The Wrap: Border deaths, hockey coach pleads guilty, Kinew’s catch-22, new face at PTE, CFL commissioner’s thankless job
Plus! A spooky season roundup

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

'Going to die before they get here'

Chris Kitching:

‘They going to be alive?’

Men accused in human smuggling case texted about cold weeks before migrants froze to death near Manitoba-U.S. border, court docs reveal Read More

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'Grooming and gaining the trust of the survivor'

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

'Cause for careful consideration'

Dan Lett:

Kinew faces catch-22 ahead of inquiry into WPS HQ scandal

Premier Wab Kinew is facing only two options, punishment or accountability, as he forges ahead with plans for a public inquiry into the scandal-plagued construction of the downtown Winnipeg Police Service headquarters, which ended up $80 million over budget. Read More

'Passionate about honouring PTE’s legacy'

Ben Waldman:

PTE names Ann Hodges as new artistic director

Ann Hodges, one of the most experienced professionals in Winnipeg’s theatre industry, is the new artistic director of Prairie Theatre Exchange. With extensive credits on national and international stages, Hodges is set to begin leading the 51-year-old company on Nov. 4. Read More

'Some unfinished business'

Jeff Hamilton:

Ambrosie leaves to mixed reviews

Winnipegger did his best in thankless job as CFL commissioner Read More

Trick or treat

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

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

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

Rebecca Chambers:

Our old homes are full of character and spirit(s)

Each year, fall visits us with its quiet and familiar presence. And tiptoeing from the attic, an unknown visitor settles on the stairs while I work in what must have been her home. 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

World

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press: Keys to the White House: A breakdown of the battleground states in the U.S. election

The Associated Press: How Putin views the choice between Harris and Trump, and what the election means for Russia

Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press: North Korean troops sent to Russia may be pleased to be there, even as they face ferocious fighting

Bassem Mroue, Julia Frankel And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press: A new push to wind down the Middle East wars faces familiar challenges

Sally Abou Aljoud, The Associated Press: Hezbollah chief says group will hold out in its war with Israel for ‘suitable’ cease-fire terms

Alicia León, Joseph Wilson And Teresa Medrano, The Associated Press: At least 95 people die in devastating flash floods in Spain

Sopheng Cheang, The Associated Press: Cambodian archaeologists discover a dozen centuries-old sandstone statues at Angkor UNESCO site

Jim Gomez, The Associated Press: A powerful typhoon nears the Philippines, with many shelters still crammed after a recent storm

The Associated Press: 12 dead and 1 injured in explosion at steel plant in central Mexico

Steven Grattan, The Associated Press: Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit

Canada

Laura Osman, The Canadian Press: ‘Not going to play their games’: Singh won’t help Tories, Bloc topple the Liberals

Nojoud Al Mallees and Laura Osman, The Canadian Press: PM says he’s trying to get Poilievre names of Tories linked to foreign interference

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press: Federal government would have to double military spending to meet NATO target: PBO

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press: Tory MPs backed communities seeking Liberal housing fund Poilievre vows to cut

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press: Recounts rarely alter elections. There’s another reason they matter, says B.C. expert

Sharif Hassan, The Canadian Press: Ottawa urged to halt imports of endangered monkeys for drug testing, amid U.S. probe

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press: Apparel retailers like Arc’teryx see in-store repair centres as ‘the future’

Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press: Alzheimer Society supports advance MAID requests, but also good dementia care

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press: Forget the beaver, moose and goose. These are the most Canadian animals

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

Local

Scott Billeck: Osborne Village violence sends two people to hospital, one in critical condition; two people arrested

Erik Pindera: Estate of woman who died from local anesthetic injected into blood vessel sues Morden dentist, his business, clinic

Matthew Frank: The election of our discontent: City at a crumbling crossroads, grumbling residents say in poll

Chris Kitching and Joyanne Pursaga: Mayoral candidates Klein, Vogiatzakis continue to snipe over inducement allegations

Free Press staff: Province looks to boost safety for cannabis workers

Morgan Modjeski: ’Disgusting’ posters being investigated by police

Chris Kitching: Software glitch caused multi-provincial 911 outage: Bell

Kelly-Anne Riess: Deadpool drops by Children’s Hospital to say thanks on behalf of Olympian’s family

Morgan Modjeski: Winnipeggers witness unveiling of Japanese Canadian monument in B.C.

