The latest scoop from the Free Press

Dean Pritchard:

Man accused in U of M dorm attack vowed to ‘do well’ outside prison

Completed high-risk sex offender, addictions programs during 12-year sentence Read More

Dean Pritchard:

Former hockey coach pleads guilty to sexually assaulting teen player

Former youth hockey coach Madison Biluk, 29, pleaded guilty in Winnipeg court Wednesday to sexually assaulting one of her players. As a result, the Crown stayed a dozen additional sexual assault- and child pornography-related charges. Read More

Tyler Searle:

Inside Winnipeg’s biggest drug bust

Police intercepted communications, snuck into suspects’ homes to gather evidence against organized crime network Read More

Nicole Buffie:

Forks bridge, closed for 16 months, could cost $10 million to fix

It could cost more than $10 million to repair the historic rail bridge at The Forks, a favourite with pedestrians and cyclists, which has been closed for 16 months. Preliminary repairs to remediate... Read More

Free Press staff:

Star NFL tight end Kelce sports Blue Bombers jersey

He wears red on the field, but star NFL tight end Travis Kelce was wearing Bombers blue on the latest episode of his podcast. Kelce, who has won three Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, wore ... Read More

Mike McIntyre:

Razor-sharp risk

The tragic end to Adam Johnson’s life in a U.K. rink shocked the hockey world last fall, but the vast majority of NHLers still choose to play without neck protection Read More

Conrad Sweatman:

Raising their voices

Central Park, home to a multitude of languages and cultures, offers a lesson in neighbourhood self-determination Read More

Romona Goomansingh:

Sparkle and style

Diwali fashions reflect festival’s light Read More

What’s up: Free Press staff recommend things to do this week

Farmageddon, Boo at the Zoo, Terror Garage, Doomsday, I Scream Fest Read More

Nicole Buffie:

Safe and sound trumps traditional trick-or-treating for some families

Some Winnipeg parents are trading in Halloween tricks for safer treats this All Hallows’ Eve because of concerns about crime and tainted candy. Read More

Jen Zoratti:

Niche internet culture serves up Halloween costume inspiration

Halloween costumes are all about escapism and expressions of creativity — but they can also come with the pressure to be topical, referential and, above all, original. Read More

Ben Sigurdson:

Scary-good concoctions fit for spooky-season fun

Here are six spooky-themed drinks for your Halloween parties, or to enjoy while handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters… Read More

Donna Edwards, The Associated Press:

It’s spooky season. Here are some scary stories from around the world you probably haven’t heard

If the sordid tales you grew up with no longer make you shiver, it’s time to reanimate your roster with global tales of ghosts, hauntings, and petrifying processions. Read More

Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press:

More than a quarter of Canadians will spend at least 100 bones on Halloween: poll

A new poll suggests more than a quarter of Canadians will spend $100 or more on Halloween, with roughly 70 per cent of respondents saying they'll fork over as much money as they did last year on candy... Read More

Scott Mcfetridge, The Associated Press:

In a first since 1938, Des Moines, Iowa, kids will trick-or-treat on Halloween

Going door-to-door for candy on All Hallows' Eve has long been commonplace throughout the country. But not in Des Moines, where Iowa's capital city took a different approach more than seven decades ago. Read More

Dan Lett:

Pledges to make life more affordable usually leave out those who can’t afford to live

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre could not have known his promise to eliminate the GST on new homes would coincide with a report revealing over two million Canadians now rely on food banks. But having the two stories side by side on the same news cycle reveals a lot about how little political leaders understand the so-called “affordability crisis.” Read More

Brent Bellamy:

Our city shouldn’t shy away from embracing big ideas

If you sat down to design a modern city of a million people, you wouldn’t start by putting a giant rail yard in the centre. We don’t have the luxury of designing Winnipeg from scratch, and the presence of the trains has long been a reality in our city — but just because something is, doesn’t mean it must forever be. Read More

Rochelle Squires:

Seeking signs of hope for the future

In exactly one week, the world will teeter on the cusp of finding out if America is ready to elect its first woman president. Read More

Tom Brodbeck:

ER wait times will remain a problem without more staffed beds

It’s no wonder emergency-room wait times continued to hover at record levels in Winnipeg in 2023-24. Despite promises by the previous Progressive Conservative government and, now, the NDP to expand ho... Read More

