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Eishia Hudson, 16, was shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer in 2020.

Eishia Hudson inquest to examine systemic racism: judge

Erik Pindera 5 minute read Yesterday at 12:18 PM CDT

A provincial court inquest into the fatal Winnipeg police shooting of an Indigenous teen in 2020 will examine whether systemic racism played a role in her death.

A Winnipeg Police Service officer shot Eishia Hudson, 16, twice after a high-speed chase, which followed a robbery at the Sage Creek liquor store on April 8, 2020. One of the bullets struck her in the shoulder and lodged in her spinal column.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) cleared the officer of criminal culpability in the shooting in January 2021. The officer, whose name hasn’t been released, said in a prepared statement to the police oversight agency during its probe that he feared the girl was driving at police to try to strike them. Five other officers were near the vehicle at the time.

Provincial court Judge Margaret Wiebe issued her written decision on the scope of the inquest on May 21 but it was released online Friday.

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MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS ILLUSTRATION
An Impact Security guard walks down a grocery isle.
240531 - Friday, May 31, 2024.

Stealing and dealing

Lack of consequences for shoplifting hammers fed-up retailers, feeds $5-billion ‘industry’ in Canada

Mike McIntyre 13 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Sea Bears past BlackJacks

Staff 4 minute read Preview

Ogungbemi-Jackson, Allen lift Sea Bears past BlackJacks

Staff 4 minute read Yesterday at 10:40 PM CDT

Guard Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson calmly drilled three game-clinching free throws to give the Winnipeg Sea Bears a 93-80 triumph over the Ottawa BlackJacks in Canadian Elite Basketball League action before 8,514 fans at Canada Life Centre Saturday night.

The 32-year-old Winnipegger, who finished with 20 points and six assists, was fouled on a three-point attempt in Target Score time to set the stage for the winning points. Playing in his hometown has been a thrill for Ogungbemi-Jackson, who had spent the first decade of his professional career in Europe.

“Seeing the professionals, it’s big for the kids,” said Ogungbemi-Jackson told reporters. “I want to win a championship, that’s my priority but part of me wants to be one of the older guys that came out of the city and really had to grind his way to make it from (U Sports).

“I didn’t really have any (NCAA) D1 looks… and kind of (had to) make my way in my career. It’s important for me to be out here. My family is obviously so happy for me to be playing.”

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Yesterday at 10:40 PM CDT

WINNIPEG SEA BEARS
Jarred Ogungbemi-Jackson (3) eludes Ottawa defender Brandon Sampson during Saturday’s action.

School trustee candidates ‘parental rights’ campaign literature raises concerns

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Preview

School trustee candidates ‘parental rights’ campaign literature raises concerns

Chris Kitching 6 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

The so-called “parental rights” movement — associated with far-right conservatism and anti-LGBTTQ+ sentiment — has crept into a Winnipeg school trustee byelection campaign, mirroring a trend across Canada.

Two candidates in the Louis Riel School Division Ward 1 vote — Marcel Boille and Sandra Saint-Cyr — are campaigning on the movement’s rhetoric, drawing concerns from board members and challengers on Thursday’s ballot.

“The rhetoric that has been coming from these two candidates is belligerent, confrontational and anti-inclusion,” said Ward 3 trustee Ryan Palmquist, who stressed that he was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the board. “I would like to see that ideology rejected at the ballot box.”

Five candidates are vying to replace Francine Champagne, who quit in November after being suspended for racist and anti-LGBTTQ+ social media posts. The board was pursuing a court application to seek permission to oust her.

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Friday, May. 31, 2024

Festival du Voyageur denies responsibility in teacher’s platform collapse lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Preview

Festival du Voyageur denies responsibility in teacher’s platform collapse lawsuit

Erik Pindera 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:37 PM CDT

Festival du Voyageur has again denied responsibility in court filings in the latest lawsuit over the collapse of a platform at Fort Gibraltar last spring that sent 28 people, including schoolchildren and a teacher, tumbling to the ground.

The lawsuit was filed in the Court of King’s Bench on March 28 by lawyers Alyssa Mariani and Sacha Paul of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP on behalf of Angelina Constantine, the teacher who was injured in the collapse.

Festival filed a statement of defence May 17, in which it denied it should be held legally liable for Constantine’s injuries and asked for the suit to be turfed with costs.

Constantine’s court filings name the City of Winnipeg, which owns the land the fort stands on, and Festival, which leases and operates the site, as defendants. The city has yet to file a response.

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Updated: Yesterday at 2:37 PM CDT

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / FREE PRESS FILES
An elevated walkway at Fort Gibraltar collapsed during a school field trip, causing 17 children, and an adult to be taken to hospital.

