Drug seizure, allergy season, 7-Eleven closure, make your own ring
Plus: Behind the scenes with the team keeping Winnipeg green

Erik Pindera and Tyler Searle:

Nearly 30 Manitobans accused in province’s largest drug seizure

Network with international ties smuggled 525 kilograms of illicit substances across U.S. border into Canada, police say Read More

Chris Kitching:

Family seeks ‘truth,’ asks feds to reopen probe into woman’s death after plasma donation

The family of a 22-year-old student who died last fall after donating plasma at a Grifols clinic in Winnipeg is disputing Health Canada’s conclusion that there wasn’t a direct correlation between the death and donation process. Read More

Scott Billeck:

Retail crime claims another 7-Eleven in city; shoplifters target stretch of St. Anne’s Road ‘almost daily’

It may be a different location, but it’s a similar story playing out at a St. Vital 7-Eleven store that’s closing its doors at the end of the month. Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Sign on the dotted Laine?

Former Jets forward could be good gamble for club Read More

Tyler Searle:

Assiniboia Downs urged to install cameras after jockey caught beating horse

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. Read More

Morgan Modjeski:

Manitoba logs record-high increase in unclaimed bodies

Grieving brother believes bureaucratic breakdown took after-death decisions out of family’s hands Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Mane attraction

From backstretch to homestretch to grandstand, it takes a village to keep Assiniboia Downs up and running during race season Read More

Josiah Neufeld:

High cost of compassion threatens to shutter Christian home for people with HIV

Days after Manitoba declared a public health emergency over rising HIV rates, a Christian home for people living with the immunodeficiency virus is afraid it may have to close its doors, potentially leaving residents on the street. Read More

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Infielder Matsubara playing big role in UBC’s historic run

Winnipegger and Thunderbirds open first World Series bid Thursday 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

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press:

‘Lion’ of journalism loses its voice as Vancouver’s Langara College program faces end

VANCOUVER - Oksana Shtohryn, a former lawyer in Ukraine, was attracted to the two-year journalism program at Vancouver's Langara College because it was hands on, quicker to complete than a fo... Read More

Heather Hollingsworth And Jocelyn Gecker, The Associated Press:

Graduates are booing pep talks on AI at college commencements

As artificial intelligence casts a shadow over career prospects, it is becoming an unwelcome subject at this season’s college commencements. At several campuses, graduates have interrupted sp... Read More

Carol Sanders and Morgan Modjeski:

Time for change? Province launches survey to review clock changes

The provincial government has asked Manitobans to weigh in on whether to end the seasonal time change. Read More

Nicole Buffie:

Nason to fight for Transcona seat as Wyatt faces charges

Former Transcona councillor Shawn Nason said he plans to run against the incumbent who is fighting a sexual assault charge. Nason, who represented the ward from 2018 to 2022, said Friday he intends... Read More

Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press:

Runny nose? Itchy? Experts say seasonal allergies worsening due to increase in pollen

A group of Canadian researchers says the amount of powdery pollen released by plants during their reproduction process has gone up across Canada in recent years and is exacerbating allergies ... Read More

AV Kitching:

Fellowship of the ring

Hands-on workshop guides process of making unique, custom silver jewellery Read More

Morgan Modjeski:

Coming up roses: City gardeners put ‘petal’ to the metal every spring to help Winnipeg blossom

They get little recognition, but the work they do every summer is admired by thousands across Winnipeg. As the overnight frost clears for the season, flower beds and pots across the city will be fi... 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

Jen Zoratti:

Yes, thinking critically really is that deep

Lately, I’ve encountered a pernicious four-word comment that pops up every time anyone tries to challenge something online: “It’s not that deep.” Read More

Dan Lett:

Premier has everyone’s attention on and about social media; now it’s time for some careful thought

Using social media to condemn social media may seem hypocritical. But when you look at the audience Premier Wab Kinew commands across his social media accounts, there is a certain logic. An admittedly perverse logic, but logic all the same. Read More

Niigaan Sinclair:

Moose Hide Campaign against gender-based violence starts national conversations

This week marked the 15th annual Indigenous-led Moose Hide Campaign aimed at stopping gender-based violence. While the campaign is recognized by official observances in British Columbia, Manitoba a... Read More

Nina Dragicevic, The Canadian Press:

Renting out your home short-term can mean extra cash, but it’s not always worth it

Some extra cash is a powerful lure for someone who needs help with their rent or mortgage, and has a spare room to offer. But an expert says prospective short-term landlords should go into the business agreement with open eyes. Read More

Joel Schlesinger:

REIT idea

Real estate is often on Manitobans’ minds. It’s close to home, literally. Read More

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press:

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

As the conflict in the Middle East drags on and the global oil supply dwindles, the price of gas continues to hover near historic highs, with no sign of dropping before the travel-heavy summer season kicks off in earnest — or even before it winds down. Read More

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press:

School’s out and the pressure’s on: How to plan for summer childcare costs

Far from being a much-needed respite for many working parents, summer often means a two-month childcare hole to be filled with camps, family vacations and various patchwork solutions. Read More

David Sanderson:

Keeping up with Jonesy’s

A quarter-century with all the fixings and restaurant still going strong Read More

Tyler Searle:

Liquor Marts to sell last of U.S. booze set aside during boycott

The sale will involve Liquor Marts across the province, and availability will vary by location while supplies last. Read More

Ben Sigurdson:

Summer drinks, sweater weather

Having lived my whole life in this province and having written about wine/drinks for over 20 years, you’d think I’d know better than to base the theme of a column on Manitoba’s expected weather. Read More

Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press:

Liquidation grocery stores are booming as appetite for food deals soars

As food price growth continues to outpace the overall inflation rate in Canada, many shoppers are pushed to hunt for deep discounts on groceries, even if it sometimes means foregoing top quality. Read More

What’s up

Free Press staff recommend things to do this week Read More

Conrad Sweatman:

A man, a plan, a band

Tribute to composer Ron Paley pays homage to local jazz leader who’s never wavered Read More

The Week That Was: May 10 to May 16

This week's news quiz topics include: Sikh veterans, mosquitoes, U.S. liquor and more. Take the quiz