Malak Abas

Malak Abas

Reporter

Malak Abas grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and spent her childhood living behind a convenience store her parents owned. She spent much of her free time working there, too – some of her earliest memories involve regular customers getting a kick out of the child sweeping floors or stocking shelves.

The years behind that counter talking to Winnipeg’s diverse community inspired a love of hearing and telling stories, a skill that would come in handy years later.

After a long time at the University of Manitoba unsure of what to do with her life, Malak walked into the university’s student paper, the Manitoban, on a whim in 2015. She spent the next five years working her way from a reporter to the publication’s editor-in-chief.

During those years, Malak spent more time in the newsroom than anywhere else, always nursing a comically large coffee (usually cold brew) and waxing poetic about the paper. Eventually what started as a way to hear and tell stories became something more, and she decided this is what she wanted to do with her life.

After a copy-editing internship with Postmedia and a long time covering campus news, Malak left the paper that trained her to take on an exciting new opportunity: reporting for the Winnipeg Free Press, a paper she had sold at her parents’ store, cut out comics from as a child, and enjoyed her entire life.

When she’s not reporting on her hometown, Malak can be found arguing about movies with anyone who will listen, “just getting into” a new instrument, and generally trying her best.

Recent articles of Malak Abas

Federal grocery rebate cheque only ‘temporary relief’ from daily pressure: advocates

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Federal grocery rebate cheque only ‘temporary relief’ from daily pressure: advocates

Malak Abas 4 minute read 5:05 PM CDT

When Aurora Howden heard the new federal budget includes a grocery rebate cheque for low-income Canadians, the first thing that came to mind was she would be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for her 16-month-old son.

“It’s really hard to afford the healthier foods for him, so this will help me go that extra mile to make sure he eats healthier,” she said Wednesday.

The excitement quickly gave way to disappointment.

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5:05 PM CDT

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

The one-time rebate, which is set to provide $2.5 billion across 11 million Canadians, will provide funding ranging from up to $467 for couples with two children, and up to $234 for single Canadians without children.

Not a whole lot of spring in Winnipeggers’ frozen steps at the moment

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Not a whole lot of spring in Winnipeggers’ frozen steps at the moment

Malak Abas 5 minute read Yesterday at 7:00 PM CDT

The weather outside is frightful…

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Yesterday at 7:00 PM CDT

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Penelope Heil hangs out at Fort Whyte with her dad, Bill, picking icicles off the sod hut Tuesday.

Freeze-thaw cycle reignites public efforts to clear bike lanes

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Freeze-thaw cycle reignites public efforts to clear bike lanes

Malak Abas 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

Down a stretch of Assiniboine Avenue, a bike lane switches from being underwater to a sheet of ice and back again, depending on the time of day.

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Monday, Mar. 27, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Cyclist Hillary Rosentreter, left, and other cyclists clear an Assiniboine Avenue bike path of ice Sunday, March 26, 2023. Re: Malak

Gibson elected new leader of Manitoba Green Party

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview

Gibson elected new leader of Manitoba Green Party

Malak Abas 3 minute read Sunday, Mar. 26, 2023

Janine Gibson broke out into song when she learned she would be the new leader of the Manitoba Green Party Sunday afternoon.

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Sunday, Mar. 26, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Janine Gibson, who did not attend in person for the Green Party of Manitoba AGM at Assiniboine Park, was announced as its next leader Sunday.

First Nation seeks external investigations into deaths, drugs

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

First Nation seeks external investigations into deaths, drugs

Malak Abas 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

The chief of St. Theresa Point First Nation is calling for an external investigation into the deaths of two 14-year-old girls, saying RCMP haven’t done enough to stop the flow of drugs into the northern Manitoba community.

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Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

Dayna Megan Madison Shingoose (above) and Emily Marie Mason were found on March 1 outside a home in St. Theresa Point. (Supplied)

Recycled pothole patches pitched to city council

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview

Recycled pothole patches pitched to city council

Malak Abas 3 minute read Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

As the snow melts and roads once again get bumpy, a local business is pitching a new way to fill Winnipeg’s potholes.

