Your forecast
Sunny, becoming a mix of sun and cloud this morning. High 21 C. UV index 7 or high.
What’s happening today
The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival begins today, with 145 stage productions around the city until July 27. Ben Waldman has a preview here.
Executive director Chuck McEwen believes there is a little something for anyone at this year’s fringe festival. (Mike Deal / Free Press)
Today’s must-read
Manitoba Hydro has launched a historic and long overdue overhaul of its two main transmission lines that will cost at least $7 billion and require up to 15 years of electricity rate hikes, the Free Press has learned.
The HVDC (high-voltage direct current) Reliability Project involves the replacement of the converter stations and other equipment at both ends of Bipoles I and II, the two main transmission lines that each run nearly 1,000 kilometres from northern Manitoba through the Interlake to Winnipeg. The two lines carry more than 70 per cent of Hydro’s total generated electricity.
Hydro has estimated the project will cost at least $7 billion, although because it is still at a very early stage, officials at the utility concede the final price tag will be higher. Dan Lett has the story.
(Boris MInkevich / Free Press files)
On the bright side
Five vultures that were rescued and rehabilitated by a conservation group have been released back into the wild on a mountain range in South Africa.
Two of the Cape Vultures were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, where the birds’ body parts are sought after for potions and charms. One of them had all its feathers removed and the Vulpro vulture conservation group looked after it for nearly a year while they grew back. The Associated Press reports.
Audrey Delsink, left, and Matthew Schurch watch a vulture take off following a release in Hartbeespoort, South Africa on Monday. (Themba Hadebe / The Associated Press)
On this date
On July 16, 1942: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that German forces pressed through southern Russia at an accelerated tempo and military observers believed a decisive battle might be fought east of the Don River bend in defence of Stalingrad. In London, a British military commentator confirmed Russian reports that German divisions withdrawn from France had recently arrived on the eastern front, but there had been no reduction in the regular Nazi garrisons holding western Europe against invasion. 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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