Massimo Siciliano and Nicolas Daigle were sentenced to 30 and 32 months in prison, respectively. Their lawyers tried unsuccessfully to convince the court that they were eligible for community service.

A Brandon police officer has been charged with assault after the province's police watchdog, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, concluded its inquiry into a 2023 arrest that left a woman with a broken collarbone.

Regina police arrested a 35-year-old man after a knife threat and kidnapping incident early Friday morning. 

Officers responded around 12:30 a.m. to a business on East Quance Street , where the suspect allegedly threatened people with a knife. He then held a woman at knifepoint , forced her into a cab, and fled. 

The woman later called for help, and police tracked the suspect to Toronto Street , where he was seen running with a firearm. 

After a short chase, officers arrested him without incident. The man faces multiple charges , including kidnapping and weapon possession.

A former MP and long-time provincial cabinet minister is calling on the Liberal Party of Canada to call for nominations in the riding of Long Range Mountains.

It’s widely believed that the writ will be dropped this Sunday, yet, despite an active nomination process in a number of provincial ridings, the party has yet to open nominations in Long Range Mountains.

Gerry Byrne, says he’s aware of a number of candidates interested in the nomination and he wants to know; why the delay?

“There’s no reason why Long Range Mountains cannot or should not have a nomination, an open party nomination to get the best to come forward” says Byrne. “Let’s get one happening here on the west coast.”

Rebecca Alty, the current mayor of Yellowknife, will be the Liberal Party’s candidate in the N.W.T. in the upcoming election, the party said Friday. 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre continued his efforts this week to draw in working-class voters with a plan to train 350,000 more trade workers across the country.

Joseph Handley says he often did not see eye-to-eye with the government on many issues, including the college's plans to become a polytechnic university, and its recent decision to close community learning centres.

Alberta RCMP say the dogs responsible for an attack on a woman on Samson Cree Nation, 100km south of Edmonton, Thursday still haven’t been identified. According to a social media post, a “big white Pit Bull and 2 black dogs” were “biting and chewing up” a young woman lying on the ground yesterday morning. The witness said he drove up to the woman and honked his horn and the dogs ran away.

The young woman, who the witness said appeared to be in her 20’s was rushed to the University of Alberta hospital in Edmonton.

“Yesterday at 11:29 am Maskwacis RCMP received a report to assist EMS with a dog attack on Samson Cree Nation,” says a statement from Alberta Mounties. “The victim of the dog attack was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. The dogs in question have yet to be positively identified.”

One resident who volunteers with an animal welfare group says dogs at large have been a longstanding issue on Samson Cree Nation, which is part of Maskwacis. APTN News has reached out to the chief, but has not heard back.

The post Samson Cree Nation woman in Edmonton hospital after dog attack appeared first on APTN News.

Check out Cassandra Eliodor’s 2024 MRB Poetry Contest winning poem “I find Adam’s rib in my mother’s tongue”! The poem will appear in our summer 2025 issue. Click here to head on over to Youtube to see the video, or check out our socials!

The post World Poetry Day Goodness! Cassandra Eliodor reads “I find Adam’s rib in my mother’s tongue” appeared first on Prairie Fire.

It's a pleasant surprise for a former Steinbach Regional Secondary School graduate to be performing for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (RMTC).

"I never thought that this would happen. I mean, I got into theatre in grade 12, so I was kind of a late bloomer," says Justin Fry, who is now one of two cast members in a play called "King James" at the Tom Hendry warehouse for the centre.

"It's about these two characters, Matt and Sean. I play Matt," Fry says. "These two characters unite over their love of basketball, and Le Bron James. We see their friendship grow throughout LeBron James' career, and it's really a story about friendship and a story about the love of sport."

Fry says he didn't actually know much about LeBron James before, and has always been more of a soccer fan. But, after researching LeBron James, he says he's definitely a fan now.

"He's just a total phenomenon. It was very easy to fall in love with him," Fry says.

This may be the most fun he's had playing a particular character, with Matt's energetic persona.

Acting alongside the other cast member playing Sean, Eric Miracle, also augments the experience.

"Both of us just have such a great time, and we both have experience with improv. You know, each night we tell each other, 'Let's go out and improvise," and we always throw new stuff at each other," he says.

"So yeah, each night is different, obviously within the structure of the play."

He and Miracle have been performing the play since March 5, with their last show on Saturday. 

