Good morning!
Bokhari still battling: We begin the day with highlights from Free Press reporter Kristin Annable’s one-on-one interview with Rana Bokhari, boss of the Manitoba Liberal Party. Bokhari is on the outside of the provincial legislature looking in but has no plans to resign her leadership. And she’s already hatched a plan to win a seat. Bokhari, who lost to NDP candidate Wab Kinew in Fort Rouge in the election April 19, says if former NDP premier Greg Selinger leaves his seat in St. Boniface, she’s ready to put her name on the ballot as the Liberal candidate. Bokhari spoke candidly Wednesday, admitting her decision not to give a concession speech was a big mistake and suggesting the party’s dwindling resources is a major concern. READ MORE
Your forecast: We figure Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister could have solidified his popularity by declaring today a statutory holiday. Even if it’s just a one-time deal. How often do we get a 32 C day in May? Environment Canada is calling for a really hot one, with a mainly sunny sky and wind from the southwest at 30 km/h. The overnight low is 15 C. On a breezy Friday, expect a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 21 C, and highs of 19 C for both Saturday and Sunday.
In case you missed it
JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSA poster for missing person Catherine Curtis remained on a log as police and Medical Examiner’s staff worked on the bank of Sturgeon Creek near the intersection of Booth Drive and Portage Avenue, where a body was found around 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Body found in Sturgeon Creek: Some family members of missing Winnipeg woman Catherine Curtis, 60, gathered on the banks of Sturgeon Creek on Wednesday afternoon following news a body had been recovered around 3:15 p.m. Police would not confirm the identity of the person until results of an autopsy are completed. Curtis was last seen on the morning of April 25 in the St. James area. She had been admitted to the Grace Hospital on April 13, and left the building on a hospital-sanctioned, unaccompanied walk, and never returned. READ MORE
Elmwood Tory gets recount: Progressive Conservative candidate Sarah Langevin was successful in her bid to get a recount of votes cast in Elmwood in last month’s provincial election. Her request for a judicial recount was granted in the Court of Queen’s Bench on Wednesday. Langevin told the Free Press the recount is scheduled to take place Monday. Longtime NDP MLA Jim Maloway won the riding by 101 votes in the April 19 election, pulling in 2,996 votes to Langevin’s 2,895. READ MORE
Nationwide search for chief: Winnipeg’s police board will hire a recruitment firm by mid-May to assist in its search for a replacement for Winnipeg Police Service Chief Devon Clunis. His last day on the job is July 9 but a new chief won’t be hired until November. The plan to find the next police boss includes a national advertising campaign, to be launched by the end of May. Expect a short list of candidates by sometime in August. READ MORE
Up next
Remembering Holocaust victims: The League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada is holding the annual Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration at the Manitoba Legislative Building today. The service is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. The program features music, reflection, poetry, testimony, and the reading of names and origins of victims of the Holocaust, which have been transcribed from the Holocaust Monument on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
They really deliver: The Midwives Association of Manitoba, the professional organization representing midwives, is inviting everyone today to come celebrate the International Day of the Midwife. In Winnipeg, celebrations will take place at the Birth Centre, at 603 St Mary`s Rd., from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Information and tours of parts of the Birth Centre will be provided. There will also have food and face painting available. Celebrations will also be held in Steinbach and Winkler.
Around the water cooler
JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSThe Who performs at the MTS Centre on May 4, 2016.
Who are they?: In fact, they are legendary rockers of the tallest order. The Who returned to the MTS Centre to prove once again why they are rock royalty, says Free Press entertainment assignment editor Alan Small. The band played two solid hours of hits Wednesday night at MTS Centre during a stop here as part of it’s “The Who Hits 50!” tour. Classics like “Who Are You,” “My Generation,” “Behind Blue Eyes,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Baba O’Riley” had the crowd of about 10,000 fans on their feet. READ MORE
Panel to review Canada Post: The federal government starts a formal review today of Canada Post that will look at whether the Crown corporation should continue with its plan to cut door-to-door mail delivery. A four-member independent panel could also examine whether the national letter carrier should get back into the banking business. READ MORE
Trending now
Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson: According to media reports, the pop superstar, 49, is expecting her first baby. In a message to fans she said she would have to delay her “Unbreakable” tour because she and her husband were planning a family. READ MORE
Trump: The leading and presumed-winner of the Republican nomination for presidential candidate, Donald Trump continues to make headlines as he strives to win over a party establishment not enamoured of his success. Expect this last name to be trending for, well, the forseeable future. READ MORE
On this date
On May 5, 1969: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that federal NDP leader Tommy Douglas would seek re-election at the party’s convention in Winnipeg. New Democrat MLA for Inkster, Sidney Green, threw his hat into the ring for leadership of the Manitoba NDP. The provincial government was expected to make public a document outlining proposed legislative changes that would give the public schools finance board control over total spending of Manitoba’s unitary school divisions.
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