Good morning!
Your forecast: We interrupt this unusually mild, dry late autumn to bring you winter. Do not adjust your sets. The snow you see is here to stay. Today, expect the blowing snow to continue as the wind gusts 50 km/h to 70 km/h and the temperature falls to -8 C this afternoon. The low tonight is -10 C. There’s a 40 per cent chance of flurries Friday, with a daytime high of -6 C and an overnight low of -13 C heading into the weekend. On Saturday, expect a mix of sun and cloud and a high of -7 C, and there’s a good chance of more snow Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with daytime highs ranging from -2 C Sunday down to -12 C by mid week.
In case you missed it
‘Would it fit into our existing retail model? I’m not sure it would. I’m not sure my mom, who’s 92, when she goes to the liquor store to purchase her bottle of Blue Nun, wants to be next to the guy buying Jamaican gold’: Liquor & Lotteries CEO John Stinson.
Pops and pot at the LC: You might be able to pick up a case of beer and a bag of weed — all perfectly legal — in a one-stop shop as the Manitoba Liquor & Gaming Authority expects to serve as a cannabis regulator when it’s legalized by the federal government. In Monday’s throne speech, the Selinger government said Manitoba’s Liquor & Gaming Authority and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries “will be well positioned to regulate the sale and distribution of marijuana in a safe and socially responsible manner” once Justin Trudeau’s Liberals make it legal to light up. READ MORE
Relief for Jets fans: The Winnipeg Jets snapped a six-game losing streak on Wednesday night with a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks at the MTS Centre Wednesday night. Jets forwards Mark Scheifele and Drew Stafford each scored a pair of goals for the Jets, while forward Daniel Sedin replied for the visitors, who wrapped up a seven-game road trip with a crummy 1-4-2 record. The Jets improved to a 9-9-2 record, while the Canucks fell to 7-7-6. Winnipeg resumes a three-game stretch at home Saturday when the Arizona Coyotes come to town. READ MORE
Scam targeting immigrants: More than 45 years after Winnipeg resident Monina Relano moved to Canada from the Philippines, she got a phone call Tuesday saying there was a problem with her immigration paperwork. She figured it was a scam — she’s been a Canadian citizen since 1975 — but she was taken aback by the authoritative voice on the phone. The man told her she didn’t fill out a required immigration form and now had to pay an out-of-court settlement of $2,490 or the RCMP would be at her door. Relano worries more recent newcomers without permanent status in Canada might be conned, so she came forward to warn to just hang up. READ MORE
Up next
Justin Bieber
Justin time for Christmas: If you know a teenaged or pre-teen girl and want to give her the best Christmas present ever, get your credit card ready. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for the Justin Bieber concert at the MTS Centre on June 11. Pre-sale tickets are already available, however, to insiders who have a password. How can you become a pre-sale insider and get tickets today before the general public snaps them up? The Ticketmaster site says pre-sale privileges are available with purchases of membership in the Justin Bieber fan club.
Toppling tower of toys: The Forks Market kicks off its Tower of Toys Campaign at 10:30 this morning. Last year, they collected more than $150,000 in toys and cash for the Christmas Cheer Board. Until Dec. 19, Winnipeggers can bring new unwrapped toys to donate to the Tower of Toys, located in the north aisle beside Tall Grass Prairie Bread Co.
They rock: About 800 visitors are in Winnipeg for the 47th annual Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention that runs at the RBC Convention Centre today and Friday. Premier Greg Selinger gives an address today. Manitoba is experiencing a positive period of mine development with two new mines in production and several gold mines set to re-open within the next 12 to 36 months. Mining exploration expenditures in Manitoba have increased 30 per cent since last year, totaling $36.4 million. Free Press business writer Marty Cash explains more. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
Michael Conroy / The Associated PressFormer Subway pitchman Jared Fogle
Fogle sentenced: After pleading guilty to child porn and sex crimes charges, former Subway spokesman Jared Fogle will be sentenced today. Prosecutors are seeking a twelve-and-a-half-year sentence, while Fogle’s attorneys have asked for five years. But federal judges have wide discretion, and U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt could go beyond the prosecution’s recommendation. READ MORE
Walking in a … whatever: Southern Manitoba is getting its first nasty dose of winter this morning, and the mayhem ensues. The Trans-Canada Highway eastbound at West Hawk Lake is currently closed due to a motor vehicle collision. The Turtle Mountain School Division in southwestern Manitoba has cancelled all classes because of the storm. Meanwhile, school buses are not running but classes are a go in the Kelsey School Division up near The Pas. On Wednesday night, there was a nearly 20-vehicle pile-up on Bishop Grandin Boulevard near River Road. Thankfully, all flights out of Winnipeg seem to be on time today and there are no weather warnings in effect.
Menthol smokes: The Canadian Cancer Society is pushing for a ban on a new type of menthol cigarette the organization worries could get more young people hooked on smoking. The cigarettes, sold by Rothmans Benson & Hedges Inc., contain a capsule of liquid menthol inside their filters, which a smoker can squeeze to get a burst of flavour while taking a puff.
Trending now
CPMike Duffy
Mike Duffy: An appearance in the coming days by Sen. Mike Duffy highlights the resumption of his trial today in Ottawa. He has pleaded not guilty to 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery. The senator has pleaded not guilty to the charges, arguing that he followed all the Senate’s expense and spending rules as they existed at the time. After Crown prosecutors call a final set of witnesses over the next several days, Duffy is expected to take the stand once the defence begins presenting its case. The trial to run until Dec. 18. READ MORE
Hamonic: He was raised just down the road in St. Malo, played portions of his junior career in Winnipeg and Brandon, and now patrols the blue line as a key member of the New York Islanders. But now Travis Hamonic wants to come home. The word is the 25-year-old has requested a trade for personal reasons, and his preference is Western Canada. READ MORE
On this date
On Nov. 19, 1928: The Manitoba Free Press reported that a bank employee at the Bank of Montreal at Main Street and Lombard Avenue had been arrested and that $10,000 stolen from the bank had been recovered. D.B. Sprague, owner of Rowland Sprague Lumber Company, died at the age of 53 and was remembered for his athletic prowess as an oarsman, cyclist and footballer. In Chicago, a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed in an argument over a dice game at an ice cream parlour. Blind composer Beatrice Bennett of Vancouver, sister of Kenora man W. McCannon, took second place in a songwriting contest in which there were 167 entries, winning $50.
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