Portage

A farmer near MacGregor says despite dry conditions and a need for heat, most of his crops are emerging well.

Curtis Sims, who grows wheat, canola, soybeans and corn, says things are shaping up fairly well so far.

Rainfall helped, but soil is drying out

“It’s pretty dry on top,” he notes. “This moisture is not that far down. Once you get a heavier crop going, they start to get bigger, then it's going to need some more. We'll need some rain along the way. Shower would be nice anytime, but we can hang on for a little bit longer.”

For Ty Masson, being named valedictorian of the MacGregor Collegiate Class of 2025 wasn't just an academic milestone, it was a symbol of his dedication, community, and character.

The Grade 12 student found out he'd been selected after a tie-breaking vote among five peers, a rare and memorable process that made the honour even more meaningful.

"It was really something special," Masson said. "I told myself I didn't care if I didn't get it, but I really did care, because it does feel good to represent your class. It's a big moment."

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew took to the air Thursday, touring and meeting with those dealing with scores of wildfires in his province, while in Saskatchewan thousands of fire evacuees were given the green light to go home.

“Just this morning, the premier was in Flin Flon meeting with the firefighters, the boots on the ground, including our American firefighters that are up there,” Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie told a wildfire update news conference.

The Philippine flag now flies in front of City Hall in Portage la Prairie, after being raised Thursday morning as part of Filipino Heritage Month celebrations.

About 50 people gather to mark the occasion on June 12, which is also Philippine Independence Day. The national holiday honours the country’s freedom from Spanish rule in 1898, after over 300 years of colonization.

Adrian Allinsod, a longtime Portage resident and member of the local Filipino community, says it’s an emotional and meaningful day.

The Portage Pitbulls Football Club is calling on local families to help get two of its youth teams on the field this season, as registration deadlines quickly approach.

Club president Luke Irwin says they’re looking for more athletes in two key age groups.

“We are short on players for the Atom age group, which is the 2014 and 2015 age group, and as well as the Peewee age group, which is 2012 and 2013,” he notes. “We have to declare our teams by the end of the week on Sunday at 9 p.m.”

With major past projects now paid off, Portage la Prairie is shifting its focus toward a more aggressive road renewal plan—doubling its typical road repair budget by redirecting federal gas tax funding.

Jocelyn Lequier-Jobin, the city’s director of operations, says this shift comes at a critical time, as changing winter conditions are accelerating road damage.

"We do have a lot of roads that have seen a lot of extra freeze-thaw cycles,” she notes. “It really does do a lot of damage to the roads.”

The Canadian citizen believed to be on an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff is a dentist from Mississauga, Ont., her family has confirmed.

The husband of Nirali Sureshkumar Patel said she was on board the London-bound flight that crashed Thursday, killing at least 240 people.

Patel's dental clinic referred The Canadian Press to the husband, who said that he was in the process of booking travel to India for himself and the couple's one-year-old child.

Edward “Ed” Nikkel

Peacefully, with his family by his side, Edward Nikkel passed away on June 11, 2025 at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 79 years.

Portage la Prairie has welcomed nearly 600 wildfire evacuees in recent days, with approximately 400 still in the community as of this week. City officials, provincial departments, non-profits and local volunteers have all played a role in ensuring displaced families have shelter, medical support, food and essentials.

After a smoky start to the wildfire season, Manitobans may finally catch a break as shifting weather patterns and expected rainfall are poised to improve air quality in the days ahead. 

Wildfire smoke has brought hazy skies to large parts of southern Manitoba, impacting air quality in recent weeks. Although previously the smoke was caused by wildfires in Northern Manitoba, Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the hazy conditions this week drifted in from further west.