Head Start
Winnipeg Free Press Logo
 

Free Press Head Start for March 23

Good morning.

Booster uptake is lagging amid a lack of information about current COVID-19 transmission, as many Manitobans manage reinfections or wait to become eligible for their next vaccination dose. Katie May has the story.

And rec centres in Winnipeg are struggling to keep on top of maintenance and operations, as a lack of volunteers, climate change and inflation have an impact on programming. Malak Abas reports.

— David Fuller

 

Advertisement

 

Your forecast

Mix of sun and clouds with a high of -2 C and low of -10; wind chill -22 this morning.

What’s happening today

U.S. President Joe Biden arrives in Canada tonight for a 24-hour visit, his first to the country since being sworn in as president two years ago. The Canadian Press reports.

U.S. President Joe Biden (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press files)

U.S. President Joe Biden (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

Health Minister Audrey Gordon faced repeated calls for her resignation Wednesday in the wake of a mass exodus of sexual assault nurse examiners from Manitoba’s largest hospital. Opposition members spent most of the day’s 40-minute question period reprimanding Gordon for the Progressive Conservative government’s handling of the forensic nurse examiner program at Health Sciences Centre. Danielle Da Silva has the story.

Health minister Audrey Gordon (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Health minister Audrey Gordon (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press files)

In case you missed it

Han Dong, the member of Parliament at the centre of allegations of Chinese meddling in Canadian affairs, has resigned from the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent. The Canadian Press reports.

MP Han Dong says he is resigning from the Liberal caucus. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files)

MP Han Dong says he is resigning from the Liberal caucus. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press files)

 

On this date

On March 23, 1961: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Belleville, Ont., police followed footprints in the snow to find the body of a 10-year-old boy who had been kidnapped; the man identified as the intermediary through which the boy’s family was to send the $25,000 ransom was later found dead in his home of a self-inflicted shotgun wound. U.S. president John F. Kennedy was sending helicopters, long-range aircraft and other military supplies to Laos to help it resist communist forces. In Manitoba, direct long-distance calling would soon be available to telephone users. Search our archives for more here.

Today’s front page

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

 
 

Advertisement

 

Top news

Carol Sanders:

Tories counter-punch as pre-election campaign rhetoric ramps up

The gloves are coming off in the house as the provincial election looms on the horizon. Read More

 

Chris Kitching:

‘Super-scared’ 12-year-old girl got younger brothers, pets out of burning home, called 911

Grade 7 student in La Broquerie credits babysitting course for teaching her ‘lives matter more than things’ Read More

 

Dean Pritchard:

Man asked nephew to punch him as punishment, but blow was fatal

A Winnipeg man punched his uncle once in the head at the older man’s urging, after he was caught apparently sexually assaulting his nephew’s girlfriend. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Bowness doing his best to motivate Jets in stretch run

‘I’ve gotta get more out of them,’ says veteran coach Read More

 

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Hellebuyck has playoff mindset

Jets workhorse goalie happy to carry heavy load as team fights for post-season berth Read More

 

Mike Sawatzky:

Terriers, Pistons favoured in MJHL East

The MJHL post-season begins Friday and only one thing is certain: the Portage Terriers, hosts of the Centennial Cup, have their spot guaranteed at the national junior A championship, slated for May 11-21 at Stride Place. Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Eva Wasney:

Award ‘lights a fire’ for city music CEO

Misfit Music founder named top entrepreneur Read More

 

New music

Reviews of this week’s CD releases Read More

 

Eva Wasney and Alan Small and Jen Zoratti and Ben Sigurdson and Jill Wilson:

What’s up

Field Guide releases a re-imagined version of his self-titled 2022 record Friday night and, in the process, will offer a sneak peek of one of the critically acclaimed artists of the 2023 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Read More

 
 

New in Business

Martin Cash:

Boyd Group Services revenue surpasses US$2B

Winnipeg-based company thrives while dealing with technician shortage and rising costs Read More

 

The Canadian Press:

Manitoba to raise minimum wage above $15 an hour

WINNIPEG - Manitoba's minimum wage is to rise to $15.30 an hour on Oct. 1 to help low-income earners deal with the rising cost of living, the provincial government announced Wednesday. ... Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Racism remains a blight on the justice system

It’s been almost 32 years since Manitoba’s Aboriginal Justice Inquiry delivered its final report. Since that time, steps have been taken to address anti-Indigenous racism in our justice system. Read More

 

Dan Lett:

Preliminary report on Millennium security under lockdown

There is good news, and bad news, on the future of the Millennium Library. Read More

 

Sylvain Charlebois:

Consumers paying more tax on less food

As if shrinkflation weren’t painful enough for all of us, it looks as if the taxman is making shrinking packages even more painful for our wallets. Read More

 
 

Share:

     
 

Download our News Break app