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Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Luke Shaheen (left) and Armand Konecsni-Luzny, managing partners of APEX Adventure Plex, opened their fourth location (and first in Winnipeg) in Transcona last month. The location features the world’s longest running trampoline at 58.6 metres (192 feet).

Apex Adventure Plex trampoline park opens first Winnipeg location

Aaron Epp 4 minute read Yesterday at 5:13 PM CDT

Mulling over marketing tactics to promote your new business? Set a world record fewer than two weeks after opening.

Staff at Apex Adventure Plex did. On April 9, an adjudicator from Guinness World Records recognized the company’s new location in Winnipeg’s Transcona neighbourhood as having the world’s longest permanent trampoline.

At 58.6 metres (192 feet), it’s a key feature at the trampoline park, which opened at 12-1150 Nairn Ave. at the end of March.

“We’re incredibly proud to bring some of the latest and greatest in attractions from around the world to Winnipeg,” co-owner Luke Shaheen said on Wednesday. “We’ve pulled out all the stops and we hope the community enjoys it.”

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Lululemon shares tumble 12% after former Nike exec named new CEO

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Lululemon shares tumble 12% after former Nike exec named new CEO

Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press 1 minute read 12:04 PM CDT

Lululemon Athletica Inc.'s share price slid by almost 12 per cent a day after the retailer named a new CEO.

The Vancouver-based company's shares were trading on the Nasdaq for about US$144 around mid-afternoon.

BNP Paribas Equity Research senior analyst Laurent Vasilescu says the share price drop is a sign that the market is disappointed Lululemon chose former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill as its next CEO.

He says O’Neill is more of a growth CEO and many feel Lululemon is in need of a turnaround executive instead.

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12:04 PM CDT

Heidi O'Neill, shown in this undated handout photo, has been named CEO of Lululemon Athletica. Inc. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Lululemon (Mandatory Credit)
Heidi O'Neill, shown in this undated handout photo, has been named CEO of Lululemon Athletica. Inc. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Lululemon (Mandatory Credit)

WestJet the latest airline to hike baggage fees amid sky-high jet fuel prices

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

WestJet the latest airline to hike baggage fees amid sky-high jet fuel prices

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 11:28 AM CDT

MONTREAL - WestJet has hiked baggage fees amid soaring jet fuel prices, marking its third increase in two-and-a-half years. 

As of Thursday, customers will pay an extra $5 each for the first and second bag checked in advance, and an extra $10 each for the first and second bag checked at the airport, the Calgary-based airline said in an email.

Passengers with overweight or oversized luggage will also pay $50 more than before.

"These updates are due to industry revenue trends as well as impacts from current global conditions," said WestJet spokesperson Jen Booth.

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Updated: 11:28 AM CDT

Passengers are seen in the WestJet check-in area at Pearson International Airport, in Toronto, Saturday, June 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov”
Passengers are seen in the WestJet check-in area at Pearson International Airport, in Toronto, Saturday, June 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov”

Manitoba crypto companies say provincial plans would put them out of business

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Manitoba crypto companies say provincial plans would put them out of business

Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: 1:02 PM CDT

WINNIPEG - Two cryptocurrency mining companies have told the Manitoba government they could be forced out of business by new proposed laws.

The government has introduced a bill to charge cryptocurrency operations and data centres up to 100 per cent higher rates for electricity.

Another bill would allow Crown-owned Manitoba Hydro to temporarily reduce power to cryptocurrency operators at peak times in order to ensure stability of the grid.

Finance Minister Adrien Sala has said the changes are needed because cryptocurrency mines provide low economic value while using substantial electricity.

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Updated: 1:02 PM CDT

Manitoba's Minister of Finance Adrien Sala arrives to take part in a meeting with Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and provincial and territorial finance ministers in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Manitoba's Minister of Finance Adrien Sala arrives to take part in a meeting with Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and provincial and territorial finance ministers in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Winnipeg startup charts path to connections

Aaron Epp 5 minute read Preview

Winnipeg startup charts path to connections

Aaron Epp 5 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Nancy Cooke has lost a few elections in the past, but on Tuesday, she was declared the winner.

The entrepreneur and former MLA candidate won a competition organized by North Forge and the United States Consulate in Winnipeg after pitching her startup, Campaign Compass, to three judges.

Cooke beat six other startups for the prize: round-trip airfare and free admission to the SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Md., next month, where she’ll have the opportunity to connect with investors and U.S. market-entry resources.

“It’s amazing. The opportunity is huge for our company and we’re just super excited,” Cooke said.

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Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press

Aisha Bowe (right) speaks with Nancy Cooke of Campaign Compass on Tuesday at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, alongside U.S. consul Rebecca Molinoff (left).
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Aisha Bowe (right) speaks with Nancy Cooke of Campaign Compass on Tuesday at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, alongside U.S. consul Rebecca Molinoff (left).

Carney says Canada not ‘taking notes’ from Americans as it prepares for trade talks

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Carney says Canada not ‘taking notes’ from Americans as it prepares for trade talks

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:03 AM CDT

OTTAWA - Canada is not just sitting back "taking notes" or instructions from the Americans on trade talks after White House officials complained publicly about irritants in the Canada-U.S. relationship, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.

