AP Source: Smoltz, Leiter refuse vaccine, will work remotely

Well-known Brandon-born rock drummer Sutherland dies at age 58

Chris (Suds) Sutherland, a Brandon-born drummer who was the driving force behind many top artists in the Canadian music industry, has died at 58.

Sutherland is widely praised throughout North America as a talented percussionist with an extensive discography.

He performed with such Canadian music legends as Kim Mitchell, Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Streetheart and others.

Sutherland brought presence and “plow” when he played, Tina Faye said about her husband.

The truth, the hyperbolic truth and nothing but the public accounts truth

The Manitoba public accounts — the final and definitive tabulation of government expenditures and revenues — have always been a difficult story to cover.

Difficult because the public accounts are complex, and explaining what the numbers mean and how they differ (but yet illuminate) the provincial budget is a gargantuan task.

However, the thing that really complicates the job of reporting the public accounts is the hyperbolic claims the government of the day makes about the numbers and what they mean.

In pursuit of the truth, let’s look at the numbers from the 2025-26 public accounts released this week, and some of the claims made by Premier Wab Kinew and Finance Minister Adrien Sala.

What’s up: Wine fest, Pulp, Prohibition Party, Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Savant Flâneur, Osani album release

Winnipeg Wine FestivalRBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave.Friday, 7-10 p.m. and Saturday, 1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.Tickets from $88 hereBig, hearty red wines take centre stage at the RBC Convention Centre this weekend, as the Winnipeg Wine Festival returns with the theme “Life is a Cabernet.”

Three sessions over two days will see hundreds of wines being popped and poured for thousands of thirsty Winnipeggers at the public tastings, with around 60 Cabernet Sauvignons available to be sampled alongside other reds as well as bubblies, rosés, white wines and more.

As well as tried-and-true favourites, there will be plenty of products (Cabernet Sauvignon and otherwise) that are new to the province and/or exclusive to the festival from Italy, Chile, Australia, Germany, France and beyond, with a handful of export managers and winemakers on hand to talk about the wines and answer questions about featured products.

Beyond wine, the fest will feature a Drink Sense non-alcoholic booth, a bistro, a silent disco, a Malibu Pink booth and other fun surprises. And for those who discover a new favourite or two, the festival again features an on-site Liquor Mart. (Of note: unlike last year’s Winnipeg Wine Festival, the city’s eight private wine stores are not participating.)

Don’t miss these 10 concerts during a jam-packed season

Shorter days and dipping temperatures also trumpet the launch of another jam-packed arts season, with a full slate of world-class concerts.

Safety officers responded to three assaults in first 4 1/2 months at downtown Hydro HQ

Manitoba Hydro Place beefed up its security after an employee was assaulted in the main-floor gallery while leaving work in January leading the Crown corporation to close the building to the public for several weeks while it hired and trained institutional safety officers.

Disgraced former law dean arrested, facing extradition to Canada

Jonathan Black-Branch, the disgraced former dean of law at the University of Manitoba, has been arrested in Europe and is awaiting extradition to Canada on fraud charges, Winnipeg police say.

Black-Branch, who failed to defend himself in a lawsuit filed by the U of M and his disbarment proceedings, was ordered in May 2025 to repay more than $682,000 in misspent expense funds.

Winnipeg police confirmed his arrest and pending extradition Wednesday morning. “The extradition process is ongoing,” police said.

Black-Branch left the university in 2020 amid allegations he had misspent public dollars and schemed to evade oversight while running Robson Hall from 2016 to 2020.