Brandon’s economic development director says the city’s economy performed well this year despite a drop in primary agricultural revenues. Gerald Cathcart told The Brandon Sun, capital investments and commercial and industrial building permits all increased – and there was employment growth in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Some challenges the city faced included a skilled worker shortage and housing affordability issues.
———-
Canadians preparing to head to the polls in the new year are likely to be voting with their wallets. A new poll has found that 1-in-4 of us rank the cost of living as the top priority in Canada today – up five points from a year ago. Other concerns were health-care, housing availability and affordability – and immigration.
———-
Former U-S president Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. He was the 39th president, serving one term in office. Carter was know for his relentless advocacy for human rights which included helping to build homes for the poor across the U-S and in 14 other countries, including Canada, well into his 90’s. A state funeral has been scheduled for January 9th in Washington.
———-
Whooping cough is being reported in higher-than-usual numbers in parts of Canada this year. Health officials say cases in five provinces have now surpassed the pre-pandemic peak – Manitoba was not listed. Whooping cough is typically treated with antibiotics.
———-
Two family films dominated the holiday box office with ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ just edging out ‘Mufasa’ in ticket sales. The vampire horror film ‘Nosferatu’ came in third place. It had the best Christmas day opening ever for a genre film – and its sarcophagus-inspired popcorn buckets are even reselling for over $100. Rounding out the top five were ‘Wicked’ and ‘Moana 2’.
———-
A farm in Massachusetts has made headlines for offering to dispose of Christmas trees by feeding them to their goats – but this is nothing new to a Manitoba farm which had offered the same service a year ago. Aurora Farm
near Winnipeg said its goats love the fresh, green needles – which also act as a natural de-wormer.
———-
Jolt Cola, which offered ‘all the sugar and twice the caffeine’ in the 1980’s is heading back to stores. This time, it promises more than twice the original amount of caffeine. Jolt will come in 16-ounce cans and have 200 milligrams of caffeine, up from around 70 in a 12-ounce can in 1985. Health experts say consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily is considered excessive for most adults.
