Spiral galaxy’s brilliant heart shines bright in a new picture from NASA’s Webb telescope

Corporate declaration of action takes flight

Businesses pledging to support reconciliation will meet in Assiniboine Park today as a national project launches.

Victoria Grant plans to attend. She’s been working on this nationwide corporate declaration of action for years — skipping Wednesday morning’s event in Winnipeg means missing launch time.

The private-sector-led declaration will gain its first signees during a ceremony, running from 10 a.m. to noon in the Pavilion.

Signatories agree to learn about the past, build cultural awareness, support Indigenous entrepreneurs and incorporate reconciliation into their corporate policies, among other things.

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions after 1:30 p.m. The moon is in Virgo.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Even though your work routine might be interrupted, this is a productive day. Parents should be extra vigilant because this could be an accident-prone day for kids. Social plans might suddenly change. Athletes should be careful to avoid injuries.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

MPI lowers speed limit on tech upgrade with ‘IT roadmap’ following Project Nova debacle

Manitoba Public Insurance is now using an “IT road map” and phasing in new technology and systems after pulling the plug last year on its failed $164-million overhaul known as Project Nova, its annual report says.

Whistleblower pharmacist fined for misconduct after complaint

A Manitoba pharmacist who made complaints against a colleague that led to sanctions against him has now also been fined due to her own conduct.

Khan’s abrupt departure presents desperate Tories with a valuable opportunity

If the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives are serious about getting out of the political wilderness, they should start by electing a progressive conservative leader.

Youth centre library cancellation baffles

It’s difficult to understand why Manitoba Corrections would shut down a library program that cost taxpayers nothing, was popular with young inmates and was designed to help them learn.

But that is what happened at the Manitoba Youth Centre, where a volunteer-run pop-up library has been cancelled by the province.

The Prison Libraries Committee, part of the Manitoba Library Association, provided the program at no cost to Corrections. Once a month, volunteer librarians brought books into the youth centre, helped young people find reading material, assisted with school research and provided something that can be in short supply in a correctional institution — positive interaction with people from outside its walls.

The program became so popular that the youth centre asked for it to be offered more frequently.