An American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter Wednesday while approaching the Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, and plummeted into the Potomac River. The plane had 60 passengers and four crew on board – the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers. Officials say there were no survivors. An official cause of the crash has not yet been released.
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The City of Brandon wants your input into the future direction of the Transit system, and is hosting a series of open houses next week. The first one is February 3rd at Superstore on Victoria Avenue. You can also share your opinion by completing an online survey. Your opinions will help shape future route planning and and long-term strategies.
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The Bank of Canada cut its key lending rate on Wednesday by 25 basis points to 3%. In making the announcement, the bank also warned about impending U-S tariffs saying in a severe scenario they could send Canada into a recession and push inflation higher.
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Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says while he hopes the country can still avoid U-S tariffs, we can’t be a punching bag – and he’s not ruling out counter-measures if tariffs get applied. In the meantime, the province is looking at helping businesses with measures like tax deferrals.
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The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has elected Kyra Wilson, a former chief of Long Plain First Nation, as its new leader. Wilson has become the second woman to lead the organization, which represents 63 First Nations in Manitoba. She replaces Cathy Merrick, who died suddenly last September.
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The province has ordered Prairie Mountain Health to cut its private nursing costs by 15% by March 2026. The premier said last year, the government wants more oversight over private nursing agencies. At one time, public
health providers held hundreds of contracts with over 70 private agencies.
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Nearly 7,000 allied health professionals who work in labs, clinics, hospitals, and long-term care have voted for a strike mandate. The Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals says employees are dealing with increased workloads, lack of competitive wages and critical staffing shortages.
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Five Manitoba communities broke decades-old January heat records this week. Environment Canada says Carberry, just east of Brandon, topped 2.5-degrees on Tuesday beating the old mark of 2-degrees set in 1983. Records were also set in Winnipeg, Steinbach, Swan River and Oak Point.
