The Wrap: The enduring mysteries of Elma, a new era for the Jets and Canada Day festivities

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

A review into the February death of man who was waiting in a Winnipeg hospital hallway to receive care found there was a lack available beds and a surge in patients in the emergency room at the time.

The Winnipeg Jets are buying out the remaining year of former captain Blake Wheeler’s contract. “I want to thank everyone in Winnipeg for all the love and support over these past 12 years,” Wheeler said in a video statement on Friday. Sports columnist Mike McIntyre writes on ushering in a new era for the organization.

And: the town of Elma, Man., boasts natural beauty and strange landmarks made stranger by local lore. Reporter Eva Wasney and photojournalist Mikaela MacKenzie visited the village, located roughly 80 kilometres east of Winnipeg, to share the stories of a beloved midwife, a mass murder, and the next generation of residents. Check out the latest in our “Free Press Field Trips” series.

'We deeply regret this incident'

Chris Kitching:

Critical incident report puts spotlight on HSC overcrowding, staff levels

Hospital had no available monitored beds; one hour later, patient died in its hallway Read More

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'I gave it everything I’ve had'

Mike McIntyre:

Wheeler era is over

Jets buy out former captain Read More

'The people who are here really want to be here'

Eva Wasney:

Life, death and lore

Eastern Manitoba village of Elma has had its ups and downs and enduring mysteries Read More

What to do on Canada Day

Are you deciding how to spend Canada Day? On Saturday night, the sky above The Forks will be filled with 100 glowing drones performing a synchronized dance inspired by Indigenous celestial teachings — a substitute for previous years’ fireworks shows. Some businesses have adjusted their hours to accommodate the holiday.

And a note: The Free Press is not publishing a print edition or e-edition on Saturday, July 1. Features that usually appear in Saturday’s paper were published in today’s paper. For the latest news and information all weekend, visit winnipegfreepress.com.

Eva Wasney:

Dancing drones to cap off Canada Day night show

Show inspired by Indigenous star lore Read More

What’s open and closed this Canada Day weekend

Those seeking to celebrate Canada Day have a wealth of activities to choose from Saturday, including something new from the city’s biggest party. Read More

Tom Brodbeck:

Canada work-in-progress worth fighting for

Not everyone will celebrate Canada Day this weekend. Those who do may do it differently. Read More

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Three Savour Manitoba magazine covers promoting a food, drink, and lifestyle publication.

Local

Free Press staff: Injuries reported after police pursuit on Broadway

Maggie Macintosh: Flooding shutters Nordale School for months

Malak Abas: Mayoral contenders focus on recreation funding, 911, littered streets

Scott Billeck: Pokemon thieves clear out collectibles shop

Chris Kitching: Highway-safety upgrades in progress after tragic Interlake crash

Eva Wasney: Manitoba has recorded 15 tornadoes this year, roughly twice the annual average

Joyanne Pursaga: Downtown no place to be after dark, huge majority of Winnipeggers say in survey

Alex Lambert: International Peace Garden 9/11 remembrance ‘especially meaningful’

Dean Pritchard: Sex assault charges against basketball referee stayed

Joyanne Pursaga: City to hire consultant to analyze 911 staffing levels amid skyrocketing calls

Opinion

Jen Zoratti: Goodness alive, well in N.L.-set musical

Editorial: The port of Churchill — but done right

Free Press: Letters, Sept. 12

Mac Horsburgh: Evaluating the athletic complaint process

Peter McKenna: Is Trump about to poke Quebec’s political beehive?

Laura Reimer: What do we elect a school trustee to do?

Russell Wangersky: Dark money drags democracy toward the abyss

Laura Rance-Unger: Multiple factors add up to difficult harvest

Tory McNally: 9 to 5:

Joel Schlesinger: Bond yields are rising, reflecting fear, loathing about state of world

Arts & Life

Maureen Scurfield: Nifty neighbours also jonesing for geniality

Reviewed by Anita Daher: Debut adult novel proves a twisty, satisfying cozy mystery

Reviewed by Jenna Boholij: Moriarty brings back Pirriwee gang in follow-up to smash hit Big Little Lies

Reviewed by Susan Huebert: Resilience of Afghan women put to the test

Reviewed by Sheilla Jones: Residental school denialism tackled head on in valuable new collection of essays

Free Press: On the Night Table: Sean Burns

Reviewed by Matt Henderson: Links between video games, violence pale in comparison to their miseducative nature

Ben Sigurdson: Book awards back Sept. 19 with six prizes

Reviewed by Andrea Geary: Mormon’s middling mission offers intriguing insight

Mitch Calvert: Can we actually outrun Father Time?

Sports

Mike McIntyre: Blown save sees Goldeyes season slip away

Ryan Desjarlais: Roblin links a hidden gem

Taylor Allen: DAZN hires former Bombers QB Streveler as CFL, NFL analyst

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press: Blue Jays fall to Orioles in opener of critical three-game series

Grace Anne Paizen: Around the NSL: Record broken; standings rocked; Calgary a wild watch

George Williams: Mechanic Susie helps turn jockey standings around at Assiniboia Downs

Taylor Allen: It all comes down to the Banjo Bowl

Joshua Frey-Sam: American takes men’s senior title, Manitoban Fanning finishes third

David Sanderson: What it means to be green… in a city beholden to the blue and gold

Ken Wiebe: Banjo Bowl a big deal for new and returning faces

Business

Aaron Epp: Winnipeg-produced podcast Careers Under Construction keeps rolling for Pederson Group

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press: Stellantis signs MOU on Brampton, Ont., plant as talks with union break down

Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press: TSX rises on tech strength, U.S. stock markets also climb

Daniel Johnson, The Canadian Press: Roots reports Q2 loss, sets date for shareholder vote on privatization deal

Gabrielle Piché: Manitoba-Canada Defence Alliance unveiled

Gabrielle Piché: Mining, mineral exploration projects ramp up, First Nations training lags

Gabrielle Piché: Manitoba’s economic growth this year dogged by ‘uncertainty’: report

Aaron Epp: Denim-focused firm Duer sets up Winnipeg shop

Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press: Canada’s economic growth expected to rebound, but risks remain on the horizon: report

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press: CRTC moves forward with changes to make it easier to compare internet plans

Canada and World

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press: Gunshots ring out at B.C. ostrich farm as cull moves ahead

Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press: Canada reports fastest population growth in history in third quarter of 2023

The Canadian Press: Canadian judokas Gauthier-Drapeau, Reyes win bronze at Tokyo Grand Slam

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press: Sweeping tariffs could be 3% hit to Canadian economy, even with carve-outs: report

Charlotte Kramon And Jeff Martin, The Associated Press: Shooter attacked CDC headquarters to protest COVID-19 vaccines

Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press: Canadian ice climbers bring thriving, nascent sport to world championship in Edmonton

The Canadian Press: Woman faces more charges in Taylor Swift ticket scam, 2nd person charged: police

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press: Heightened security for Manitoba politicians appears to be a sign of the times

Giada Zampano And Sylvia Hui, The Associated Press: Thousands join pro-Palestinian rallies around the globe as Oct. 7 anniversary nears

The Canadian Press: Emir of Qatar to visit Ottawa on what will be his first official trip to Canada

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