The Wrap: MAID and mental illness, funding for school divisions, family of slaying victim speaks, authentic corn tortillas and Nebraska’s hockey pipeline

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

'I wanted to die with them peacefully, and not scared and alone'

After 20 years worth of medication and treatment for her mental illness stopped working five years ago, Cathy Van Buskirk had one thing to live for: knowing that soon she could receive a medically assisted death with family at her side.

On Thursday, news that the federal government won’t allow MAID to be available for people with mental illness until at least 2027 came as a blow.

Now, she’s considering suicide.

Carol Sanders:

She just wants to die in peace

Manitoba woman with incurable mental illness upset medically assisted death not an option Read More

Savour Manitoba Spring issue cover featuring colourful mixed drinks on a table.

'We trust (them) to make the choices that will impact positively their community'

Education Minister Nello Altomare announced Thursday the NDP government will be giving 37 Manitoba school divisions $93.4 million in additional operating funding in advance of the upcoming school year.

In addition to the increased funding, the government is also giving back to school trustees the ability to raise local property taxes as they see fit.

Maggie Macintosh:

Province boosts school funding, reinstates trustee taxing powers

Manitoba’s new government is restoring trustees’ right to raise local property taxes and topping up public school funding above the rate of inflation forecast for 2024. Ahead of the coming school y... Read More

'I want him to serve the rest of his life in jail'

As years passed and the trail seemed to go cold, Joe Saunders never thought he’d see the day a suspect would be arrested in the 2007 slaying of his younger sister.

He had mixed emotions when Manitoba RCMP announced a second-degree murder charge against Crystal Saunders’ alleged killer Monday — relief and happiness, and anger toward the suspect.

Chris Kitching:

‘It hurt really bad when she died’

Cold-case homicide victim’s brother relieved her suspected killer arrested after nearly 17 years, angry over loss Read More

'I was like, that’s it, I’m going to start making fresh tortillas for our family'

Eduardo and Helena Morales are the founders of Los Comales Morales, a new venture that offers gluten-free, artisanal corn tortillas, the sort one would expect to find at bona fide street taco stands in their native Mexico.

Given that Canada boasts the second-largest number of Mexican emigrants in the world, and that Mexico is the second-most visited country by Canadians, the Moraleses are hoping to appeal to ex-pats who grew up eating Mexican-style tortillas, as well as local travellers looking for a taste of what they enjoyed in the Land of the Sun.

David Sanderson:

Pressed into savoury service

Mexican-Canadian couple conjures up authentic corn tortillas for Prairie palates Read More

'It’s become a team that people want to come to because we’re so good right now'

Midland University has found the winning formula for its women’s hockey team: recruit Manitoba talent.

The 10-hour drive from Fremont, Neb., north on I-29, has led Warriors head coach Jason White to a hotbed of talent and helped transform the No. 2-ranked program in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. Midland is unbeaten through 25 games (23-0-2-0) this season, thanks in large part to the 10 Manitobans on its roster.

Joshua Frey-Sam:

Manitobans making mark at Midland

Keyston province a pipeline for women’s hockey talent at Nebraska University Read More