Top News – Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg couple among those in lockdown as violence erupts in Mexico

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Updated: 2:12 PM CST

Winnipeg residents Tracey Seida and Jerry Buckland are in lockdown in their vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta amid the Mexican military’s action against the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“We’ve been watching the fires from our balcony,” Seida in a phone interview on Sunday from the popular vacation destination. “We’ve been listening to explosions all morning.”

Cartels commonly use roadblocks of burning vehicles to block military operations, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Seida and Buckland, a married couple, awoke Sunday with plans for a run on a path along the waterfront, near the downtown Puerto Vallarta neighbourhood where they’re staying. As they walked to the path, said Seida, they noticed the smoke from a large fire to their south.

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Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read 2:33 PM CST

MILAN — There were no silver linings for Canada. No solace in second place. No comfort or salvation in what coulda, shoulda been.

Sure, you could argue they deserved a better fate, given how much they controlled play for large stretches of Sunday’s gold-medal clash against the United States. But hockey can be cruel that way.

The final scoreboard — United States 2, Canada 1 — is ultimately all that mattered.

As players quietly shuffled through the mixed zone Sunday evening, solemn and stunned, heads down, barely noticing the silver medals hanging around their necks or the small plush Olympic souvenir mascots they’d been handed moments earlier, the sense of heartbreak was palpable.

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2:33 PM CST

Canada finds no solace in second place after 2-1 Olympic hockey loss to USA

Man accused of assaulting child with baseball bat after assaulting bus passenger

Free Press staff 1 minute read Preview

Man accused of assaulting child with baseball bat after assaulting bus passenger

Free Press staff 1 minute read 3:16 PM CST

Winnipeg police arrested a man who is accused of randomly assaulting a child and a city bus passenger before attempting to steal a car on Saturday afternoon.

The suspect was riding a Winnipeg Transit bus at about 12:30 p.m. Feb. 21 when, unprovoked, he assaulted a 66-year-old man. The victim wasn’t hurt, and the bus driver kicked the suspect off the bus. The man then went into a retail store in the 3600 block of Portage Avenue, picked out a baseball bat and then hit a school-aged child in the upper body, knocking the child to the ground and continuing to hit the boy while he was on the ground. The child’s father fought off the suspect, who fled from the store.

The child was taken to hospital in stable condition and store staff contacted police.

The suspect then went to an auto collision repair centre in the 3500 block of Portage Avenue and stole a customer’s vehicle keys. Staff also contacted police. Officers arrived and quickly located a suspect.

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3:16 PM CST

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder patch is seen in Winnipeg, Sept. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Olympic hockey showed us what’s possible

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Olympic hockey showed us what’s possible

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read 7:08 PM CST

MILAN — The United States grabbed gold, Canada settled for silver, and Finland skated away with bronze. But the real winner of the NHL’s long-awaited and much-anticipated return to the Winter Olympics? That would be the sport itself.

Jon Cooper called it “hockey on steroids,” and there’s no question that what we witnessed here in Milan was a smashing success.

The rosters were stacked. The competition fierce. The atmosphere electric. The elimination games intense. And it all culminated in hockey’s two fiercest rivals meeting in one of the most highly anticipated games of this generation— an instant classic that had bars opening as early as 5 a.m. and might just set some viewership records.

“This has been the greatest two weeks of my life,” U.S. defenceman Charlie McAvoy said following his team’s dramatic 2-1 overtime victory to reach the top of the podium. “I can’t believe the storybook ending here.”

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7:08 PM CST

United States’ Jack Hughes (86) scores during a men’s ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Hassan Ammar / The Associated Press)

‘Quintessential Canada’: Winnipeggers gather for gold-medal Olympic hockey game

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

‘Quintessential Canada’: Winnipeggers gather for gold-medal Olympic hockey game

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Updated: 4:44 PM CST

It’s just after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday and the bar on the corner of River Avenue and Osborne Street is standing room only, as the mass here acts in near unison, groaning and cheering and slapping their tables together, more like a living, breathing thing than a beverage room.

