Leons Headlines June 16: Gas prices slip to around $1.60/L amid easing oil tensions, but experts say long-term prices may stay elevated despite short-term relief.
-Charges against a BPS officer accused of assault & dangerous driving in 2023 incident where a man was struck by a cruiser have been stayed.
-Students at Sioux Valley Elementary are still out of class after a windstorm tore part of the school roof June 6, forcing the school to stay closed during insurance assessments.
-An overnight fire destroyed Blades Pizzeria in Shoal Lake just weeks after its one-year anniversary, while firefighters successfully prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby homes.
-RM of Riding Mountain West has closed 3 bridges, including a Hwy 83 near Inglis, due to Shell River flooding.
-A new $2M south end commercial development, Lyndale Plaza, will add almost 10K square feet of office space to the city.
-Hanover SD Trustees pass a motion making parents the primary decision-makers for student health care in schools, a move now under review by Education Minister Tracy Schmidt.
-Some longtime Countryfest supporters are frustrated that no day passes are being sold this year; many say they can no longer attend due to costs.
-Jelly Roll, who is set to headline Dauphin’s Countryfest 2026 on June 27, has filed for divorce from his wife Bunnie after 10 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
-Pizza Hut Canada is being sold as part of a $1.5 billion deal transferring the global Pizza Hut business (outside China) to LongRange Capital, with the sale expected to close in late 2026.
-Bell to cut nearly 700 jobs amid ongoing ‘organizational changes’; Bell & Telus add new cellphone fees just as federal rules ban extra charges.
-May home sales down 5.1% from a year earlier, MB was down 3.6% but CREA says momentum is building, and Brandon beat the MB downward trend by staying flat.
WHERE ARE THE LOW GAS PRICES? The fighting may be winding down, but don’t expect bargain gas prices just yet. Experts say damaged oil infrastructure and supply chain issues could keep prices higher than many drivers were hoping for.
WINNIPEG AIRPORT IS #1 IN CANADA. Winnipeg’s Richardson International Airport has been ranked the best airport in Canada by AirHelp. Fast service, easy navigation, and happy travelers helped it soar past the country’s larger airports.
CANADIANS TURNING TO GOFUNDME just to get bills paid! Times are tough, and more Canadians are turning to crowdfunding to make ends meet. Nearly 15,000 people have raised money through GoFundMe to help cover everyday expenses and financial emergencies.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/cost-of-living-canadian-crownfunding-bills-expensive-9.7235630
JELLY ROLL & BUNNIE SPLIT. Fans were shocked to learn Jelly Roll and Bunnie are divorcing after 10 years of marriage. The news comes just days before the country superstar headlines Dauphin’s Countryfest later this month.
SOCIAL MEDIA BANS SPREADING. Australia started the trend, and now the UK and parts of Europe are moving toward stricter social media restrictions for young users. Many experts believe Canada could eventually follow a similar path.
HUGE CHANGES COMING TO KFC. KFC is testing major menu changes that could reduce its reliance on traditional bone-in chicken. Could boneless options become the future of the Colonel’s empire?
