Head Start
Winnipeg Free Press Logo
 

Free Press Head Start for May 1

Good morning.

A Winnipeg mother facing a possible four-decade-long prison sentence for sexually abusing her two children claims she was under threat to record sex acts with the victims by their stepfather’s gang associates, a court heard Wednesday. Dean Pritchard reports.

Conservative candidate Grant Jackson defied advice from his party and it earned him a big round of applause during a debate at Brandon University prior to Monday’s federal election. Read more here.

— David Fuller

 

Advertisement

 

Your forecast

A mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming northeast at 30 km/h early this afternoon. High 14 C. UV index 5 or moderate.

What’s happening today

For 50 years, André Lewis has been part of the fabric of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, first as a ballet student, then as a company dancer, then finally as artistic director, a post he’s held for 30 years.

In 2023, Lewis, 70, announced he would be stepping down in 2025. The 2023/24 season was dubbed the Living the Dream season — a wink to his catchphrase whenever anyone would ask how he was doing — as a celebration of Lewis’s artistic vision and legacy.

Now, this week’s performances of Bolero With Angels in the Architecture & Hikarizatto at the Centennial Concert Hall, starting tonight at 7:30, will be the final shows of his final season. Jen Zoratti takes an in-depth look at Lewis’s career here.

André Lewis is retiring from the RWB after a long career as a dancer and then artistic director.(Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

André Lewis is retiring from the RWB after a long career as a dancer and then artistic director.(Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)


Doing some spring cleaning? Consider donating your excess reading material to help stock prison bookshelves across the province.

Starting today, the prison libraries committee of the Manitoba Library Association is hosting a month-long book drive prior to its annual spring fundraising sale. New-ish and gently used books can be dropped off at the Millennium Library (251 Donald St.); St. James-Assiniboia Library (1910 Portage Ave.); Louis Riel Library (1168 Dakota St.); St. Vital Library (6 Fermor Ave.); Eadha Bakery (577 Ellice Ave.); and Thyme Café (268 Tache Ave.) during business hours.

Today’s must-read

Winnipeg’s councillors are reeling after the death of a popular colleague who served at city hall for more than a decade.

Mayor Scott Gillingham announced the sudden death of Elmwood-East Kildonan Coun. Jason Schreyer at a news conference Wednesday morning, saying members of council were shocked when they were informed Tuesday night.

Schreyer, 57, was first elected alongside Gillingham in 2014. He built a reputation as a strong and independent councillor who was passionate about affordability and advocating for his constituents, the mayor said. Tyler Searle has the story.

Coun. Jason Schreyer (Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files)

Coun. Jason Schreyer (Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files)

On the bright side

Tourist Nash Core admits he felt some fear when he and his 11-year-old son waded into the ocean off the Australian coast to help rescue a three-metre great white shark stranded in shallow water.

Three local men managed to return the distressed animal from a sand bank into deeper water after an almost hour-long rescue effort on Tuesday near the coastal town of Ardrossan in South Australia state.

“It was either sick or … just tired,” said Core, who was visiting with his family from Gold Coast in Queensland state. “We definitely got it into some deeper water, so hopefully it’s swimming still.” The Associated Press reports.

On this date

On May 1, 1951: The Winnipeg Free Press reported in Korea, Allied artillery barrages, warship guns and record swarms of planes kept Communist forces from Seoul, where they had hoped to celebrate May Day. In Ottawa, the defence minister announced 7,000 Canadian troops would see action in Korea as part of a new Commonwealth division to be established there under a United Kingdom commander. In Tehran, the Iranian government nationalized the operations of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. 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.

 
 

Advertisement

 

Top news

Nicole Buffie:

City report calls for new, modernized fare-collection system for Winnipeg Transit

A new city report is calling for Winnipeg Transit to implement a new, $10.5-million fare-collection system that would allow mobile credit and debit payment. The report, going before the public work... Read More

 

Carol Sanders:

‘It’ll be up to Obby’: defeated PC leadership candidate wants to run in byelection

Socially conservative Daudrich, who won party’s popular vote, needs leader’s OK Read More

 

Maggie Macintosh:

‘Progress, not perfection’: Manitoba’s homegrown pot ban ends Thursday

As many as four plants can be grown indoors Read More

 

Alex Lambert:

First Nations people rally for housing as class action suit heard in Winnipeg

About 100 people rallied downtown as a class action lawsuit that accuses the federal government of failing to address the housing crisis on First Nations was front and centre in a Winnipeg courtroom Wednesday. Read More

 
 
 

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Jets down Blues 5-3, back in control of series

Mark Scheifele didn’t make it beyond the first period. Connor Hellebuyck let in another softy. The Winnipeg Jets, it seemed, were in a world of hurt on Wednesday night inside Canada Life Centre. Ju... Read More

 

Jeff Hamilton:

Blue Bombers strike balance in CFL draft

Select five from defence to go with four on offence Read More

 

Ken Wiebe:

‘It’s go time’

Jets look for momentum swing with tight turn around in remaining games Read More

 

Jeff Hamilton:

Elgersma a step closer to chasing down his dream

Bombers’ quarterback draft pick determined to go pro Read More

 
 

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman:

Living together in peace and harmony

When civil war broke out in his native Syria, it wasn’t often that Majd Sukar left his Aleppo apartment. Read More

 
 

Ben Waldman:

Musical explores cruelty, connection and beauty

Vietnam War-era show emotionally charged Read More

 
 

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

‘Security is not there’: Subway on move in Village

Landlord Gas Station Arts Centre preps soon-to-be-former sandwich space for new bar/café Read More

 

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press:

As deadlines near for Hudson’s Bay and its leases, there are glimmers of hope

TORONTO - The clock is ticking down on two deadlines that may determine the fate of Hudson's Bay. Anyone interested in buying Canada's oldest company or assets like the rights to its ... Read More

 
 

Fresh opinions

Dan Lett:

Can Pierre, the angry Tory attack dog, learn to stop scaring the neighbourhood?

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre lost the 45th general election, and he lost his seat. And yet, in his concession speech early Tuesday morning, Poilievre clung to a glass-half-full analysis of the results and indicated a desire to stay on as leader. Read More

 

Jerry Woloshyn:

Cell towers, urban planning, and frustration

For those of you concerned about the growing suppression of public dissent while casting your eyes southwards, sadly, one need look no further than the City of Winnipeg’s very own urban planning department for similar signs of the rise of autocracy. Read More

 

Nathan Martindale:

Bill 43 represents a victory for all

While for many years Canada has enjoyed a global reputation as a predominantly safe place to live, the erosion of that reality — which more recently we have seen play out in communities across the country — is a clear and present threat to that reputation. Read More

 
 

Share:

     
 

Download our News Break app