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MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The Ches-Way Apartments sat empty for several years following a fire.

Derelict historic apartment block gets makeover and thumbs up from neighbourhood

Ben Waldman 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:41 AM CST

Nearly seven years after fire damage forced tenants to evacuate the Ches-Way Apartments, the once-derelict block in the Wolseley-West Broadway nexus has undergone a complete interior renovation and is nearing full capacity.

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Puccini’s classic tragedy brought brilliantly to life

Holly Harris 6 minute read Preview

Puccini’s classic tragedy brought brilliantly to life

Holly Harris 6 minute read 2:00 AM CST

Ever since its Roman première in 1900, Puccini’s Tosca has packed more explosive drama into its three acts than a keg full of gunpowder, its tale of evil battling the enduring power of love still riveting audiences more than a century later.

Manitoba Opera opened its 2025/26 season Saturday night with the melodramatic thriller last staged here October 2010. (A subsequent production had been slated for 2021, with the verismo opera, based on an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, cancelled after COVID-19 shuttered entire arts seasons worldwide.)

Its latest production — stage directed by Anna Theodosakis, who also helmed last season’s La Bohème — boasts a particularly strong cast of principals. All but one have appeared here numerous times, making the nearly three-hour evening (including two intermissions) feel an “old home” week, with 1,800 fans delighted to see their favourites tread these boards again.

An exception to that illustrious coterie is Italian-American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson, marking her Canadian debut in the title role. Her enthralling portrayal of the doomed heroine, who ultimately chooses to plunge to her death, recalls the equally fiery performance of her sister, mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson, as Carmen in MO’s 2023 production.

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2:00 AM CST

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press

Italian-American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson (left) enthrals as the doomed Tosca, while Winnipeg baritone Gregory Dahl captures the depths of Baron Scarpia’s depravity.

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Italian-American soprano Marina Costa-Jackson (left) enthrals as the doomed Tosca, while Winnipeg baritone Gregory Dahl captures the depths of Baron Scarpia’s depravity.

New anti-hate policy for Rainbow Resource Centre after incidents

John Longhurst 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CST

The Rainbow Resource Centre has developed a new anti-hate policy after concerns were raised by members of the Jewish LGBTTQ+ community.

Celebrated ‘Inconvenient Indian’ author Thomas King says he’s not Indigenous

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Celebrated ‘Inconvenient Indian’ author Thomas King says he’s not Indigenous

The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:15 PM CST

Celebrated author Thomas King says that despite believing so nearly all his life, he is not Indigenous.

The writer of books including 2003's "The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative" and 2012's "The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America," says he is reeling from recent news that he has no Cherokee ancestry.

In an essay titled "A most inconvenient Indian" for the Globe and Mail, the Guelph, Ont.-based King says he learned of rumours several years ago that questioned his heritage. 

The California-born King says he made a concerted effort this year to find their origin, which brought him to a U.S. organization called Tribal Alliance Against Frauds.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:15 PM CST

Thomas King is presented the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction by Governor General David Johnston during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle
Thomas King is presented the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction by Governor General David Johnston during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle

Highway to bethel: Church started rolling out spiritual services to bikers back in the ‘80s

John Longhurst 8 minute read Preview

Highway to bethel: Church started rolling out spiritual services to bikers back in the ‘80s

John Longhurst 8 minute read Yesterday at 3:00 AM CST

Surprisingly, it’s not the black leather biker vest that you first notice when the pastor strolls to the front of the sanctuary.

No, it’s the pulpit fashioned out of the front forks of a motorcycle that suggests this church service will be a little different.

Pastor Paul Winter leans into his message, revving up the congregants about ensuring their life’s tank is always full with spiritual gas.

If, according to scripture, the Road to Damascus is where Saul became a follower of Jesus centuries ago, then today, it can also be travelled by these men and women, many sporting biker colours, on a similar journey.

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Yesterday at 3:00 AM CST

MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS

In addition to the weekly services, the church supports a food bank and runs a program that provides housing and support for people recovering from addictions.
MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS In addition to the weekly services, the church supports a food bank and runs a program that provides housing and support for people recovering from addictions.

Meta pitching app store age verification law to Liberal government

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Meta pitching app store age verification law to Liberal government

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 3:00 AM CST

OTTAWA - Meta has been lobbying the federal government for new rules to implement age verification at the app store level — which would put the burden on companies like Apple and Google, not individual platforms like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram.

The company has been pitching the idea in meetings with both the federal and provincial governments, said Meta Canada director of public policy Rachel Curran.

Curran said in an interview Meta has been making the case that the Liberal government should include the concept in upcoming legislation that deals with online safety issues.

"We think it's by far the most effective, privacy-protective, efficient way to determine a user's age," Curran said.

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3:00 AM CST

The Facebook app, center, appears on a mobile phone screen on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The Facebook app, center, appears on a mobile phone screen on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Halifax told to streamline evaluation of Dalhousie University’s historic properties

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Halifax told to streamline evaluation of Dalhousie University’s historic properties

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:27 PM CST

HALIFAX - A new report says Halifax regional council should streamline the heritage evaluation of 37 downtown properties owned by Dalhousie University.

The staff report prepared for the city's heritage advisory committee says 22 of those buildings have a high potential for being designated heritage properties worthy of protection.

The report recommends the committee focus its attention on those 22 properties and set aside the others because they are unlikely to receive heritage status.

To be added to the municipal registry of heritage properties, a building must score at least 50 points in a 100-point evaluation that considers such things as age, architectural integrity and historical importance.

