Your forecast
Clear, becoming a mix of sun and cloud this morning. Fog patches dissipating this morning. Wind up to 15 km/h. High 7 C. Wind chill -5 this morning. UV index 2 or low.
What’s happening today
In case you missed Free Press Books editor Ben Sigurdson’s weekly Paper Chase column: it’s a two-for-one book launch tonight at McNally Robinson’s Grant Park location when Winnipeg’s David Elias and Calgary’s Ben Zalkind join forces at 7 p.m., bringing a pair of books published by Regina’s Radiant Press.
Elias’ Into the D/ark is set in early-1960s Manitoba and sees a woman’s sons disfigured by a fire, the boys’ father making strange metallic creations and the woman’s brother building a mysterious ark-like edifice.
In Zalkind’s debut novel Honeydew, a woman joins forces with a trio of young rebels to subvert a tech CEO with a space station, where passengers may or may not be forced to work of debts.
Hosting the pair will be McNally Robinson co-founder and literary radio host Ron Robinson.
Today’s must-read
Manitoba’s police watchdog said no charges are recommended against police officers in the death of a homeless woman who was run over at an encampment in a small city park last year.
The incident “was an unfortunate accident,” the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said in a report released Wednesday. “Therefore, no charges are recommended, and the IIU investigation is now completed and closed.”
The woman was killed in Fort Rouge Park on Sept. 2, 2024. A man who spent years on the street with her told the Free Press the next day that her name was Tammy Bateman. Adam Treusch has the story.
A photo in the IIU report shows evidence markers on the gravel road. (Supplied)
On the bright side
A new theatre festival in Winnipeg invites listeners to tune in to the expansive world of radio plays, with three productions set to be recorded in front of a live audience at the Gargoyle Theatre this weekend.
The inaugural AudiArts Festival, organized by theatre enthusiast and volunteer Linda Olson, runs Friday to Sunday at the Ellice Avenue theatre.
Olson’s love for radio storytelling originated when she was in her 20s working in remote northern communities where CBC broadcasts were appointment listening for her group of friends.
“It became our big thing,” says Olson, who quickly became enthralled by the potential of the radio-play form. Ben Waldman has more here.
AudiArts Festival organizer Linda Olson’s love for radio storytelling was forged when she worked in remote northern communities. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files)
On this date
On Oct. 23, 1964: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that 600 students at Roman Catholic institution Precious Blood School would transfer to Norwood public schools on Nov. 2, as Precious Blood would be closing at the end of October. Unofficial word in Paris was that France could quit NATO if a multilateral nuclear force were created. The Manitoba Court of Appeal allowed an appeal by a Winnipeg denturist against a conviction for illegally making false teeth. 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.
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