Portage

Ottawa is hiking entry-level pay for Canadian Armed Forces privates by 20 per cent for the regular force and 13 per cent for reservists, Prime Minister Mark Carney said at CFB Trenton on Friday.

That means the annual salary for a new recruit will go from $43,368 to $52,044.

Other military members will also receive pay raises, with smaller increases for higher ranks — part of a broader plan to boost recruitment and operational readiness. The new pay hikes will be retroactive to April 1 of this year.

Cattle farmers, grain producers, acreage owners and treasure hunters in and around MacGregor, Portage la Prairie and the Central Plains Region will have a chance to take part in a large consignment sale from August 4-11.

The smell of campfire in the air might seem familiar by now, but this summer’s haze isn't just a nuisance: it’s historic.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, July 2025 was the smokiest July on record for many Prairie cities, and we’re now on track for the smokiest year.

“Regina, Winnipeg, Thompson, Kenora, they all recorded their smokiest month on record for July,” explains Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke. “As far as the year so far, these places are on pace to have their worst year ever for the number of smoke hours observed.”

The Portage Terriers organization is warming up for another season with events, and a few things remain ongoing before the exhibition season starts.

Cody Buhler, the team's Marketing Director, emphasizes that there are a few changes and extra deals on tickets through a kids club membership.

The Manitoba Museum might have one of the largest collections of Hudson’s Bay artifacts, but its CEO isn't bitter the defunct retailer's crown jewel isn’t destined for her institution.

There will soon be a new home for the 355-year-old royal charter that birthed the Bay, giving it extraordinary control over a vast swath of unceded lands — and enormous influence over settlers' early relations with Indigenous Peoples.

The Tampa Bay Rays recalled 25-year-old outfielder Tristan Peters from triple-A Durham, Peters will join the Rays for their west coach swing, starting in Seattle.

Drafted out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the seventh round by Milwaukee in 2021, Peters has starred at triple-A this season. The six-foot outfielder owns a .282/.370/.453 slash line, 11 home runs and 11 stolen bases through 105 games for the Bulls.

While the Manitoba government begins mosquito spraying in Winkler due to high West Nile virus risks, Portage la Prairie reports low mosquito counts and no current plans for spraying.

Paul Ziesmann, Superintendent of Public Works for the City of Portage La Prairie, says mosquito numbers in the area remain well below thresholds that would trigger control measures.

Glyphosate, a key product that is used by a number of farmers, could be coming to an end.

Bill Anderson, the CEO of Bayer, noted on Wednesday that the company will be forced to end its US production of glyphosate, unless regulatory or legal changes are made to prevent litigation.

Harvest operations are slowly starting to get underway. Crop condition and staging across the Prairies is variable depending on location and rainfall patterns.

In Manitoba, early reports of swathing in canola have come in from the Interlake and Central regions, along with some winter cereals.

Oilseed Specialist Sonia Wilson put together this week's Manitoba Crop Report.

If you were caught dodging downpours or peeking out the window at grey skies Friday morning, you're not alone. Much of southern Manitoba, including Portage la Prairie, woke up to bouts of heavy rain, flashes of lightning, and a lingering smoky haze. According to Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor, it’s all part of an unsettled weather pattern that's expected to stick around for another day.