This morning
Candace Derksen murder: The lab director who reviewed DNA tests used to link Mark Grant to the murder of Candace Derksen is “mad as a hatter,” Grant’s lawyer said in court on Thursday. “This is a case in which there is virtually no real evidence of any kind that Mark Grant has done anything,” Saul Simmonds said. Katie May reports. READ MORE
Your forecast: Remember how Mom warned that into every life a little rain must fall? She was right, of course. The forecast for Sunday, which is Mother’s Day, calls for periods of rain. Today will be sunny, though, with a high of 15 C.
In case you missed it
GENERAL SYNOD ARCHIVESRalph Rowe
Huge sex-abuse case: Ralph Rowe, a former Anglican minister and Boy Scout leader, sexually abused hundreds of boys in northwestern Ontario and Manitoba First Nations, according to a proposed class-action lawsuit seeking more than $100 million filed in Supreme Court on Thursday. “This is something to the ordinary person that is absolutely shocking, when you see the numbers,” said one victim who is now an adult. Alexandra Paul reports. READ MORE
Premier’s private business: Premier Brian Pallister refused on Thursday to offer any details of one of his companies, Pallister Investments 22 Ltd., but he insisted the company has no dealings with government, and the premier and members of his family are not in a conflict of interest. He was responding to what he said was an “inquisition” by the NDP. Nick Martin reports. READ MORE
Up next
Carrying the torch: At a ceremony at 7:30 a.m. today at Manitoba Hydro Place, 360 Portage Ave., Canada Games torch-bearers will be honoured at a red-carpet pancake breakfast that includes the mayor and premier. Each of the 67 invited torchbearers will walk the red carpet to receive a special pin and shake hands with each dignitary. Carol Sanders will report from the site.
The gift of life: Meghan Zahari and Debra Chartier, mothers who required blood transfusions during childbirth, will meet the media at 9:30 a.m. today at Canadian Blood Services blood donor clinic, 777 William Ave. They know first-hand the important role blood transfusions can play in supporting mothers and women in need, and they will encourage people to donate blood over the Mother’s Day weekend.
Around the water cooler
WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSAnne Eberhard and her baby son, Jeremiah, are taking part in the Kangaroo Challenge at St. Boniface Hospital.
Skin-to-skin: More than 20 mothers whose babies are in the St. Boniface Hospital neonatal intensive care unit are using Kangaroo Care — skin-to-skin contact between parents and their babies — as a way to bond with their babies and improve their overall health and well-being. “It helps me bond with him and makes me so happy to see that every time I take him skin-to-skin, he’s calm, he sleeps,” said Anne Eberhard, 21, about her baby Jeremiah. Ashley Prest reports. READ MORE
Thanking Evelyn Hart: Acclaimed ballerina Evelyn Hart was given a key to the city of Winnipeg on Thursday, recognizing her more than 30-year career with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. She is currently dancing in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet production of Vespers. READ MORE
Here come the bugs: The city announced on Thursday the first round of spring larviciding for mosquitoes has been completed, and programs to battle forest tent caterpillars and elm bark beetles will begin within the next two weeks. Ashley Prest reports. READ MORE
Trending now
#Momin5words: With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, Twitter users are putting their pith to good use, describing mom in such terms as “Not all superheroes wear capes,” “Beautiful. Humble. Nervous. Generous. Understanding,” “Kills monsters under my bed,” and “I can never repay you.”
On this date
On May 12, 1984: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the Royal Winnipeg Ballet was losing seven of its 26 dancers. Two teachers at Peguis were fired after telling the Free Press that life on the reserve was not as bad as the reserve leaders said. In Ottawa, a flap between prime minister Pierre Trudeau and cabinet member John Turner appeared to be over, as Turner apologized to Trudeau over remarks he’d made about Trudeau not supporting Turner’s attempts at wage controls in the late 1970s. READ MORE
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