🏥 Health Care Boost Coming to Western Manitoba
Prairie Mountain Health is expanding frontline care with the recruitment of two new midwives and seven nurse practitioners. The additions will bring Brandon’s midwifery program to its full complement of seven professionals, while nurse practitioners will serve communities including Brandon, Melita, Glenboro, and Wawanesa.
🗳️ Election Races Already Decided in Some Communities
With Manitoba’s municipal election still more than a month away, several races are already over by acclamation. Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox and entire councils in the RM of Argyle and Municipality of Cartwright-Roblin have secured new terms. In Brandon, Bruce Luebke has been acclaimed to return as Ward 6 councillor.
👮 Police Training Review Approved
Brandon City Council has approved a $175,000 independent review of the Brandon Police Service recruit training program. The MNP-led study will compare BPS training practices with other police agencies and help determine whether provincial training standards could be developed in the future.
🍽️ Food Bank Demand Continues to Rise
Food insecurity remains a growing concern across Manitoba. Harvest Manitoba reports more than 61,000 people accessed food assistance in March, with children accounting for nearly half of all users. Monthly household visits have more than doubled since 2020.
🧡 Truth and Reconciliation Week Begins Monday
The Brandon Friendship Centre has unveiled plans for Truth and Reconciliation Week 2026, running from September 28 to October 4. Events promoting reflection, learning, and healing begin Monday with a Survivors Flag Raising, proclamation, and ceremony at Brandon City Hall at 10 a.m.
🤖 Manitoba Invests in AI Workforce Training
A new $500,000 provincial investment will support worker training in artificial intelligence, data intelligence, and digital manufacturing. The AeroTrace Workforce Pilot aims to prepare employees for evolving demands in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors while supporting future job growth.
📨 Alberta Mail-In Ballot Deadline Nears
Albertans have until midnight tonight to request a mail-in ballot for next month’s referendum. Elections Alberta says more than 673,000 requests had been received by Thursday afternoon. Completed ballots must be returned by October 16, while advance voting begins October 13.
🏛️ Legislature Returns Next Week
Premier Wab Kinew says affordability and health care will remain top priorities when Manitoba’s legislature resumes next week. The government points to actions including removing PST on groceries, hiring thousands of health-care workers, and reducing the provincial deficit.
🦌 Strange Deer Chase Leads to Charges
An unusual August incident in Brandon has resulted in charges against a 26-year-old man. Police allege he chased a deer through a parking lot while carrying a knife, causing the animal to crash through a business window before escaping unharmed. Surveillance video later helped police identify and arrest the suspect.
🚔 Major Drug Seizure Near Portage
RCMP have seized 34 kilograms of a substance believed to be cocaine following a traffic stop near Portage la Prairie. Officers searched a rented SUV with assistance from a police K-9 unit. Health Canada testing is pending to confirm the substance.
🎤 Communities Honour Dolly Parton
Communities around the world are marking September 25 as a day of tribute to the late entertainment icon Dolly Parton. Celebrations are highlighting her lasting impact on literacy through initiatives such as the Imagination Library.
🏒 Hawerchuk Reclaims Jets Scoring Crown
Dale Hawerchuk is once again the Winnipeg Jets’ all-time leading scorer after the NHL officially combined statistics from both eras of the franchise. Mark Scheifele now sits second with 907 points, just 22 behind Hawerchuk’s newly restored franchise record.
🗺️ MapQuest Finds New Popularity
MapQuest is enjoying an unexpected surge in attention after refusing to rename Lake Ontario on its maps. The decision has reportedly attracted roughly three million new users, including many Canadians, turning the longtime navigation app into an unlikely tech success story.