Chris Kitching:

Imminent Portage & Main construction will cause ‘major headache,’ councillor warns

Winnipeg’s public works chair has a warning for drivers and bus riders before major construction begins at Portage Avenue and Main Street to eventually reopen the intersection to pedestrians. Read More

Ken Wiebe:

NHL embraces streaming as Jets-Leafs tilt broadcast only on Amazon

Monday's Jets-Leafs game was shown exclusively on Amazon Prime, available only to fans who have a subscription. There’s a good chance Amazon works at expanding its footprint on sports streaming. Read More

Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press:

Apple launches the iPhone into the AI era with free software update

Apple is releasing a free software update that will inject its first dose of artificial intelligence into its iPhone 16 lineup as the trendsetting company tries to catch up with technology's latest craze. Read More

Gabrielle Piché:

Crunch Fitness eyes long-planned south Winnipeg opening date

For years, a two-storey former gym near Kenaston Boulevard has sat empty. Crunch Fitness is now targeting December to open a location on Nature Park Way. It follows months of slowdowns from equipment and material arrivals and construction, according to team leads. Read More

Nina Dragicevic, The Canadian Press:

Looking for a new car? What you should know about leasing vs. owning

Leasing a car is a unique financial arrangement and while it has its perks, experts say it suits a fairly slim group of people. The biggest draw for leasing is lower payments, and on a shiny new car no less. This is usually what hooks drivers on a tight budget. Read More

Adriana Morga, The Associated Press:

How to protect yourself from scammers offering fake jobs

Between finding openings, sending out your resume and interviewing, looking for a job is tough. Now a growing trend of scammers impersonating recruiters is making it even harder: job scams have been on the rise. Read More

The Canadian Press:

The loonie is trading at lows not seen in years. Here’s what it means for Canadians

The Canadian dollar is trading against the U.S. dollar at levels not seen since 2020 as the combined pressures of economic outlooks, elections, and energy prices weigh. Here's what you need to know. Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Bisons look to run wild against Rams

Manitoba’s top ground game faces tough Regina rush defence Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Wolfpack stuns Bisons women

Top-ranked volleyball squad falls to visitors from Thompson Rivers Read More

Mike Sawatzky:

Playing the long game

To restore her mental, physical health, top U of M volleyballer Raya Surinx temporarily steps away Read More

Massimo De Luca-Taronno:

Pumpkin Promise: gourd-hearted initiative honours late mother

Eleven years ago, Chris Okell made a promise — and it is one he plans to keep. Each October, the Pumpkin Promise showcases massive gourds outside Okell’s River Park South home and raises funds for ... Read More

Carol Sanders:

Premier inducts 134 first responders at catastrophic bus crash into Order of Buffalo Hunt

Premier Wab Kinew awarded one of Manitoba’s highest honours Monday to recognize the bravery and courage of first responders following the highway collision that claimed the lives of 17 seniors from Dauphin 16 months ago. Read More

Aaron Epp:

Always Ready to make a difference

Coaching Volt hockey to physically challenged kids makes longtime Variety volunteer’s ‘heart full’ Read More

Free Press staff:

Manitoba firms draw entrepreneurial recognition

Two Manitoba businesses are world class, according to Square, a technology company that offers point of sale solutions. Read More

Ben Waldman:

New spin on record store

Father and son team up to open music shop that doubles as a café Read More

Staff:

Cake-ology pastry chef headed to national culinary finals

Pastry chef Austin Granados emerged a champion at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party Winnipeg, the regional qualifier for the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championships. Monday’s event at the Fairmont Hotel sa... Read More

Aaron Epp:

Serving up inspiration, recognition

Winnipeg Little Caesars franchisee secures inaugural national Food Industry Award Read More

Conrad Sweatman:

Fans of Phantom find paradise

Filmmaker Kevin Smith in Winnipeg for anniversary screening of 1974 cult movie and documentary on city's love affair with it Read More

AV Kitching:

Lost and found

Holocaust poetry-inspired show among offerings at new Jewish cultural festival Read More

The week that was: Oct. 23-28

Test your city savvy! This week's topics: Portage and Main, Hero-Man, fatal collision, heating buildings, Memorial Woodland Take the quiz