Trade Fallout, Free Transit & Fatal Fires — Winnipeg's Week in Review.

Carney asking provinces to return U.S. booze to shelves as trade deal being finalized, N.S. premier says

Winnipeg man who once fled Somalia as refugee sentenced to 4 years for human smuggling

A man who once fled to Winnipeg as a Somalian refugee will spend the next 500 days behind bars after admitting to making money smuggling immigrants across the Canada-U.S. border.

Number of adverse reactions by plasma donors reduced after Grifols flagged misclassification: Health Canada

Numerous incidents in which people were purportedly left with some serious medical condition after donating plasma at clinics owned by Grifols had actually been "misclassified" by the company, Health Canada says.

2 men sentenced in 'callous and violent' killings of couple in Portage la Prairie, Man.

It took minutes for Preston Whitford to barge into a Portage la Prairie home with his uncle in 2024, fatally shoot a man over a drug debt, kill the man's girlfriend in a bathroom and flee the scene.

Human remains found in Umpherville, Manitoba RCMP say

Manitoba RCMP say human remains found in Umpherville this week are that of "a newly born infant or fetus."

Winnipeg police officer won't face charges after man shot with beanbag rounds in 2024

No charges will be laid against a Winnipeg police officer who shot a man with beanbag rounds after he refused to exit a home, claimed to have a gun and set a fire inside, the province's police watchdog says.

'Fantastic opportunity for students' as Brandon set to introduce free transit for youth

Brandon is set to become the second Manitoba city to provide free public transit for youth, starting Sept. 1.

University of Manitoba's medical school welcomes incoming students at ceremony

A group of more than 100 future doctors walked across the stage carrying white lab coats as a crowd filled with their loved ones clapped, cheered and snapped pictures at Winnipeg's Centennial Concert Hall.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers lose Ethan Ball to season-ending injury

Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea revealed that defensive back Ethan Ball is expected to miss the rest of the season on Wednesday.

Manitoba farmers harvest crops while reflecting on a ‘volatile’ year

Manitoba producers are harvesting their fields and reflecting on the after extreme weathers, tariffs, and rising prices farming season.

Manitoba's only food hub connects farmers with wholesale buyers

The federal government aims to lower grocery prices through a strategy that includes spending $1 billion on food infrastructure, such as wholesale marketplaces known as food hubs and food terminals. Manitoba's only food hub questions how the strategy will balance fair prices for local farmers while lowering your bill at checkout.

New Manitoba-made ride-hailing app launches in Steinbach

A new ride-hailing app is setting its roots in a southeastern Manitoba city. KodaGO aims to connect communities with a lack of public transportation or access to other ride-hailing services, such as Uber or Lyft.

'Extreme' underfunding of legal aid faces constitutional challenge in Manitoba

The federal and provincial governments are being accused of violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by underfunding legal aid for criminal defence in Manitoba.

Boarded-up house burns off Disraeli Freeway in central Winnipeg

Smoke filled the air around Winnipeg's South Point Douglas neighbourhood on Thursday as emergency crews worked to put out a fire in a boarded-up house.

Riley Laychuk's Manitoba forecast for Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026

A pleasant day is ahead for much of southern and central Manitoba. There will likely be a few scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms in northern Manitoba through the afternoon.

If U.S. booze returns to shelves, 'leave it there,' Manitoba premier says

Manitoba's premier says he's open to restocking American liquor as part of a potential trade deal, but with a suggestion — "Don't buy it."

Winnipeg artists design national monument recognizing the LGBT Purge

A Winnipeg team designed a monument that's being unveiled in Ottawa to mark the harm caused by the LGBT Purge.

WHS temporarily freezes intake, says resources ‘stretched incredibly thin’

The Winnipeg Humane Society said it is temporarily freezing intake, noting that it will 'still have support for pet owners,' including its pet food bank.

Winnipeg man gets 10 years for 'senseless, unprovoked' killing of Ukrainian newcomer in 2023

The widow of a Ukrainian newcomer fatally stabbed in Winnipeg in 2023 says she lost her sense of security and joy in life the day her husband was killed — and she continues to live in fear for the lives of their two kids, even years later.

Winnipeg students will soon ride for free as transit officials prepare for pilot project's rollout

Free youth transit passes will be available for students in Manitoba's largest city beginning in September, as Winnipeg Transit prepares to roll out a new pilot program at the start of the school year.

U.S. alcohol may go back on Manitoba shelves, but Kinew urges customers to buy Canadian

Kinew saying he's open to the idea if it will help secure a good deal for Canada, but still encouraging customers not to buy the American products.

Vacant Winnipeg home to be demolished after ‘severe fire, smoke and water damage’

A vacant home in Point Douglas is set to be knocked down after its second fire this summer, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service said.

Shrinking sea ice makes year-round shipping possible on Hudson Bay: Manitoba premier's office

Year-round shipping is possible on Hudson Bay without the use of the most expensive icebreakers, a spokesperson for Premier Wab Kinew says.

Accepting 25% tariff rate for steel a win for Trump, Manitoba businesses say

A Manitoba steel distributor says he's shrugging his shoulders amid reports lower tariffs for the industry will be part of a looming U.S.-Canada trade deal.