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Friday, Mar. 24, 2023

A motion brought forward to council on Thursday calls for the city to invest in a pilot project, which would send out street staff to use recycled asphalt on potholes on different days to test its workability. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press files)

EPC to consider TikTok ban on city devices

Malak Abas 2 minute read Preview

EPC to consider TikTok ban on city devices

Malak Abas 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

City hall is considering following the province and banning the social media video-sharing app TikTok on municipal devices.

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Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

A motion brought forward by deputy mayor Markus Chambers Thursday suggests the city ban TikTok on municipal devices.

Sean Kilpatrick

Rec centres fight to level playing field

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Rec centres fight to level playing field

Malak Abas 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

Barry Chambers has done just about every job at Sturgeon Heights Community Centre for more than two decades.

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Thursday, Mar. 23, 2023

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

While Sturgeon Heights Community Centre’s hockey tournaments have continued, recent warmer winters have caused the cancellation of other hockey tournaments that were once a staple city-wide.

$4.5M unveiled in Manitoba’s seniors strategy

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview

$4.5M unveiled in Manitoba’s seniors strategy

Malak Abas 3 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

The Manitoba government has unveiled the next step in its seniors strategy: $4.5 million for community projects.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Seniors Minister Scott Johnston announced $4.5 million for community projects at Deer Lodge Centre Thursday. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

‘Government wants to change the deal on them’: province seeks input on apprenticeship wages in lead-up to minimum-wage hike

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

‘Government wants to change the deal on them’: province seeks input on apprenticeship wages in lead-up to minimum-wage hike

Malak Abas 4 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

A provincial review of apprenticeship wages leaves the door open for rolled-back compensation amid a workforce shortage, labour advocates say.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES

Without a direct connection to the minimum wage, many trades won’t have an established pay increase over time and some won’t see a pay increase at all, Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said.

Library workers complain of safety concerns; forced to trade supplies with other branches

Malak Abas 6 minute read Preview

Library workers complain of safety concerns; forced to trade supplies with other branches

Malak Abas 6 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

Winnipeg library staff refuse to be shushed.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

A new Instagram account allows library employees to speak anonymously about their jobs and what goes on at city branches.

A year after Manitoba lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, Manitobans navigate uncertain, potentially dangerous world

Malak Abas 12 minute read Preview

A year after Manitoba lifted all COVID-19 restrictions, Manitobans navigate uncertain, potentially dangerous world

Malak Abas 12 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

A year after the provincial government dropped all of its COVID-19 public-health restrictions, life has only become lonelier for Kaitlin Schilling.

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Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Kaitlin Schilling continues to feel betrayed by the way the government let safety measures lapse with seemingly no consideration of the needs of the chronically ill.

Injuries in health sector among the highest in province

Malak Abas 2 minute read Preview

Injuries in health sector among the highest in province

Malak Abas 2 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

HEALTH-CARE unions called on the province Monday to implement workplace-safety certification for the sector with the highest rate of injury in Manitoba.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES

“The injuries health-care workers are suffering at work have serious effects on our health-care system, overall,” said Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck.

Support workers celebrate pay hike

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Support workers celebrate pay hike

Malak Abas 5 minute read Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

Trista Malinowski loves her job, but she barely earns enough to make ends meet.

The direct support worker with Inclusion Selkirk has held day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, including teaching cooking, shopping and budgeting skills, for the past seven years.

In that time, co-workers who loved the job as much as she did quit because they couldn’t support their families or were fed up with short-staffing and high turnover.

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Monday, Mar. 13, 2023

SUPPLIED

Trista Malinowski, who works with Inclusion Selkirk, says the pay increase for Manitoba disability service workers will benefit both employees and their clients.

