The Wrap: Illegal border crossing, downtown development, MLL board changes and a surge in interest in basketball

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'Winter weather can quickly prove deadly'

Mounties are warning would-be migrants against attempting to cross the border from the United States on foot after four men were picked up attempting to cross into Canada near Emerson, Man., one suffering serious, weather-related injuries.

Over the last year, RCMP have intercepted 71 people crossing from the U.S. into Manitoba, while about 300 people have been caught attempting to cross from Canada into the United States south of Manitoba’s border.

Tyler Searle:

RCMP catch four men illegally walking into Canada; one suffers serious weather-related injuries

Canadian border agents have four African men in custody — one of them suffering serious, weather-related injuries — who were picked up near Emerson after they illegally walked into the country Saturda... Read More

Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.

'This is what true economic reconciliation looks like'

Today the True North Real Estate Development and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization signed a memorandum of understanding to co-ordinate their projects in Winnipeg’s downtown shopping district.

True North aims to replace Portage Place mall with a 15-storey health-care services tower, a 16-storey residential building, a main-floor grocery store, and community, social and service space.

SCO’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn multi-use development, which will replace the former Bay downtown, is located near the mall.

Joyanne Pursaga:

True North, Southern Chiefs join forces in downtown projects as cost estimates jump

A new partnership is being celebrated as a critical step toward economic reconciliation, which is expected to transform two massive downtown projects and improve the lives of people who live near them... Read More

'A public delivery approach'

The new NDP government continued to put its stamp on the boards of provincial Crown corporations, announcing Tuesday that former Tory cabinet minister Bonnie Mitchelson had been replaced as Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. chairperson.

Jeff Traeger, president of UFCW Canada Local 832, which represents workers at Manitoba grocery stores, was named chairman of the MLL board of directors.

The government’s mandate letter for the new chair and board members says MLL and other Crowns “belong to the people of Manitoba and should always remain publicly owned and operated.”

Kevin Rollason:

NDP remakes MLL board with emphasis on public ownership, operation

The taps have been shut off and corks put back in the bottles on any potential move to expand private liquor sales in Manitoba. On Tuesday, the new NDP government continued to put its stamp on the ... Read More

'This growth that we have is fantastic'

The return of pro hoops with the Winnipeg Sea Bears and Canada’s senior men’s great results at the FIBA World Cup is being credited with a surge of interest in basketball in Manitoba.

Last year the sport saw a 23% growth in participation across all age groups and genders.

Taylor Allen:

Hoops at an all-time high

Growing popularity of basketball in Manitoba comes with challenges Read More