We’re now into the second day of fall, and according to Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips the rest of autumn will be ‘delicious’. He says enjoy the next month because temperatures are expected to be ‘above normal’ across much of the country. As for the first taste of snow, Phillips says it might arrive before Remembrance Day.
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In some parts of Manitoba last weekend the heat was definitely still on. Environment Canada says Swan River hit a high of 26 degrees on Sunday breaking the old mark of 24 set two years ago. Churchill reached a high of 23.7 slightly edging out its old record from 1987 – and Shoal Lake tied its previous record of 25 set in 1997.
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The long honeymoon period for the Manitoba New Democrats might be ending. In a new poll, support for the NDP has slipped from 57% in June to 53% – and has dropped three points in rural Manitoba to 47%. That’s just ahead of the Conservatives who sit at 44% in rural areas. Premier Wab Kinew, meanwhile, remains the most popular leader with 63% support.
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Average wait times for an MRI in Manitoba have jumped since 2023. Patients are now waiting at least 26 weeks, up from 20 two years ago. A new report says about 28-thousand patients are currently waiting for an MRI. The province says it’s working to add more technicians and equipment.
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Manitoba will continue covering the cost of COVID-19 shots as some other provinces begin charging residents. The government says vaccinations are free for anyone six months and up and will remain that way. Alberta and Quebec have said they’ll only cover the cost for people in specific high-risk groups.
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In the U-S, president Donald Trump linked autism to childhood vaccines, and also to the use of popular pain medication Tylenol for pregnant women and children – claims which are not backed by decades of science. Researchers say there is no firm evidence of a link between the use of Tylenol and autism, and in the last 50 years, essential vaccines have saved at least 154 million lives.
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The Manitoba government is being called upon to make more housing options available for seniors. A coalition of seniors groups says older adults are facing deteriorating living conditions, and if they don’t improve, more people will become homeless. Recommendations include building units with rents geared to seniors income.
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Many Canadians are skipping restaurant meals because of the high cost of living. In a report from Restaurants Canada, 3 in 4 of us are eating out less – and that rises to 81% for younger Canadians aged 18 – 34. They say Canadians still want to dine out and order in, but they are looking for more value for their dollar.
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The results of a probe into TikTok are to be released today. The investigation was launched in 2023 into whether TikTok complies with Canadian privacy legislation. Last year, the federal government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business following a national security review.
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If you’re into the late night talk shows – ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ is returning tonight ending a short suspension. The Walt Disney company, which owns ABC, suspended Kimmel over comments he made following the killing
of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. Many criticized the suspension as an attack on free speech, while Disney had said the comments were ill-timed and insensitive.