Happy Monday, Winnipeg!

Hope you had a good weekend and got outside for at least part of it.

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

Back-to-school season comes with enough things for families to pay for.
School supplies, new clothes, lunches, activities, it all adds up fast.

But starting next month, one regular expense could disappear for thousands of Winnipeg families.

Students will be able to ride Winnipeg Transit for free for an entire year, with passes valid from September through August 2027.

Passes will be handed out through schools, and each school will let families know how and when to get theirs.

That’s one less thing to worry about, and a little more freedom for students getting to school, work, practice, or wherever they need to go.

P.S. Know someone with kids who could qualify? Send this their way so they don’t miss it.

Winnipeg usually gets one of these names a year, if that.

This Saturday it gets four at once.

NAV, DaBaby, Roy Woods and Casper TNG are playing Summer Rap Festival at Red River Exhibition Park on Saturday, August 29.

One stage, eight hours, thousands of people, and tickets start at $49.

Food vendors and activities run all day, so get there early and stay put.

It's the last big Saturday of the summer, so grab your friends and enjoy it while the season's still here.

Thousands are expected and organizers are telling fans to buy early. Prices climb as the date gets closer, so the $49 you see today isn't the number you'll see Friday.

P.S. If you've got teenagers, university kids or grandkids in your life, send this their way!

A new café on Marion Street is topping matcha with silky ube foam and pressing croissant dough into warm, crispy waffles.

The 9th Cloud Café opened this spring at 101-250 Marion Street, serving Vietnamese coffee, matcha, macarons and croffles in a bright, peaceful space made for slow coffee dates and long catch-ups.

There are Strawberry Matcha, Biscoff and Banana Nutella croffles too, plus a case of colourful macarons.

It's open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, so it works for a late dessert run or an afternoon catch-up.

Go with someone who'll split a croffle. Choosing just one is the hard part.

📍 101-250 Marion Street

Click here: To see more of The 9th Cloud Café and decide what you’d try first!

Summer isn't quite over, but Winnipeg's outdoor pool season is starting to wind down.

Most wading pools will close between August 25 and September 6, while several outdoor pools will stay open a little longer.

So there's still time to squeeze in one more swim with the kids before school gets going again. Just check your usual spot, because it might close sooner than another one nearby.

Click here: To check the full closing schedule and find a pool that’s still open near you!

Getting stuck behind a train is frustrating enough. Getting stuck when you're already running late is worse.

You see the lights flashing, the arms come down, and there's not much to do except wait.

But now, there is.

The city has launched new alerts that tell you a train is coming before you reach the crossing, giving you time to take another route.

And it isn't just for drivers. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service crews get the information too, so first responders can plan around trains on the way to a call.

It won't stop the trains coming. But that bit of warning could be the difference between sitting at a crossing and getting where you need to be.

Click here: To see exactly where the new train alerts are and how they work!

Claw machines have a way of turning a quick mall trip into a ten-minute negotiation.

Good news, because there's a whole room of them now.

BiuBiu Land had its soft opening this past weekend at St. Vital Centre, with rows of colourful machines full of plushies and prizes, right beside UNIQLO.

They're still putting the finishing touches on the space, but it's open now during mall hours.

So there's one more reason to wander over while you're checking out the new UNIQLO.

Click here: To follow BiuBiu Land and get a peek at Winnipeg’s newest claw machine arcade!

A rainy day at Kilcona's dog park comes with an unfortunate souvenir. Muddy paws, muddy shoes, and a very messy ride home.

That's one of the things the city is fixing, as part of a $6.1 million upgrade to Kilcona Park.

The park stays open the whole time, though dogs need to be leashed for now. Dog park work should finish by summer 2027, with the road and path following in fall 2027.

So whether Kilcona is your regular dog-walking spot or somewhere you visit with the family, it’s worth seeing what the park could look like when all the work is done.

Click here: To see the full list of upgrades coming to Kilcona Park!

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!