Tiny Israeli sect protests Jerusalem cable car plan

Troubling photo worth a significant number of words for coach who refuses to speak

There’s nothing funny about violent hazing rituals in youth sport. Why then, you might ask, is Doug Kovacs laughing?

Singing the praises of fringe shows that dare to take risks

In the sweltering heat, after a couple of beers, conversation in the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival queues this year could turn saucy.

There’s a wholesomeness to so much of the fringe, one of the great local festivals, but we all know people talk smack. Sometimes, it’s about the shows. Other times — it’s easy to overhear — it’s about the reviews.

The second sort of smack-talk is my favourite. I relish it just as I do the bad reviews emailed to me of my bad (as in negative) reviews.

Reviewees, and their outspoken fans, understandably sometimes feel that reviewers get things wrong. That was echoed in last year’s Reviewing the Free Press 2 by comedian Benji Rothman, which razzed the paper for its perceived biases and inconsistencies.

Letters, July 28

Thank you for sharing the news of Blizzard’s passing. I walked the path (near the bison enclosure) many early mornings and was always compelled to say “Salaamelykun” (“Peace be with you’) to him. He would often walk to the wire fence, and we would just look at each other.

Lawsuit targets pontoon boat operator, Sea-Doo driver, owner in fatal Whitemud River crash

The father of a 39-year-old Portage la Prairie woman killed in a boat crash on the Whitemud River is suing the men who were operating the involved watercraft, claiming they were negligent when navigating the winding waterway.

Ashley Danielle Rodgers died Aug. 10, 2024, when the Sea-Doo on which she was a passenger rounded a curve in the river and collided with an oncoming pontoon boat. She suffered blunt injuries and died, leaving behind two children.

“She was a vulnerable passenger on the back of a Sea-Doo which had no protection,” said lawyer Martin Pollock.

“It’s a very interesting case because it addresses water safety, it addresses boating safety, it’s an absolute nightmare to parents and loved ones when people are out on waterways. Rules have to be respected, especially going around blind curves.”

Manitoba Hydro’s energy plan set to be scrutinized

Manitoba Hydro is set to face questions and concerns over its plan for the province’s future energy needs, which includes proposed natural gas-powered turbines in Brandon and Indigenous-owned wind farms.

The Public Utilities Board, an arm’s-length regulator, will begin six weeks of hearings Monday into the 10-year blueprint and potential ways to satisfy electricity demand, while Hydro grapples with a projected energy shortfall, debt of $25 billion and aging infrastructure.

“The development plan reflects the best available information and analysis of how Manitoba Hydro can meet growing energy demand, while balancing factors we know are important to our customers, including cost, reliability and the environment,” Peter Chura, a spokesman for the Crown corporation, told the Free Press.

“We are confident in our analysis and that we’ve appropriately balanced reliability, affordability, safety and risk.”