News briefs for Thursday, January 29, 2026

Jets lose 4-1 to Lightning

8:52 PM

TAMPA BAY – The Winnipeg Jets were no match for hockey’s hottest team.

A 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night was never really in doubt.

Kyle Connor scored the only goal for Winnipeg, which was outshot 27-12 over the final 40 minutes. Dominic James, Darren Raddysh, Yanni Gourde and Nikita Kucherov (into an empty-net) scored for the Lightning, who are now 16-1-1 in the past 18 games.

The Jets fall to 21-25-7, including 1-1-0 on this four-game road trip which began Tuesday night with a win over the New Jersey Devils.

Winnipeg now heads to Sunrise to face the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon.

Transit union elects new president

4:23 PM

The union for Winnipeg bus drivers has a new leader.

James Van Gerwen has been elected as president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. The role was previously held by Chris Scott.

Van Gerwen will serve in the role for a three-year term, which began Jan. 1, while Derek Hanley was acclaimed as vice-president.

Van Gerwen began his transit career as a bus operator in July 2004 and previously served as the union’s vice-president from 2020 to 2022.

Province earmarks $4 million from American booze sales to child-focused organizations

2:08 PM

The Manitoba government is directing an additional $4 million from the sale of U.S. liquor products to child-focused organizations, Premier Wab Kinew announced Thursday.

The province has earmarked $3 million of that to the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba to support school food programs, while $1 million will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to bolster pediatric care and family-centred services.

The funding comes from proceeds generated after U.S. liquor products were removed from shelves in response to tariffs. The province says it will continue selling the remaining inventory and donate the proceeds to charities across Manitoba.

“Manitobans stepped up over the holidays knowing that the proceeds would go to families in need,” Kinew said in a release. “That support is helping put good food in schools for kids and improve care for children who are sick.”

In December 2025, the government also committed $2.6 million from U.S. liquor sales to food banks and community organizations across Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson and northern Manitoba.

Music teacher charged with sexually assaulting school-aged student

12:49 PM

A music teacher is facing numerous charges after one of his pupils accused him of sexual assault over the span of three years.

In July 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service’s child abuse unit received a report that the victim, who police say was school-aged at the time, was sexually assaulted by their music teacher between January 2022 and July 2025.

The assaults were alleged to have taken place at a home on the 600 block of Nairn Avenue, police said in a news release Thursday.

Jett Russel Panganiban, 32, was arrested and charged Tuesday with sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching. He was released from custody with conditions.

A website bearing Panganiban’s name advertises him as a piano teacher with a “youthful heart.” The site says he teaches piano lessons for all ages.

By midday Thursday, Panganiban’s website and social media pages were taken down.

Court records show Panganiban has no prior criminal record.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with who wishes to speak to investigators can call 204-986-3296.

Sexual assault survivors seeking support can call WPS Victim Services at 204-986-6350 and the Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 204-786-8631.

MPI service centre in Winkler closed due to measles exposure

10:50 AM

The MPI service centre in Winkler is closed until at least Feb. 2 due to a measles exposure.

The Crown corporation announced it became aware of a confirmed case of measles at the service centre and closed “in the best interest of the health and safety of our team, our customers, and our community.”

The location intends to re-open on Feb. 2 but MPI will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as needed.

Anyone who was at the location between Jan. 21 and 23 is asked to monitor themselves for symptoms.

All customers with appointments at the service centre will be contacted to reschedule.

Leaf Rapids Mountie stabbed, teenager Tasered during hospital incident

9:58 AM

A Leaf Rapids RCMP officer Tasered a teenage boy who allegedly stabbed them during an incident in the community’s health centre Tuesday morning.

Officers were called to the community’s health centre around 10:15 a.m. to assist with a 15-year-old patient who would not comply with requests from staff.

The officer attempted to speak with the youth, but he allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed the officer in the hand and upper body, Mounties said in a news release Thursday.

After a lengthy struggle, including the “deployment of a conducted energy weapon” and with help from staff and fellow officers, the youth was taken into custody, the release said. No other injuries were reported.

The teen, from Leaf Rapids, is facing numerous assault and weapons charges. He remains in custody.