No Manitoba-wide lockdown is planned right now despite rising COVID cases, the Brandon Wheat Kings have reworked their schedule due to COVID capacity limits, we can expect a colder-than-normal January, and fraud cases were up in Brandon this year. These stories and more in today's update.  

Cold has cancelled Brandon's Winter Fest 2021, new COVID restrictions forced postponement of 'Stars on Ice' and 'Manitoba Ag Days', Manitoba doctors calling for a COVID lockdown, there's another Lotto 6/49 winner in the province - and we're changing our food buying habits because of rising prices. These stories and more in today's update. 

There's now a big wait for COVID test results provincewide: 4 days or longer, BU and ACC going on-line to start the winter semester, catalytic converter thefts rising in Dauphin, a Hamiota man is a big lottery winner - and Yes kids! Santa is real - and No! COVID won't stop him. These stories and more in today's update.

The province is handing out KN95 masks at liquor stores and casinos, but Global News reports some boxes may have expired in May, there's new financial relief for Westman businesses impacted by the new COVID health orders, MPI has cancelled all oral knowledge test appointments due to Omicron, and a new poll found Justin Trudeau should top Santa's Naughty List this year. These stories and more in today's update. 

Brandon students in K to 6 were to receive their rapid COVID test kits today, government financial help could be announced today for Brandon businesses hit with COVID capacity limits, BU says some university members have received scam emails, and Tesla is being investigated over a feature that allows drivers to play video games while the car is moving. These stories and more in today's update.

Westman's Russell Redi-Mix Concrete has the contract for Brandon's new Daly Overpass, new COVID health orders are now in effect in Westman, some elective and non-urgent procedures being postponed at Brandon hospital, BU wants to delay winter term by a week and return to online learning, and no Brandon winner for last Friday's Lotto Max, someone in Ontario grabbed the $70-million. These stories and more in today's update. 

Stricter COVID health orders begin in MB Tuesday, Canadian Red Cross nurses are in the province to help out as COVID cases increase, Brandon city council to look at photo radar and red light cameras, and Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation to hold 4-day Culture Camp starting Boxing Day. These stories and more in today's update. 

Westman farmers need more snow to get soil moisture up for spring seeding, if you're out of debt you've joined a growing number of Canadians, Consumers Coalition wants MB Hydro to rethink its proposed 5% rate hike, and the Brandon Samaritan House drive-thru food drive is Saturday 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm. These stories and more in today's update. 

Students at Meadows School are now remote-learning, Portage la Prairie Minor Hockey cracking down on people sneaking past COVID checkpoints at arenas, Brandon police investigating a VISA GC scam, and another Brandonite has won money on a lottery ticket. These stories and more in today's update.   

So far, no new COVID restrictions as MB cases rise: premier instead encouraging vaccinations and may make rapid tests more widely available, Brandon police are investigating a Visa gift card scam, and Brandon's new Food Rescue Grocery Store is set to open today in the downtown. These stories and more in today's update.