Leons Headlines June 9: Two months of rain in one day-Flash flooding in Manitoba’s Swan Valley forced up to 150 people from their homes, stranded some on rooftops & caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, utilities & farmland; the province is mobilizing emergency supports.
-Widespread boil-water advisories in effect for Minitonas; hydro crews were flown in to shut off a gas leak & repair storm damage after severe flooding cut off road access & caused widespread outages.
-Forecasters warn that strong instability could trigger severe thunderstorms again today, with risk of tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds & heavy rain.
-Brandon remains under an overland flood watch as repeated rounds of heavy rain and possible severe thunderstorms this week threaten to worsen already saturated conditions and raise flood risks across western Manitoba.
-Lt.-Col. Pat Brown officially took command of 2 PPCLI at CFB Shilo on Monday.
-MB police watchdog is investigating after an RCMP officer shot & injured a man during an arrest in MacGregor Saturday night.
-The Federal government proposes banning social media use for children under 16 in a new online harms bill to be introduced Wednesday.
-Tax Freedom Day; Fraser Institute says average Canadian family has now earned enough to cover their tax bill for the year (federal, provincial, local taxes) June 10 onward are “working for themselves.”
-MB offers free provincial park entry & license-free fishing June 12-14.
Social media ban for under 16 coming in a bill Wednesday. Canada is gearing up to possibly tell teens “no scrolling allowed” under 16, and social media companies are suddenly doing the nervous gulp. If it passes, expect a lot of kids asking, “Wait… you mean we have to talk to people in real life?”
No kids? Blame the smartphone. New data backs it up. Researchers are pointing fingers at smartphones for reshaping how (and whether) people are starting families. Turns out endless scrolling might be competing with diaper duty in the life priorities rankings.
McDonald’s launches ARCH IQ in select US locations — AI comes to the drive-thru! McDonald’s is testing AI at the drive-thru, so soon you might be arguing with a robot about extra pickles instead of a human. The future: faster burgers, slightly sassier misunderstandings.
4-year-old gets his stuffed toy back from American Airlines. A tiny traveler’s lost stuffed animal went on its own airline adventure and made a heartwarming return trip home. Honestly, that plush has now flown more miles than most of us.
Gas stations are making great food — is your next great meal coming from a pump? Gas stations are upgrading from questionable hot dogs to legitimately good food, and it’s confusing everyone’s expectations. We used to stop for fuel… now we might stay for dinner.
WestJet signs deal with Icelandair — easier access to Europe. WestJet teaming up with Icelandair means Europe just got a lot closer—and possibly with an Iceland layover that feels like a bonus vacation. Your next trip to Paris might now start with “quick stop for lava fields.”
Still with WestJet, Ottawa is offering to help airlines with some cash, but it has WestJet furious. Why would a private business be so upset about the possibility of getting a government support? They issued a statement to explain.
Another “Catch Me If You Can” fake pilot or honest mistake? Air Canada Captain Arrested For Flying ‘Hundreds Of Flights’ Without Required License, and was not only fired but smacked with a MASSIVE fine. How could this happen?
