Good morning!
Still few years away: We begin the day with an update to a story that first broke about a year ago. Remember that multimillion-dollar manufacturing research facility the former federal Tory government promised Winnipeg in June 2015? Turns out, the project didn’t die when Stephen Harper and the PCs lost the last election. But the $60-million facility is still several years away, says an official with the National Research Council. A couple of sites are being looked at, and then it will take at least three years to build and launch the program. READ MORE
Your forecast: Whiteshell cottage owners will be grateful for the rain showers expected in the area today, as a wildfire continues to burn near Caddy Lake. Environment Canada is calling for a 60 per cent chance of rain today in the provincial park, with a high of 20 C. There’s also a strong possibility of rain Wednesday, as well. In Winnipeg, showers begin this morning, with amounts of five to 10 millimetres. After a brief pause late in the day, rain should fall late in the evening and overnight. Our high temperature today is 16 C. There’s a strong chance of precipitation Wednesday and Thursday, but we’re in for a mostly sunny weekend with temperatures ranging from 10 C Friday to 17 C Sunday.
In case you missed it
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSProvincial Liberal leader Rana Bokhari is photographed going into a candidates’ meeting at party headquarters Monday night. She told the Free Press she wasn’t forced to step down.
Fun, not politics: Rana Bokhari is looking forward to a return to normal life and to “have fun.” Bokhari made the comments to the Free Press on Monday night at Liberal Party headquarters on Broadway. She maintains she was not forced to step down as party leader over the weekend, despite telling the FP just days before that her intention was to stay on. As of June, she will no longer take a salary from the party, she said. READ MORE
Mourning devoted teacher: Students and staff of John Taylor Collegiate are grieving the loss of Darcee Gosselin, a teacher who died while on a field trip with students to Spruce Woods Provincial Park on a sweltering day last week. A school division official said Gosselin collapsed around 4 p.m. Thursday, and another teacher performed CPR until paramedics arrived. She was rushed to Carberry Hospital but did not survive. The afternoon temperature at the time was about 33 C in the Brandon-Carberry area. READ MORE
Bulk of city saved: A massive wildfire took a huge bite out of the Alberta city of Fort McMurray, but it didn’t finish it off – not by a long shot. Premier Rachel Notley says the raging inferno consumed about 10 per cent of buildings in the city, crediting the work of hundreds of dedicated firefighters who saved the rest. More than 80,000 people are still out of their homes and it could be weeks before they return. READ MORE
Up next
Sheldon Kennedy
Kennedy’s story: The feature-length documentary “Swift Current,” which explores the journey of former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, has its Winnipeg première tonight at 7:30 p.m. at The Met, 281 Donald St. Kennedy was a star junior hockey player in the Saskatchewan community who was sexually abused by his former coach, Graham James. He now works as a crusader for victims of abuse in Canada and around the world. Manitoba Lieut.-Gov. Janice Filmon, Premier Brian Pallister and Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman will be on hand for the screening.
Inspirational teen: Métis girl Kayleen McKay, 17, completes her goal of running 420 kilometers to raise money for Drag the Red at noon at the Alexander Docks on Waterfront Drive. She began her journey in Duck Bay on April 30. In December, Kayleen and her family lost a close family member to suicide. When the police could not recover the body, the ‘Drag the Red’ organization stepped in and searched the Red River until they found him. Earlier this year, she launched her fundraiser, “Kayleen’s Run for Drag the Red.”
The wheel deal: If it seems there are more cyclists than usual on city streets this morning, it’s because today is the start of Bike to School Month. The pedal-powered promotion officially kicks off at Hugh John Macdonald School, 567 Bannatyne Avenue, at 9 a.m.
Around the water cooler
JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSWinnipeg Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters speaks about the club’s plans for the upcoming CFL Draft.
Players waiting for call: Young Canadian football players will be waiting for their phones to ring tonight as the 2016 CFL Draft takes play. The Saskatchewan Roughriders, who finished 3-15 last season, hold the first overall selection. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers don’t have a first-round pick, but do own the ninth and 10th selections. READ MORE
Charge to be withdrawn: A sexual assault charge laid against former CBC radio star Jian Ghomeshi is expected to be withdrawn Wednesday, The Canadian Press is reporting. In exchange, Ghomeshi will first have to sign a peace bond. An anonymous source confirmed the arrangement means Ghomeshi won’t have to face a trial that had been scheduled to start on June 6. READ MORE
Trending now
Ben Margot / The Associated Press FilesGolden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry
Steph Curry: The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry is to be named the NBA’s MVP today, according to media reports. Curry has been a frontrunner for the honour, and led the league in scoring with 30.1 points per game. READ MORE
#ImNotAlone: People are taking to Twitter to open up about anxiety and share their experiences, using the hashtag to help break the stigma and isolation that can be associated with it.
On this date
On May 10, 1992: The Winnipeg Free Press reported that rescuers equipped with oxygen tanks worked to rescue miners trapped in the methane-filled Westray coal mine in Nova Scotia; 26 coal miners had been trapped by an underground explosion. In Manitoba, new legislation tightened restrictions on underground holding tanks for gasoline, aimed at preventing groundwater contamination. A Winnipeg widow lost more than $95,000 when a lay minister entrusted with managing investments her late husband had arranged to provide for her after his death went bankrupt and charges against the lay minister were dropped. An official with the Manitoba Securities Commission said that an estimated 300 Manitobans lost a total of $30 million when the minister’s company, Kona, went bankrupt.
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