Brandon University’s medical program is doubling in size – the government is adding 10 more seats to train doctors. The province is also spending $3.3-million to renovate the 55-year-old Brodie Science Centre, and a library
at Brandon hospital. The new training seats will open in the fall of 2026.
———-
The Manitoba Wildfire Service continues to battle 123 active blazes across the province as the fire danger remains moderate to high in most regions. Premier Wab Kinew says the government will review its response to this year’s wildfire season to see if changes can be made like lengthening runways in remote communities for larger aircraft, and developing other options for shelters.
———-
Brandon business, Genesis Hospitality Management, is donating $30-thousand dollars to help those affected by wildfires. The money will go to the Canadian Red Cross to provide relief efforts to evacuees, many of whom are in the Brandon area. Genesis operates the Victoria Inn and the Clarion Hotel in the city.
———-
The provincial tourism industry has been suffering because of all the fires this year. The Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association says 45 of its members have been affected – and some have not even opened. They’d like to see some government disaster relief.
———-
It seems we’re willing to pay higher electricity rates if it means reliable power – this in a poll conducted for Manitoba Hydro. The crown corporation commissioned the survey at the same time its seeking rate increases in each of the next three years to maintain infrastructure and expand generating capacity. The Consumers Association of Canada says Hydro needs to control its costs.
———-
RCMP need your help in tracking down a stolen windmill. It should be easy to spot…the silver-coloured windmill is 7.6-metres tall and has a 2-metre long blade. Police say it was taken sometime between July 4th and 6th from a property in the Rural Municipality of Grey, south of Portage la Prairie.
———-
Two of the largest venues at Brandon’s Keystone Centre are getting new names – they’ll now be known as Assiniboine Credit Union Place, and Assiniboine Credit Union Agricultural Centre. Westoba Credit Union had held the naming rights for the past 8 years, but recently merged with ACU and Caisse Financial Group.
———-
There are more measles cases in Manitoba. 16 new cases have been confirmed, and the province is asking those who were at three recent exposure sites to monitor for symptoms. The sites are in south-central Manitoba. There have been 146 measles infections to far this year.
———-
Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with First Nations leaders today about his government’s controversial major projects legislation. Chiefs say their rights were not respected by the rush to push the bill through Parliament
in June. It allows the government to sidestep existing laws to get big projects like mines and pipelines built.
———-
The largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth has sold at auction for $5.3-million. The 25-kilogram rock was found in 2023 in the Sahara Desert after it blew off the surface of Mars by a massive asteroid strike. It was a rare find – out of 77,000 meteorites that have been discovered on Earth, only 400 come from Mars.
