Happy Monday, Winnipeg!

It finally feels like spring is here to stay. The snow is gone, the jackets are getting lighter, and this week is bringing some of the warmest days we've had in months.

Wednesday is looking like it could hit 23 ℃, with sunshine and mild temps stretching through most of the week.

After the winter we had, it feels pretty good to finally say it. Patio weather is almost here.

Grab your morning coffee, settle in, and let's dive into what's happening around Winnipeg.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

With the cost of everything going up these days, any bit of relief on a monthly bill feels like a win.

Tomorrow at the Executive Policy Committee, Mayor Scott Gillingham and Councillors Jeff Browaty and Ross Eadie will bring forward a motion to freeze water and sewer rates in 2027.

The plan uses higher-than-expected revenue from 2025 to keep things more affordable for Winnipeggers and strengthen the City's long-term finances.

It's a practical plan that puts a little money back in everyone's pocket while still moving important work forward. Let's hope it gets approved tomorrow.

Click here: To read the full proposal and what this means.

There's a quiet moment a lot of Winnipeggers reach, usually with a cup of coffee in hand, looking around a house that once felt full.

The kids have their own places now.
The stairs feel a little longer than they used to.
And the spare rooms sit quiet most days.

Then one day you think it. Maybe it's time for something smaller.

Scaling down isn't about giving anything up.

For a lot of folks, it's the start of something lighter. Less upkeep. More travel. A condo with no stairs, a tidy bungalow, and a place that just fits the life you're living now.

Nicole Hacault put together a free guide for folks who are just starting to think about it.

Most people sit on this decision for years. The guide won't push you to do anything, but it'll help you figure out where you stand and what to do next!

This one is a bit unusual for Restaurant of the Week, but it was too good not to share.

The Thunderbird, the classic diner at McPhillips and Jefferson that closed last summer after decades of feeding Winnipeggers, is coming back.

And here's the best part. John Ginakes, the man who first opened the place in 1961, is returning to bring it back to life alongside his son Peter.

Renovations are already underway.

When the doors reopen, you can expect the same diner feel that made this spot a Winnipeg staple:

The family says the goal is simple. Same taste, same flavours, same memories.

The reopening is set for September 2026, so it'll be a bit of a wait.

But for anyone who grew up stopping in at Thunderbird, this feels like a proper homecoming.

Click here: To see what's coming back and read the family's full announcement.

Every dog deserves a home. And across Manitoba, there are hundreds still waiting for theirs.

Most Winnipeggers know Brady Oliveira as our hometown Blue Bomber. A two-time Grey Cup winner, a CFL All-Star, and one of the toughest running backs in the league.

But off the field, he and his partner Alex Blumberg have built their lives around something quieter and just as powerful. Rescuing dogs in need across the province.

It's the kind of Winnipeg story that reminds you how much good is happening right here at home.

If you've got a soft spot for dogs, Brady, or both, give the trailer a watch. You'll probably end up hooked!

Click here: To watch the trailer and see what the show is all about.

Behind every kid who loves school, there's usually a teacher who made it that way.

Last week, the Manitoba government recognized 14 educators from across the province at the annual Excellence in Education Awards, with a new award introduced this year.

From fly-in schools up north to adult learning centres right here in Winnipeg, the recipients were honoured for going well beyond the classroom for their students.

The Nello Altomare Award is new this year.

It honours the late education minister who helped launch Canada's first universal school food program, and recognizes those leading nutrition programs in our schools.

It's a nice reminder that teaching is about so much more than curriculum. It's about showing up, building trust, and helping kids feel like they belong.

Click here: To see the full list of this year's recipients.

Good news for one of our city's biggest employers.

Boeing announced Friday that it's investing $36 million into its Winnipeg facility over the next 10 years.

The money will go toward advanced composite manufacturing, robotics development, and research projects with the National Research Council of Canada.

The Winnipeg site is already the largest aerospace composite manufacturing facility in the country, and has been part of our local economy for more than 50 years.

This kind of long-term commitment from a global company means real growth for our province. More jobs, more opportunity, and more reasons to be proud of what's being built right here.

Click here: To see what's planned and learn more about the investment.

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

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