Midweek check-in, Winnipeg!

First off, thank you. Really. To the thousands of you who replied to our poll on Monday, your support means the world to us. The goal of that poll was to see if the Winnipeg Digest is truly something special, and with most of you saying you’d be very disappointed if we stopped, it feels like we’re doing something right.

The kind words and touching comments you shared honestly left us so grateful and more motivated than ever to get our publication to every Winnipegger in the city!

And a just quick note about Monday’s edition: We know some of you noticed our story on U.S. tariffs. We usually avoid politics or news outside of Winnipeg, but we only include it when it directly affects our city.

In this case, we felt those tariffs could have a real impact locally and decided to share it. Our goal has always been the same: to keep Winnipeggers informed in a fair, honest, and community-first way — even when that sometimes means touching on bigger stories.

Now, let’s get into what’s new around the city this week.

In today’s edition:

• First Look Inside the New West End Costco Opening Next Month

• Manitoba Farmer Makes TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions List of 2025

• City Shares New Plan to Keep Water and Sewer Bills Low

• All Canadian Travellers to the U.S. Will Be Required to Have Their Photo Taken

• Multiple events this week & more

— Jas Singh

News

First Look Inside the New West End Costco Opening Next Month

West Winnipeg’s wait is almost over. The brand new Headingley Costco is set to open its doors on November 13, and Costco just dropped a first-look video giving folks a peek inside the space at 4077 Portage Avenue.

The new warehouse is spacious and bright, designed to ease the chaos many Winnipeggers have come to expect at the St. James location.

Here’s what we know:

• Headingley Costco officially opens November 13

• The St. James location closes November 12 to become Winnipeg’s first Costco Business Centre

• The Business Centre will cater mainly to restaurants and offices, with no clothing section or food court

And if that wasn’t enough, a second Costco is already under construction in West St. Paul, expected to open in 2026.

The Headingley location is just the beginning. It marks a big shift for west-end shoppers with shorter lines, more parking, and fewer cross-city Costco missions.

So, if you’ve got friends or family in the area who’ve been waiting for this one to open, make sure to share the link below with them.

Click Here: To see a sneak peek inside the new Costco!

Community Spotlight

Donate Winter Gear for Winnipeg Kids in Need

The cold has a way of showing up fast in Winnipeg. One week, it’s light sweaters, and the next, we’re pulling out parkas and windshields. But not every family has that luxury, with many kids not even having a proper coat to wear to school.

That’s why Koats for Kids is asking for help right now. They’re collecting warm winter wear for Winnipeg families who need a hand before the deep freeze sets in.

• Most needed items: kids’ coats, ski pants, mitts, boots, and scarves

• Sizes 8–10 are especially in demand for both boys and girls

• You can drop off donations at any of the following: Access Storage, Toys R Us, YMCA, or your local fire hall

We all know how long and cold Winnipeg winters can be, and for some families, it’s not just about bundling up; it’s about getting by.

Which is why Koats for Kids matters so much. A jacket your child has outgrown or an extra pair of mitts sitting in your closet could make all the difference for another family. It’s a simple way to help someone stay warm, dry, and cared for this winter.

So, if you’ve got something to give, now’s the perfect time to do it.

Click Here: To donate or request winter gear through your school or daycare.

P.S. If you think your child’s school or daycare might need support, be sure to share the link above with them.

Manitoba Farmer Makes TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions List of 2025

A huge win for our province: Jeremy Matuszewski from Winkler just landed on TIME Magazine’s 2025 Best Inventions list.

Jeremy, a local farmer and founder of Thunderstruck Ag Equipment, created something called the Razors Edge Concave.

It’s a new piece for combines that lets farmers switch between crops without having to swap parts. The result? A smoother, more efficient harvest, leading to less downtime, lower fuel use, and better grain quality.

It’s a big deal, not just for Manitoba, but for farmers across the world. And it started right here in our province.

Click Here: To read more about Jeremy’s invention on TIME!

City Updates

City Shares New Plan to Keep Water and Sewer Bills Low

As most of you know, Winnipeg is building a new North End Water Treatment Facility, a major upgrade that was originally expected to cause sharp increases to water bills over the next few years.

But now, the City has shared a new plan to help keep things manageable. With extra funding from the provincial and federal governments, and by spreading out costs over time, those big hikes are off the table.