In this undated photo released by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, INAH, scuba divers explore the Hoyo Negro underwater cave, or cenote, in Tulum, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, where according INAH, a skeleton almost 13,000 years old of a prehistoric young woman was found, making it the oldest and most complete found in the Americas. (Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History via AP, File)

In Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, a hidden underground world is under threat by the Maya Train

Teresa De Miguel, Megan Janetsky And Rodrigo Abd, The Associated Press 15 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:57 PM CDT

Opinion

The Trump trials — after another loss, what’s next? Editorial 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT
Three cheers for award-winning ciders and beers Ben Sigurdson 6 minute read Yesterday at 3:00 AM CDT
If you truly want to honour a spot, leave no trace Russell Wangersky 5 minute read Yesterday at 2:01 AM CDT

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Live Nation probing Ticketmaster data breach

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Live Nation probing Ticketmaster data breach

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:11 PM CDT

Live Nation is investigating a data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary, which dominates ticketing for live events in the United States.

Live Nation, based in Beverly Hills, California, said in a regulatory filing Friday that on May 27 "a criminal threat actor'' offered to sell Ticketmaster data on the dark web.

Other media reports say a hacking group named ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach in an online forum and was seeking $500,000 for the data, which reportedly includes names, addresses, phone numbers and some credit card details of millions of Ticketmaster customers.

Live Nation and Ticketmaster did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:11 PM CDT

FILE - In this May 11, 2009 file photo, Ticketmaster tickets and gift cards are shown at a box office in San Jose, Calif. Live Nation is investigating a data breach at its Ticketmaster subsidiary, which dominates ticketing for live events in the United States. Live Nation, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., said in a regulatory filing Friday, May 31, 2024, that on May 27

MIKE SUDOMA/FREE PRESS
Coun. Janice Lukes said she believes Arlington Bridge will likely be replaced, ideally with access for trucks, buses, pedestrians and cyclists.

Arlington Bridge needs $1M in repairs to stop it from crashing down: city

Joyanne Pursaga 5 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

Ryan Sun / The Associated Press files
Has Nikolaj Ehlers played his last game for the Winnipeg Jets? Only time will tell.

No off-season for Jets management

Plenty of decisions to be made regarding players and staff

Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre 9 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

Blue Bombers’ preseason ends with loss, focuses on prospects’ performance

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Blue Bombers’ preseason ends with loss, focuses on prospects’ performance

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:19 AM CDT

It was a glorified tryout at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

The Blue Bombers, led by backups and pro football hopefuls, closed out the preseason with a 31-10 loss to the visiting Calgary Stampeders.

The numbers on the scoreboard weren’t important, it was about giving prospects and newcomers one last chance to show what they can do under the bright lights before final cuts are made Saturday.

With Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler sitting out to prepare for the June 6 season opener at home against Montreal, the Bombers rolled with two rookie passers fighting for the No.3 quarterback spot: Terry Wilson and Darren Grainger.

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:19 AM CDT

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Myron Mitchell (29) gets tackled by Calgary Stampeders’ Tyler Richardson (35) during second half CFL pre-season action in Winnipeg Friday, May 31, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead after prison assault in Quebec

Nono Shen and Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead after prison assault in Quebec

Nono Shen and Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

VANCOUVER - Robert Pickton, one of Canada's most notorious serial killers, died on Friday, 12 days after he was assaulted in prison.

Pickton, an inmate at Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, was 74.

For some, the death brings closure. But it also leaves open questions about the botched police investigation into Pickton, who was convicted in 2007 of six counts of second-degree murder but was suspected of killing dozens more women at his pig farm in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

Correctional Service Canada said in a statement that Pickton's next of kin had been notified of his death, as well as victims who registered to be informed.

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Friday, May. 31, 2024

Serial killer Robert Pickton has died after he was assaulted in prison earlier this month, Quebec Provincial Police say. Pickton appears on a video link to B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, B.C., in a Wednesday, May 25, 2005, courtroom sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jane Wolsack

Mike Sudoma/Free Press
A typical meal that would be served to a patient at one of 11 local hospitals and long-term care centres served by the WHRA

Tray delicious?

Hospital food served up for a taste test

Eva Wasney 6 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

Human rights icon Matas reprimanded by law society

Dean Pritchard 3 minute read Preview

Human rights icon Matas reprimanded by law society

Dean Pritchard 3 minute read Friday, May. 31, 2024

Renowned human rights lawyer David Matas has been slapped with a reprimand by the Law Society of Manitoba after failing to comply with restrictions that had been placed on his legal practice.

Matas, 80, started practising law in 1971 and had never been sanctioned by the society, which described him in a recently released decision as an “icon in the profession” whose work has brought light to human rights issues around the world.

“That he has found himself for the first time before a disciplinary panel of the law society so late in that career is indeed unfortunate,” the panel wrote in a 10-page decision.

Matas pleaded guilty to professional misconduct for failing to comply with an undertaking he gave to the society in February 2022 in which he agreed to restrict his practice to acting as counsel to other lawyers (described in the undertaking as “responsible lawyers”). The undertaking required that Matas not accept retainers, not provide legal services directly to clients without a responsible lawyer present, and advise former clients that they would have to find new counsel.

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Friday, May. 31, 2024