What’s happening today
Fire fight: Ellice Avenue was blocked off between Langside and Sherbrook streets early this morning as fire crews battled a large blaze in the 400 block of Furby Sreet. Six people were treated for minor injuries and released from hospital. Langside was also closed between Ellice and Sargent avenues. READ MORE
Trial continues: The attempted murder trial for Guido Amsel, who is accused of sending explosive packages through the mail in July 2015, continues today, and Katie May will have more coverage from the courthouse. On Monday, an RCMP explosives expert testified about a dangerous and simple-to-make explosive substance he said was found at the three scenes.
Minimum age for marijuana use: A bill to be introduced today in the Manitoba legislature will set the minimum age for legally buying marijuana at 19, the Free Press has learned. Justice Minister Heather Stefanson is expected to introduce the Safe and Responsible Retailing of Cannabis Act. Solomon Israel reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: It will be mainly cloudy today with a high of -11 C and a wind chill of -29, a 30 per cent chance of flurries, blowing snow early this morning and wind from the northwest at 40 km/h gusting to 60.
In case you missed it
THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/John WoodsTwo months ago, Manitoba Finance Minister Cameron Friesen said the recently-released health sustainability review would not be made public before May 31.
Cutting back on bureaucracy: A report prepared for the Tory government recommends reducing bureaucracy in the health-care system by slashing the number of organizations that deliver health care. “It is critical for the government to reset expectations and operating parameters for all stakeholders,” the report states. A portion of the KPMG health sustainability review was released Monday. Jane Gerster reports. READ MORE
MP says he’s sorry: Manitoba MP James Bezan apologized Monday in the House of Commons for remarks he made to in May to Sherry Romanado, a Liberal MP. Romanado later said the remarks he made were “inappropriate, humiliating and unwanted” and sexual in nature. Carol Sanders reports. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
Matchup in Motor City: The Jets face the Red Wings in Detroit at 6:30 p.m. The Wings are coming off a 10-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens this weekend, while the Jets have won two consecutive games and are in first place in the NHL’s Western Conference.
Progress with a price: The cost of the professionalization of curling comes at a cost, Paul Wiecek writes in his latest column. Curling Canada officials at the Roar of the Rings used a device Monday to test whether brooms comply with new rules, and Wiecek laments how some of the game’s charm is gone. READ MORE
Trending now
#HouseofCards: The popular Netflix series, formerly starring Kevin Spacey, will return with Robin Wright’s character taking the lead for the sixth and final season.
On this date
On Dec. 5, 1949: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Winnipeg would not be permitted to appeal the recent increase in streetcar fares. Readers were warned to be on the lookout for counterfeit $5, $10 and $20 bills during the Christmas shopping season. Three young men, two of them juveniles, were sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison after they pleaded guilty to an armed holdup of two police constables; the 23-year-old accused received five years and the two 17-year-olds each got eight years. The switch in Winnipeg from a seven-day milk delivery schedule to a six-day schedule went off without a hitch. READ MORE
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