A little acceptance can go a long way

Report draws link between missing Indigenous women and trafficking across Canada

A new analysis of online sex advertisements featuring Indigenous women has identified cross-country corridors that are highly indicative of sex trafficking, while revealing insight into how women and girls are exploited in Winnipeg.

Decision on corridor for Trans-Canada twinning near Ontario border expected this fall, province says

The Manitoba government is taking more time to evaluate and select a preferred corridor for the twinning of a 16-kilometre section of the Trans-Canada Highway near the Ontario boundary.

An earlier timeline indicated Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure expected to choose an alignment by the fall of 2025. A provincial spokesperson told the Free Press on Monday a decision is expected this winter, but a different spokesperson said Wednesday a decision is expected this fall.

“The department continues to evaluate corridor alternatives and will undertake additional geotechnical, environmental and design work as part of the (functional design study) to support the selection of a preferred corridor,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The study, which will include Crown-Indigenous and public consultation, is expected to be completed in late 2027, with a detailed design to follow.

Former teacher would suit up with Bombers in just ninth game of three-down loop career

In a way, Micah Vanterpool’s brief stint as a Grade 3 teacher in his hometown of Tulsa, Okla., prepared him for life in the CFL.

The third-year offensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers only has eight career games on his resumé as he has bounced around between the practice roster, starting lineup and injury report.

But thanks to his time in the classroom, he’s developed the patience that’s required by a young American trying to make a name for oneself in the three-down loop.

Vanterpool got into teaching after failing to make the New England Patriots in 2023. He said goodbye to the education profession the following year and took his talents up north to Winnipeg.

Autopsy confirms dog attack killed animal-rescue volunteer on First Nation

An autopsy has confirmed an animal rescue volunteer died of a dog attack on Sandy Bay Ojibway Nation earlier this month, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service says.

Amanda Nobiss, a 37-year-old woman from Winnipeg, was found dead in Sandy Bay on July 17 after police were contacted by a friend trying to locate her.

She often visited the community 180 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg to save animals.

The police service said Tuesday that an autopsy confirmed her “injuries were consistent with a dog attack.”

911: It’s a matter of life and death

Imagine the frustration and fear that would follow if you faced an emergency situation and the response to your desperate 911 call was … nothing.

What’s up

Summer Movie Night: JawsBarn Hammer Brewing Co., 595 Wall St.Today, 7 p.m.FreeIt was the first film to be marketed in North America on LaserDisc (in MCA DiscoVision, no less). The main character doesn’t have a name, but was dubbed Bruce by its co-stars. And a prosthetic arm made for the film didn’t look realistic enough, so a cast member was buried in the sand with only her arm sticking out.

Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film Jaws was a sensation upon release, overtaking The Godfather as the highest grossing film at the North American box office (a title it held until Star Wars was released two years later). The film follows the plight of a New England town terrorized by a massive great white shark, and the ragtag trio that set out to take down the beast after a series of attacks.

Tonight at Barn Hammer, you can revisit the film that had so many afraid to go in the water (and spawned Roy Scheider’s infamous line “you’re going to need a bigger boat” which, according to IMDb, he improvised).

The film gets going at 7:30 p.m., but pop by the brewery tap room beforehand for some pre-show trivia (such as the above nuggets). There will be happy hour-priced pints, a themed cocktail and even a candy bar for viewers of all ages to enjoy. Admission is free.