Plasma Clinic Pauses Collections, Sea Bears Guard Injured & Two Toddlers Drown — Winnipeg Thursday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Two toddlers found dead in Garden Hill lake. RCMP say two boys, ages one and two, were found in a lake and pronounced dead at the community nursing station in Garden Hill Anisininew Nation, about 610 km northeast of Winnipeg; police believe the children left their home and do not suspect foul play.
2. Fire crews responded to blaze on Sherbrook Street. Winnipeg fire units fought a fire on Sherbrook Street Thursday; authorities attended the scene and firefighting operations were reported during the morning response.

🏥 Health

1. Grifols pauses plasma collection at all Canadian clinics after Health Canada inspection. The for-profit plasma operator said it voluntarily halted collections nationwide after Health Canada issued a notice of non-compliance for a Winnipeg site citing gaps in equipment validation, cleaning and staff training; Health Canada has issued six non-compliance ratings for Grifols sites since 2022.
2. Woman says little changed after nearly 26-hour ER wait at HSC in 2025. Beverley Masters, 73, who waited about 26 hours in the Health Sciences Centre emergency department in October 2025, says she still sees long waits and reports being stalled in a hallway for 14 hours before care; she later received a 15-minute ultrasound and treatment.
3. Manitoba measles cases hit lowest point in over a year. Provincial public-health data show measles infections have fallen to the lowest level in more than 12 months while experts warn infections could spike again without sustained vaccination coverage.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Dynacare lab workers in Brandon and Winnipeg vote overwhelmingly to strike. Workers in Brandon and Winnipeg voted in favour of strike action by a large margin, signalling potential service disruptions for community lab testing pending bargaining progress.
2. Manitoba to pitch Port of Churchill expansion to global investors. The provincial government plans to present Port of Churchill expansion proposals to leading international investors as part of efforts to boost northern transportation and export capacity.
3. CEBL reverts to single-game final after cancelled opener between Winnipeg and Brampton. The Canadian Elite Basketball League adjusted the finals format to a one-game title after the Winnipeg–Brampton series opener was cancelled, affecting scheduling for the Canada Life Centre final.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Three security guards charged after assault injured Sea Bears guard Teddy Allen. WPS arrested three men, ages 35, 37 and 58, on assault causing bodily harm charges in an alleged Main Street nightclub assault that left 28-year-old Teddy Allen hospitalized and ruled him out of upcoming CEBL playoff play.
2. Woman charged with murder in 2023 death of man found injured on Winnipeg sidewalk. A woman has been charged in relation to a 2023 incident where a man was found injured on a Winnipeg sidewalk; police laid the homicide charge following their investigation.
3. Escaped inmate back in custody after fleeing Milner Ridge jail. Corrections officers recaptured an inmate who escaped from Milner Ridge provincial facility and returned the individual to custody, with authorities confirming the recapture Thursday.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Coun. Russ Wyatt attended City Hall committee meeting despite sexual-assault and drug charges. Transcona councillor Russ Wyatt, 56, appeared at the East Kildonan–Transcona community committee meeting Thursday; Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Wyatt should step down amid charges stemming from incidents in October 2023 and December 2023.
2. Province continues outreach for Churchill port expansion to investors. Manitoba officials plan investor pitches overseas as part of a broader strategy to develop the Port of Churchill and increase export capacity from northern Manitoba.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Queer-owned Wolseley store reports repeated Pride-flag targeting. The small Wolseley business said its Pride flags have been repeatedly targeted and removed, prompting community concern and Police awareness of the incidents.
2. Winnipeg woman sues pickleball organization after wrist fracture and concussion. A local woman filed a lawsuit against a pickleball organization, alleging injuries including a fractured wrist and concussion sustained at a club event.

📰 Also Today

• Three security staff charged after Sea Bears player injured at nightclub, arrests made at WPS HQ.
• Two toddlers found in lake in Garden Hill First Nation, ages one and two.
• Riley Laychuk issues Manitoba forecast for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, local weather briefing.
• Manitoba farmers gather to learn climate-adaptation technology, regional workshop held.
• Steinbach RCMP warn of overpayment scam after fraudulent cheque sent to charity, investigation ongoing.