What’s happening today
Andrew Harnik / The Associated PressHouse Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., center, walks to the Capitol Building from the Capitol Visitor’s Center, Thursday, in Washington.
Government shutdown looms: The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday night to prevent a government shutdown in the U.S., but most Democrats and some Republicans are expected to vote against the GOP measure in the Senate. The bill would keep the government running until Feb. 16. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Today will be mainly cloudy, with a high of 5 C and wind from the west at 30 km/h.
In case you missed it
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS filesThe baby was hospitalized after his parents called 911 from their North End home.
Drug charges dropped: Charges have been dropped against the parents of baby who suffered a suspected opioid overdose. Manitoba’s chief federal prosecutor says the Crown couldn’t prove what kind of drug the boy ingested or how. The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, implemented last May, also prevents anyone who calls 911 to get help for themselves or someone else after an overdose from being charged with drug possession. Katie May reports. READ MORE
Income claim incorrect: Alex Forrest’s claim he is “probably the lowest-paid union president in the city” is incorrect, the Free Press has learned. The president of the local paramedics union made about $13,000 less than Forrest, the city’s 2016 compensation disclosure agreement shows. Forrest has recently defended drawing two paycheques — one from the city and one from the union — since being elected president of the firefighters union in 1997. Ryan Thorpe reports. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John WoodsWinnipeg Blue Bombers’ Maurice Leggett intercepts a pass intended for Ottawa Redblacks’ Greg Ellingson last season. Leggett is one of several Bombers free agents that will need to be signed before next season.
Analyzing free agency: With CFL free agency less than a month away, Jeff Hamilton takes a look at which players are likely to return to the Blue Bombers and which will depart. The salary cap is set to increase by only $50,000, leaving little wiggle room. READ MORE
Goalie gets best grade: Columnist Scott Campbell has midseason grades for Jets players. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck tops the list of players who have exceeded expectations. READ MORE
Trending now
#AmazonHQ2: Winnipeg is now out of the running in its bid to host the online retailing giant’s new headquarters, as Amazon narrows the list of contenders to 20 North American cities. READ MORE
On this date
On Jan. 19, 1912: The Manitoba Free Press reported that the head of the Canadian Northern Railway was in Ottawa seeking government support in securing the completion of the company’s transcontinental railway line. A storm raging through the seas around the British Isles had already claimed more than a hundred lives. In Manitoba, a fire destroyed a large portion of the business district at Shoal Lake. READ MORE
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