The 48th annual Manitoba Ag Days took place from January 21 to 23, 2025, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees, consistent with the past three years. The event featured 67 speakers covering topics such as agronomy, sustainability, livestock, and marketing. BDNMB.CA was on-hand to capture the following photos from the event. All photos by Scramble Studio. 2026 Dates: January 20, 21 and 22 at the Keystone Centre  

Brandon, Manitoba, is set to welcome a new dining and shopping experience with the upcoming opening of Multi Cook, a Ukrainian-based franchise renowned for its European culinary delights and specialty food items. The announcement has created a buzz in the community, as food enthusiasts eagerly anticipate a taste of authentic Ukrainian and Eastern European flavors. Multi Cook  is celebrated for its wide range of ready-to-cook meals, homemade recipes, and premium ingredients. The franchise caters to those who appreciate traditional European cuisine while valuing convenience. Visitors to the new location can expect popular dishes like borscht, pierogi, and cabbage rolls, as well as gourmet options inspired by diverse culinary traditions. Delivery service will be available. The Brandon location (155-18th St. Unit B) will mark the franchise’s first venture into western Manitoba, aiming to serve both the local Ukrainian community and adventurous food lovers eager to explore new flavors. This opening reflects the growing demand for authentic and diverse culinary experiences in the region. Multi Cook is set to open its doors shortly, and excitement is already building. As residents of Brandon prepare to enjoy a slice of Ukrainian tradition, this addition is sure to enhance the city's cultural and culinary landscape. You can follow them on Facebook here.

As was announced in September, Canada Post is increasing postage rates effective today. For stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane, which represent most stamp sales, the rate increases by 25 cents, to $1.24 per stamp. The price of a single domestic stamp increases to $1.44, up from $1.15. For the last decade, Canada Post has kept regulated letter mail rate increases to a minimum. Today’s rate change represents a one-time increase of roughly 25 per cent, which is required to better align stamp prices with the rising cost of providing letter mail service to all Canadians. Every year, there are fewer letters to deliver to more addresses, which adds significant cost pressures to the Corporation on top of continued inflationary pressures. While rate increases are necessary, Canada Post understands that they mean additional costs for customers, and the Corporation works to minimize the impact. For the average Canadian household, the estimated impact of the rate increase is $2.26 per year. For the average Canadian small business, the estimated impact is $42.17 per year.1 Regulatory approval of new rates Changes to Canada Post’s regulated letter mail rates follow the regulatory process outlined in the Canada Post Corporation Act. The proposed rate changes were published in the Canada Gazette in September 2024 and received final regulatory approval in late November. As an organization funded by revenue from the sale of its products and services – not taxpayer dollars – rate changes are a reality. Canadians can continue to use their Permanent™ stamps, which will always be accepted at the current domestic postage price. The rate changes also affect other products, including U.S., international letter-post and domestic Registered Mail™ items. Commercial letter mail price changes, also effective today, correspond to the regulated letter mail rate increase. Estimate based on average annual spending of businesses and households.

According to a post on their Facebook page, Daring Diva Purses will be closing their Brandon location on Monday, December 30. Daring Diva Purses is a business that offers a selection of unique purses, wallets, accessories, and stylish clothing. The Brandon location first opened in June of 2024.

Sunrise Credit Union is announcing a significant $100,000 donation to the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic in Glenboro today. This generous contribution will help ensure the initiative's success. The Spirit Sands Medical Clinic's vision is 'To meet health needs and provide comprehensive care for individuals, families and communities.' When completed, the clinic will be a 3,250-square-foot facility accommodating 3-4 health practitioners. It will offer a range of services and will serve the municipalities of Glenboro-South Cypress, Prairie Lakes, Argyle, Victoria, and Oakland-Wawanesa. "Basic health care is crucial for all neighbouring communities in the area. It is unrealistic to expect residents to travel more than 30 minutes in rural Manitoba," said Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Board Chair Ron Jeffries. "This proposed joint effort with surrounding communities is critical to keeping healthcare services localized and available for all residents." The estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million, and the fundraising effort is currently about halfway to the goal. "We're proud to support the work of the Spirit Sands Medical Clinic Board on this significant and vital capital project for the community," said Sunrise Credit Union CEO/President Tim Klassen. We believe in giving back to the community, and we are proud to support this new build. Together, we can ensure that our family and neighbours have access to healthcare for future generations." The project is expected to commence in the spring of 2025 and will take approximately one year to complete.