Here’s what you should know:

• Rate increases will now be 2.8% in 2026 and 4.2% in 2027 (down from 28.5% and 17.3%)

• Families will save over $600/year compared to the old projections

• The City will take on 50-year debt to stretch costs across generations

• With the North End facility project still moving forward with strong government support

This means families won’t be caught off guard by major spikes, and the city can still protect Lake Winnipeg and our waterways for generations to come.

Click Here: To see Mayor Scott Gillingham’s short video explaining the plan.

New Permanent Rest Stop Opens on Highway 6 in Manitoba

Anyone who’s driven up Highway 6 knows the long, empty stretches can feel endless, especially without anywhere to stop for a proper break. But, that’s finally changing.

The Manitoba government has opened a new permanent rest stop near Devils Lake, bringing real comfort to one of the province’s most remote travel routes.

Here’s what’s new on the road:

• Permanent rest stop now open along PTH 6 at Devils Lake

• Includes accessible washrooms, running water, and garbage bins

• Meant to reduce driver fatigue and improve travel safety

• While filling a key gap between Saint Martin Junction and Wabowden

This is a big step for northern travellers, especially folks making regular trips to and from Thompson or nearby communities. It’s also a reminder that small upgrades, like working washrooms and a place to stretch your legs, make a real difference on the road.

Click Here: To read more about the new Devils Lake rest stop.

Community Digest

Winnipeg Library Seeking Makers for 2026 Residency Program

If you're a creative or know a friend who is, this could be the perfect opportunity. The Millennium Library is now accepting applications for its 2026 Maker-in-Residence (MiR) program, a hands-on role for local makers to share their craft and connect with the city.

The MiR program is all about giving Winnipeggers a chance to learn directly from local artists, tech builders, and digital creatives. It’s for people who love making things and teaching others how to do the same.

Here’s what to know about the program:

• Applications are now open for all three 15-week residencies next year

• Residency terms begin in January, May, and September

• Each term includes a $13,000 stipend and $2,000 supply budget

• Makers will host drop-in studio hours and run at least five public workshops that teach their own skillset

• Ideal applicants have skills in art, tech, or digital media

• Deadline to apply is Monday, November 17, 2025

The goal is to bring creative people into the heart of the community: folks who love sharing what they do and making space for others to try something new. It’s a hands-on way to help people feel inspired, capable, and connected through the power of making.

So if you or someone you know is a good fit, be sure to click the link below!

Click Here: To apply for the 2026 Maker-in-Residence program or to share it with someone who should!

All Travellers to the U.S. Will Soon Be Required to Have Their Photo Taken

We don’t usually cover U.S. news, but this is something Winnipeggers should know about, especially if you’re planning a trip across the border.

Starting December 26, the U.S. will begin requiring all non-citizens, including Canadians, to be photographed when entering or leaving the country.

It’s part of a new Department of Homeland Security policy aimed at building a more complete biometric record system. Photos will be matched using facial recognition technology, and in some cases, fingerprints may also be collected.

While the rollout will start at airports and take longer at land borders, the change is official, and it’s raising privacy concerns from groups like the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, who are calling for stronger safeguards around biometric data.

If you or someone you know might be headed to the States soon, click the link below to read more about the change.

Click Here: To read about the new U.S. border policy.

Events coming up this week:

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

• Tyndall Community Market’s Halloween Special | 4-9PM, Oct 31 (More Info)

  • Location: Tyndall Park Community Centre

  • Description: Trick-or-treating at their food trucks and vendor stalls, live entertainment and music to keep you spooky and energized! And family-friendly games and activities

• Halloween Jazz Night at a speakeasy | Oct 31 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: Winnipeg's only 1920's hot jazz band in Winnipeg's only true authentic 1920's speakeasy.

• HEEBIE JEEBIES | Oct 31 ($)

  • Location: Heebie Jeebies, 53071 La Salle Road

  • Description: One of the most terrifying Halloween experiences and haunted houses near Winnipeg, Heebie Jeebies is back for its annual scare-fest.

• Halloween Hangover Comedy | November 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Basement Comedy Lounge

  • Description: Don't let the Halloween party stop. Come enjoy one more night of dressed up fun at The Basement! Costume contest, comedy, candy, what could go wrong?

