centres?

It’s already clear that data centres for artificial intelligence are electricity and water hogs. Read More

 

Tom Brodbeck:

Progressive candidate sorely missing from mayoral race

With Mayor Scott Gillingham officially launching his re-election campaign, one of the more intriguing questions surrounding Winnipeg’s 2026 civic election has less to do with the incumbent himself and... Read More

 

Gwynne Dyer:

A third world war — not as close as many fear

A Politico opinion poll conducted in the four biggest NATO countries in February revealed almost identical popular expectations about the likelihood of a global war in the next five years. In every on... Read More

 
 

Share:

     
 

Download our News Break app