As a two person cast, there is not much rest to be had as they are constantly on. That feels like quite a responsibility, but the pair can still have fun with it, Fry says.

"The script is just so fun," he says. "It's a great play, and the playwright gives us a lot of things to work from, from the script and with the characters. It's just a blast."

Audiences also seem to be enjoying the show so far, Fry says, including his first drama teacher.

"He came (Wednesday) night, and that was just a really cool experience," he says. "He really enjoyed it, and so we had a really good conversation"

The actor is thankful to have had so many good people in his life to show him the ropes when it comes to performing, and looks forward to what comes next.

Written with files from Kenton Dyck

More photos of Eric Miracle Justin Fry in "King James" (Photo Credit: Dylan Hewlett): 

The RNC made an arrest in connection with an ongoing investigation in to drug trafficking in downtown St. John’s. On Thursday, just before midnight, police arrested 30-year-old Daniel Gordon of St. John’s on George Street in St. John’s. The accused has been held in custody to appear in provincial court in relation to charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime.

The RNC WDEU are actively investigating weapons offences and drug trafficking activity at establishments in the area of George Street, with support from the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Operational Patrol Services (OPS), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Newfoundland and Labrador (RCMP NL).

This investigation is ongoing, and the RNC requests that anyone with information connected to this activity reach out to the police service at 709-729-8000.

A man has been found guilty of kidnapping a 14-year-old Toronto boy in March 2020 over a drug debt owed by the teen’s older half-brother. Samir Abdelgadir and his “associates” kidnapped the boy and held him for ransom, Superior Court Justice Sandra Nishikawa wrote in her decision Friday.

The founder of Canadian Music Week is taking the new owners of Departure Festival to court, alleging they’ve breached their contract and failed to pay fees tied to their acquisition of his music industry conference.

Former CMW president and creator Neill Dixon filed a notice of action in an Ontario court earlier this week seeking more than $435,000 in damages and another $50,000 in punitive and aggravated damages.

Steinbach RCMP are asking the public for assistance in identifying a suspect in a shoplifitng investigation. 

On Sunday, March 16th, officers were dispatched following a report of a shoplifting incident at Superstore in Steinbach. 

RCMP say they were informed that a male was caught shoplifting and when staff tried to intervene, he fled the scene, driving dangerously in a black car. 

Police reviewed the security footage and are now requesting help in identifying the man in the photo above.  

If you know who he is or have any more information regarding this shoplifting incident, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP detachment at 204-326-4452 or www.crimestoppers.ca. 

Elsewhere in B.C., an agency map shows the danger rating at level four out of five across the coast mountains and Sea to Sky area, including Squamish, Whistler and the Fraser Valley, as well as E.C. Manning Park.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday began sketching a roadmap for dismantling the Education Department, with other agencies taking over responsibility for federal student loans and programs serving students with disabilities.

The executive order Trump signed Thursday to do away with the department did not offer a timeline or instructions, but his administration appears poised to carve away all but the department’s most vital operations.

Trump said student loans will be handled by the Small Business Administration, and “it will be serviced much better than it has in the past.” He also said programs involving students with disabilities would be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Republican president announced the changes at the beginning of an Oval Office event focused on developing a next-generation fighter jet.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she is preparing to relocate the department’s core operations to other agencies and roll back federal regulations. In an opinion piece published Friday by Fox News Channel, she said abolishing the department “will not happen tomorrow,” but she plans to pave the way.

“We will systematically unwind unnecessary regulations and prepare to reassign the department’s other functions to the states or other agencies,” McMahon wrote.

The functions to be reassigned include the distribution of federal money to support low-income students and students with disabilities, the department’s management of student financial aid, civil rights enforcement and data collection, she wrote.

Only Congress has the power to bring a full end to the Education Department. Republicans in Congress are planning legislation to eliminate the agency, though they face heavy opposition from Democrats.

Opponents already vowed to challenge Trump’s order in court.

Some Democratic governors say it will lead to bigger class sizes and fewer after-school programs. Opponents say Trump’s order will hurt students who rely on federal money and widen gaps between higher- and lower-achieving states.

Already the department has used layoffs and buyouts to halve its workforce while cutting dozens of contracts deemed wasteful or overly liberal.

Trump has denounced the department as a waste of taxpayer money, saying it has become infected by liberal ideology. He said its power should be turned over to states, which he sees as a remedy for America’s lagging education system.

