Good morning!
John Woods / Winnipeg Free PressWilco begins to perform at the Winnipeg Folk Fest Sunday, before the headliners were forced to cancel their show because of rain.
We begin today’s Head Start with a Free Press exclusive on the lineup for this summer’s Interstellar Rodeo: Popular Chicago-based alternative-rock group Wilco will return to Winnipeg this summer as the headlining act for Interstellar Rodeo, a three-day music, wine and food fest at The Forks Aug. 12-14. That is, unless Mother Nature puts the kibosh on it again. Wilco had to leave the stage of the Winnipeg Folk Festival last July when a crazy thunderstorm hit the area. Other acts announced Monday include American country-roots band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, soul-funk band Lee Fields & the Expressions, and Canadians Serena Ryder, Skydiggers and the Strumbellas. READ MORE
Your forecast: It looks as if Wednesday is the lone bright spot on an otherwise grey, wet week in Winnipeg, according to Environment Canada. The weather agency notes today begins with cloud cover, a slight breeze from the south and a below-freezing temperature. The sky starts to clear after lunch and the temperature should rise to 6 C later today. The overnight low is -5 C. Sunshine returns Wednesday and the temperature should climb to 15 C. But showers are expected Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10 C to 16 C.
In case you missed it
Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian PressCanadian loonies stacked up against the U.S. dollar
Attention cross-border shoppers: The loonie closed at 77.53 cents Monday, its highest value since last October. That’s up nearly nine cents since January. It’s still got a way to go to reach its 52-week high of more than 83 cents, but it will make those weekend trips to Grand Forks or Fargo a little more affordable. READ MORE
Grey Cup brings in the green: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced a profit of $11 million last year, thanks largely to $7.1 million in net income from November’s Grey Cup game between the Edmonton Eskimos and Ottawa Redblacks. That’s more than double the profit from the 2006 Grey Cup, the last time the Bombers played host. READ MORE
Pot bust ruled legal: A judge ruled Monday that city police were within their rights when they searched a man’s home without a warrant in June 2013 and found a marijuana grow operation inside. Officers were called to the home after an anonymous 911 call came in alleging spousal abuse at the home. Those suspicions proved unfounded; however, officers detected a strong smell of pot and performed the search, despite the objections of the homeowner. READ MORE
Up next
Candidates forum: The Philippine Canadian Centre Incorporated is hosting a forum, featuring provincial election candidates from northwest Winnipeg, tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the centre, 737 Keewatin Ave. The host organization says the event will give members of the Filipino-Canadian community and other interested voters in the catchment areas of Burrows, The Maples and Tyndall Park “an opportunity to get to know their candidates and express their views as concerned citizens.”
Spring cleaning: It’s time for the city’s annual spring clean-up, courtesy of volunteers with Take Pride Winnipeg! Every year, thousands of volunteers from Winnipeg come together throughout the spring and summer to take part in community cleanups. Today, there will be 1,200 students from schools all over the city at the MTS Centre to help kick off those efforts. The event begins at 11:20 a.m.
Leaders set for debate: NDP Leader Greg Selinger, Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister, Liberal Leader Rana Bokhari and Green Party Leader James Beddome will participate in the CBC/CTV Debate this evening. It is scheduled for about 6:10 p.m. at the CBC building on Portage Avenue and will be broadcast on the CBC, CTV and Global local TV stations.
Around the water cooler
THE CANADIAN PRESSFentanyl pills are shown in an undated police handout photo.
A very dangerous drug: Winnipeg police say three people had a very close call after overdosing on fentanyl over the weekend. A man and woman were found in a vehicle in the 1300 block of Main Street, while a 27-year-old man was found nearby. All had to be revived and rushed to hospital, and are now listed in stable condition. Police say there’s been a progressive increase in drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl, a powerful opiate typically used to treat chronic or severe pain. READ MORE
College star on the way: As the Winnipeg Jets cleaned out their lockers Monday after a disappointing NHL season, news was breaking that University of Michigan star forward Kyle Connor had signed an entry level contract with the team. Connor, selected in the first round by the Jets in the 2015 draft, had a tremendous inaugural season with the Wolverines, recording 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in 38 games. READ MORE
Trending now
TWITTER
#OneLetterOffRestaurants: If you thought typos only mattered to copy editors, considers the nuances of these potential franchises: “Jock in the Box,” “Looters,” “Red Mobster” and “Scarbucks.”
#NationalGrilledCheeseDay: Who knew this sandwich had its own day? Now you do. Makes for a good breakfast, in case reading this makes you hungry.
On this date
On April 12, 1959: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that Winnipeg would be allowed to continue observing Daylight Saving Time without breaking provincial law. Brandon hockey fans were angry that Winnipeg would host the fourth game of the western final. Favourable weather conditions in Winnipeg made for good viewing of the coming eclipse as the Earth passed between the sun and the moon, which would provide a chance to see a blood-red moon.
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