Free Press Head Start for Feb. 8

Good morning.

Winnipeg police said early this morning that organizers of the convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions “have honoured their word” and won’t block York Avenue from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. today. York was blocked to eastbound traffic from Osborne Street to Memorial Boulevard on Monday by a pickup truck and a semi-trailer. The protesters have been at the site near the legislature since Friday morning and are preparing for an extended stay.

Like-minded protesters have blocked the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit. Other protesters are again blocking the Coutts border crossing in Alberta.

A new poll found nearly two-thirds of Canadians oppose the Ottawa protest against COVID-19 measures. More than 40 per cent of respondents said they strongly consider the demonstration a selfish display, while 44 per cent said they sympathize with the frustrations expressed by the protesters.

A Christian crowdfunding site has become a prominent source of donations to the Ottawa protest.

— Adam Treusch, assignment editor

What’s happening today

Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and actor Javier Bardem on the set of Dune. (Chia Bella James / Warner Bros. / The Associated Press files)

Oscar nominations: The nominees for the 94th Academy Awards will be announced beginning at 7:18 a.m. CT. The expected nominees include Canadian director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, Belfast and The Power of the Dog. READ MORE

Football free agency: The CFL free agency window begins at 11 a.m. CT, and it appears increasingly likely that the Blue Bombers are ready to move on from homegrown running back Andrew Harris. Jeff Hamilton reports. READ MORE

Jets back on ice: The Jets, who have won only once in their past eight games, will play their first match since before the NHL’s all-star break when they host the Minnesota Wild at Canada Life Centre at 7 p.m. Mike McIntyre reports. READ MORE

Weather

Chad Petriw, who is training for an overnight ski trip, does some cross-country skiing at Beaudry Provincial Park west of Winnipeg on Monday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Your forecast: A mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of flurries for the rest of this morning, a high of 1 C, wind chill as low as -7 and wind at 20 km/h gusting to 40. The wind will increase to 40 km/h gusting to 60 this afternoon.

In case you missed it

Canada players celebrate after defeating the U.S. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press)

Big win in Beijing: Goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens made 51 saves as Canada beat the rival U.S. in Olympic women’s hockey. Marie-Philip Poulin scored on Canada’s first penalty shot in Olympic women’s hockey history. The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE

Sentenced in separate slayings: Dean Pritchard reports on two men who were sentenced for their roles in unrelated fatal shootings. READ MORE

On this date

On Feb. 8, 1927: The Manitoba Free Press reported Manitoba led in the all-Canada butter competition at the Western Canada Dairy Association contests. The day’s edition was the first newspaper to be printed on newsprint made in Manitoba. Two people were killed and 400 wounded at the funeral for Japan’s emperor as millions crowded the streets of Tokyo to see the cortege of the late ruler.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE

Head Start