The Wrap: Judge was concerned for slain teen, a day with the premier, Nutty Club owner speaks, and the Crash Test Dummies

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

'I wish she was a priority for the province'

Just one day before a 14-year-old girl was stabbed to death in downtown Winnipeg, a judge expressed alarm over the lack of appropriate housing supports to keep her safe.

The teen was recently taken into custody and had been released on bail Dec. 14.

“I just think in this province, at this time, when we have deep concerns about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, how is that not a priority to see that she has the resources?” provincial court Judge Kusham Sharma said at a Dec. 14 bail hearing for the girl.

The next day, at about 1 p.m., she was stabbed multiple times during an argument on Graham Avenue. A 17-year-old boy is facing charges of second-degree murder.

Dean Pritchard and Chris Kitching:

Judge expressed concern for teen day before slaying

Lack of provincial funding cited in struggle to find home for girl killed on downtown street Read More

Erik Pindera:

Few city homicides involve minors

Children and young people rarely fall victim to homicide in Winnipeg. The youngest victim of the year to date is 14. She was allegedly stabbed by a 17-year-old boy on Graham Avenue near Fort Street... Read More

'This is the best possible scenario in the multiverse'

Just over two months into his new job, Premier Wab Kinew is settling into his new title, desk and designated seat in an unmarked SUV that transports him to and from work and related events — with the assistance of specialized RCMP officers.

Manitoba’s 25th premier is getting accustomed to long days filled with meetings and long-standing traditions — for instance, the curious practice of leaders hanging paintings of fish in their office.

A behind-the-scenes look at Kinew’s government, as experienced on Friday, Dec. 15, also reveals how he intends to make his personal mark on the Manitoba Legislative Building.

Maggie Macintosh:

Keeping up with Kinew

The Free Press spends a busy December Friday with Manitoba’s new premier, who is up long before the sun — although he’s not happy about it — and ends his last meeting of the day after it sets Read More

'A good run'

The Nutty Club’s east Exchange buildings may eventually be up for sale. First, though, James Burt is focused on wrapping up the brand and other operations under its parent company, Scott-Bathgate.

Burt, Scott-Bathgate’s president, sat down for an interview with the Free Press Wednesday. It comes a week after the 120-year-old institution announced its impending closure.

“It’s just change,” Burt, 90, said of the decision. “After 120 years, there’s just been too much change.”

Gabrielle Piché:

‘It’s just change’

Business model that powered Nutty Club ‘no longer there’, says company president Read More

'It’s not going to make people say, "Did Brad Roberts hit his head?"'

The Crash Test Dummies are ready to encounter a friendly ghost of Christmas past.

The Winnipeg rock group, which emerged from the Blue Note Café scene to fame seemingly overnight in 1991, will take the stage at the Club Regent Event Centre Thursday.

They’ll build some yuletide spirit by mixing Christmas carols — “A peppering, a sprinkling,” singer Ellen Reid says — with their own classics, some of which are as instantly recognizable as any holiday tune.

Alan Small:

Dummies jingling all the way back home

Holiday tunes and hits on tap Read More