Free Press Head Start for Nov. 16

Good morning!

If you’re too young to remember an era when NASA sent astronauts to the moon, you’re in luck: the space agency took a step closer to a manned lunar mission with the launch of its new rocket. While the craft’s only crew are three test dummies, it’s part of NASA’s plan to return to the moon for the first time in 50 years.

Also, before you head out on your commute, the Winnipeg Police Service has advised that Sherbrook Street between Sara and Westminster avenues is closed because of a firefighting operation, and will likely remain so for the morning rush hour.

— David Fuller

Your forecast

Scattered flurries with a high of -5 C and a low of -8, with wind chill reaching -19 this morning.

What’s happening today

NATO held emergency talks after a blast in Poland killed two people, but NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said today it was probably not an attack by Russia. The Associated Press reports.

Statistics Canada is set to release figures on inflation for the month of October today. The Canadian Press reports.

Today’s must-read

Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government is banking on boosting police ranks and propping up health care with private providers to sway voters ahead of next year’s election. The government opened its final legislative session Tuesday with a throne speech that critics decried as a product of years of austerity. Danielle Da Silva has the story.

Premier Heather Stefanson (centre) and Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville (front row, right) enter the legislature (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

On this date

On Nov. 16, 1956: The Winnipeg Free Press reported Manitoba premier D.L. Campbell, professing full health and vigour, refuted rumours he was planning an early retirement. The Liberal Progressive party declined to request that premier Campbell give Greater Winnipeg respresentation within his cabinet. Soviet premier Nikolai Bulganin’s notes to Britain, France and Israel stiffened the resolve of Egyptian dictator Gamal Abdel Nasser in opposing the establishment of an international armed force at the Suez Canal. 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

Joyanne Pursaga:

Delayed snow dump site development back on horizon

A Winnipeg snow dump site could soon be one step closer to redevelopment after years of delay. Read More

Chris Kitching:

Manitoba not looking at mandating masks: Roussin

Despite crisis straining Children’s Hospital, chief public health officer says province maintaining status quo Read More

Maggie Macintosh:

Liberals seek to push trustee campaign oversight into spotlight

The Manitoba Liberals are preparing a private member’s bill to introduce fundraising rules for school trustee candidates — the only people who can run for public office in the province with no oversight of campaign donors and expenses. Read More

New in Sports

Jeff Hamilton:

Bombers, Argos last teams standing

Harris vs. Big Blue one of juiciest storylines of Grey Cup week Read More

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Baby boy creates balance for Big Save Dave

Jets backup goalie has things to think of other than hockey Read More

The Canadian Press:

Ana Vitoria scores late goal to lift Brazil over Canada 2-1 in international friendly

SAO PAULO - Canada's national women's soccer team lost in disappointing fashion on Tuesday, but manager Bev Priestman saw a lot of positives in her team's performance. Ana... Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

Alan Small:

Pure imagination

Panoramas or portraits, Winnipeg artist’s vast body of work was rich with metaphor Read More

Emmanuel Nwaneri in Winnipeg and Kunal Chaudhary in Toronto:

Many barriers to water safety for newcomers to Canada

“If you ask the question, ‘Can you swim?’ about 80 per cent of people will say, ‘Yes I can swim,’” says Christopher Love of the Manitoba Lifesaving Society. Read More

Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press:

Beyoncé ties Grammy record after leading nominations with 9

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé has propelled herself into the highest Grammy echelon: The star singer claimed a leading nine nominations Tuesday, making her tied — with her husband Jay-Z — ... Read More

New in Business

Gabrielle Piché:

$1.1M in provincial funding helps grow farmers’ program

With rising food prices, ‘there’s going to be more demand… now than before’ Read More

Martin Cash:

AIMDay fosters collaborations between industry, academia

The challenge of establishing more industry-academia collaborations in Manitoba seems never to be resolved. Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Lack of detail stymies health-care pledge

It sounds like just what the doctor ordered to heal Manitoba’s beleaguered health-care system: a pledge by the Stefanson government to add 2,000 frontline staff to hospitals and clinics. Read More