Portage

Prairie wildfires developed on two fronts Friday, as 1,000 more Manitoba residents were forced to flee their homes and Saskatchewan RCMP charged two people with starting blazes.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told a news conference that one charge relates to starting a fire near La Ronge, which has forced 7,000 people from the area.

“The RCMP have informed us that they have now charged a couple of individuals,” Moe said.

An 18-year-old woman from Montreal Lake Cree Nation and a 36-year-old man from Pelican Narrows each face one count of arson, said RCMP.

Pride is more than just a celebration. It’s about being seen, feeling safe, and knowing you belong. For the 2SLGBTQ+ community, it’s a time to honour the trailblazers who fought for progress, stand alongside those still seeking justice and acceptance, and remind everyone that true support isn’t just for June, but for every day of the year.

Dennis Nykolation reflects on a career that stretches back more than 70 years, beginning when his parents first encouraged him to practice violin at the age of seven. By 13, he was already playing in adult dance bands in Fisher Branch, Manitoba, joining musicians on accordion, guitar, and drums.

He says his musical path later took him to Winnipeg for work, where he reunited with friends to form the Interlake Polka Kings in the early 2000s. That led to the creation of The Polka Drifters in 2007 and 2008, performing across Manitoba and Saskatchewan while also recording two albums.

Sixty-six per cent of Canadian exporters rely solely on United States, but economists say that can be hard on the bottom line
 

For someone running an agricultural or agri-food business in Saskatoon, Kelowna or Halifax, it’s easier to sell products to customers in Canada than to someone in Vietnam.

It may be easier, but exporting will make the business more productive and profitable.

 Australia hopes its crop will recover from last year’s drought and frost, while Canada’s production is expected to be down

The 2025-26 red lentil market hinges on what happens with Australia and Canada, say analysts.

If those two countries have average yields, supply and demand will be well balanced, Chuck Penner, an analyst with LeftField Commodity Research, recently told delegates attending the Global Pulse Confederation’s Pulses 25 conference in Singapore.

Canada and the United States are both looking at sizeable crops, while conditions are also favourable in Russia and Kazakhstan

There is potential for a big increase in green lentil production in 2025-26 after several years of tight supplies, says an analyst.

Canada will lead the way with an estimated 842,000 tonnes of production, Chuck Penner, analyst with LeftField Commodity Research, told delegates attending the Global Pulse Confederation’s Pulses 2025 conference in Singapore.

When the first bull bursts from the chute, the energy at the MacGregor Stride Centre is electric. For nearly three hours, fans are treated to non-stop action, as riders test their grit against powerful animals in one of the region's most anticipated events. But the North Norfolk Bull Bash on June 7 is more than just a rodeo – it’s a cherished community gathering and an essential fundraiser that supports vital local services.

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and J4 Agri-Science have announced a new partnership aimed at developing new and enhanced  Faba Bean varieties. This initiative is expected to bring significant improvements to the crop's potential and provide farmers with more options for their rotations.

A remarkable wave of generosity swept across Manitoba this week as communities united for the Manitoba Day of Caring for Wildfire Evacuees — a special, province-wide broadcast that brought together more than 30 radio stations to support those displaced by ongoing wildfires.

Held on Thursday, June 5, the unprecedented collaboration mobilized listeners from Brandon to Steinbach, Thompson to Winkler, and nearly everywhere in between. By the end of the broadcast day, donations had reached $306,073.26 — an incredible show of care and compassion from Manitobans.

The Portage Hurricanes are wrapping up their first full volleyball season on a high note, and the players and coaches say they’re seeing the sport take off again in the area.

Coach and executive director Cam McLean explains the program was created to bring volleyball back to young athletes and help them build toward future opportunities.

“We started this year in a full season,” McLean says. “Our program is designed to try and get young kids back into the sport of volleyball and hopefully position them to go after scholarships down the road.”