High-risk Sex Offender Returns, Daily Gym & Hellebuyck Trade Request — Winnipeg Thursday

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. High-risk sex offender Desmond Catcheway expected to live in Winnipeg after release. Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit and Winnipeg Police said Catcheway, 37, was released from Milner Ridge Correctional Centre after serving a six-month and 12-day sentence and has convictions including sexual assault of a sleeping 16-year-old in 2010.
2. 29-year-old arrested and charged in stabbing of 22-year-old Dollarama security guard. Police arrested the suspect near Portage Avenue and Strathmillan Road Wednesday; the victim was taken to hospital in serious condition and later upgraded to stable, and the accused faces aggravated assault, robbery and probation-breach charges.
3. Man fell through ceiling during Gimli search for Interlake robbery suspect where shots were fired. RCMP reported the ceiling collapse happened during a search tied to an Interlake robbery that involved shots fired, and officers were conducting the Gimli home search as part of that investigation.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Manitoba to require daily in-person physical-education classes for K–12 in pilot program. Premier Wab Kinew announced the two-year “Every Body Every Day” pilot starting this fall with 25 schools in Winnipeg, Brandon and rural Manitoba, and Grade 11–12 students will need 110 hours of in-person phys ed in 2027–28.
2. Winnipeg police will stop providing paid retail security by spring, chief says. Winnipeg Police Service told council it plans to end officer-provided retail security by spring, affecting arrangements where officers were used for store security shifts.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Ottawa-based Abacus Data acquires Winnipeg polling firm Probe Research. The acquisition transfers Probe Research’s operations to Abacus Data, changing ownership of the Winnipeg-based firm and consolidating polling services under the Ottawa company.
2. Manitoba businesses hit by trade war await provincial support-plan details. Local business owners affected by recent trade tensions said they are waiting on the province to release specifics of a support plan for affected Manitoba firms.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Winnipeg Sea Bears credited with sparking a 26% youth basketball participation jump. Basketball Manitoba reported a 26-per-cent increase in youth participation after the Sea Bears’ 2023 entry, and the CEBL team’s recent championship is driving renewed interest in camps and clubs.
2. Assiniboine Park Zoo announces red panda cub has emerged. Zoo staff confirmed the appearance of the red panda cub this month, marking a notable addition to the park’s breeding and visitor programs.

🏈 Sports

1. Connor Hellebuyck publicly requests trade from Winnipeg Jets. Hellebuyck said via his agent’s X post that he privately asked for a trade “several months ago,” and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed the team is listening to offers but provided no update.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5–5) face CFL-leading Montreal Alouettes (9–1) Friday. The Bombers sit fourth in the West at 5–5 and will play the Alouettes in Week 13 after blowing a 16–0 lead in last week’s loss to the Edmonton Elks.

📰 Also Today

• Convicted sex offender expected to live in Winnipeg.
• Exchange Movie Exchange runs VHS nights in Exchange District.
• Riley Laychuk’s Manitoba forecast for Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026.
• Teams working to keep invasive species out of northern Manitoba waters.
• Brandon business owner targeted by night market scam, says he’s not alone.
• Winnipeg business dropped U.S. shipping to avoid new tariffs.
• Consumers report strengthened resolve to buy Canadian goods.
• Winnipeg councillor urges businesses to fly the Canadian flag.
• Eyelash glue used to track monarch butterflies to Mexico.
• U.S. university marching band to perform at Blue Bombers game.
• City warns of possible smell as new sewage headworks comes online.
• Federal housing advocate says First Nations need better climate emergency protection.
• More charges after 445 guns and explosives found at former MP Inky Mark’s home.
• Manitoba to make in-person phys ed mandatory for K–12 students (provincial announcement).
• Man arrested after security guard stabbed at Portage Avenue Dollarama.
• (Duplicate entry) Winnipeg business relieved to dodge tariffs after dropping U.S. suppliers.
• (Duplicate entry) Man falls through ceiling during Gimli home search.
• (Duplicate entry) City warns of potential smell from new sewage facility.