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Free Press Head Start for Dec. 20

Good morning.

Administrators at two Winnipeg hospital emergency rooms are pleading with exhausted nurses to voluntarily pick up extra shifts as staff shortages and respiratory illnesses make it tough to fill holiday scheduling. Kevin Rollason reports.

A Winnipeg man, whose seven-year sentence for a fatal drunk driving collision sparked public outrage and debate over the need for harsher penalties, is fighting to reduce his time in custody. Dean Pritchard has the story.

— David Fuller

 

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Your forecast

Cloudy, with a 60 per cent chance of light snow this morning, becoming a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon. Wind from the southeast at 20 km/h gusting to 40 near noon. High -3, wind chill -16 this morning and -10 this afternoon.

What’s happening today

The Winnipeg Jets host the Detroit Red Wings at the Canada Life Centre, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Today’s must-read

Mayor Scott Gillingham’s vision for 2024 includes clearing the way for hundreds of new affordable homes in Winnipeg, as cities across the country grapple with a housing crisis.

During a recent year-end interview, the mayor said tackling homelessness and increasing the Manitoba capital’s affordable housing supply will remain among his top priorities. While some projects are taking longer than expected, he has high hopes groundwork laid in 2023 will soon pay off. Joyanne Pursaga has the story.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press)

On the bright side

Jessica Vincent had just started surveying the shelves of a Virginia thrift store when a vase caught her eye. It was shaped like a bottle and had ribbons of color, aqua green and amethyst purple, that spiraled up its glass surface like stripes of paint. “I bought it thinking it would look beautiful in my house somewhere,” said Vincent.

Her thinking changed after some research. And on Dec. 13, the vase sold through the Wright Auction House for $107,100. The Associated Press has the story.

A vase by Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa, which Jessica Vincent purchased at a Goodwill store. (Wright Auction House via The Associated Press)

A vase by Italian architect and designer Carlo Scarpa, which Jessica Vincent purchased at a Goodwill store. (Wright Auction House via The Associated Press)

On this date

On Dec. 20, 1951: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the value of manufacturing production in Manitoba for 1951 would reach an all-time high of $596 million, according to a year-end review published by the provincial department of industry and commerce. Living conditions in the neighbourhood known as Rooster Town were difficult for residents, with no running water and the only source of it a pump roughly a mile away, as temperatures plunged well below freezing. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

 
 

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Top news

Danielle Da Silva:

‘Back at Square 1’: NDP review of Tory-approved long-term care home plans met with frustration

The fate of six long-awaited personal-care homes in Manitoba is in limbo after the Kinew government ordered a pause on new construction to review the province’s health-care capital plans. Read More

 

Danielle Da Silva:

Taxpayers foot bill for unused Shared Health office space

Taxpayers are on the hook for two pieces of downtown Winnipeg real estate leased by Shared Health, the provincial health authority, which have sat mostly vacant since the start of the COVID-19 pandemi... Read More

 

Malak Abas:

Warm holiday weather brings ice skating woes, hot grills

With the possibility of a brown Christmas looming, some are finding unique ways to enjoy the holidays — and associated meal prep — outdoors. The lengthy run of unseasonably warm weather has Evan Fo... Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Ken Wiebe:

Overdue overhaul for Jets power play

Ineffective man advantage costing team in standings Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

Perfetti’s progress

Young forward nets 10th goal of season against Habs Read More

 

The Canadian Press:

Minten, Celebrini star as Canada beats Denmark’s U25 team 8-0 in world junior tune-up

MALMÖ, Sweden - Fraser Minten had two goals and an assist as Canada defeated Denmark's under-25 team 8-0 Tuesday in a tune-up game ahead of the word junior hockey championship. ... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

Mix things up

Cocktail concoctions don’t have to be common Read More

 

Rio Yamat, The Associated Press:

Nevada high court upholds sex abuse charges against ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor Nathan Chasing Horse

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Nevada Supreme Court has denied Nathan Chasing Horse's request to toss a sprawling indictment that accuses the former “Dances With Wolves” actor of leading a cult, ... Read More

 
 

New in Business

Martin Cash:

Ottawa invests in construction of air cargo facility

Project will significantly increase airport’s capacity for handling increasing volumes of freight Read More

 

Gabrielle Piché:

Governments to fund study to turn crops into aviation fuel

Next step in Azure Sustainable Fuels Corp.’s goal to create plant in Portage la Prairie Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

AI tech needs stronger regulation

For as long as children have been online, there has been danger, and teaching them to avoid it has had to quickly become part of every parent’s responsibilities. Read More

 

Tom Brodbeck:

Tired of waiting for surgery? Grab a bullhorn

Do Manitobans have to beg and grovel to get proper medical treatment these days? It appears so, at least when it comes to orthopedic surgery. Those who can advocate for themselves, or who have fami... Read More

 

Cordella Friesen:

Downtown’s future bright — what about today?

I think about downtown Winnipeg a lot. It’s hard not to when our downtown Y is a literal island of activity – connected only to empty or sparsely populated buildings in every direction. Portage Place, Investors Group, Hudson’s Bay and then across the street sits an empty Salvation Army building, which was recently sold to Booth University College. Read More

 
 

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