Free Press Head Start for Oct. 31

Good morning!

Today is Halloween, and to help you get into the spirit of things…

Jen Zoratti highlights the best Halloween episodes of your favourite shows. (She also takes a look at why Skelly, that giant decorative skeleton, is having a cultural moment.) Shelley Cook writes about how you’re never too old to have fun with Halloween.

Allison Gillmor looks at what really scares us these days with a roundup of recent horror flicks. Randall King reviews two scary movies shot in Manitoba. Here’s a curated list of the best spooky tunes for your holiday festivities.

If you’re thirsty, Ben Sigurdson reviews six spooky brews, and if you’re looking for something to nibble on, the Free Press arts and life team conducts a taste test of treats both classic and new. Doug Speirs also has thoughts on the annual holiday haul.

Whether you’re heading out trick-or-treating, staying home to hand out candy, or avoiding all things Halloween-related, stay safe and look out for little ones out and about this evening.

— David Fuller

Your forecast

Sunny with a high of 14 C and a low of 1.

What’s happening today

The public inquiry investigating Ottawa’s use of the Emergencies Act during “Freedom Convoy” protests last winter is expected to hear more testimony from former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly. Organizers of the protest are also expected to testify this week.

Former Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press files)

Today’s must-read

During a recent visiti to Winnipeg, Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv accused Russia of trying to stoke a food crisis by restoring its blockade of Kyiv’s grain exports. Chris Kitching reports.

Yuliya Kovaliv (centre), Ukraine’s ambassador to Canada, at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press)

On this date

On Oct. 31, 1924: The Manitoba Free Press reported that in Britain, the Conservatives under Stanley Baldwin had won a majority of over 200 in the House, winning over 400 seats out a total of 515. Canadian prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, en route from Regina to Ottawa, was unable to stop over in Winnipeg long enough to hear a local deputation speak on the urgent matter of the Crow’s Nest Past agreement rates for shipping grain. 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:

Mayoral vote reveals ‘doughnut phenomenon’

Maps of Winnipeg’s mayoral election results reveal where the vote was won and lost, with Shaun Loney outperforming Glen Murray in core areas, and vote-rich suburbs propelling winner Scott Gillingham. Read More

Malak Abas:

Sakeenah Homes expands west to serve Winnipeg’s Muslim women

In an unmarked building in Winnipeg, the city’s first shelter catering to the needs of Muslim women and families quietly opened its doors Oct. 13. Read More

The Canadian Press:

Vigil outside burned northern Manitoba home mourns loss of four kids

THOMPSON, Man. - Standing on slush under street lights in front of a charred and boarded-up home where a fire claimed the lives of four young children, a large crowd gathered in a north... Read More

New in Sports

Jeff Hamilton:

Jets run out of luck in Vegas

Hellebuyck keeps it close in 2-1 loss Read More

Taylor Allen:

Bombers set record in meaningless game

First 15-win season in franchise history Read More

Jeff Hamilton:

Is Scheifele a puck hog? Nah

It does seem strange Jets centre has six goals and zero assists so far Read More

New in Arts and Entertainment

Ben Waldman, Jen Zoratti, Eva Wasney, Alan Small, AV Kitching and Ben Sigurdson:

Sweet, sweet verdicts

Testers dig in to classic and new-school Halloween goodies to pass ultimate judgment: trick or treat? Read More

Jen Zoratti:

No bones about it, Skelly is having a moment

If you’ve heard the name Skelly — or are lucky enough to have one to call your own — then you know that a certain oversized Halloween decoration is having A Moment. Read More

Sabrina Carnevale:

Changing how we talk about The Change

Despite being as normal a life stage as puberty, menopause remains shrouded in secrecy Read More

New in Business

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Shindico adds six properties to its retail portfolio

Shindico Realty has maintained its top-dog status in Winnipeg’s retail sector. Read More

Fresh opinions

Editorial:

Trump subpoena creates test for democracy

Will he or won’t he? Millions of Americans on both sides of the political divide created by former United States president Donald Trump are waiting to see whether he testifies before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mr. Trump’s final decision will almost certainly serve as a test of the resilience of one of the world’s great democracies. Read More

Shelley Cook:

The trick is never getting too old for the annual treat

I love Halloween. It’s my second favourite holiday, after Christmas. Read More

Kiffer George Card:

Working from home has its down sides

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred on a variety of workplace maladies, including “the great resignation,” “quiet quitting,” “overemployment,” labour shortages and conflicts between managers and employees over returning to in-person work. Read More

Head Start