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Free Press Head Start for Jan. 29, 2026

Good morning.

Winnipeg emergency crews responded to more than 500 encampment fire calls last year and made hundreds of additional safety visits to the same sites. Joyanne Pursaga reports.

Winnipeg luxury consignment store So Over It moved to Uptown Lofts, the former Academy Uptown Lanes at 394 Academy Rd., in February 2025. Since then, revenue has doubled and the staff count has quadrupled, according to co-founders Jordan Blair and Rachel Murphy. Aaron Epp has the story.

— David Fuller

 

 

 

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Your forecast

Mainly cloudy. Clearing late this afternoon. Wind up to 15 km/h. High -17 C, wind chill -35 this morning and -25 this afternoon. Risk of frostbite.

What’s happening today

📖 Tonight at 7 p.m. at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location, Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov launches In Search of Dignity: A Lifetime of Reflection, which includes a collection of Chochinov’s publications as well as the story behind each of the publications included. He’ll be joined at the launch by Dr. Bruce Martin.

🎶 Dominique Adams plays an official release show tonight at 8 p.m. at Sidestage, 700 Osborne St., for her debut record, To Keep. With Cassidy Mann, Sam Fournier, Laura June Rose and Jacob Brodovsky. Tickets: $30, available online. Ben Waldman has a preview here.

Dominique Adams (Buio Assis photo)

Dominique Adams (Buio Assis photo)

Today’s must-read

Darren Stevenson feared he would die while he lay broken, burned and surrounded by chaos following a gas-barbecue explosion that left him facing a years-long recovery.

The 60-year-old Winnipegger, who was in critical condition in the aftermath, had to learn how to walk again after suffering catastrophic injuries at a Hawaii resort nearly a year ago.

“It’s a miracle I’m here speaking to you. Even the litany of injuries I incurred, they could have been a lot worse,” Stevenson said during an emotional interview Wednesday. Chris Kitching has the story.

Nearly a year after he was severely hurt in an explosion while vacationing in Hawaii, Darren Stevenson has lasting scars. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Nearly a year after he was severely hurt in an explosion while vacationing in Hawaii, Darren Stevenson has lasting scars. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

On the bright side

Some blind and low-vision fans will have unprecedented access to the Super Bowl thanks to a tactile device that tracks the ball, vibrates on key plays and provides real-time audio.

The NFL teamed up with OneCourt and Ticketmaster to pilot the game-enhancing experience 15 times during the regular-season during games hosted by the Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings.

About 10 blind and low-vision fans will have an opportunity to use the same technology at the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, where Seattle will play the New England Patriots on Feb. 8. With hands on the device, they will feel the location of the ball and hear what’s happening throughout the game. The Associated Press has more here.

Clark Roberts, a blind Seattle Seahawks fan, uses a OneCourt tablet, a tactile device that translates gameplay into trackable vibrations along with real-time audio. (Lindsey Wasson / The Associated Press)

Clark Roberts, a blind Seattle Seahawks fan, uses a OneCourt tablet, a tactile device that translates gameplay into trackable vibrations along with real-time audio. (Lindsey Wasson / The Associated Press)

 

On this date

On Jan. 29, 1957: The Winnipeg Free Press reported the municipal taxpayer was the big winner in the provincial government’s speech from the throne, which promised financial aid for school construction, increased provincial funding for municipal welfare costs, and financial aid for citizens undergoing prolonged hospitalization. The speech was taken as a sign premier D.L. Campbell would call a fall election. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Free Press.

 
 

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Top news

Maggie Macintosh:

MITT to close, administration blames crackdown on international students

Some programs to move to RRC Polytech Read More

 

The Canadian Press, The Canadian Press:

First ministers meeting to focus on what Canada can control: Carney

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada's premiers huddled in a meeting room in Ottawa on Thursday, under the long shadow of the upcoming negotiations on renewing North America's key f... Read More

 

Tyler Searle:

Arrest warrant issued for man accused in fatal Canada Day crash that killed Winnipeg band member, partner

Mounties are searching for a man accused of causing a highway crash that killed three people near Swan River last Canada Day, including a popular Winnipeg musician and his partner. Read More

 

Nicole Buffie:

Councillor wants to relieve parents of school playground structure fundraising burden

A Winnipeg councillor says school divisions, the city and the province should be shouldering the responsibility of building and replacing school play structures instead of volunteer parent groups. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Getting the call to the Manitoba curling hall

Samagalski, Carruthers honoured to be enshrined in same year Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

‘He’s becoming a leader for us’

Jets’ Vilardi has cemented his role as a top-line winger Read More

 

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press:

Einarson, Peterson, Sturmay and Black secure playoff spots at the Scotties

MISSISSAUGA - Moving day became an unexpected cut-down day for many teams at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.  Four of the five available berths were secured Wednesday as Canada's K... Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Jen Zoratti:

Shifting realities

Fragmentation of identities explored in updated work Read More

 

What’s up

Free Press staff recommend things to do this week Read More

 
 

New in Business

Malak Abas:

Perimeter honours former AMC leader Merrick

A Winnipeg-based airline servicing northern Manitoba communities has dedicated its newest aircraft to former Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs grand chief Cathy Merrick, with its first mission scheduled Wednesday to assist the people she served. Read More

 

Free Press staff:

Red Cross unveils financial assistance for small businesses impacted by 2025 wildfires

The Canadian Red Cross announced a new program on Wednesday that will assist Manitoba businesses with ongoing wildfire recovery efforts. Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Dan Lett:

Not clear if Ontarians enjoyed Kinew’s PR cocktail, but many don’t like the taste of Ford’s whisky sour

No. Tell me it’s not so. This couldn’t possibly have worked, could it? For most of the last month, Premier Wab Kinew has waged an all-out public-relations war to get Ontario Premier Doug Ford to ch... Read More

 

Editorial:

Crown Royal dust-up a story of tariffs and tempers

“We’re a big family,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared on Monday. “Sometimes, brothers and sisters may disagree, but at the end of the day, make no mistake about it: we are one country. We’re Team Canada.” Read More

 

David Nutbean:

Choose your own reality, we’ll choose ours

Canada is struggling to make sense of a world where the rules-based order is under attack. The Second World War overcame fascism and began a long period of prosperity among nations, until the main architect of the postwar world order turned on its allies and threatened our sovereignty. Read More

 
 

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