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Free Press Head Start for July 15, 2025

Good morning.

The daughter of a woman living in a Winnipeg assisted-living facility is raising concerns after a mixup at home care’s new centralized scheduling office nearly caused her mother to miss essential medication. Scott Billeck has the story.

A Manitoba woman who claims she was overcharged for ground beef at a Real Canadian Superstore has filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Loblaw, alleging it consistently charges consumers for the weight of packages in which meat and seafood are sold. Erik Pindera reports.

— David Fuller

 

 

 

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Your forecast

Cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers this morning. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud this afternoon. Wind becoming northeast at 30 km/h gusting to 50 this morning. High 20 C. UV index 8 or very high.


Special air-quality statements caused by wildfire smoke remain in effect for many areas of the country, and in some places, people are also handling stifling heat and humidity as well as the haze.

Much of Central Canada, Manitoba and Saskatchewan were placed under special air quality statements or warnings on Monday due to smoke from wildfires on the Prairies and northern Ontario, as Environment Canada advised residents to limit time outdoors and watch for smoke exposure symptoms. The Canadian Press reports.

Tourists pose for a photo against a city view of Toronto obscured by wildfire smoke on Monday. (Chris Young / The Canadian Press)

Tourists pose for a photo against a city view of Toronto obscured by wildfire smoke on Monday. (Chris Young / The Canadian Press)

What’s happening today

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene the Incident Response Group in Ottawa today to discuss the ongoing wildfire situation across the country. The Canadian Press reports.

Prime Minister Mark Carney (Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press files)

Prime Minister Mark Carney (Spencer Colby / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

Manitoba officials say they’re confident Thompson will be spared from a nearby wildfire that forced the municipal government to put residents on notice to evacuate late last week.

“We’ve had some pretty decent weather to assist us in the firefighting effort. So, we’re quite confident in the protections that we’ve put in place between the fire and the city of Thompson,” said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, at a news conference Monday.

Cooler temperatures have assisted in the fight against the fire, which has consumed 163,000 hectares. Nicole Buffie has the story.

Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, said officials are confident in their wildfire protection efforts inThompson. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Wildfire Service, said officials are confident in their wildfire protection efforts inThompson. (Mike Deal / Free Press files)

On this date

On July 15, 1932: The Winnipeg Free Press reported RCMP officers from the northwestern section of Manitoba assembled in Rossburn for an intensive manhunt for the killer or killers of Lawrence Lees, forest ranger in Riding Mountain National Park, and the assailant of his wife of five weeks, who remained in hospital in Shoal Lake “hovering between life and death.” Premier John Bracken was re-elected in The Pas. In Boissevain, 50,000 people from the U.S. and Canada attended the opening ceremonies of the International Peace Garden. Read the rest of this day’s paper here. 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

Kevin Rollason:

Two months after evacuation, lodge remains empty

Biz owners stress after wildfires wipe out start to summer season Read More

 

Malak Abas:

Hate charges possible after Winkler man taunted, had turban pulled off

Winkler police say hate-related charges may be laid in a case in which a newcomer was taunted with racial epithets by three suspects who tore off his turban. Read More

 

Carol Sanders:

Toxic wire fires another byproduct of encampments: firefighters union

The firefighters union says crews and the public are put in danger by toxic smoke that’s created when cables and wiring are set ablaze by people at encampments who want to expose the valuable copper beneath. Read More

 

Tyler Searle:

Polite chat outside store leads to theft of gold bracelet

Winnipeg woman warns about scammers who use sleight of hand to steal from unsuspecting targets Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Steady play, solid putting has veteran Fanning tied for first

Day 1 of Men’s Amateur tees off with crowded leaderboard Read More

 

Zoe Pierce:

All geared up for the Prairie Cup

Second annual lacrosse tourney reflects recent growth of sport Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

‘That’s the standard that we need to get to”

Barron re-signs with Jets, excited to get things rolling for next season Read More

 

Taylor Allen:

‘It’s time to turn it up’

Harris hot-handed with nine games remaining as Sea Bears add depth Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

AV Kitching:

Battling ‘I’m bored’

A helpful list of 25 kid-friendly activities to make summer holidays fly by Read More

 

Conrad Sweatman:

From jeers to cheers

City projects that overcame early derision to become iconic urban locations Read More

 
 

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

New thread in ‘tourist fabric of the city’

Bee2gether launches guided, four-wheel e-bike morning tours of Assiniboine Park Read More

 

David Baxter, The Canadian Press:

Little evidence to suggest a U.S. trade deal can be reached without tariffs: Carney

OTTAWA - A trade deal with the United States will likely include some tariffs, Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated on Tuesday ahead of a meeting with his cabinet. Carney told reporters he expects ... Read More

 

Joyanne Pursaga:

Downtown tower approved for 16 storeys despite heritage concerns

One of the buildings in a prominent housing project will soar above its downtown area’s normal height limit, after a city committee decided its promise of new and affordable homes outweighs heritage c... Read More

 

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press:

Hudson’s Bay hearing on lease deal adjourned as Ruby Liu appears without lawyer

TORONTO - B.C. billionaire Ruby Liu and her bid to buy up to 25 Hudson’s Bay leases was due to come under further scrutiny in court Tuesday — but the battle was waylaid when she showed up wit... Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Judy Waytiuk:

Trump’s lunatic tariff war

At this point, one has to pity Prime Minister Mark Carney. His best efforts to approach the Trump tariff issue with calm resolve have so far reaped nothing but a continuing blizzard of contradictory, increasing ludicrous, lie-studded social media posts, which are apparently how U.S. President Donald Trump chooses to announce major policy changes. Read More

 

Editorial:

Transit system overhaul: lofty goals, but fixes needed

Winnipeg Transit’s long-awaited route overhaul rolled out last month, promising faster travel times, more frequent service, and a simplified network aimed at improving overall efficiency. Read More

 

Samantha Turenne:

Dressing up ignorance as a compliment

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump told Liberian President Joseph Boakai that he “speaks beautiful English.” It barely made headlines, lost among the many offensive things Trump says and does on a seemingly daily basis. But for many racialized people, it landed with a familiar sting. Read More

 
 

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