Kameron Mirza has been holding court at the bar top at this location of the Leopold’s Tavern chain since 5:30 a.m., well over an hour before the puck dropped for the gold-medal Olympic showdown between the Canadian and American men’s teams at 7:10 a.m. local time; he’s four shots of liquor and four beers in as he beckons strangers to order another with him, as the eyes of the dozens packed in the room stay fixed on the half-dozen television screens that play the game on CBC.

“I came here because this is where the party’s at, to represent Canada,” said 61-year-old Mirza, who was born in England but moved to Canada at age 12. “It’s good against evil.”

The bar shouts in unison as the Canadian boys move the puck closer to the net.

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Updated: 4:44 PM CST

BROOK JONES/FREE PRESS
Winnipeggers Nick Steiner, 29, (left) and Amit Manocha, 29, react to Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck making an incredible paddle save to keep game tied at 1-1.

U.S. supreme court tariff ruling brings more uncertainty for Manitoba businesses

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Preview

U.S. supreme court tariff ruling brings more uncertainty for Manitoba businesses

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Yesterday at 7:12 PM CST

There’s uncertainty ahead for Manitoba businesses following the latest developments of United States President Donald Trump’s tariff regime.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a set of Trump’s tariffs in a landmark ruling Friday, but that decision didn’t affect all duties on Canadian goods entering the U.S.

Trump on Friday signed an executive order imposing a 10 per cent global tariff, effective Tuesday. On Saturday, he threatened on social media that he would increase it to 15 per cent.

Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said he was pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision but troubled by Trump’s reaction.

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Yesterday at 7:12 PM CST

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
President and CEO of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Chuck Davidson

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With gold medal around his neck, Canadian skip Jacobs has a message for the haters

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

With gold medal around his neck, Canadian skip Jacobs has a message for the haters

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: 2:44 PM CST

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO - Sporting an Olympic gold medal after conquering a strong field while keeping the many distractions at bay, Canada's Brad Jacobs came out firing shortly after stepping off the podium.

He guided Canada to a 9-6 win over Great Britain's Bruce Mouat in a final that will go down as a classic between the top two teams in the world.

The win came a week after Canada vice Marc Kennedy used profanity during an in-game discussion with Sweden's Oskar Eriksson, who felt the Canadians were committing an infraction by 'double-touching' curling stones. It snowballed into one of the major buzz stories of the Games.

For Jacobs, all of the buildup was finally released in a post-game news conference.

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Updated: 2:44 PM CST

Team Canada’s Tyler Tardi, Ben Herbert, Brett Gallant, Marc Kennedy and Brad Jacobs celebrate winning a gold medal after defeating Team Great Britain in men's curling at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Photo by Candice Ward/COC *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Armed man shot and killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says

Michelle L. Price And Allen G. Breed (), The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Armed man shot and killed after entering secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, Secret Service says

Michelle L. Price And Allen G. Breed (), The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 7:18 PM CST

WASHINGTON (AP) — An armed man drove into the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida, before being shot and killed early Sunday morning, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Secret Service.

Although Trump often spends weekends at his resort, he was at the White House when the breach occurred around 1:30 a.m.

The man had a gas can and a shotgun, authorities said. Investigators identified him as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin of North Carolina, according to the FBI, and authorities said his family had recently reported him missing.

He’s believed to have purchased his shotgun while driving south, Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said, and a box for the weapon was later discovered in the man’s vehicle.

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Updated: 7:18 PM CST

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at the National Governors Association dinner at the White House, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

‘I felt I was doing everything right’: Hellebuyck leads USA to gold

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

‘I felt I was doing everything right’: Hellebuyck leads USA to gold

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read 1:50 PM CST

MILAN — On the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, with the weight of an entire nation on his back, Connor Hellebuyck proved he can elevate his game to the highest level — and deliver when it matters most.

The Winnipeg Jets netminder backstopped the United States to Olympic gold Sunday afternoon, stopping 41 of 42 shots in an instant classic that ended with a 2-1 overtime victory to close out the Milano Cortina Games.

