What you need to know
Cindy Karp/The New York TimesPeter Nygard in front of his 150,000-square-foot Polynesian-style in the Bahamas in 2000.
‘Serious allegations’: A cabinet minister in the Bahamas is calling for an investigation into allegations Winnipeg fashion mogul Peter Nygard bribed police and public officials to conceal a sex-trafficking ring at his estate. Meanwhile, the firm representing 10 accusers who have filed a class-action suit lawsuit says it has been contacted by dozens of alleged victims and more than 100 witnesses. Ryan Thorpe reports. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Sunny with a daytime low of -26 C and high of -17 C, with wind from the west at 15 km/h increasing to 20 km/h, wind chill as low as -36 this morning and a risk of frostbite.
What’s happening today
The Sears department store at St. Vital Centre closed in 2017.
Former Sears space: Marshalls and HomeSense will help fill the former Sears location at St. Vital Centre, the mall announced today, joining a GoodLife Fitness gym. Another retailer has committed to moving into the spot this year, and the mall is in talks with another major tenant, its general manager said.
Industry ‘in a crisis’: Newspaper publishers and the CBC have released a letter calling on Ottawa to review regulations so media companies can raise more revenue and sustain news coverage. “The big, digital companies have devastated our business models,” Free Press publisher Bob Cox said. Dylan Robertson reports. READ MORE
Democratic debate: Billionaire Michael Bloomberg will debate his fellow Democratic candidates for president for the first time in Las Vegas tonight. The former New York mayor, who’s not on the ballot in Nevada, has been surging in national polls and in other states. READ MORE
In case you missed it
Winnipeg Jets’ Mason Appleton (82) celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during second period NHL action against the Los Angeles Kings, in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Greenslade
Terrific trio: The Jets beat the Los Angeles Kings last night for their second consecutive win on home ice. The new line of Jack Roslovic, Mason Appleton and Jansen Harkins has produced four goals over two games. “They’re just playing the game of hockey as fast as they can, and lots of good things are coming from it,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said. Mike McIntyre reports. READ MORE
Touch of relief: An anonymous donor dropped off several hand-knitted “sensory sleeves” at Main Street Project last week. Staff members have been giving the items — hand-warmers with small toys and beads sewn into them — to methamphetamine users to ease their anxiety. Katie May reports. READ MORE
On this date
On Feb. 19, 1938: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that a proposed one-cent civic wage tax had been blocked by a vote in the Manitoba legislature that refused to grant the city the right to levy the tax on its citizens. The “complete Nazification” of Austria was curbed when concessions Adolf Hitler made regarding religion; the concessions were expected to be a blow to thousands of Hitler’s followers who had been proclaiming the idea that Nazism was a new religion. In Spain, insurgent leader Franco refused Great Britain’s appeals to halt bombings of cities behind the fronts. READ MORE
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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