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Free Press Head Start for Aug. 11, 2026

Good morning.

Premier Wab Kinew is expected to make an announcement concerning long-awaited Winnipeg rail relocation later this week. Carol Sanders has the story.

Despite being labelled as “permanently closed” online and maintaining a website filled with outdated information, a coalition of student unions is defending itself as an active entity deserving of fees in spite of its low profile. Maggie Macintosh reports.

Investors across Canada are betting on a Manitoba-made technology that incorporates aritificial intelligence into robotic tools for manufacturing. TetraGen Robotics, the technology’s creator, announced it had raised $1.8 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round. Gabrielle Piché has more here.

— David Fuller

 

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Your forecast

Increasing cloudiness. High 25 C. Humidex 28. UV index 6 or high.

What’s happening today

⚾ The Winnipeg Goldeyes host the Sioux Falls Canaries at Blue Cross Park, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Today’s must-read

Despite defending a $3-billion gas turbine purchase as the most reliable power source in freezing temperatures, Manitoba Hydro’s gas turbines in Brandon have had outages during three of the 10 highest usage times over the past five winters — a sign that the Crown corporation’s long-term power plan needs re-evaluation, environmental groups say.

The utility admitted it had to reduce output of its two gas turbines at its Brandon generating station on Jan. 7 and Dec. 20 in 2022, and Jan. 22-23 of this year, during an ongoing Public Utilities Board hearing.

The outages happened during high load periods, when demands for energy in Manitoba were especially high. Malak Abas has the story.

Manitoba Hydro has had to reduce output of its two gas turbines at its Brandon generating station on more than one occasion during times of peak energy usage. (Matt Goerzen / The Brandon Sun files)

Manitoba Hydro has had to reduce output of its two gas turbines at its Brandon generating station on more than one occasion during times of peak energy usage. (Matt Goerzen / The Brandon Sun files)

On the bright side

Christine Bumstead has never been one to spend much time wondering what might be on the horizon.

The Winnipegger has made a habit of focusing on the task at hand, leading to a wide variety of experiences behind the bench, culminating with her promotion to head coach of the PWHL’s Seattle Torrent in early June.

“I truthfully never look at things in (terms) of what is next or shooting for the next thing. I’ve never been someone with a five-year plan or anything,” Bumstead said during a recent telephone interview. Ken Wiebe has more here.

Christine Bumstead has been everything from the first female performance coach for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades to a teacher at Morden Middle School to head coach of Canada’s women’s team at the 2024 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship. (Lynne Sladky / The Associated Press files)

Christine Bumstead has been everything from the first female performance coach for the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades to a teacher at Morden Middle School to head coach of Canada’s women’s team at the 2024 World Deaf Ice Hockey Championship. (Lynne Sladky / The Associated Press files)

On this date

On Aug. 11, 1956: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the Dominion Bureau of Statistics said foreign control, particularly by the U.S., over Canada’s petroleum industry had increased sharply over the previous three years, from 80 per cent to 95 per cent. The Winnipeg and District Labor Council endorsed a union label clothing campaign, but an impromptu search by the Free Press at the Labour Temple and the Union building found only five union leaders out of 16 wearing coat jackets bearing a union-made label.

Today’s front page

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

 
 

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Top news

Nicole Buffie:

Frustrated owners won’t rebuild demolished Boujee

Fires, subsequent break-ins sour restaurateur on downtown Read More

 

Alex Lambert:

AI fears voiced during public consultation in Brandon

Security against cybercriminals, safeguards against being tracked or monitored and limiting the role of artificial intelligence in people’s lives were some of the concerns raised during a public consultation in Brandon Monday. Read More

 

Zoe Pierce:

Ex-Winnipegger taking second shot at Grand Beach-to-Gimli fundraising swim

Jonathon Fenton has some unfinished business in Lake Winnipeg. Last summer, the 62-year-old attempted to swim from Grand Beach to Gimli, making it 16 kilometres before shoulder problems forced him ... Read More

 

Joyanne Pursaga:

City emergency crews to administer drug that stops opioid withdrawal symptoms

Hoping it will buy people time to access further care Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Grace Penner:

Jarvis brings Stanley Cup to where it all began

Crowds amass at Tuxedo Community Centre to meet Carolina Hurricanes forward, Lord Stanley’s mug Read More

 

Taylor Allen:

‘We’re inconsistently consistent’

Bombers prepare to bounce back after bye week Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Pup performance

Local pooches get time in spotlight in Rainbow Stage production of Legally Blonde Read More

 

Jen Zoratti:

Golden opportunity for good dogs at Golden Retriever National

Today through Saturday, hundreds of goldens from all over Canada and the U.S. will descend on the East St. Paul Community Centre and other sites in Manitoba to compete in agility, hunting, obedience, rally and conformation events. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Fashion for women health-care workers

U of M medical student launching MediLuxe Scrubs Ltd. Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Arcade bar to open in former downtown Keg

Smash burgers and Skee-Ball will replace steaks as the former downtown Keg transforms into an arcade bar. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Time for national trucking regulation

The case of Conquer Transport Inc. is a stark reminder that, when it comes to trucking safety, provincial borders can include dangerous loopholes. Read More

 

Dan Lett:

Toothless federal regulations leave airline passengers to fight — and lose — their own battles

The entire air passenger protection regime in this country is broken, and nobody — not the airlines and not the federal government — seem to be able to do anything about it. Read More

 

Hal Turner:

The right plan for reliable energy

Manitoba Hydro’s long-term energy plan is before the Public Utilities Board for public hearings. Debate is healthy, but not when critics ignore the facts. Read More

 
 

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