Your forecast
Sunny, with increasing cloudiness this afternoon. High 23 C, UV index 8 or very high.
What’s happening today
Lawyers are expected to give closing arguments today in the trial of a Winnipeg man who has admitted to killing four women.
Jeremy Skibicki has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the 2022 slayings. His lawyers admit he killed the women but say Skibicki should be found not criminally responsible due to mental illness. The Canadian Press reports.
Today’s must-read
Winnipeg’s retiring police chief said he has been scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020 and the ensuing defund the police movement, and a “shifting media” landscape.
Danny Smyth, who took the top job in November 2016 and will officially retire Sept. 7, issued a message to the rank and file after speaking at his last Winnipeg Police Board meeting Friday.
In the memo titled “The Chief’s Countdown,” which was obtained by the Free Press, the departing official said it’s important he speak to them directly and not via the media. Nicole Buffie has the story.

Winnipeg’s retiring police chief Danny Smyth (Mike Deal / Free Press files)
On the bright side
Volunteers are making a valiant effort to raise money needed to open a performing arts venue in Point Douglas.
The steering committee behind the Valiant Theatre is raising $100,000 to upgrade its century-old building, the former Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church at 376 Logan Ave.
With $20,000 of donations already committed, the committee is organizing a concert on Friday at the West End Cultural Centre that they hope will push them closer to their goal. Aaron Epp has more here.

Celia McLean (left) and Amanda Le Rougetel are volunteering to create the Valiant Theatre on Logan Avenue. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)
On this date
On June 10, 1926: The Manitoba Free Press reported in Ottawa after two days of debate in Parliament, the Hudson Bay Railway vote of $3 million was approved without division. In Winnipeg, the cornerstone of St. John’s new cathedral was laid by the Anglican prelate of Rupert’s Land. At the Vincennes air meet near Paris, Charles Deschamps, flying a 40 h.p. avionette, broke the world altitude record. 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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