Manitoba has long been known for its friendly nature, but is that reputation still true for newcomers? Tasneem Vali, a Muslim Winnipegger who immigrated over 20 years ago, shares her insights with Marcy Markusa about how the treatment of newcomers in Winnipeg has shifted. Vali discusses the growing challenges immigrants face in Manitoba today and the evolving pressures around diversity and inclusion.

It is a rare occurrence in the nighttime sky — six planets visible at once. The astronomical parade began Jan. 21 and will continue over the next four weeks. CBC's Marcy Markusa speaks about it with Danielle Pahud, director of the Lockhart Planetarium at the University of Manitoba.

The nights may still be long and dark but one Winnipeg neighbourhood just got a bit brighter. The 3rd annual Lights on the Exchange festival began Jan. 21 and is on through March 21. The event features 25 light-based works of art that people can check out as they walk the streets of the Exchange District. CBC's Marcy Markusa gets all the details from David Pensato, executive director of the Exchange District BIZ.

Shortly after his inauguration yesterday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order proclaiming the U.S. government will only recognize two sexes — male and female — and that people cannot change their designated sex.

Host Marcy Markusa speaks with Charlie Eau, the executive director for Trans Manitoba.

"The golden age of America begins right now," the new U.S. president has declared.

Trump's blitz of executive orders will affect sectors like immigration and energy, but as of now, there are no new tariffs aimed at Canada, even though he said that may change on Feb. 1.

For more on the executive orders, Marcy Markusa is joined by Thomas Schaller, a political scientist at the University of Maryland.

Canada is seeing fewer immigrants make it their home due to federal policies designed to address the housing crisis. But could these changes negatively affect provinces like Manitoba that rely on newcomers? CBC’s Ian Froese investigates the impact of this policy shift on Manitoba and what it means for the province's future.

The inauguration of President Donald Trump has many Manitobans worried about his tariff threat. If he makes good on his threat of a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports to the U.S., the local hog industry could face significant challenges. Rick Prejet, a longtime hog producer and chair of the Manitoba Pork Council, explains how this tariff could affect Manitoba's hog production, even if it only impacts a small part of his own farm.

Also on the podcast today: Terry Shaw is the regional vice-president for Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

He's worried Trump's threat is already affecting Manitoba's economy.

And he says the impact from the proposed tariffs could go beyond industries like manufacturing.

He spoke to the CBC's Alanna Cole.

Host Marcy Markusa also speaks with Viet Vu for his take on all of this.

He is the manager of economic research at the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University.

As TikTok's future in the U.S. hangs in the balance, the clock is ticking toward a potential shutdown on January 19th. Host Marcy Markusa dives into the latest developments with tech consultant Avery Swartz, exploring the impact of a possible ban on millions of users and content creators, both in the U.S. and Canada. What would the end of TikTok in the States mean for the future of social media?

Also on the podcast: The Sutherland Hotel on Main Street was a fixture in Winnipeg for over a century before it was lost to flames. For Brad Bilenky, the fire wasn't just the loss of a building—it marked the end of a significant chapter in his life. Brad reflects on growing up in the hotel, which his parents owned for 11 years, and shares his personal connection to the place with host Marcy Markusa. Through his eyes, we explore the history of the Sutherland Hotel and its impact on the Winnipeg community.

Marcy Markusa and Abiola Adeyemi host today

Israel and Hamas are at the brink of an historic deal to pause the fighting in Gaza, sparking hope for an end to the war. As the world looks ahead, many are curious about the future for both Israeli and Palestinian communities. Emily Kalo, an Israeli-born student at the University of Manitoba, shares her personal thoughts on the deal and its potential impact on the region.

A day after the agreement was announced, hundreds of Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip celebrated. We hear Mona Zangana, a Palestinian student at the University of Manitoba, about the relief, the emotions, and the impact this ceasefire is having on her community.

