Free Press Head Start for June 23, 2025

Good morning.

Police continue to investigate a double homicide after a shooting in Victoria Beach on Friday claimed the lives of two people. Scott Billeck reports.

Federally, Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Carney spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump overnight, the prime minister posted on social media early this morning. The Canadian Press has more here.

Closer to home, Portage and Main is scheduled to open to pedestrians by the end of this week. Columnist Dan Lett weighs in on the reopening, describing it as “one of the most important do-overs” in the city’s history.

“After having debated it for so long, Winnipeggers can now stop talking about if it’s going to happen and start asking themselves what it means,” Lett writes.

If all goes as scheduled, pedestrians will be allowed to cross Portage and Main this Friday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)

Your forecast

Mainly cloudy today with a 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. High of 19 C. UV index 7, or high. Wind 30 km/h gusting up to 50 km/h.

Today’s must-read

A construction firm is suing FortWhyte Alive over claims the designer of the non-profit nature area’s new, multimillion-dollar visitor centre repeatedly revised plans during the building process, causing costs to increase and delaying the work.

PCL Constructors Canada filed a statement of claim against FortWhyte Alive and the Fort Whyte Foundation earlier this month over the construction of Buffalo Crossing, the non-profit’s new visitor centre that opened in April. Erik Pindera reports.

Buffalo Crossing, FortWhyte Alive's new visitor centre, opened in April. (Ruth Bonneville/Free Press files)

Buffalo Crossing, FortWhyte Alive’s new visitor centre, opened in April. (Ruth Bonneville/Free Press files)

On the bright side

A Brandon cyclist is preparing to ride the full Tour de France route as a fundraiser for cancer research.

Grant Hamilton is heading to Europe this week to join Tour 21, in which a team of amateur cyclists will pedal more than 3,500 km in 21 days. It’s part of an effort to raise nearly $2 million for Cure Leukaemia, the official charity partner of the Tour de France. Hamilton is the only Canadian on the team this year. Aaron Epp has the story.

Brandon cyclist Grant Hamilton is joining Tour 21 this week. (Matt Packwood/The Brandon Sun)

On this date

On June 23, 1949: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Oakville, the calls by a farmer over the loudspekaer of a specially-equipped RCMP car led to the rescue of his missing 22-month-old daughter, culminating an eight-hour hunt including 500 searchers, army troops, and a flying club aircraft. Hot weather contributed to Saskatchewan’s new “dust bowl” — a 50,000-square-mile drought belt in the west central area of the province where farmers’ losses mounted daily. 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.

Top news

Erik Pindera:

Construction company sues FortWhyte Alive over visitor centre delays, cost overruns

Massimo De Luca-Taronno:

Animal Services asks for help building sensory garden

The City of Winnipeg is counting on dog lovers to make life easier for furry companions who end up in its shelter. Jennifer Medlicott, the communications co-ordinator at the Animal Services Agency,... Read More

Erik Pindera:

Case provides show time for unexplained wealth order

The provincial Justice Department is putting newly legislated powers to legal test, seeking a court order to force a Sikh religious leader — arrested last year for allegedly stealing hundreds of thous... Read More

Massimo De Luca-Taronno:

First Nations celebrate culture, resiliency

National Indigenous Peoples Day draws hundreds to The Forks Read More

Sam Mednick, The Associated Press:

As it attacks Iran’s nuclear program, Israel maintains ambiguity about its own

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says it is determined to destroy Iran’s nuclear program because its archenemy's furtive efforts to build an atomic weapon are a threat to its existence. ... Read More

Ghaith Alsayed And Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press:

Mideast governments condemn suicide bombing of Syrian church as death toll rises to 25

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The death toll from a suicide bomb attack on a church in Syria at the weekend has risen to 25, state media said Monday. The attack Sunday on the Mar ... Read More

Morgan Lowrie and Lyndsay Armstrong, The Canadian Press:

Iranian Canadians and others watch and worry after U.S. strikes on nuclear sites

Iranian Canadians and Jewish groups turned worried eyes to the Middle East on Sunday, as U.S. strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites raised fears of escalating violence. Nimâ Mac... Read More

New in Sports

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Zach is back

Bombers look like team to beat after dispatching Lions Read More

Cliff Brunt, The Associated Press:

Oklahoma City Thunder win first NBA title with dominant defense in Game 7

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA title with a heavy dose of an old standby –- their stingy defense. The Thunder, who led the league in defensive rati... Read More

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Book of Eli: Bombers O-lineman hits paydirt in win over Lions

VANCOUVER — Tui Eli scored many tries in his rugby days. He had never touched pay dirt in a football game, though. You can’t blame the big guy. It’s not often a man of his size (6-4, 305 pounds) ge... Read More

Zoe Pierce:

Four straight series wins for Fish

Goldeyes streak sees team one game back from .500 Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

A painful truth

Seen as a ‘women’s condition,’ migraine disorder often misunderstood, disregarded Read More

New in Business

Aaron Epp:

Decade of pride in custom power products

‘It is fulfilling to see a vision turn into a fully built product,’ Strong Electric Manufacturing Inc. COO says Read More

Fresh opinions

Dan Lett:

Righting Portage and Main wrong the first step on way to a better downtown

Winnipeg is poised for one of the most important do-overs in its long and storied history. If all goes to schedule, Portage Avenue and Main Street will — finally, thankfully — be open to pedestrian... Read More

Editorial:

Doctors notes and increased medical costs

You may recall some point in your past — for some, a more recent past than others — of having to produce a document to prove to a schoolteacher that you were, in fact, not feeling well and did, in fact, have to be excused for the day. Signed, Mom. Read More

Martin Zeilig:

Sometimes we’re left with the power of words

I’m not a head of state. I’m not a general. I’m not a billionaire. I’m a writer. And in times like these, that is both a burden and a responsibility. Read More

Erna Buffie:

Delay, delay and yet more city delays

I was waiting patiently on June 9 for the city to post the agenda for a Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for the 13th of the month. When it appeared I was delighted that the Report on City Tree Bylaws I expected to see was listed. Read More

Head Start