Cold snap brutal for most vulnerable

Vulnerable people are the ones who bear the brunt of the extreme cold weather, insist Brandon agencies who are patrolling the streets handing out warm blankets, and shelters who are providing beds for the homeless.

Yoga studio holds classes with kittens

On Saturday, local yoga studio Luna Muna held its first Caturday kitten yoga class for members of the Female U13 AA Wheat Kings.

BU board of governors approves violence policy

Brandon University officials voted to adopt a new Violence Prevention Policy during Saturday’s board of governors meeting, hoping to update the administration’s approach to handling workplace conflict.

Manitoba First Nation to sign child welfare agreement with Ottawa, province

WINNIPEG - Peguis First Nation is set to become the first Indigenous group in Manitoba to take control of child welfare under federal legislation that came into effect three years ago.

The community north of Winnipeg is to be joined Tuesday by Patty Hajdu, the federal Indigenous services minister, and Rochelle Squires, the provincial families minister, in the signing of a co-ordination agreement between the three governments.

"Our nation is exercising its inherent rights and ensuring that our Indigenous legal traditions and teachings have formed the basis for our law," Chief Glenn Hudson said in a release.

The First Nation is one of just over two dozen communities to have notified Indigenous Services Canada that it intends to handle its own child and family services, as outlined in the federal Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families.

First home savings account brand-new tool in tax arsenal

Aspiring homebuyers looking for a way to start saving for their first home this tax season might want to take a look at a new tool implemented by the federal government last year.

First Nations leaders seek voice in health-care talks

Frustration with the provincial and federal government was palpable on Monday during a media conference the Southern Chiefs’ Organization held to discuss grave concerns over Indigenous health care and exclusion from health care-related talks with the federal government.

Police in Saskatchewan looking for male suspect after alleged sex assault on girl

MAIDSTONE, Sask. - Police in Saskatchewan are looking for a male suspect after a reported sexual assault on a girl at a hockey rink.

Maidstone RCMP responded Sunday to the Sportsplex in nearby Lashburn.

The investigation determined a man sexually assaulted a female child under the age of 10 in a dressing room at the rink.

The girl reported the alleged assault to her parents, who called police.

The new Manitoba cabinet lineup following Monday’s shuffle by the premier

WINNIPEG - Premier Heather Stefanson has shuffled her cabinet. The move was prompted by recent announcements by five Manitoba cabinet ministers who are resigning soon or staying on but not running again in the election scheduled for Oct. 3.

Here is the list of cabinet ministers following Monday's changes:

— Heather Stefanson, premier, intergovernmental affairs

— Cliff Cullen, deputy premier, finance, responsible for Manitoba Hydro

Manitoba premier promotes four backbenchers in pre-election cabinet shuffle

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson promoted four backbenchers from suburban Winnipeg areas to her inner circle Monday in a cabinet shuffle eight months out from an election.

Janice Morley-Lecomte, elected in 2016, was named minister of mental health and community wellness. James Teistma, also elected in 2016, was named minister of government services and consumer protection.

The other two new ministers in the Progressive Conservative cabinet are rookies who were recently elected in byelections. Obby Khan is the new minister of sport, culture and heritage. Kevin Klein is the new minister for environment and climate change.

"Today we are gathered here to reflect on the importance of hope and renewal, which is vital in pretty much every aspect of our lives, but it's also vital in government," Stefanson said at the swearing-in ceremony at the legislature.

Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dead at 84; First NHLer to score more than 50 goals

WINNIPEG - Bobby Hull once proudly said that he played the way he lived — straightforward.

The Hockey Hall of Famer, who electrified fans through the 1960s and 70s, died on Monday at the age of 84. Hull played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks before a jump to the Winnipeg Jets of the upstart World Hockey Association in 1972, a move that led to lawsuits but ultimately higher salaries for hockey players.

Controversy often swirled around Hull off the ice, including allegations of spousal abuse and a 1986 criminal conviction for assaulting a police officer. A quote attributed to him in a Moscow Times article voiced support of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, although Hull denied making the comment and sued the English-language paper for libel.

Hull helped lead the Blackhawks to their first Stanley Cup in 23 years in 1961, and is 55th on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 610 goals and 560 assists. He also had 303 goals and 335 assists in the WHA for combined total of 913 goals in both leagues in 1,474 games.