Good morning!
JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESSHamilton’s Andy Fantuz is stopped by Khalil Bass.
Bombers thunder: While many of you might have been sleeping, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stormed to their second straight victory, defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 37-11 after a two-and-a-half hour weather delay at Investors Group Field on Wednesday night. The Big Blue set the tone early as rookie defensive back C.J. Roberts intercepted the first pass Ticats pivot Jeremiah Masoli threw two minutes into the game, taking it 19 yards for a touchdown. And they didn’t stop there, building up a 34-0 lead at half-time. The Bombers will travel to Toronto to take on the Argonauts next Friday. READ MORE
Your forecast: If you’ve been working for the weekend, you’re in for a real treat. Environment Canada is calling for sunny skies and temperatures in the high 20s on Saturday and Sunday in southern Manitoba, including cottage country. Today, expect a mix of sun and cloud, a 30 per cent chance of showers this afternoon and a high of 21 C, while Friday will be partly sunny and 23 C. On Saturday and Sunday, soak up the rays as the mercury hits 26 C and 29 C, respectively, while Monday is projected to be sunny and 28 C.
In case you missed it
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSA crowd enjoys the sun, sand and water at Grand Beach the morning after two children drowned.
Parents responsible: In the wake of a pair of drownings at Grand Beach on Monday, the province says parents, not beach patrols, are responsible for guarding the lives of children swimming at provincial beaches. “Over the years, the basic premise of the program has remained unchanged. Individuals are responsible for themselves… we encourage families to keep children within arms’ reach while at the beach,” the government said in a prepared statement Wednesday. Winnipeggers David Medina, 12, and Jhonalyn Javier, 11, drowned around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. A parent was watching the children in the water but apparently lost sight of them. READ MORE
MMIW inquiry: A long-standing call for an inquiry into the disproportionate number of missing and murdered indigenous women across the country was answered Wednesday in Gatineau, Que., but family members and advocates said they felt vulnerable about the process and wondered if it will result in real action. In a ceremony at the Canadian Museum of History — which included indigenous traditions — Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould and Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu handed over a symbolic birchbark basket to the five commissioners who will study the issue. READ MORE
Lawsuit alleges misdiagnosis: The family of a 32-year-old Cross Lake man who died in June of 2015 of a heart attack after visiting a northern nursing station and leaving with Tylenol is suing the federal and provincial governments. Tyson McKay went to the nursing station at Cross Lake complaining of chest pain, cough and fever. McKay spent about 10 minutes with a nurse, who diagnosed him with acid reflux. She gave him an antacid and Tylenol before sending him home. He collapsed and died 33 hours later. READ MORE
Up next
Building a legacy: Winnipeg’s host committee of the 2017 Canada Summer Games has a big announcement planned for today at 10:30 a.m. at the Sargent Park Volleyball Centre, 999 Sargent Ave. “Join us for a major Games legacy announcement that will benefit our community for years to come,” the invite suggests. The Free Press will be there.
Keeping a promise: The provincial government has a press conference planned for this morning in Brandon to announce it is “delivering on an important infrastructure commitment in the first 100 days of its mandate.” That likely means funding for roads and sewers in rural Manitoba.
Around the water cooler
The painting is 16 feet high and 14 feet wide, weighing roughly 600 pounds, according to the ad.
Queen for sale: Now you, too, can own a nearly five-metre-tall portrait of our monarch. The 270-kilogram painting of Queen Elizabeth II (that once hung in the Winnipeg Arena) popped up for sale on Kijiji on Tuesday. It’s bigger than your car, and probably older – it was painted in 1979. The ad asks for “serious inquiries only” – price upon request. READ MORE
Rock on, Manitoba: American tourism to Manitoba increased by nearly 18 per cent – almost 4,000 visits – since this time last year. They’re coming in droves, apparently, for polar bears, beluga whales, and culture, and, yes, to take advantage of that high American dollar. Industry experts say the high numbers are also the result of an aggressive marketing campaign spreading the good word about Canada and Manitoba south of the border. We’re a hotspot, people. READ MORE
Opening in style: Canada’s women’s soccer team carved out a 2-0 victory over Australia on Wednesday, ahead of the official opening of the Rio Summer Games on Friday. The team secured the win despite playing short-handed for most of the 90-minute game after Shelina Zadorsky received an early red card. Of course, the games are still plagued by concerns about Zika, pollution, crime and doping. READ MORE
Trending now
Milt Stegall: The legendary Winnipeg receiver was inducted into the CFL club’s Ring of Honour during halftime of the Blue Bombers’ clash with Hamilton on Wednesday night. READ MORE
Bank of England: The Bank of England cut its interest rate to a record-low 0.25%, to ward off a potential recession following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. READ MORE
On this date
On Aug. 4, 1883: Even back then, the rivalry between Winnipeg and Toronto was in existence. Building operations in Winnipeg, for the first half of the year, totaled $1,710,850, which led to our hometown paper crowing: “Under the circumstances we cannot forbear mentioning that while ‘stagnant’ Winnipeg has expended nearly a million and three quarters in buildings, Toronto — the only town or city in Ontario that is really thriving — according to a paper of that place, has expended about half a million. ” READ MORE
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