“The cost will be half, and the education will be maybe many, many times better,” Trump said at a Thursday signing ceremony.

Trump’s executive order said the Education Department is not big enough to handle its loan portfolio, adding that “it must return bank functions to an entity equipped to serve America’s students.”

Conservatives have long dreamed of closing the department, calling it an unneeded layer of bureaucracy that burdens local schools. Among those at the signing were the governors of several Republican states along with activists who say parents should have more power over their children’s education.

Much of the agency’s work revolves around managing money. It oversees a $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio and sends billions of dollars a year to public schools. Most of the aid comes from federal law, with programs targeting low-income schools and students with disabilities and special needs.

It also oversees student financial aid including Pell grants and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA.

Since the Education Department was created in 1979, the nation’s student test scores have remained flat despite $1 trillion in agency spending, McMahon said in her Fox News piece.

The oddity of the task before McMahon, being responsible for the permanent closure of the department she leads, wasn’t lost on her.

“This is not a routine mission,” she wrote. “It is a transformation, driven by the clear will of the American people to return education to the states — and the decisive election of President Donald Trump.”

___

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Collin Binkley, The Associated Press

The countdown to the 2025 Grey Cup Festival is officially underway, as organizers revealed this year’s theme, tagline, and logos at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday.

The festival, running November 10-16, will embrace the spirit of “Canada’s Biggest Social,” celebrating Manitoba’s unique tradition of community gatherings filled with music, food, and entertainment.

“A Manitoban Social is more than just a party – it’s a beloved community tradition where friends, family, and neighbours come together to share great food and drinks, dance to live music, and enjoy an unforgettable night of fun,” said Barb Gamey, Festival co-chair.

“Much like a social, the Grey Cup Festival brings people together from all across the country for an incredible shared experience.”

The 2025 Grey Cup Festival and 112th Grey Cup game logos were also unveiled, featuring bold colours inspired by the aurora borealis, boreal forests, and the iconic Grey Cup trophy — a nod to Canadian football’s passionate fanbase.

In a commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity, the Manitoba Métis Federation and Treaty One Nations will co-host the festival alongside the Winnipeg Football Club.

“We look forward to welcoming fans, celebrating Indigenous heritage, and creating an unforgettable Grey Cup Festival that reflects the diversity and spirit of Manitoba,” said Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club.

The festival will include a lineup of free events, including:

• Wawanesa Street Festival – An outdoor street party with live music, food vendors, and interactive experiences.
• TELUS CFL Fan Experience – A fan zone featuring CFL legend meet-and-greets and exclusive Grey Cup content.
• Canada Life Family Zone – A family-friendly hub with games and activities for all ages.

Blue Bombers’ season ticket members will have priority access and discounts on 112th Grey Cup tickets. Fans can visit greycupfestival.ca for more details.

A month-long investigation by Niagara Police and OPP involving stolen vehicles, vehicle parts and tampering with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) within West Lincoln has resulted in the arrest of a 37-year-old West Lincoln man.

Wednesday, investigators armed with search warrants visited two West Lincoln properties associated with the accused, and discovered multiple stolen vehicles and vehicle components that had been re-VINed to conceal their stolen status.

 As a result of the investigation police arrested 37-year-old Anthony Shintani and seized the following stolen vehicles and vehicle components:

 5 x Tandem-axle commercial trailers (cargo, dump, and enclosed)

 2 x Pickup trucks

 1 x ATV

 1 x Motorcycle

 1 x Commercial riding mower

 6 x Vehicle doors from two stolen vehicles

 Shintani faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime (4 counts), tampering with a vehicle identification number (4 counts) and fraudulent concealment (4 counts).

SHINTANI was released with a future court date. Police say the investigation continues with further charges expected to be laid.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008916.

Rebecca Alty – Yellowknife's mayor since 2018 – will be the Liberal Party's NWT candidate in the coming federal election, the party told members.

The RNC has arrested a St. John’s man for cocaine trafficking as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation focused on the capital city’s downtown.

The Constabulary says 30-year-old Daniel Gordon was arrested on George Street yesterday.

Gordon was held in custody to appear in court on charges of trafficking in cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime.

The RNC’s Weapons and Drug Enforcement Unit is actively investigating weapons offences and drug trafficking activity at establishments in the area of George Street.