Good morning!
Your forecast: The Christmas cold snap will be replaced by above-normal temperatures as we prepare to ring in the new year. In its seven-day forecast for Winnipeg, Environment Canada is calling for a stretch of mild daytime temperatures, starting with a high of -9 C today and a chance of flurries this afternoon. Tonight, the temperature drops to -12 C. Expect a cloudy Wednesday with the possibility of snow and a high of -10 C. But Thursday will be sunny and -8 C, while Friday (New Year’s Day) will warm up to -4 C. The weekend forecast looks sunny and snow free, with highs of -4 C and -5 C, respectively, Saturday and Sunday.
In case you missed it
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSManitoba Premier Greg Selinger dismisses calls to balance the budget, favouring infrastructure spending over fiscal prudence.
Selinger slide: Responding Monday to results of a Probe Research poll published on the weekend in the Free Press, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger said he’s not surprised to see the NDP in third place in the province. But he predicts voters will re-embrace his party once they take a closer look at the other options. Poll results show the Progressive Conservative Party lead with the support of 43 per cent of the those polled, followed by the Liberals with 29 per cent and the governing NDP at 22 per cent. READ MORE
A sit-down with the mayor: Reporter Aldo Santin chatted with Mayor Brian Bowman at year’s end to talk about his first 14 months in office and pressing issues facing the city. Bowman revealed the bold promises that were the hallmark of his lengthy 2014 mayoral campaign have been replaced with a more pragmatic approach to leading at City Hall. READ MORE
Trudeaumania 2.0: It was Justin Trudeau’s ability to find the pot of gold at the end of the election rainbow in Ottawa that most Free Press readers found truly remarkable, according to a reader poll for the most popular choice for national newsmaker of the year. The fascination with the Trudeau family has been compared, somewhat accurately, to that shown to the Kennedys. The New York Post dubbed Trudeau the “JFK Jr. of Canada.” READ MORE
Up next
JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSClearly we’re fighting to get into the middle of the pack – all those teams do,’ said head coach Paul Maurice today.
Needing wins: The Winnipeg Jets welcome the always-tough Detroit Red Wings (18-11-7) to MTS Centre tonight. Game time is 7 p.m. To make a push for the playoffs, the Jets need to string together victories. A lot of them. They got off to a good start Sunday night with a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins their first game back from the Christmas break. At 16-17-2, Winnipeg sits last in the Central Division and is eight points out of the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. READ MORE
Tree drop-offs: You can’t just leave your old Christmas tree on the curb and expect the city to pick it up. Won’t happen. But trees can be recycled for free by taking them to one of the 11 “Let’s Chip In” depots, open until Jan. 20. All plastic tree bags, tinsel, decorations and tree stands must be removed before leaving a tree at a depot. Obtaining information on locations is easy. Just visit http://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/recycle/chip.stm or call 311. Winnipeg residents recycled 11,000 trees last season. READ MORE
Around the water cooler
Gary Wiepert / The Associated Press FilesBuffalo Sabres left winger Evander Kane
Evander Kane speaks out: Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane spoke briefly with reporters Monday, saying he has done nothing wrong amid an investigation of a sex-crime allegation against him. In a 30-second scrum with reporters following Buffalo’s pre-game skate before hosting the Washington Capitals, Kane said he respects the legal process and is cooperating. Kane played in Winnipeg for the better part of three seasons before being traded to Buffalo this past February. READ MORE
Little bandit bites cop: A Toronto police officer had to be treated for a minor injury after he was bitten by a sick raccoon Monday. Two officers went to a store after reports of an animal that “appeared to be in distress and possibly blind.” While attempting to corral the raccoon, one officer was bitten in the hand. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated for a minor injury but is otherwise fine. The raccoon’s carcass will be tested for rabies. READ MORE
Trending now
Lemmy Kilmister
#RIPLemmy: The lead singer and founding member of British heavy metal band Motörhead, Lemmy Kilmister, died Monday night at the age of 70 after a brief battle with cancer. Known for his mutton-chop sideburns, growling voice and bass playing, Lemmy is mourned by family, bandmates, fans and colleagues. READ MORE
#StarWarsTheForceAwakens: Trending because the latest episode in the space opera franchise surpassed $1 billion in box office sales in 12 days, faster than any other movie in history. (The previous record of 13 days was set by Jurassic World, but a factor for Jurassic World was huge Chinese ticket sales; Star Wars: The Force Awakens does not open in China until January.)
On this date
On Dec. 29, 1952: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that 190 rinks were taking part in a high school bonspiel in Winnipeg, making it the world’s largest such event. A British newspaper spoke out against Commonwealth officials who expressed the hope Queen Elizabeth would not have additional children until 1955 because she was expected to make tours of Australia and New Zealand; the newspaper asserted the monarch’s right to conduct her family affairs as she saw fit. Canada’s trade minister, C.D. Howe, predicted that 1953 would be full of prosperity for Canadians.
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