Melissa Ridgen

Network Managing Editor - National News

Author Archives

• Federal government faces human rights complaint over Indigenous procurement system

  The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council plans to bring forward a complaint over non-Indigenous companies being granted access for work set aside for Indigenous firms.

  Politics

  May 23
• Family claims child welfare agency apprehended children, left them in hotel for two weeks

  A Winnipeg family says five children under age 16 were put in hotels by child welfare workers despite such practice being banned in Manitoba since 2015.

  Investigations

  May 14
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• Winnipeg Jets playoff run inspires philanthropy at K-8 school in The Maples

  A school has found a way to combine reading, writing and arithmetic with philanthropy and Winnipeg Jets fever to smash a fundraising goal.

  Sports

  May 2
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• Manitoba Inuit Association ‘not currently’ a toxic workplace: report shows

  Manitoba Inuit Association hires investigator to declare it doesn't have a toxic workplace. This after Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health found evidence of wrongdoing last year.

  Apr 23
• Manitoba manufacturers brace for tariff impacts

  Winkler-Morden and much of southern Manitoba is a growing manufacturing mecca on pins and needles in this unforeseen tariff tug-o-war between Canada and the U.S.

  Economy

  Apr 2
• Jordan’s Principle ‘not a suggestion,’ AMC grand chief says in call for full implementation

  The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says it wants the federal government to end its ongoing neglect and systemic failures when it comes to First Nations children.

  Canada

  Mar 14
• Parents seek apology for school lockdown and being labeled ‘a disturbance’

  Prominent hip-hop artists are speaking out after an elementary school was put on lockdown when they went to speak to staff about unresolved concerns about bullying and supervision.

  Education

  Mar 13
• $100,000 catch of a lifetime at northern Manitoba ice fishing derby

  An Onion Lake, Sask., man made the catch of a lifetime at a Cross Lake, Man., fishing derby, hauling in a 100-centimetre northern pike to win $100,000 with 35 seconds to spare.

  Canada

  Mar 6
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• Viral Valentine: Brandon police get clicks with video plea to turn in criminal exes

  Brandon Police Service went viral with a cheeky Valentine's video urging jilted lovers to call the cops on their criminal ex for a stay in a private suite at the Crowbar Hotel.

  Canada

  Feb 13
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• Jordan’s Principle to no longer fund vacations, elite sports, new homes

  Indigenous Services Canada has updated criteria surrounding what is and isn't eligible for Jordan's Principle funding after complaints of abuse and mismanagement.

  Canada

  Feb 12
• Jordan’s Principle claims soar 367% and ‘not within the spirit’ of why it was created: Indigenous Services minister

  Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says changes will protect the integrity of Jordan's Principle, which has been under fire for straying from its original intent.

  Canada

  Feb 10
• Pinaymootang death deemed ‘medical incident’ now being investigated by RCMP major crimes

  April Woodhouse was found outside a Pinaymootang home on Jan. 31. RCMP initially said her death was a "medical incident" but is now being investigated by major crimes.

  Crime

  Feb 7
• ‘Taxpayers can’t keep paying for this’: Thousands of RCMP vehicles destined for crusher

  A moratorium on selling decommissioned RCMP vehicles has left thousands in storage and thousands more turned into scrap.

  Canada

  Feb 5
• Federal, provincial politicians tour Manitoba border crossing as show of unity, security

  Media were invited 110 km south of Winnipeg to see Canada Border Services Agency staff and RCMP brief politicians and bureaucrats on beefed-up security equipment and protocols.

  Canada

  Feb 4
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• Trump’s pause on tariff threats not stopping retailer and consumer shift to Canadian goods

  Many consumers and food retailers are changing habits regardless of U.S. President Donald Trump's 30-day pause on tariff threats, with a shift to local and Canadian-made goods

  Consumer

  Feb 3
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• ‘Stand up with us’: Family of its namesake demands emergency meeting on state of Jordan’s Principle

  In 2005, Jordan River Anderson died of multiple disabilities in a Winnipeg hospital more than 800 km from his home in Norway House Cree Nation.

  Canada

  Jan 29
• Food-flation, wilted produce and recalls cause indoor garden trend to grow like a weed

  Two Manitoba communities have launched an almost-foolproof indoor garden system to feed the demand for food security and nutrient-dense produce.

  Consumer

  Jan 24
• Canada needs better whistleblower protection, experts say

  Experts say there needs to be more done to protect whistleblowers in Canada who raise alarms about wrongdoing in professions or organizations.

  Health

  Jan 20
• 2025 off to an alarming start with abandoned building fires in Winnipeg

  Winnipeg set a record in 2023 with more than 150 vacant building fires and finished 2024 with close to 200. Just two weeks into 2025, they're 'averaging two structure fires a day.'

  Crime

  Jan 12
• Winnipeg doctor who helps RCMP, military personnel overcome trauma faces conduct hearing

  A Winnipeg psychologist who treats RCMP and military personnel is facing a conduct review by the Psychological Association of Manitoba

  Crime

  Jan 10
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• Yazidi teen says she escaped ISIS in Iraq, only to be sexually assaulted in Winnipeg

  The arrest of the leader of a Winnipeg organization that helps traumatized Yazidi victims of ISIS has shocked many.

  Canada

  Dec 12, 2024
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• SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels hospitalized after Ottawa ‘disturbance’

  The grand chief's page on the Southern Chiefs Organization website had been pulled down as of Friday.

  Crime

  Dec 6, 2024
• Auditor general to probe Indigenous procurement over concerns of ‘front’ companies

  A months-long Global News investigation found evidence of abuse of the procurement strategy to aid First Nations, Métis and Inuit business.

  Politics

  Dec 4, 2024
• Head of Yazidi refugee support organization back in jail for allegedly breaching bail conditions

  Hadji Hesso, head of the Yazidi Association of Manitoba, is back in custody after allegedly breaching release conditions while charged with sex assault

  Crime

  Dec 2, 2024
• Workplace investigation finds fault with Manitoba Inuit Association as members ask premier to intervene

  Two Workplace Safety and Health investigations into allegations of harassment, intimidation and abuse of staff at the Manitoba Inuit Association have found fault with the organization, Global News has learned. The Inuit Association is appealing both findings. A letter to one of the complainants, former employee Matthew Usenko, from Workplace Safety and Health states the...

  Investigations

  Dec 2, 2024