“Oh my gosh, they’re going to be talking about this performance for generations,” said U.S. forward Matthew Tkachuk.

“It was an all-time performance from a superstar at his position. It’s gonna go down as one of the best performances of all time — it has to.”

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1:50 PM CST

United States’ Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a stick save against Canada during the third period of Sunday’s game. (Petr David Josek / The Associated Press)

Winnipeggers rise up in support of Cuba

Aaron Epp 3 minute read Preview

Winnipeggers rise up in support of Cuba

Aaron Epp 3 minute read Yesterday at 6:20 PM CST

Tears streamed down Tim Gordienko’s face Saturday afternoon as he spoke about the people of Cuba.

“The people are so genuine — genuinely friendly,” he told a reporter. “We’re like the same people, like brethren. It’s not fair, what (the United States is) doing to these people.”

Holding a sign that said, “Trump: Hands off Cuba,” Gordienko was one of the approximately 60 people who gathered outside the U.S. Consulate in Winnipeg, close to Portage and Main.

Organized by the Manitoba-Cuba Solidarity Committee, the event was one of several held across the country bringing awareness to Cuba’s plight and calling on the Canadian government to help the Caribbean country.

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Yesterday at 6:20 PM CST

AARON EPP / FREE PRESS
Diane Zack, coordinator of the Manitoba-Cuba Solidarity Committee, has travelled to Cuba approximately 30 times in the last three decades.

Mexican army kills leader of powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel during operation to capture him

Fabiola Sánchez, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Mexican army kills leader of powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel during operation to capture him

Fabiola Sánchez, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: 8:39 PM CST

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican army killed the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, "El Mencho," on Sunday, decapitating what had become Mexico's most powerful drug cartel and thrusting swaths of the nation into chaos.

The drug lord was the Mexican government's biggest prize yet to show the Trump administration in its efforts to crack down on the cartels, and his death was met with a forceful reaction from the cartel, known by its Spanish initials CJNG.

Cars burned out by cartel members blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states and left smoke billowing into the air. Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara, was turned into a ghost town Sunday night as civilians hunkered down. School was canceled Monday in several states.

Oseguera Cervantes was wounded in an operation to capture him Sunday in Tapalpa, Jalisco, about a two-hour drive southwest of Guadalajara and he died while being flown to Mexico City, the Defense Department said in a statement. The state is the base of the cartel known for trafficking huge quantities of fentanyl and other drugs to the United States.

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Updated: 8:39 PM CST

RCMP investigating threats online and in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after shootings

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

RCMP investigating threats online and in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., after shootings

Ashley Joannou, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:58 PM CST

RCMP say they are investigating threats that have circulated online and within the community of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., on the same day that the funeral for one of the victims in the mass shooting had to be cancelled.

Police did not offer specifics on the threats but said on Saturday that officers have connected with the mayor and community leaders to ensure ongoing communication and public safety planning.

"The RCMP is aware of threats that have circulated online and within the community and we can confirm that an investigation is under way. A safety plan is in place for the individual(s) and community as the investigation continues," the statement said.

A message posted online by the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce and attributed to the family of Kylie Smith, who died in the shooting at the local secondary school, said her service had to be cancelled and that the family had been "moved to a safe location."

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:58 PM CST

Manitoba urges court to throw out First Nation’s moose-hunt lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Manitoba urges court to throw out First Nation’s moose-hunt lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read 3:24 PM CST

The Manitoba government is arguing a northern First Nation’s lawsuit over moose hunting on its traditional territory should be tossed out of court.

Misipawistik Cree Nation filed its statement of claim in the Court of King’s Bench in September, arguing licensed moose hunting on its traditional lands northwest of Lake Winnipeg infringes on the community’s treaty rights to hunt moose for food amid dwindling populations of the big game animal.

But in a recently filed statement of defence, the province argues it has upheld its duties.

“Manitoba denies that there have been any unjustified infringements of Treaty No. 5, that it has failed to act honourably toward the plaintiff, or that any court intervention or other remedy is required,” reads the government court filing.

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3:24 PM CST