The Wrap: Manitoba’s new senator, provincial flag, assault escape, Second Cup, Bomber notes
Plus! This week's News Quiz

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced over the weekend that longtime broadcaster (and weekly Free Press columnist), Charles Adler was one of two new independent senators appointed by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.

Columnist Dan Lett looks at why the appointment is making waves among local Liberals.

And Maggie Macintosh reports on Indigenous leaders — including the only Manitoba representative in the federal cabinet — who are calling the appointment into question.

Around half of Manitobans would like to replace the province’s flag, while the other half do not, according to a new Probe Research poll conducted earlier this month.

Respondents were evenly split on whether the flag should better reflect Manitoba’s Indigenous population, with similar proportions agreeing – and disagreeing – that it should no longer include the Union Jack and St. George’s Cross, Probe said.

An Indigenous sex-trade worker told a court last week she fought for her life after escaping from a man who drove her outside the city and bound her legs and arms with packing tape.

The woman managed to free her restraints and run through a field onto a rural highway, where she flagged down a passing motorist.

Her attacker was convicted of assault, forcible confinement, uttering threats and obtaining sexual services for consideration; Dean Pritchard reports on what the court heard.

Another change is coming to CF Polo Park: after decades in operation, the mall’s Second Cup Café is closing.

Qaiser Usmani, who purchased the café six years ago, says he’d like to continue operating. But the first-floor shop’s lease ends in August, and another company has offered to pay higher rent, he says.

Business reporter Gabrielle Piché reports on the end of an era.

The scene in the visitor’s locker room at BC Place following the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 20-11 victory over the B.C. Lions was unlike any sportswriter Jeff Hamilton has seen so far in this up-and-down season for the Blue and Gold.

If things go well in upcoming games, the team could be atop the West – a place that seemed impossible just a few weeks ago.

But before we think too far ahead, Hamilton digs a bit deeper with some notes and analysis from the Bombers’  weekend win over the Lions.

Test your city savvy with this week’s quiz.