Portage

Inflation finally hit the Bank of Canada's two per cent target in August after a tumultuous battle with skyrocketing price growth, raising the odds of larger interest rate cuts in the coming months.

Canada's annual inflation rate fell from 2.5 per cent in July to reach the lowest level since February 2021.

The slowdown can be attributed in part to lower gasoline prices, Statistics Canada said Tuesday in its consumer price index report.

Last week, discussions took place about the NDP’s plan in Manitoba to receive 8,490 asylum seekers currently in Ontario and Quebec. It's part of a redistribution plan by the Trudeau government. In July, Premier Wab Kinew agreed to receive asylum seekers during a meeting with provincial premiers in Halifax. Manitoba already has 1,378 open claims.

Portage Learning and Literacy Centre settlement coordinator Miriam Ghitale notes it likely won’t affect Portage la Prairie, but will impact Winnipeg and possibly Brandon more so.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank has once again received federal government funding with a grant for $100 million over the next four years.

Split into $25 million per year, that will go towards their programs which help Candian-produced food go to hungry mouths internationally.

Andy Harrington, the executive director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, says he's happy to be able to help more people over the next four years.

Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment in Portage la Prairie is currently featuring "What a Woman 2.0", an exhibition by Brandon artist Tara Leach. Running until October 16, the display delves into themes of female identity, family, and personal history through evocative pieces, including self-portraits and mixed media works.

Leach’s art explores what it means to be a woman, blending vibrant colours and personal narratives. 

Hockey players from across the world are travelling to rookie camps for various NHL franchises, and several Manitobans are making the journeys.

Dawson Cowan, a goaltender from Warren, Manitoba, plays with the Western Hockey League's (WHL) Spokane Chiefs, and just recently was in southern California, taking part in the San Jose Sharks' rookie camp.

Cowan notes that the experience of camp has been a big learning experience for him.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has suffered another devastating byelection blow with the loss of a second Liberal stronghold, this one to the Bloc Québécois in LaSalle—Émard—Verdun.

Voters went to the polls Monday in the Montreal riding as well as in Winnipeg's Elmwood—Transcona, where the NDP retained its long-held seat after a tough race against the Conservatives.

Trudeau already faced calls from party faithful to resign as leader after unexpectedly losing Toronto—St. Paul’s to the Conservatives in a byelection this past June.

Several rounds of severe thunderstorms have left parts of the Central Plains, Pembina and Red River Valleys drenched this morning. Not one, not two, but three waves of severe thunderstorms rolled through the region, with warnings issued for several areas south of Portage including Morden, Winkler and Altona. The warnings came between late afternoon Monday and early this morning.

The Portage Collegiate Saints golf team captured the Zone 4 High School golf championship banner Monday at the Scotswood Links golf course in Elm Creek. 

Brooke Henderson (90), Ella Harkness (93), Kora Montour (98), Lexi Henderson (116) & Paige Bailey (164) of PCI took the girls title with a score of 281. Rory Perrin (105), Willow Winslow (111), Rylee Harms (116), Delaney Darby (118) & Aubree Sloan (120) of Morden finished second with a 332 total.

The three best scores were used to determine the team results. 

A long-time Portage la Prairie School Division teacher and leader is moving on after 27 years.

Tracy Vanstone, the principal of École Arthur Meighen, will be taking on a new role with the Manitoba Teachers' Society (MTS) as of October 8, where she will work as the Staff Officer of Professional and French Language Services.

Manitoba's governing New Democrats ousted backbencher and defence lawyer Mark Wasyliw from caucus Monday, and Wasyliw fired back by accusing Premier Wab Kinew of being a micromanaging, toxic bully.

The NDP said it removed Wasyliw because a partner at his law firm is representing convicted sex offender and disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard.