Happy Monday, Winnipeg!

What a hot one it was. The sun was out in full force this weekend, and whether you were down at the Folk Fest, out at the lake, or just hiding in the shade with something cold, we hope you found a way to stay cool. Feels like summer finally showed up and decided to stick around.

And it's not slowing down. We're looking at more heat this week, so keep that water bottle close and check on the folks who need it.

Plenty happened around the city over the weekend, and we've got a good one for you today.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

There's a reason so many of us love the streets we live on…

The leafy canopy. The shade over the backyard on a hot July afternoon. Our trees are quietly part of what makes this city feel like ours.

So when word got out that the city might cut $1.2 million from this year's tree planting budget, a lot of people felt it. Advocacy groups warned it could set us back, especially with threats like the emerald ash borer already putting our canopy at risk.

Winnipeggers spoke up, and City Hall listened.

Last week, Mayor Scott Gillingham announced he'll bring a proposal to City Council to protect that funding in full under the 2026 Urban Forest Renewal Program. No cuts to tree planting.

The proposal goes to City Council this Thursday, July 16. We'll keep you updated as things move forward.

It's a good reminder that the things we love about this city are worth speaking up for.

Click here: To see all the details on the plan and what it includes!

The patio's still your favourite room. The sun's still hanging around past nine. And a December vacation is probably the last thing on your mind.

Fair enough.

But here's the thing about Winnipeg summers. They end faster than we think.

A cool morning sneaks in. The kids head back to school. And by mid-October, you're opening a flight tab, pricing out a Christmas escape, and finding out the best rooms are already gone.

If you want to stretch the summer feeling all the way into the holidays, the best time to plan it is now.

That's why Bonaventure Travel has handpicked some of AIC Hotel Group's most beautiful all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic, making it easy to start dreaming now and enjoy the payoff later.

All the good ones in one place, so you can book it now, before summer's done.

The Bonaventure team takes care of the planning, so all you have to think about is which resort feels most like your family's kind of holiday.

And when the first cold morning rolls in, you don't dread it. You're just counting down the days to the beach.

P.S. Send this to whoever you'd take with you. Winter plans are more fun when you make them together.

There's a new spot downtown that feels a little like stepping out of Winnipeg and into New York.

Exposed brick. A DJ in the corner. Local art on every wall.

It's part coffee shop, part hangout, and honestly more of an experience than a place to grab a quick cup.

That's Passage, a brand new spot at 474 Main Street that opened its doors at the start of the month. And it might just be one of the coolest places to hang out in the city right now.

From the rustic brick to the little touches on every table, it's the kind of place that makes you want to stay a while. Most coffee shops are a quick in and out. This one's built for you to settle in and stay.

So grab a friend, find a corner, and make an afternoon of it. If someone in your life still swears there's nothing new to do in our city, this is exactly the spot to send them.

📍 474 Main Street

Click here: To see what the space looks like and get a feel for the experience!

Some parts of our province had a really hard June.

Storm after storm rolled through western Manitoba and the Parkland. Between June 6 and July 1, more than 200 millimetres of rain fell in a matter of weeks.

Rivers rose, roads washed out, and water pushed into homes, farms, and businesses. Some families are still under evacuation orders, waiting to go back.

Now help is arriving. The province has launched a new Manitoba Flood Recovery Program, a one-time grant for homeowners and tenants in the hardest-hit areas. It's open even to people whose insurance won't cover the damage, or won't cover all of it.

It's a heavy stretch for a lot of families out there, and the recovery won't happen overnight. But it's good to see the province, the Red Cross, and everyday volunteers all showing up for the folks who need it most.

That's Manitoba at its best, neighbours looking out for neighbours when it counts.

Click Here: To learn more about the program, apply and see the full list of eligible areas.

Well, that was a hot weekend.

If you were out at the Folk Fest or just soaking up the sun, we hope you stayed cool and hydrated.

The province put out a heat advisory as temperatures climbed, and the reminder still holds this week. We're looking at highs in the high 20s and low 30s for the next few days, so it's worth taking it easy in the heat.

Stay safe out there, Winnipeg. Summer's just getting started!

Click Here: To check the full weather forecast for the week.

Every so often, a game gives you a moment you don't forget. Friday night gave Bombers fans one of those.

Bombers returner Trey Vaval fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and handed Toronto the ball deep in Winnipeg territory. A rough start to the fourth, for sure.

But Vaval made up for it fast. A few minutes later, Toronto lined up for a field goal and missed. He caught the ball in his own end zone, found an open lane, and ran it back 129 yards for a touchdown.

That's the longest return in Bombers history, breaking the record Vaval set himself last September with a 128-yard run. The score sealed a 30-21 win and moved the Bombers to 3-2. Not a bad way to bounce back!

Click Here: To watch the full highlights.

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

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