Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
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Good news stories
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I’m standing at the front of a ballroom in an airport hotel, which is convenient as I’m about to offer my stock explanation of what constitutes news by referencing air travel.
I step up to the microphone to remind the crowd of special-needs students, educators and parents that a plane landing safely on the nearby runway isn’t news, because that’s what happens over and over again every single day. However, if one doesn’t land safely, then that’s breaking news, and I need to get to that airport and start reporting.
I see some nods of understanding. So far so good.
But I also need to point out that my stock explanation misses out on all sorts of good news stories. And that’s how I explained why I jumped at the opportunity to emcee the 2026 Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children Yes I Can! Awards last week. I told the crowd of 500 that I was looking for a good news story or two and they didn’t disappoint.
Over the course of the next hour or so, the awards celebrated those who had overcome no shortage of challenges to find success in the classroom and their lives. Over and over again, I read out citations that reflected perseverance and pride, resilience and respect. It was hard not to be touched by the positivity that filled that ballroom, to have your faith restored by the spirit of kindness.
What landed at that airport hotel are stories that need to be heard, stories that need to be shared. In a world where anger and aggression drive our politics, where disrespect is de rigueur, where the vulnerable are targeted because dignity is passe, there truly was something exceptional about that evening for exceptional children.
I promised the crowd that I would share at least one good story with Free Press readers, so I’ve opted to tell one that will be news to most who were in attendance.
As part of that awards dinner, there was a fundraising raffle that included a quilt made by Grade 2 students at Ralph Maybank School with a support team of “ghost quilters.” It was hard for those students to let go of that quilt, so a group of teachers from Pembina Trails School Division dug deep to buy about $300 worth of tickets.
As luck would have it, those teachers ended up having the winning ticket so that quilt could go back to the students at Ralph Maybank the next day.
And that’s my definition of a good news story.
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Paul Samyn, Editor
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COMING UP
The Winnipeg Folk Festival announces the lineup for its 51st festival this week; Jen Zoratti speaks with artistic director Chris Frayer in Friday’s arts section (online Thursday at 6 p.m.) about his vision for this year’s event, which set an attendance record last year. The festival is scheduled for July 9-12 at Birds Hill Park.
Rev. Fr. Philip Malayil was born in India, where he was ordained a priest. From there, he was sent to Guatemala, where, in the hills and jungles, he learned to speak Spanish. That experience eventually led to a posting in Brandon where a booming Hispanic population was searching for a Spanish-speaking priest. It is just one of four churches he helms. The three others are in outlying small towns. Writer Melissa Martin joined Malayil on a recent Sunday as he travelled rural highways to minister to his flock.
Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe continue to break down all the Winnipeg Jets storylines this week with the NHL trade deadline looming March 6.
And with the Manitoba Winter Games continuing into Saturday and the U Sports track and field championships hosted by the University of Manitoba March 5-7, there’s plenty of wrap-around action of all things Manitoba sports. Check out the sports section for daily updates and for the Paralympic opening ceremonies.
ONE GREAT PHOTO
Friends Mia, left, and Jia view the polar bears during the International Polar Bear Day events at Assiniboine Zoo on Sunday. (John Woods / Free Press)
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BREAKING NEWS
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
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WELL-READ STORIES THIS WEEK
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DEEP DIVES
Conrad Sweatman:
Elbows up, culture sideways
Canadian sovereignty is not just about borders, but culture too. What is its future amid East-West polarization, struggling arts organizations and encroaching American media?
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Julia-Simone Rutgers:
Big dreams, cold reality
Buzz is building over increased trade capacity through the Port of Churchill, but risks could threaten to outweigh the rewards
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
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OPINIONS: COLUMNS AND ANALYSIS
Jen Zoratti:
Female Olympians take gold in showing class
For a bunch of gold-medalists, the U.S. men’s hockey team sure acted like a bunch of losers.
In the locker room after their Olympic win against Canada in Milan, Team USA was getting its drink on wi...
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
AV Kitching:
‘You name it, I’ve washed it’
Retired nurse doesn’t mind doing laundry that isn’t her own to help the Nearly New Shop raise money for the Children’s Hospital Foundation
Read More
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WEEKLY NEWS QUIZ
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