Winnipeg’s Braxton Kuntz 1 shot off the lead at Manitoba Open

Winnipeg's Braxton Kuntz is in a tie for second place at the Manitoba Open through the opening round at the Elmhurst Golf and Country Club.

What will unite tennis and pickleball players? A whole lot more courts

Across the country, tennis and pickleball players compete for time on too few courts. Here's what planners and sports policy experts say it would take to address the root of the problem — not enough recreational facilities for any sport.

Tories want to turn shuttered Manitoba facility for people with disabilities into addictions recovery centre

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives believe a former facility for people with intellectual disabilities should have a new life supporting Manitobans struggling with opioid addictions.

Manitobans frustrated by lack of cell service in Waskada area

People who live in the Waskada, Man., area say they're frustrated with the lack of cellphone service. A senior with a fractured hip had to crawl to safety last year because he couldn't call for help.

Winnipeg students to ride fare-free as back to school season approaches

Some students are able to ride transit for free in September, but many questions on how the 'overloaded' transit system will handle the increase in riders remain unanswered.

Studies suggest freighters hardened against ice can extend Hudson Bay shipping season

A series of studies suggests freighters hardened against ice can safely navigate Hudson Bay outside of the existing four-month Port of Churchill shipping season — but warn ice will remain in the bay and pose challenges in the coming decades.

Bus driver threatened with hatchet, sparking anger and demands for promised full shields

Winnipeg Transit drivers are "furious," frustrated and fearful for their safety after yet another attack, says their union, which is insisting the city begin installing long-awaited full protective shields.

Manitoba RCMP remind people to drive safe on off-road vehicles after passenger killed

Manitoba RCMP are reminding people to stay safe when driving or riding in off-road vehicles after two people were injured or killed in separate incidents Wednesday.

Orphaned polar bear cub arrives at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo

An orphaned polar bear cub from the Churchill, Man., area has arrived in Winnipeg, the Assiniboine Park Zoo says.

Manitoba reports 4th case of West Nile virus as province to ramp up fogging in hot spot areas

A second case of West Nile virus has been confirmed in a matter of weeks as the Manitoba government plans to fog an area just north of Winnipeg that currently has high infection rates.

Man charged after Winnipeg police allege he sexually assaulted 4 more teens

A 42-year-old man has been arrested after Winnipeg police allege he lured and sexually assaulted four teenage girls, months after he was arrested on similar charges involving two other teens.

Studies show year-round shipping potential from Manitoba’s Port of Churchill

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says studies showing year-round shipping potential from the Port of Churchill boost the case for expanding the Arctic deepsea port.

Manitoba plasma donor died from heart attack-related complications: documents

A person who died after donating plasma at a Grifols location in Winnipeg in January suffered heart attack complications, newly released freedom of information documents say.

New signs give Winnipeg drivers time to detour before getting stuck waiting at rail crossings

New predictive rail crossings unveiled at several Winnipeg intersections this week promise to give drivers a heads up of a potential train delays on the way and to detour accordingly.

Winnipeg mayoral candidate Vogiatzakis promises to reverse transit system overhaul

A Winnipeg mayoral candidate is promising to roll back changes to the city's transit network and will potentially put security in parks if elected.

Winnipeg’s Braxton Kuntz drops back in 2nd round of Manitoba Open

Kuntz fell 38 places in the second round after sitting in a tie for second place, just one stroke off the lead after the opening round.

Churchill residents say year-round shipping would benefit town but tourism, environment must be considered

Churchill, Man., residents are welcoming findings suggesting a longer shipping season is possible but say any expansion must weigh the impacts on tourism and the environment.

Province says Winkler youths will get free transit after uncertainty whether city qualified

Youths in Winkler will soon be able to ride the southern Manitoba city's transit system for free, the province said Friday.

Blanchard hits 40-yard walk-off field goal to lift Elks past Blue Bombers 22-19

Vincent Blanchard kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give the Edmonton Elks a dramatic 22-19 win over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

U.S.-Canada trade talks have collapsed. Carney says these 3 issues torpedoed them

Tariffs of 50 per cent on billions of dollars of Canadian goods are now in effect after talks between the United States and Canada collapsed on Friday night.

'Effectively, we're out of business': U.S. tariffs cut Manitoba honey farm off from vast majority of customers

Osee Podolsky, general manager at Podolski Honey Farms, says the vast majority of honey produced at the family-run business in Ethelbert, Man., is shipped to customers across the United States.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew 100% behind prime minister's decision to pull out of U.S. trade negotiations

"Everybody has got Prime Minister [Mark] Carney's back today," said Kinew after Canadian premiers met with Carney to debrief after negotiations with the U.S. broke down. "I'm glad the prime minister has walked away from what would have been a bad deal."

Southeastern Manitoba communities planning for a changing climate

Climate change is something Chase Harms has thought about every day since his daughter Noah was born a year ago. He attended an open house on Niverville's climate adaptation plan Thursday.

Northern mobile MRI unit arrives for 1st stint in The Pas, Man.

A mobile MRI unit in northern Manitoba will help its first patients in The Pas this week. The mobile MRI unit, which had stayed stationary in Thompson since its launch in June 2025, has provided thousands of scans and made northern wait times for scans some of Manitoba's shortest.