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Tracey Seida and Jerry Buckland captured this image of smoke and flames from car fires near their vacation rental in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Sunday.

Winnipeg couple among those in lockdown as violence erupts in Mexico

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 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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Manitobans continue to draw line in sand, choose not to cross once-neighbourly line on land

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

Manitobans continue to draw line in sand, choose not to cross once-neighbourly line on land

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Updated: 7:03 AM CST

Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park, which has drawn skiers and snowboarders across the border for decades.

While there hasn’t been an official tally of visitors this season, the park’s general manager doesn’t think she’s seeing as many Manitobans amid the steep decline in Canadians venturing south.

“I would say it’s maybe decreased some from last year. They’re definitely still coming down to ski,” Regner said from the park, which is close to Walhalla, just 10 kilometres south of the border.

“We just love having them come down. They’re super nice people.”

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Updated: 7:03 AM CST

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Julie Regner loves to see Canadians tackle the slopes or après-ski at North Dakota’s Frost Fire Park.

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 Yesterday at 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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Yesterday at 3:24 PM CST

A moose grazes in a field of canola bordering the Trans-Canada Highway west of Brandon in this file photo. In a recently filed statement of defence, the province argues a First Nation’s moose-hunting lawsuit should be tossed out. (File)

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 Yesterday at 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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Yesterday at 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 Yesterday at 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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Yesterday at 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 Yesterday at 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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Yesterday at 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)

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‘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: Yesterday at 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: Yesterday at 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.

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: Yesterday at 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: Yesterday at 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*

Winnipeg-based West End Radiators drives toward 7th decade in business with 5 locations in 2 provinces

Aaron Epp 6 minute read Preview

Winnipeg-based West End Radiators drives toward 7th decade in business with 5 locations in 2 provinces

Aaron Epp 6 minute read 6:00 AM CST

If the staff at West End Radiators have a strong suit, it’s moving forward.

“Just keep going. We don’t really look back,” says Justin Feeleus, who owns the Winnipeg-based business with his uncle, Wayne Feeleus. “It’s just kind of (about asking ourselves): how can we get better?”

While looking in the rear-view mirror doesn’t generally interest the owners of Manitoba’s only remaining heavy-duty radiator shop, a recent milestone gave them and their approximately 60 staff an opportunity to stop and reflect on everything the company has accomplished.

West End Radiators reached its 65th anniversary in 2025, and the company marked the occasion last month with a celebration at the Sandman Hotel.

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6:00 AM CST

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
BIZ - West End Radiators Photo of welder, Ron Caron, repairing a radiator in one of their 2 shops. Story is about Wayne Feelus and his nephew Justin Feelus, owners of West End Radiators and how they grew the business to be the biggest of its kind in Canada. Justin’s dad - Pete Feelus, is Wayne’s brother, one of the original owners of West End Radiators. This is for the Feb. 17 ‘Made in Manitoba’ article. Story by Aaron Feb 10th, 2026

Four years after full-scale Ukraine invasion, Canada faces tough choices on defence

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Four years after full-scale Ukraine invasion, Canada faces tough choices on defence

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 8:03 AM CST

OTTAWA - As the world marks four years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday, analysts say Moscow has contributed to global instability that will force Canadians to spend more — and more quickly — to defend their territory.

"People need to understand why defence is extremely important right now, and why we're going to have to make sacrifices financially to make sure that we stay protected and safe in the long run," said Anton Sestritsyn, a lobbyist who has helped to organize civil society support for Ukraine.

"It's time for world leaders to start talking to their people and explaining to them what kind of situation we really find ourselves in."

Sestritsyn was speaking at a panel last month staged by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a think tank funded by German governments to promote transatlantic relations.

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Updated: 8:03 AM CST

Ukrainian soldiers of the 48th separate artillery brigade fire at Russian positions on the front line in Kharkiv region, Ukraine on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)

People First president focuses on helping those who need help

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Preview

People First president focuses on helping those who need help

Aaron Epp 4 minute read 6:00 AM CST

Heidi Hutchison is frank when describing her commitment to People First of Manitoba, a group that represents Manitobans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I don’t stop,” the volunteer says. “People First does not stop for me at all. Period.”

After founding People First of Winnipeg a few years ago, Hutchison was elected president of the provincial chapter in 2025.

Members of People First have the opportunity to socialize, share experiences, advocate for change, and learn new information and skills.

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6:00 AM CST

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Heidi Hutchison, who volunteers as the president of People First of Manitoba, on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. People First of Manitoba is a group that serves as a voice for Manitobans with intellectual disabilities. For Aaron story. Free Press 2026

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

Fabiola Sánchez, The Associated Press 7 minute read Preview

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

Fabiola Sánchez, The Associated Press 7 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:26 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 at more than 250 points in 20 Mexican states, authorities said, 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. Authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan and Guanajuato reported at least 14 dead, including seven National Guard troops.

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: Yesterday at 9:26 PM CST

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: 2:37 AM 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: 2:37 AM CST