The prime minister said he's focused on eliminating U.S. tariffs that are hurting key sectors such as steel and aluminum.

"You know what's an irritant? Fifty per cent tariff on steel, 50 per cent on aluminum, 25 per cent on automobiles, all the tariffs on forest products," Carney said during an exchange with reporters in Ottawa on Thursday.

"Those are more than irritants. Those are violations of our trade deal."

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Updated: 11:03 AM CDT

Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to a question during an event in Ottawa on Thursday, April 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prime Minister Mark Carney responds to a question during an event in Ottawa on Thursday, April 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Manitoba company Nexom puts East St. Paul treatment technology demonstration facility in international spotlight

Aaron Epp 6 minute read Preview

Manitoba company Nexom puts East St. Paul treatment technology demonstration facility in international spotlight

Aaron Epp 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:39 AM CDT

Rural Municipality of East St. Paul — If Martin Hildebrand has anything to do with it, people from across the continent who are exploring wastewater treatment options will soon be visiting East St. Paul.

Last week, the founder of Manitoba water solutions company Nexom and other stakeholders celebrated the opening of North America’s first full-scale Cyclor Turbo wastewater treatment demonstration facility.

The project showcases a compact, chemical-free treatment technology that delivers phosphorus and nitrogen removal while significantly reducing infrastructure footprint.

It’s a project that has generated “a huge amount of interest” across North America, said Hildebrand, whose company brought the technology to the community.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:39 AM CDT

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS

Nexom founder Martin Hildebrand with the new Cyclor Turbo wastewater treatment technology at the East St. Paul Wastewater Treatment Facility on Thursday, April 16, 2026. For Aaron story. Free Press 2026
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Nexom founder Martin Hildebrand with the new Cyclor Turbo wastewater treatment technology at the East St. Paul Wastewater Treatment Facility on Thursday, April 16, 2026. For Aaron story. Free Press 2026

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New York Times says FBI investigated reporter after article about director Kash Patel’s girlfriend

David Bauder, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

New York Times says FBI investigated reporter after article about director Kash Patel’s girlfriend

David Bauder, The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 12:39 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times says the FBI investigated whether one of its reporters, Elizabeth Williamson, violated laws against stalking after she wrote a story nearly two months ago about how federal agents had been assigned to protect and give rides to FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend.

The FBI said Wednesday that its agents interviewed Patel's girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, when she expressed concern about a death threat received after Williamson's article was published, but took no further action.

The Times, in an article posted online Wednesday, said that the FBI looked on federal databases for information about Williamson and recommended pursuing it further, but was blocked by the Justice Department.

The newspaper said it learned about all of this only through a tip given to reporter Michael S. Schmidt. The paper called the action alarming.

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Updated: 12:39 PM CDT

FILE - FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
FILE - FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

CBSA investigating alleged dumping of steel racks from China

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

CBSA investigating alleged dumping of steel racks from China

The Canadian Press 1 minute read 11:55 AM CDT

OTTAWA - The Canada Border Services Agency has launched an investigation into the alleged dumping of steel racks from China.

The agency says the investigation to determine whether steel racks are being sold at unfair prices in Canada, subsidized, or both, began Monday.

It comes after a complaint was filed by Arpac Storage Systems, Etalex Inc., Industries Cresswell Inc., the Econo-Rack (2015) Group Inc. and North American Steel Equipment Inc. 

CBSA says the complainants allege they have seen price erosion and depression and lost sales due to dumping.

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11:55 AM CDT

A Canada Border Services Agency patch is seen on the uniform of a CBSA officer at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A Canada Border Services Agency patch is seen on the uniform of a CBSA officer at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

School buses should all have alcohol tests to avoid drunken driving, NTSB recommends

Josh Funk, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

School buses should all have alcohol tests to avoid drunken driving, NTSB recommends

Josh Funk, The Associated Press 5 minute read 1:15 PM CDT

After a school bus rolled on a West Virginia highway two years ago, forcing one boy to have his leg amputated and seriously injuring two other children aboard, police quickly discovered the driver was drunk.

But the National Transportation Safety Board then discovered something even more troubling: School bus drivers driving impaired was not an isolated problem.

That’s why the NTSB on Thursday recommended for the first time that all new school buses be equipped with alcohol detection systems that can disable the bus if they detect the driver might be impaired.

“There’s a higher expectation for school bus drivers than many other types of drivers,” said Kris Poland, deputy director of the NTSB’s Office of Highway Safety. “We expect that the drivers are attentive, not fatigued, not impaired and are driving as safely as possible.”

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1:15 PM CDT

FILE - Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a bus crash, March 4, 2024, on West Virginia Route 16 in Calhoun County, W.Va. (WCHS TV via AP, File)
FILE - Emergency personnel respond to the scene of a bus crash, March 4, 2024, on West Virginia Route 16 in Calhoun County, W.Va. (WCHS TV via AP, File)

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