Southern centres greet weekend under snowfall warning

Malak Abas 2 minute read Preview

Southern centres greet weekend under snowfall warning

Malak Abas 2 minute read Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

Those hoping spring is around the corner will likely be disappointed this weekend, as snow and heavy winds are expected across southern Manitoba.

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Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES

While a special weather statement was in place in Winnipeg earlier in the day, it was upgraded to a snowfall warning by the afternoon.

What time is it? Time to end Daylight Saving: docs

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

What time is it? Time to end Daylight Saving: docs

Malak Abas 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

Two Winnipeg doctors say the exhaustion soon to come when Manitobans set their clocks ahead one hour Sunday could have serious long-term health consequences — and it’s time to abolish the practice.

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Friday, Mar. 10, 2023

Canada introduced daylight time in 1918 in an effort to increase production during the First World War. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Thousands of job-seekers attend fair looking for work

Malak Abas 5 minute read Preview

Thousands of job-seekers attend fair looking for work

Malak Abas 5 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023

Villamor Adatan is looking for work.

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Wednesday, Mar. 8, 2023

Villamor Adatan, 40, came to the job fair seeking work because his first language is ASL. He’s had trouble finding employment despite 20 years of experience working with people with disabilities. (Malak Abas / Winnipeg Free Press)

Snow sculptor salutes firefighters

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview

Snow sculptor salutes firefighters

Malak Abas 3 minute read Monday, Mar. 6, 2023

Snow sculptor extraordinaire Ed Sanchez doesn’t have to look far for inspiration.

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Monday, Mar. 6, 2023

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Ed Sanchez has made snow sculptures every winter for the last three years in his yard and this season’s creations includes a giant tribute to Winnipeg firefighters.

U of W lets lecture go ahead despite opposition

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

U of W lets lecture go ahead despite opposition

Malak Abas 4 minute read Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

The University of Winnipeg will not prevent a tenured professor from giving a lecture Friday that students and some faculty claim is based on a transphobic premise.

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Friday, Mar. 3, 2023

The University of Winnipeg has decided to allow Friday's lecture by political science professor Joanne Boucher to proceed despite demands it be cancelled. (Free Press files)

Singh tells Winnipeg health workers he feels their pain

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

Singh tells Winnipeg health workers he feels their pain

Malak Abas 4 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh got an earful from Winnipeg health workers Tuesday, who told him they are overworked and understaffed, and feel unsafe on the job.

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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh meets with health care workers in Winnipeg at the Riverview Community Centre, Tuesday morning.

COVID vaccine clinic a well-oiled machine on final day

Malak Abas 4 minute read Preview

COVID vaccine clinic a well-oiled machine on final day

Malak Abas 4 minute read Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

On the last day of the last provincially run COVID-19 vaccine clinic, it was smooth sailing.

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Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

The Notre Dame vaccine clinic, the final provincial vaccination site, on Feb. 25, its last day open. (Mikaela Mackenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Help, I need a Whopper: woman calls 911 from drive-thru

Malak Abas 3 minute read Preview

Help, I need a Whopper: woman calls 911 from drive-thru

Malak Abas 3 minute read Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

It was a Whopper of a 911 call — and she likely did want fries with it.

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Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

A customer was so irate at the long lineup at the drive-thru on the opening day of Steinbach’s only Burger King Thursday, that she called RCMP 911 to complain.

Criminals, squatters make use of Balmoral Street housing complex abandoned by province

Malak Abas 6 minute read Preview

Criminals, squatters make use of Balmoral Street housing complex abandoned by province

Malak Abas 6 minute read Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023

An inner-city subsidized housing complex once lauded for its design has become a hub for criminal activity, raising safety concerns for neighbouring residents who are angry it has been left to rot by the province.

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Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023

MIKE SUDOMA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Manitoba Housing complex at 575 Balmoral St.

New 3D highway signs will point travellers to centre of Canada

Malak Abas 2 minute read Preview

New 3D highway signs will point travellers to centre of Canada

Malak Abas 2 minute read Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

Eye-catching new signs will soon welcome travellers to the centre of Canada.

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Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023