On the NightTable:Frank Zappia

Bombers coach happy to be back at work after backbreaking loss to Argos

It’s the first practice day after a backbreaking loss.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in a challenging predicament with four games remaining — starting Saturday on the road against the Montreal Alouettes (11-3) — that leaves their playoff aspirations far from solidified.

And yet, head coach Mike O’Shea makes his way behind the podium, looks out at a room of reporters and is grinning ear to ear.

Why so happy?

Province to acquire campground near former residential school

A burial site for dozens of children who died while attending the Brandon Indian Residential School will be acquired by the province, the Free Press has learned.

Premier Wab Kinew will announce the province’s plan to protect Turtle Crossing Campground at a news conference in Brandon Wednesday to mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The move is in partnership with the City of Brandon.

The graves of at least 56 children are located at the campground, the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has said, pointing to a geophysical study conducted by an archaeology firm in 2018.

There have been longstanding concerns from Indigenous leaders and community members that people were camping on the resting place of children victimized by colonialism.

Orange Shirt Day project fits students to a tee

On the eve of Orange Shirt Day, hundreds of black T-shirts will be handed out to teenagers at Elmwood High School — and there wasn’t a mixup in the clothing procurement process.

The student-run business behind the initiative wanted to make a statement about “truth and reconciliation” being a year-round activity, said Daniel Concepcion, a Grade 12 student.

Daniel said given that black is a staple in the wardrobe of teenagers, he hopes these shirts won’t sit on hangers for 364 days of the year.

“Every child matters, every part of the day, every day,” the 17-year-old said.

On the NightTable:Frank Zappia

Frank Zappia

Winnipeg Real estate agent and film producer

"I'm all over the map. I've been reading The History of Italian Cinema by Peter Bondella. I'm a closet filmmaker so I love it. I've read it a number of times actually. This time I've broken it down and I'm taking notes on it. It gives me a perspective on Italian history. I also recently read the true-crime book The Yuletide Bandit by Free Press reporter Mike McIntyre, as well as the David Bergen novel See the Child. My wife just bought me David Chilton's The Wealthy Barber Returns and the new Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson."