Morning News Roundup: Vaccines, Road Safety, AI and a Snow-Free Start to November
🕊️ Brandon Police Close Investigation into Cassity Delvenne’s Death
The Brandon Police Service says its investigation into the death of Cassity Delvenne has concluded, with findings from the medical examiner, autopsy and toxicology reports determining her death was not suspicious.
Police say no foul play was involved and the case has now been closed, while extending condolences to Delvenne’s family, friends and loved ones.
💉 Vaccine Uptake Rebounds in Brandon
After several years of pandemic fatigue, more people are rolling up their sleeves for seasonal vaccinations.
Home Health Care Pharmacy’s Mark Mercure says interest in both COVID-19 and flu shots is growing as residents look to protect themselves and family members during respiratory virus season. Mercure says more than 300 shots have been administered through his pharmacy in the past three weeks alone.
🚔 Impaired Driving Charges Already Surpass 2025 Total
Brandon police say impaired driving continues to be a major concern on city streets.
Officers have laid 146 drug- and alcohol-related charges so far in 2026, already surpassing the 138 charges recorded during all of 2025. Police add impaired driving has been a factor in four collisions in Brandon this year.
🚗 Speed-Related Crashes Trending Higher
Speeding is also contributing to more collisions in Brandon.
According to Manitoba Public Insurance, the city recorded 84 speed-related crashes between January and October of this year, up from 59 during the same period in 2025. MPI says Brandon averaged more than 122 speed-related collisions annually between 2021 and 2025.
🤖 AI Expected to Change Jobs, Not Eliminate Most of Them
As artificial intelligence becomes more common in workplaces, experts say many jobs are more likely to evolve than disappear.
Workforce consultant Mathieu Baril of Normandin Beaudry says careers that rely heavily on human interaction, judgment and empathy remain difficult to automate. He also suggests workers in technology fields shouldn’t be overly concerned about AI replacing them outright, noting the technology is expected to enhance many roles rather than eliminate them.
🎓 BU Students Earn Podium Finish
A team of four Brandon University Business Administration students is celebrating a strong showing at a provincial competition in Winnipeg.
The group captured second place in the CPHR Manitoba Case Competition, which challenged students to quickly develop recommendations related to workplace automation and labour disruption. It marked Brandon University’s first appearance at the event.
🌤️ Super El Niño Keeping Snowfall at Bay
It’s been an unusually snow-free start to November across much of Manitoba.
Forecasters say a powerful “super” El Niño is bringing warmer and drier conditions to the Prairies, reducing the chances of early-season snowstorms. Meteorologists stress winter hasn’t been cancelled, however, with snow and Arctic cold still expected to arrive this season, just in shorter bursts than usual.
🏒 No Hellebuyck Reunion in Winnipeg
Fans hoping to see Connor Hellebuyck face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday will have to wait.
The New Jersey Devils have confirmed Hellebuyck will not start against his former team at Canada Life Centre. In a statement, the organization said playing him would “potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.” The club says the decision was debated internally, despite Hellebuyck wanting to play.
🔥 Controlled Burns Return as Wildfire Tool
Controlled burns are making a comeback as wildfire prevention efforts evolve across Canada.
Supporters say planned burns remove excess fuel from forests before major fires can take hold. Advocates also say the practice restores Indigenous leadership in land and forest stewardship while helping protect nearby communities.
⚖️ Supreme Court to Hear Firearms Ban Challenge
Canada’s highest court is taking up a constitutional battle over the federal firearms ban.
The Supreme Court of Canada begins hearings this week on challenges to Ottawa’s 2020 prohibition of hundreds of firearms it describes as assault-style weapons designed for military use. Opponents are making another attempt after losing in both Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal.
🛒 Minnedosa Co-op Earns National Recognition
The team at Heritage Co-op in Minnedosa has plenty to celebrate.
Its food store has been recognized as one of Canada’s top independent grocers, earning both regional honours and a bronze national award at the Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards. Store leaders say the achievement reflects the hard work of staff throughout the operation.
🥩 Meat Industry Unveils New Growth Strategy
Canada’s meat processing industry has a new roadmap for the future.
The Canadian Meat Council has released a three-year strategic plan aimed at improving competitiveness, strengthening advocacy efforts and preparing processors for future trade and regulatory challenges. The sector contributes roughly $35 billion annually to the Canadian economy and supports more than 250,000 jobs.
🎵 Westman Artists Shine at Manitoba Country Music Awards
The Manitoba Country Music Awards were handed out Saturday night in Winnipeg, with Binscarth’s JR Charron taking Male Artist of the Year and multiple other honours, while Catie St. Germain was named Female Artist of the Year.
There was plenty of Westman flavour among the winners, with Brandon’s Mitchell Makoons earning Indigenous Country Music Artist of the Year and the Sean Taylor Band capturing both Group of the Year and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year.
🎬 Godzilla Dominates the Box Office
The king of the monsters remains king of the big screen.
“Godzilla Minus Zero” posted the largest North American opening weekend ever for a foreign-language film, bringing in more than $31 million and easily topping the weekend box office.
