News briefs for Saturday, April 18, 2026

Peguis First Nation declares state of emergency

5:45 PM

The Peguis First Nation has declared a state of emergency as the community’s chief has said flood risk is now a certainty.

In a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon Chief Stan Bird made the announcement, saying information received this morning indicates flood waters will pass over the banks of the Fisher River in the coming days.

“Evacuations of our residents will be required,” he said in the video update. “Information provided this morning is that a flood similar to 2022 could be expected.”

He says while it’s uncertain when the community will be overcome by the rising water, “flooding will be extensive” and the severity will be determined by temperatures and precipitation the coming week.

Jets keeping Koepke in fold

4:34 PM

The Winnipeg Jets saw enough from Cole Koepke to determine they wanted to keep him around for a couple more seasons.

Koepke, who led the Jets in hits (186) and chipped in eight goals and 17 points in 66 games, agreed to a two-year deal with an AAV of US$1.45 million that was announced on Saturday afternoon.

The speedy left-winger matched his career high for points and made a solid contribution to the penalty kill in his first season with the Jets.

For a team that needs to be faster and harder to play against, retaining Koepke before he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 is a smart move.

Koepke, who turns 28 next month, gets a raise and the security of a multiyear contract.

Other players on the Jets roster who can become unrestricted free agents on July 1 include backup goalie Eric Comrie, defencemen Colin Miller, Ville Heinola and Jacob Bryson, and forwards Gustav Nyquist and Winnipegger Jonathan Toews, who is considering retirement.