The province-wide state of emergency continues today because of rapidly spreading wildfires and extreme fire conditions – and there’s another northern evacuation. The Red Cross and provincial officials are working to get people out of York Factory First Nation. More than 17-thousand people have been evacuated so far. There are 25 active fires across the province with a total of 109 to date, well above the average of 86.
———-
To support the families displaced by wildfires, broadcasters across the province, including 94.7 Star FM and Q Country 91.5 in Brandon, are taking part in a ‘Manitoba Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees’ Radiothon on Thursday. Money raised will aid the Canadian Red Cross and their 2025 Manitoba Wildfires Appeal.
———-
The effects of wildfires in Canada are being felt across the Atlantic Ocean. The United Kingdom’s Met Office, which provides weather forecasts for the country, says smoke from the wildfires is now visible. It’s a relatively thin layer of smoke, and no impacts are expected other than some vivid sunsets and sunrises.
———-
With bargaining at an impasse, the union for Manitoba Hydro support workers has received a strong strike mandate – though no strike date has been set. CUPE 998 represents employees in I-T, customer engagement and administrative support. The union, which has asked for a conciliator, says top issues are wages, and ending union-busting tactics.
———-
Manitoba politicians reached a deal to speed passage of a free trade bill on Monday. The deal with Ontario would remove trade and labour barriers for some goods and services between Manitoba and other jurisdictions that pass similar laws. More than 30 other bills were also set to be approved yesterday, the last day of the legislature’s spring sitting.
———-
The number of Canadians travelling to the U-S was down for the third straight month in April – while domestic travel and international trips were up. Transborder traffic to the U-S was down 5.8-percent due mostly to Trump’s tariff war and threats to annex Canada.
———-
Want to reach older age with a sharp mind and healthy body? Part of the answer may be in your coffee cup. New research indicates women who drank one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day in their 50’s were more likely to reach older age free from major chronic diseases and with good cognitive, physical, and mental health. Scientists say this is not surprising – the link between coffee and healthy aging is consistent with prior research.
