The Wrap: Drug testing at festivals, pothole AI, crash recovery, and Winnipegger leads the Northern Super League

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

'We want to see drug checking everywhere'

Drug use at music festivals is an open secret — and as the number of Manitobans killed by drugs increases, some festivals are offering testing to help protect attendees from poisonings and overdoses.

Reporter Malak Abas looks at local festivals’ plans to offer drug testing or supplies, naloxone availability, needle disposal and other harm-reduction services.

Malak Abas:

Summer festivals urged to provide drug testing amid record deaths in Manitoba

Organizers of Manitoba’s summer festivals have been asked to include drug-testing in their lineups, against the backdrop of an increase in drug-related deaths across the province last year. There w... Read More

'They’re overwhelmed in a positive way'

The survival of a Winnipeg couple who were seriously injured when a tractor-trailer slammed into the back of their SUV has been described by family as nothing short of a miracle.

Carli and Marcus Paetzold, whose pet dog, Oakley, also survived, are facing long recoveries after their vehicle was crushed between two semi-trucks while coming to a stop at Lagimodiere Boulevard and East Mint Place Friday morning.

Chris Kitching reports on what’s known so far about the crash.

Chris Kitching:

‘Long road to recovery’

Couple escapes death after vehicle sandwiched between semi-trucks Read More

'It uses machine vision, essentially, to say, "is this a pothole?"'

The City of Winnipeg is test-driving a few artificial intelligence projects to try to improve services — and one, it’s hoped, will get potholes fixed faster.

A pilot project will combine AI and cameras mounted on city vehicles to identify and classify potholes, so city crews have better intel about where the worst potholes are located.

Currently, citizens and city crews are relied on to report cracks and craters in the road. The camera/AI system would not require a human to make a report.

City hall reporter Joyanne Pursaga talks to the city’s director of innovation and technology about the project.

Joyanne Pursaga:

City looks to AI to get a jump on potholes

The City of Winnipeg will use artificial intelligence to pinpoint the locations and sizes of potholes, with the goal of speeding up that work. The pothole imaging pilot project is one of a few new ... Read More

'There’s more Desiree Scotts out there in Winnipeg'

Christina Litz, a University of Manitoba-trained lawyer and longtime sports executive, has been named the first president of the Northern Super League.

The NSL will start play next April without a franchise in Winnipeg; a six-team league with clubs in Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary was unveiled in late May.

Sports writer Mike Sawatzky talks to Litz and league founder Diana Matheson about the new role.

Mike Sawatzky:

Winnipegger Litz chosen to lead new women’s pro soccer league

The Northern Super League, Canada’s fledgling women’s pro soccer loop, won’t have a team in Winnipeg for its inaugural season in 2025 but it will have an influential Winnipegger atop its power structu... Read More