• Winnipeg Jets vs Pittsburgh Penguins | 2PM, November 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

• Artisan Alley by Inspirations Market | Nov 1-2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Red River Exhibition Park

  • Description: Do your early holiday shopping from 200 different makers over the 2 weekends!

• The Beaches Concert | 8PM, Nov 1-2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: The Beaches are doing everything their way. After more than a decade together as a band, sisters Jordan Miller (lead vocals, bass) and Kylie Miller (guitar), plus closest friends Leandra Earl (guitar and keys) and Eliza Enman-McDaniel (drums)

• The Mush Hole Musical | Nov 1-2 & 8-9 (Tickets)

  • Location: Manitoba Theatre for Young People

  • Description: Created by award-winning dance artist Santee Smith, The Mush Hole is a powerful performance that uses song, dance and theatre to explore the lives and spirits of children forced to attend Ontario’s Mohawk Institute residential school.

• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons | 6:30PM, Nov 2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Crescent Arts Centre

  • Description: Discover the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons at Crescent Arts Centre under the gentle glow of candlelight.

• 5th Annual Pumpkin Drop | 10AM-3PM, Nov 2 (More Info)

  • Location: Polo Park Parking Lot

  • Description: Mash your pumpkins for a great cause! Bring your Halloween jack-o’-lanterns and launch them from the 2nd floor parkade into the compost truck below!

Current Events: October 29th & 30th

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Sports🏀

• Winnipeg Jets vs. Chicago Blackhawks | 7PM, Oct 30 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canada Life Centre

Community Fun🎆

• Life of Pi Play | October 29 - November 8 (Tickets)

  • Location: Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre - John Hirsch Mainstage

  • Description: Based on the best-selling novel, this epic story of courage, faith and survival roars to life with riveting storytelling and stunning puppetry.

• Boo at the Zoo | Oct 29-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Assiniboine Park Zoo

  • Description: All aboard, the train’s ready to go to a town where Halloween spirits roam! Welcome to a mysterious land where fall festivities are in full swing.

Performances🎭

• Gavin Adcock | 8PM, October 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Burton Cummings Theatre

  • Description: Gavin Adcock, dubbed by Billboard as "one of country music’s most buzzed-about artists,” is a Georgia native, born and raised in Watkinsville.

• Afterlight Musical | Oct 29 - Nov 2 (Tickets)

  • Location: Rainbow Stage

  • Description: A weary vampire, longing for release, encounters a lonely elderly widow who awakens both his hunger and his humanity. Over the course of several surreal nights in her apartment, the two unlikely souls forge a connection that is alternately comic, tragic, and romantic.

• Die Harder: A Manitoba Christmas Story | 7PM, Oct 30 - Dec 31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Canad Inns Destination Centre

  • Description: Turns a Winnipeg high rise building into ground zero for festive mayhem; packed with 80’s hits, big hair and even bigger laughs!

Special Events/Comedy🥂

• South Osborne BIZ Guided Restaurant Tour: Dark History | 5:15PM-9:15PM, Oct 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: Three to four restaurant stops as well as several historical/interpretive stops along the way

  • Description: This four-hour restaurant tour of South Osborne will take you through our neighborhood while celebrating Halloween, exploring the dark past of the area and enjoying a four-course meal (and a spooky cocktail) along the way.

• Dinner & A Movie screening of the 1975 classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show | 5PM, Oct 29 (Tickets)

  • Location: The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre

  • Description: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Enjoy a special Dinner & A Movie screening of the 1975 classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, served with a side of thrilling suspense and delicious eats.

• 2025 Haunted Forest / Corn Maze | October 29 - November 1 (Tickets)

  • Location: A Maze In Corn

  • Description: An interactive, outdoor experience that you won't soon forget. Enter at your own risk as our resident creatures of the forest come alive and lure you in with their haunting humour.

• Paul Myrehaug Comedy | Oct 29 - Nov 1 ($)

  • Location: Rumor's Restaurant and Comedy Club

• Six Pines Haunted Attractions | Oct 29-31 (Tickets)

  • Location: Six Pines

  • Description: Six Pines Haunted Attractions has continuously strived to offer Manitoba’s haunt enthusiasts an ever-changing range of haunted houses since its inception.

Music 🎵

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!

P.S. Want to get your business in front of thousands of local Winnipeggers? Email us at [email protected].