Wildfires, tariffs and landfill searches: Here's a look at CBC Manitoba's top 10 stories of 2025
CBC
It was a busy year for Manitoba, but when hasn't it been?
Manitoba faced its worst wildfire season in three decades. Searchers uncovered the remains of two First Nations women who were murdered by a serial killer. Changes to Winnipeg's transit network and the city's iconic Portage and Main intersection altered how people can get around.
If you've been out of the loop, or just want to refresh your memory, then take a look at CBC Manitoba's compilation of the top 10 news stories of 2025.
Hazy, smoky skies may be burned in the memories of Manitobans for some time.
This year's wildfire season was the province's worst in 30 years, killing two people, forcing over 32,000 to flee their communities, and burning 2.1 million hectares of land throughout the spring and summer.
Gaps in the province's wildfire response were revealed as the smoke cleared, with CBC News learning that the province was short dozens of fire rangers, and that 25 per cent of its wildfire division positions were vacant, in May.
CBC also learned that the NDP government declined in 2023 to act on urgent plans outlined in provincial documents to conduct an external review of wildfire preparedness, which included examining staff decision-making and whether they had the right information and training.
In July, Premier Wab Kinew promised to broadly review this year's wildfire season to see if changes can be made.
After years of fighting, uncertainty and political turmoil, the families of two First Nations women murdered by a Winnipeg serial killer were finally able to put their loved ones to rest, with hope now budding for a third.
Searchers discovered the remains of Morgan Harris, 39, and Marcedes Myran, 26, at the Prairie Green landfill north of Winnipeg earlier this year. The women were two of four victims murdered by convicted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki in 2022.
Skibicki's previously lone unknown victim — named Mashkode Bizhiki'ikwe, or Buffalo Woman, by community members — was identified by police as Ashlee Shingoose, 30, through DNA testing in March.
The search for Shingoose's remains at Winnipeg's Brady Road landfill began on Dec. 1.
"I hope we will be able to bring ... her home soon," Premier Wab Kinew said that day.
It's been a tariffying year for Canadians.
With the final days of 2025 rapidly falling to the wayside, Canadians are likely taking stock of the last 12 months.
A new study finds that more than half of the most dangerous winter roads in Canada are in Ontario, with weather, wildlife, and urban factors contributing to collisions.
Welcome to everyone's least favourite time of year for air travel.
For some, the holiday season means packing their bags to spend time with loved ones, some of whom are half a world away.
The IWK is urging people in the Maritimes to get vaccinated for the flu after reporting a big increase in the number of children coming to emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms.
J.D. Irving has secured an agreement to sell power from the large wind farm it's building in western New Brunswick to N.B. Power.
One of the most influential voices advocating for Quebec's Lower North Shore region has fallen silent. Randy Jones, a political figure and ardent defender of his region, has died. He was 69.
Some health-care leaders are questioning how Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew can confidently declare his government will end long waits for health-care services by the end of 2026.
The Carlyle Observer, a small-town weekly newspaper, has folded after nearly 90 years in operation.
Trevor Allen didn’t worry about who had the most extravagant decorations or brightest bulbs.
Alberta's transportation minister could hear the horns blaring from inside his office.
A single northbound lane on the long-awaited Pattullo Bridge replacement has opened to traffic, marking the first step in a phased opening process.
The Yukon has been grappling with an extreme cold weather system that's pushing the power grid to the brink because it can't keep up with demand.