Portage

Researchers are urging Canada, United States and Mexico to take immediate action to save the monarch butterfly as the migratory insect faces a growing risk of extinction amid habitat loss. 

The iconic butterfly's population has decreased by around 80 per cent in the past two decades, says the paper published in the journal Current Biology, with the loss of breeding habitat cited as the main reason behind the sharp decline.

The Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation. The bill, which passed in June, has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won't respect their rights.

Sunset Palliative Care hosted its annual Rainbow Auction on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at the Herman Prior Activity Centre, raising vital funds to support its work in the community.

The auction featured numerous grand and minor prizes, all generously donated by local businesses.

Executive Director Aldene Moroz says the fundraiser was a wonderful success, meeting its financial goal thanks to strong community turnout. The funds will directly support sending caregivers to an important conference.

It’s the last long weekend of the summer, Labour Day weekend! 

As always, we’re bringing you a list of our partners and their hours over the Holiday, so you can plan ahead and not be left hunting for essentials! 

Here’s what's open (and when) this Labour Day weekend (all times shown are specific to Monday unless otherwise specified): 

Canadian Tire

As students head back to school next week, Portage la Prairie RCMP is reminding families to stay vigilant and prioritize safety.

Constable Robert Smith, the school liaison officer, spoke with Portage Online about what parents and students should know to start the school year off safely.

Farmers are working on bringing in the harvest as the weather cooperates.

Last week's hot, dry weather also brought its share of thunderstorm activity with strong winds and hail which caused some lodging in crops. The Nipawin area had the most rainfall, with 42 mm, followed by the North Battleford and Consul areas with 30 mm and 28 mm, respectively. A number of other areas around the province are also seeing some scattered showers.

Portage residents are in for a hot and sunny weekend, says meteorologist Crawford Luke with Environment Canada.

Luke notes that the warming trend the region has seen over the past few days continues through Sunday.

“Starting today and certainly through Sunday, basically looking at sunny conditions and temperatures getting around 30 degrees, 31 degrees,” he says.

Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson has announced an increase in the lending limit on the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program (FALGP).

Locally owned feeder associations utilize the program for low-interest financing backed by a government guarantee. Through the program feeder associations help livestock producers get financing to buy animals and grow their herds.

Producer, Dustin Lamb says the program played a huge part in his decision to return to the family farm and will be instrumental in keeping it going.

David Sinclair McBurney
July 26, 1946 – August 27, 2025

David Sinclair McBurney, aged 79 years, passed away in Portage la Prairie on August 27, 2025.

What began as a regular community meeting quickly turned into something much bigger, all sparked by one simple question:

"Should we consider rebuilding the playground?"

That one idea quickly turned into a $188,000, community-led transformation, thanks to local fundraising, strong support from the RM of Portage la Prairie, and a timely boost from the Province of Manitoba.