Free Press Head Start for May 9

Good morning.

Residents in The Pas and surrounding areas are being told to lock all doors and windows after three inmates escaped from The Pas Correctional Centre Monday evening. One inmate was found and returned to custody and RCMP say the search continues for the other two inmates.

And, the City of Winnipeg won’t explore the impact of opening a street-level pedestrian crossing at Portage Avenue and Main Street just yet, reports Joyanne Pursaga.

— Nadya Pankiw

Your forecast

A mix of sun and clouds today with a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon and a high of 21 C.

What’s happening today

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly will announce this afternoon Canada’s candidacy to sit on the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2028 to 2030, through an election that will likely take place in 2026.

Today’s must-read

Manitoba Public Insurance’s CEO received tens of thousands of dollars in bonuses and spent more than three months out of the province on business travel and paid vacation while the Crown corporation was facing criticism for poor management of a project that is more than $200 million over budget. Dan Lett has the story.

Eric Herbelin, president and CEO, Manitoba Public Insurance. ( Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

On this date

On May 9, 1938: The Winnipeg Free Press reported a baby’s life was in the hands of a Chicago jury. The baby was suffering from a malignant tumour in the back of her eyes, and the family elected a jury of 12 to decide whether the child should have her eyes removed to potentially save her life or die within two months as a result of the cancer spreading. Workers dug into a swamp seeking to learn the toll of a freight train derailment that killed at least one person and injured six in Quebec. Actress Joan Bennett was in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby when expensive jewelry was stolen from her hotel room. A former Canadian ambassador to the U.S., William Duncan Herridge, said democracy’s new job in Canada is to achieve prosperity for its citizens and, “If it fails, it dies.” 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

Chris Kitching:

Mom of accused teen in mall machete attack worried about him several days ago

Four boys, ages 13 and 14, slashed in incident at Polo Park police believe started over pair of running shoes Read More

Kevin Rollason:

Province expands Women’s Correctional Centre beadwork program, cuts sales of finished items

Indigenous inmates at the Women’s Correctional Centre seeking to connect with their culture will no longer be able earn money by selling handcrafted earrings and other beadwork items made in their jai... Read More

Erik Pindera:

Man accused of printing 3D guns granted bail

A Winnipeg man accused of manufacturing and selling 3D-printed guns as part of an alleged criminal partnership has been granted bail. Jackson Prince, 18, was charged with multiple offences, including two counts of weapons trafficking, after a lengthy Winnipeg police investigation that culminated March 31 with a search warrant on a Boyd Avenue apartment. Police seized 3D-printed handgun receivers, a 3D-printed AR-15-style rifle that looked like a Nerf toy gun, various firearms parts, illicit drugs and a 3D printer. Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

CMU to offer social work program with Mennonite heart

Canadian Mennonite University is debuting Manitoba’s newest social work program, with a 2023-24 rollout its leaders say signals plans to expand course offerings that complement the small school’s ethos of service and community development. Last week, CMU announced the imminent launch of an additional bachelor degree on its Winnipeg campus. The four-year program, which is currently being designed to pass national accreditation processes, will allow for advanced entry in Year 2. “There’s a real need for another program if you’re almost three times as likely to get rejected from a program than you are to get into one in the province right now,” said Jonathan Dueck, vice-president academic and academic dean of the Christian university. Read More

New in Sports

Mike McIntyre:

Jets’ problem not behind the bench

Playoff success of Maurice and Lowry indicate team has serious longstanding issues that need to be addressed Read More

Taylor Allen:

Bruce feeds the need for speed

Track guru sought out for ability to bring out best in athletes Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Terriers healthy and rarin’ to go

Portage finally over spate of illnesses in time for Centennial Cup run Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

David Sanderson:

Whole lotta dough

Shelly’s welcomes La Pizza Week with a hefty bannock-taco pie Read More

Alan Small:

‘Fantastic Prairie writer’ earns prestigious award

Winnipeg’s Di Brandt has written verses on a countless number of themes during her 40 years as a poet and writer, but never on winning an award. Read More

AV Kitching:

75 years of song

River City Sound celebrates co-ed rebrand while raising funds for NEEDS Read More

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

Delicious addition to city

Chilli Chutney Street Kitchen opening restaurant in Winnipeg Read More

Martin Cash:

No sale consummated for assets of Merit Functional Foods Corp.

The previously scheduled sales process for the assets of Merit Functional Foods Corp., which was placed in receivership on March 1, has come and gone and no sale has been consummated. Read More

Fresh opinions

Dan Roberts:

Health-care system mired in red tape

Last July we sent one of our brightest resident doctors away to specialize in neuro-ophthalmology to learn about brain-related visual problems. The local specialist that we all rely on is close to ret... Read More

Editorial:

Fox hosts change, the toxic message doesn’t

News media in the United States remain somewhat obsessed with finding the reasons behind the firing of Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Reporters are still unearthing troves of texts and emails, tracking... Read More

Head Start