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Yesterday at 1:27 PM CST

The Henry Hicks Building, which has loomed over Dalhousie University since 1951, is seen in Halifax, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. The building is one of 22 Dalhousie properties being recommended for a heritage evaluation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
The Henry Hicks Building, which has loomed over Dalhousie University since 1951, is seen in Halifax, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. The building is one of 22 Dalhousie properties being recommended for a heritage evaluation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Arts Editor's Picks

Ben Waldman:

Channeling vacation and domestic vengeance

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Alex Poch Goldin very busy year includes three staged readings of The Right Road to Pontypool.

Eva Wasney:

Manitoba Opera mounts Puccini’s Tosca for the first time since 2010

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Marina Costa-Jackson (right, as Tosca) and Gregory Dahl (as Scarpia) star in The Manitoba Opera’s production of Puccini’s Tosca, mounted for the first time since 2010.

Winnipeg Free Press:

What’s up: Kathleen Shellrude, BPM X, Strumbellas, Day in Paradise, Wintersing

SUPPLIED Adiyo is a Congolese-Canadian singer-songwriter and producer from Winnipeg who specializes in Afrofusion.

Eva Wasney:

Homemade Cooking School: Baking tips and how to make scones

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Richard Warren demonstrates how to bake scones at RRC Polytech on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. For Eva story. Winnipeg Free Press 2025

Ben Waldman:

Artist with Parkinson’s prolific output celebrated with upcoming exhibitions

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Local artist and Riverview resident Andre Hall-Grusska creates intricate geometric designs, often using his bed as a standing desk.

Martin Zeilig:

Local author Harriet Zaidman‘s young-adult novel set amid abortion debates of 1983 Winnipeg

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press ENT - Harriet Zaidman Portrait of author Harriet Zaidman, a new young adult novel with her book What Friends Are For. Story by Martin Nov 14th,, 2025 Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg author Harriet Zaidman’s latest book draws on both historical research and personal stories.

Diversions

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Puzzles Palace is home to your favourite word games and brain teasers. Enjoy seven Sudokus, five crosswords (including the Thomas Joseph and Premier) as well as two new puzzles: Word Sleuth and Plus One.

Puzzles Palace is home to your favourite word games and brain teasers. Enjoy seven Sudokus, five crosswords (including the Thomas Joseph and Premier) as well as two new puzzles: Word Sleuth and Plus One.

Non-alcoholic, health-conscious drinks still in high demand as tastes shift: report

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Non-alcoholic, health-conscious drinks still in high demand as tastes shift: report

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press 2 minute read 9:07 AM CST

TORONTO - A new report says the beverage industry has grown to meet Canadians' shifting tastes as demand rises for both health-conscious and non-alcoholic drinks.

The report from the Conference Board of Canada, which was funded by the Canadian Beverage Association, says households spent $12.5 billion on non-alcoholic beverages in 2024, which was three per cent above pre-pandemic levels.

But household spending on non-alcoholic drinks has moderated from the peak of just over $13 billion it saw during the pandemic, coming down 4.4 per cent since 2020.

The report estimates the non-alcoholic beverage sector added $5.8 billion to Canada’s GDP last year, generating $0.8 in additional GDP for every dollar of output.

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9:07 AM CST

Budweiser Zero and Corona Cero non-alcoholic beer is shown at Labatt's office in Toronto, on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. A new report says the beverage industry has grown to meet Canadians' shifting tastes, which has seen rising demand for both health-conscious and non-alcoholic drinks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
Budweiser Zero and Corona Cero non-alcoholic beer is shown at Labatt's office in Toronto, on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. A new report says the beverage industry has grown to meet Canadians' shifting tastes, which has seen rising demand for both health-conscious and non-alcoholic drinks. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

American menswear designer Jeffrey Banks is finally sharing his story and starting a new chapter

Beatrice Dupuy, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

American menswear designer Jeffrey Banks is finally sharing his story and starting a new chapter

Beatrice Dupuy, The Associated Press 5 minute read 9:06 AM CST

NEW YORK (AP) — Designer Jeffrey Banks spent years co-authoring seven books on fashion before finally deciding it was time to share his own story.

The menswear designer recounts more than 50 years in fashion, from working for Ralph Lauren to launching his own label, in his new memoir “Storyteller: Tales from a Fashion Insider.”

At 72, Banks is having a breakout year. One of his designs was selected by the Metropolitan Museum of Art for its “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibit, and he’s relaunching his eponymous menswear label.

Banks debuted his label of polished tailoring and American sportswear back in 1976 at 21. His menswear played with color and texture: think tartan plaid jackets, pinstriped suits and furs. And at a time when there were few Black designers, his clothes were being sold in major department stores from Macy’s to Bergdorf Goodman and he was landing multimillion-dollar deals.

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9:06 AM CST

Jeffrey Banks gestures while responding to questions Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Jeffrey Banks gestures while responding to questions Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Federal, provincial governments raked in more than $5.4B in cannabis tax revenue

David Baxter, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Federal, provincial governments raked in more than $5.4B in cannabis tax revenue

David Baxter, The Canadian Press 2 minute read 8:46 AM CST

OTTAWA - Ottawa and the provinces have raked in more than $5.4 billion in cannabis tax revenue since the drug was legalized for recreational use in October 2018.

The federal government has collected $1.2 billion, with the remaining $4.2 billion going to provincial coffers.

Ontario has taken in the greatest provincial share of revenue — $1.5 billion — with Alberta coming in second at just over $1 billion, despite having less than a third of Ontario's population.

The information comes in an answer to an order paper question from Quebec Conservative MP Luc Berthold, who requested a breakdown of cannabis tax revenue and spending on associated prevention programs.

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8:46 AM CST

A variety of cannabis edibles are displayed at the Ontario Cannabis Store in Toronto on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
A variety of cannabis edibles are displayed at the Ontario Cannabis Store in Toronto on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

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