The Wrap: Fight for acquittal, mayoral reflections, climate minister Q&A, all-gal cover band and talking about tragedy

Robert Sanderson is still adjusting to freedom. He spent 25 years in prison for three murders he says he did not commit.

When the Free Press visited him earlier this year, he’d been out on parole for two years. He’s still amazed by technology like smartphones and self-driving cars, to say nothing of the small joy of walking into a grocery store and buying whatever he wants.

He’s hoping he may soon join the growing ranks of Manitoba’s wrongfully convicted.

What I Know About… is a new Free Press series where we speak to professionals from all walks of life about what they do for a living and the path they took to end up where they are today.

To kick things off, Scott Gillingham reflects on his first year as Winnipeg’s mayor.

Manitoba’s new minister of Environment and Climate Change has a job with a lot of big asks.

Tracy Schmidt’s ministerial mandate letter, made public last week, outlines several “bold” commitments, including making Manitoba a “leader in clean energy,” following through on federal net-zero targets and conservation goals, protecting Lake Winnipeg and investing in provincial parks.

For Schmidt, the most important task in the early days of her tenure will be to strike a balance between immediate action and “getting things right.”

Even though the calendar reads 2023, some people who’ve never witnessed She perform before are flabbergasted when they glance up from their beverage at a Winnipeg legion or bar, to see five women in their 50s and 60s on stage, rocking out like nobody’s business.

“It’s not like they’re surprised there’s a gal on vocals, that’s pretty commonplace,” says bassist Treasure Peterson.

“It’s more like they expect her to be backed by four or five guys, instead of more women.”

David Sanderson profiles She. They’ve got the beat — and much, much more.

Veteran Winnipeg Jets defenceman Neal Pionk agreed to speak about the tragic on-ice death of his good friend Adam Johnson with the Free Press following the team’s practice in Arizona, six days after Johnson’s throat was cut by an opponent’s skate during a professional game overseas.

The Minnesotans spent two seasons together with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL and then two more as teammates with the University of Minnesota-Duluth before their pro careers took them in different directions. Their bond, however, remained strong.

It’s that time of year: Before bed beckons Saturday night, rewind the clock on the microwave, oven, car, and any other device not yet clever enough to make the leap on its own.