City budget eliminates funding for public art

Low-income residents of 114-year-old downtown block staggered by proposed rent hikes

Marcel Blanchette’s life has not travelled down a smooth road.

In 2014, he was violently assaulted in his home, an unprovoked attack that left him with severe injuries, including permanent brain damage. He underwent months of hospitalization and rehabilitation. During that time, he learned his possessions had been sold off when the Office of The Public Guardian and Trustee took over his affairs.

Twelve years later, he finds himself in another fight. This time, it comes in the form of a proposal from the new owners of the Conway Court apartment block that would nearly double his monthly rent. While he’s been able to live in the Kennedy Street unit with the support of disability income assistance for nearly five years, the sudden spike, he said, could leave him homeless.

“To go through that, and now I’m going through this, it’s another obstacle,” Blanchette told the Free Press. “I fought the Public Guardian and Trustee, and I’ll fight this too, with whatever I have.”

Early returns unpromising for Sky Blues

It is a question whose answer will shape the near-term future of English football: “How will Manchester City deal with the departure of Pep Guardiola?”

Early returns are not exactly promising.

Last Sunday, in its first competitive match since Guardiola’s resignation back in May, City was whipped 3-0 in the Community Shield by reigning Premier League champion Arsenal. It was a scoreline that flattered the well-beaten side.

Now, it was also just one match, and no doubt incoming City boss Enzo Maresca will make some adjustments ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Etihad Stadium this weekend (Sunday, 8 a.m., FuboTV). He’ll try, anyway. His starting 11 that took the field at Wembley was close to his strongest available team, so whatever changes he devises will not involve personnel.

Judge decries ‘senseless acts’ during sentencing for killers in Berens River manslaughter

Two men have admitted their guilt in the beating death of a 45-year-old father in Berens River First Nation last winter.

Michael Oliver Franklin, 32, and Thomas Bryton Goosehead, 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter Thursday in the Feb. 13, 2025 killing of Leslie Neil Mason.

“These types of senseless acts happen far too often in Berens River and every other small community in Manitoba, including here in Winnipeg,” Court of King’s Bench Justice Kenneth Champagne said.

The men had been charged with second-degree murder, but admitted to the lesser offence as part of a plea bargain struck between their defence lawyers and Crown prosecutor Thomas Boult, largely due to concerns with the strength of the case Boult developed after meeting with witnesses in Berens River.

Climate change, capable ships could extend Churchill shipping season by months, studies show

Climate change and ice-strengthened ships — but not the most expensive icebreakers — could enable a much longer shipping season through the Port of Churchill, new studies released Friday suggest.

However, the studies flagged concerns including unpredictable sea ice conditions and tricky navigation to the northern Manitoba port.

The provincial government shared results of studies from the University of Manitoba, Arctic Research Foundation and Fednav, Canada’s largest international dry bulk shipping company.

“Churchill could be a year-round port right now, with current technology and using icebreakers and ships that are a lot cheaper, a lot more affordable than we previously thought,” Premier Wab Kinew said.

Rural residents ‘outraged’ property owner charged after shots fired during confrontation with alleged thieves: MLA

A rural Manitoba MLA says he has heard from constituents who are “shocked and outraged” that a 66-year-old man is facing charges after he fired shots at a group of people accused of stealing from his property.