Portage

Canadian police patrolling corners of the dark web are well aware of the commonly nefarious ways criminals exploit artificial intelligence. 

There's deepfake pornography. Voice impersonation. Romance scams that turn into financial fraud.

But recently there's been a new twist — criminals offering to "jailbreak" the very algorithms that form the architecture of AI's large language models, or LLMs, tearing down their safeguards so they can be retasked for criminal purposes.

Call it tech support for cybercriminals.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26TH

MJHL
Playoffs - Quarter-Finals - Best of 7
Game 4
Northern Manitoba 4 Neepawa 3 (Double Overtime)
Northern Manitoba leads series 3-1

Manitoba U15 AAA Female Hockey League
Finals - Best of 5
Eastman 3 Central Plains 2
series is tied at 1-1

Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League
Finals - Best of 5
Game 3
WPG Wild 4 Brandon 3 (Overtime)
Wild win series 3-0

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is back in Ottawa today to deal with the fallout of new auto tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Carney said he was suspending his campaign plans for the day and would return to Ottawa to hold a meeting of the Canada-U.S. cabinet committee.

It's unclear when Carney will be back on the road to continue campaigning. 

Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) Grade 12 students are buzzing with anticipation as they prepare for an upcoming class field trip to Italy and Greece. For many, the journey marks their first time visiting Europe, offering a chance to explore ancient architecture, savour Mediterranean cuisine, and immerse themselves in vibrant cultures before graduation.

Spring is here!

It's the season many have been waiting for, eagerly anticipating budding trees, blooming gardens, and the homecoming of some warmth-loving critters. But, while this time of year is held with open arms, there is reason for caution — especially as the ice melts.

"Roughly 30 per cent of drownings in Manitoba happen... between October and April," says Lynne Stefanchuk, the executive director of Lifesaving Society Manitoba. "There's always that danger around waterways in Manitoba."

Theft doesn't pay, as one Portage resident learned early last week.

On March 18, the Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a report of a theft from a business located in the 2100 block of Saskatchewan Avenue West. When they arrived on the scene, officers learned the suspect had already left the area. However, police were provided with both a name and a photograph of the individual believed to be responsible.

The Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) has just awarded its 2024-25 bursaries to six deserving university students from across the province, supporting the future of agriculture in Manitoba.

Madison Kostal, the Research and Production Coordinator at MCA, took some time to share what went into the selection process and why these bursaries are so important for the next generation of Ag leaders. 

The organizing committee of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair is putting the finishing touches on their annual event taking place all of next week at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Monday to Saturday, March 31-April 5th!

The annual fair is hosted by the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba this being their 55th year since their 'Royal' designation from Queen Elizabeth back in 1970.  It features competition and entertainment from one end of the Keystone Centre to the other!

The Portage la Prairie Legion has completed significant upgrades to its handicap access ramps thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Portage and District. Bob Oldford, past president of the Legion and current service officer, spoke about the improvements, highlighting their importance for the local community. 

On March 21, 2025, surrounded by loving family in the Grace Hospital, William Fairbairn Carmichael, 78, died after a hard fought battle with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy.  Although his mind was intact, his body diminished leaving him with limited speech and mobility. He is survived and deeply mourned by his wife Lynn (nee Johnston) of fifty-six years; sons Bryan (Karen), Chris (Natasha), daughters Jocelyn and Riley; grandchildren Matthew , Logan, Gibson, Georgia and Charley; brothers Bob (Carol Anne) and Doug (Shelley), and sisters Jody (Andy) and Jane (Darcy), sister-in-law El