Also on the Podcast today: Mayor Scott Gillingham joins host Marcy Markusa for our monthly interview to discuss Winnipeg's role in the new strategy to end chronic homelessness. We also dive into the controversy surrounding Lemay Forest, where concerns about unmarked graves have led to calls for the city to expropriate land to stop development.

Manitoba's NDP government has unveiled a new strategy aimed at ending chronic homelessness by 2031, focusing on moving individuals from encampments into safe housing. Host Marcy Markusa speaks with Tessa Blaikie-Whitecloud, CEO of Siloam Mission and the Premier's Senior Advisor on Homelessness, to discuss the "Your Way Home" initiative. This ambitious plan includes purchasing and renovating apartment buildings to create 300 new social housing units with support services. Tune in as we explore the future of homelessness solutions in Manitoba.

Winnipeg's emergency room wait times far exceed the national average of 5.2 hours, with the Health Sciences Centre hitting a staggering 13.16 hours as of November. Why are wait times so high, and what can you do to avoid the long waits? Dr. Amanda Condon with Shared Health shares insights on alternative care options in the city, from minor injury clinics to walk-ins, that can help you get the care you need faster.

Hospital emergency rooms are becoming an unexpected refuge for some experiencing homelessness, especially during extreme weather. We'll delve into a recent study led by Dr. Stephen Hwang, a physician and research scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions in Toronto. Dr. Hwang discusses the findings of the study, the challenges faced by those seeking temporary shelter in ERs, and the broader implications for addressing homelessness and healthcare access.

This week, temperatures in Manitoba are dropping to a bone-chilling -40°C. Has Mother Nature lost track of the calendar? Has Mother Nature forgotten it’s January? Did Mother Nature miss the memo? To break it down, we’re joined by Alex Crawford, assistant professor in the University of Manitoba's Department of Environment and Geography, who sheds light on this icy phenomenon and the science behind this frosty phenomenon.

Marcy Markusa is host

Ronalee Reynolds opens up about the heartbreaking death of her brother, Chad Giffin, who waited eight hours for care at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. He was under the care of the public trustee, but the hospital failed to notify his family in a timely manner. Reynolds shares her emotional journey and calls for changes in how hospitals handle contact information for patients and their families, hoping no one else will have to endure the same uncertainty. CBC's Erin Brohman speaks with Reynolds about the need for systemic improvements and closure after a tragedy.

The emergency-room death at HSC has sparked urgent discussions about waiting room safety and patient monitoring protocols. In Nova Scotia, a groundbreaking electronic monitoring system is transforming emergency care. Designed to measure oxygen levels, breathing rates and heart rate, the technology has proven so successful during a six-month pilot at Dartmouth General Hospital that it's now set for expansion. Rachel Nalepa, interim health services director at Dartmouth General, shares insights into the program's impact and what Manitoba could learn from their experience.

Marcy Markusa is host

Donald Trump has sparked controversy with threats to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, shares her response, calling Trump's remarks offensive and highlighting the effects on both Canada's sovereignty and Indigenous sovereignty. She discusses her concerns and the broader implications for Indigenous nations with host Marcy Markusa.

Also on the podcast today, we explore a pressing issue faced by unhoused Winnipeggers during the winter months: where can they turn for shelter from the cold? According to Health Sciences Centre officials, the hospital's emergency room serves as an unexpected warming space on especially frigid days. We hear from activist Al Wiebe, who highlights the city's deficit of warming spaces and the need for better public awareness and alternative solutions.

In CBC Radio's monthly interview with Premier Wab Kinew, we tackle the heartbreaking news of another death in the emergency department at Health Sciences Centre. A middle-aged man died after waiting for hours for care, a tragic echo of the 2008 death of Brian Sinclair. Despite changes to the system meant to prevent such situations, there have been at least four deaths of people waiting in Winnipeg ERs over the past two years. Kinew talks about what went wrong, the steps being taken to address this crisis, and the investigation into the latest critical incident.

Marcy Markusa is host