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Free Press Head Start for Aug. 14, 2026

Good morning.

The number of Manitobans receiving medical assistance in dying in 2026 is on track with previous years while the plan to extend it to those suffering from mental illness is delayed indefinitely by the federal government — a move Manitoba’s health minister supports. Carol Sanders has the story.

A plasma collection company is pausing operations in Canada due to “unfounded attention” after two people died following donations at Winnipeg clinics. Morgan Modjeski reports.

A psychologist who didn’t disclose her sexual affair with a mental-health patient under her care when she testified on his behalf before the Criminal Code Review Board has been sentenced to 18 months house arrest. Dean Pritchard has more here.

— David Fuller

 

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Your forecast

Mainly cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 24 C. Humidex 27. UV index 6 or high.

What’s happening today

🏈 The Blue Bombers host the Ottawa Redblacks at Princess Auto Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

“There are worse places the Winnipeg Blue Bombers could be than 4-4,” writes Taylor Allen. “But if they want to stay at or above .500, they can’t play anything like they have in their previous two outings, in which they’ve been outscored 87-49. Their latest setback was a 35-19 loss to the B.C. Lions on July 30.” Read the full story here.

Veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is back under centre after missing the last four games due to a neck injury. (The Canadian Press files)

Veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros is back under centre after missing the last four games due to a neck injury. (The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt vowed Thursday to continue doing his job after more criminal charges were laid against him this week, while the mayor called for “better tools” to address elected officials who face serious allegations.

Wyatt, 56, was charged Monday with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance in an October 2023 incident. He was previously charged with sexual assault and administering a noxious substance in March, based on allegations tied to a 2025 gathering.

On Thursday, Wyatt arrived at city hall and quickly walked to his office at 10:20 a.m., nearly an hour after the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee meeting he planned to attend was scheduled to begin.

Wyatt said he would “absolutely” continue to do his job as a councillor, though he did not provide a clear reason for his late arrival. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.

Councillor Russ Wyatt walks into City Hall on Thursday. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Councillor Russ Wyatt walks into City Hall on Thursday. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

On the bright side

Celebrated Winnipeg chef Emily Butcher has another feather to add to her toque.

The executive chef and owner of Nola and Bar Accanto in St. Boniface has received the Culinary Award of Excellence from Restaurants Canada, a national foodservice advocacy organization.

The award recognizes culinary professionals with notable creativity, skill and dedication in the kitchen. The winners were nominated by industry peers and selected by a panel of judges. Eva Wasney has more here.

Emily Butcher is the executive chef/owner at Nola and Bar Accanto in St. Boniface. (John Woods / Free Press files)

Emily Butcher is the executive chef/owner at Nola and Bar Accanto in St. Boniface. (John Woods / Free Press files)

On this date

On Aug. 14, 1976: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Ottawa the 117,000 members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada said they would not support the Oct. 14 national day of protest called for by the Canadian Labor Congress to protest the federal anti-inflation program of selective wage and price controls. A Winnipeg man survived falling over the Kakebeka Falls near Thunder Bay, a 154-foot drop to the waters below, suffering only a cracked heelbone and wrist and some torn ligaments.

Today’s front page

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

 
 

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Top news

Maggie Macintosh:

‘Much more to do’ to meet demand for licensed child care: education minister

An Elmwood child-care facility with 1,000 kids on its wait list served as the backdrop for a government news conference touting recent steps taken to meet overwhelming demand for licensed spaces in Manitoba. Read More

 

Nicole Buffie:

Three security guards charged with assault after Sea Bears star injured outside nightclub

Three security guards are facing assault charges, accused of injuring a Winnipeg Sea Bears player at a nightclub earlier this month. Read More

 

Free Press staff:

Toddlers drown in northern First Nation lake

Two drowned toddlers were pulled from a lake Wednesday at Garden Hill Anisininew Nation. Island Lake RCMP received a report at 1:45 p.m. that two boys had been rushed to the First Nation’s nursing ... Read More

 

Alex Lambert:

PCs say Hutterite colonies singled out by Bill 21

SOURIS — Members of Hutterite colonies in the province took aim at the NDP government’s proposed changes to drinking water legislation during a public meeting Thursday in Souris. The meeting was ho... Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Grace Penner:

Ready to roll

Bowls Manitoba looking to grow the game Read More

 

Mike McIntyre:

Fish batter Canaries to climb atop division

You’ve got to be good to be lucky and lucky to be good — and the Winnipeg Goldeyes are living proof of that popular phrase these days. Read More

 

Joshua Frey-Sam:

CEBL disputes cancellation being a black eye for league

One day after the first game of its nationally televised inaugural championship series was cancelled owing to unsafe court conditions, the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s president and CEO refuted the idea that the circumstances are a black eye on the league. Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Jen Zoratti:

The art of snow and script

Iranian-born artist connects wintry Manitoba, Persian creative tradition Read More

 

Alison Gillmor:

The Wrong Girls is sweet and shaggy, but dazed and confused stoner comedy is hard to get right

Stoner comedy has always been kind of a dude thing. Think of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, Cheech & Chong, Ice Cube’s Friday franchise, Harold & Kumar, basically any movie with the young Seth Rogen. Read More

 

Ben Waldman:

Inman launching new album at WECC

Country star’s latest benefits from collaboration with fellow artists Read More

 

Tiago Resko:

Fusion pop-up coming to street food festival

After surviving breast cancer and watching her husband live through a brain tumour, Marilyn Magtoto decided it was time to take a chance. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Living the ice cream dream

Classic Scoop founder left lucrative job to start business offering treats on-site for parties, festivals Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

City Lego seller continues to build up its business

Brick by brick, a Winnipeg Lego seller is building its third expansion — in less than two years. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Making the right move on rail lines

It’s a familiar sound in Winnipeg. It’s the 3 a.m. distant and lonesome train horn, the sound of a train crew working through the night hours, the horn giving its warning at level crossings. Some Winnipeggers hear far more: when the night is still enough, they can hear the rhythmic “tap-tap, tap-tap” of rail wheels on the tracks as long trains thread through the city. Read More

 

Judy Waytiuk:

A message to Mark: Don’t. Back. Down.

When is a leak really a trial balloon? While Mark Carney currently enjoys huge favourability in Canada, there are nine federal byelections pending. If he stumbles on his pledge of “Elbows up’ against the U.S., votes could go against the Liberals. Read More

 

Gwynne Dyer:

The Gaza charade

Last month U.S. President Donald Trump announced “a monumental step toward lasting peace and security” in Gaza. Mediators from the ‘Board of Peace,’ his sketchy rival to the United Nations, had persuaded Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement, to accept his ‘15-point document’ for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Read More

 
 

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