AV Kitching: Lemonade stand brings in hundreds for West Broadway Youth Outreach

Opinion

Dan Lett: Residents who blame civic politicians for all that ails us should know it’s not entirely their fault

Niigaan Sinclair: AI poses threat to Indigenous culture, knowledge, creativity

Laura Reimer: What do we elect a school trustee to do?

Joel Schlesinger: International flavour: Canadian investors may want to make like Ottawa, diversify beyond U.S.

Editorial: Broadening prediction-market gambling a bad idea

Steven Fletcher: Every constituent deserves a voice in question period

Bryn Oliver: Fewer pitchforks, better policy

Tim Kist: What’s luck got to do with it?

Tory McNally: Manitoba marks end of sending simple workplace problems to doctor’s office

Laura Rance-Unger: Wet weather heats up feed grain availability

Arts & Life

Julie Carr Smyth And Patrick Aftoora-orsagos, The Associated Press: Former ‘American Idol’ singer Caleb Flynn is sentenced to life in prison for wife’s murder

Kaitlyn Huamani And Barbara Ortutay, The Associated Press: A reckoning on social media addiction came late for many kids. Will AI safety be different?

The Canadian Press: Montreal-raised Juno-award-winning singer Sass Jordan dies at 65

Kaitlyn McGrath, The Canadian Press: Finalists for $100K Giller Prize say the recognition feels like a vote of confidence

Maria Sherman, The Associated Press: Inside the DC ‘Power to the People’ festival headlined by Bruce Springsteen

Holly Harris: Moving drama at MTYP gives voice to boy who changed law

Josiah Neufeld: The idea of Alberta separation viewed through a faith lens shows further fracture lines

Conrad Sweatman: Artist’s inspired work brings Red River Métis story back to Portage and Main

Conrad Sweatman: Robot study gives seniors say in era of AI

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press: Michael J. Fox promoted to companion level of Order of Canada

Sports

Ken Wiebe: Crosby sings praises of Jets Bjorck, summer training partner Barron

Joshua Frey-Sam: Rifles win the battle, but lose post-season push

Stephen Whyno And Noah Trister, The Associated Press: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin says his 22nd NHL season will be his last

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press: Speed Skating Canada working to regain charitable status after missed tax filing

Joshua Frey-Sam: Six high school hockey programs ceased operations following new Hockey Manitoba policy

Ken Wiebe: Stevenson set for first Jets start against Penguins

Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre: Influx of young talent gives Jets a noticeable boost

Ken Wiebe: Connor powers Jets past Red Wings for first win of season

Taylor Allen: Bombers on outside looking in after beatdown from Als

Taylor Allen: Bombers get ‘whopped’ in Montreal

Business

The Canadian Press: S&P/TSX composite inches higher, U.S. markets also gain ground

Scott Billeck: Hydro reports $446-M loss in 2025-26, points to fourth drought year in past five

Abiola Odutola: Brandon meat packer thriving on its own

Aaron Epp: Board game company charts winning path

Aaron Epp: ‘Amazing honour’: Winnipeg distribution centre continues award-winning ways for McKesson Canada

Gabrielle Piché: Manitoba-Canada Defence Alliance unveiled

Collin Binkley And John Leicester, The Associated Press: G7 nations will release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel fuel after prices soar

Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press: TSX rises nearly 350 points amid investor focus on economic resilience

Gabrielle Piché: Critical mineral development: Grid Metals promotes southeast Manitoba cesium deposit

Aaron Epp: Wawanesa rebrands newest branch WSI

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