Information Radio from CBC Radio Manitoba (Highlights)

A St Vital woman returned from Lebanon after a daring effort to rescue her uncle from war-ravaged Syria. Shae Yakichuk didn't know if they would ever make it home alive, due to death threats and military attacks. After spending thousands of dollars and

We received a lot of reaction to the news that the city is planning to move forward with rapid transit - heading west, along the so called Parker Lands - rather than southwest, parallel to Pembina Highway. That's a big disappointment for Cal Dueck, a resident of Parker Avenue, who spoke with Terry MacLeod.

What would you do if you were given $100.00 to spend on an unsuspecting stranger? A Winnipeg business is asking that question this Christmas season. Venture Health Care and its 15 employees have hit the streets, surprising people with generosity and a simple message: Pay it forward. Koren and Connie Kines are sisters and co-founders of the family built company. They were in studio along with their colleague Nikki Nichols. They spoke with Marcy Markusa.

A Manitoba hog farmer is disgusted but not surprised by a new video showing animal cruelty. It contains graphic images of the confinement, rough treatment, slaughter and disposal of pigs and piglets. Ian Smith is a farmer from Argyle, Mb. He says there is an alternative to corporate farming. His farm has been using the same natural methods for 60 years. Smith spoke to Marcy Markusa.

The group Mercy for Animals will be revealing details about an undercover investigation of a Puratone Corp. farm in Arborg. Some say it's a shocking case of animal cruelty. A video shows animals in cramped crates, bleeding from their injuries. Twyla Francois is the Director of Investigations with Mercy for Animals. She spoke with Marcy Markusa

Volunteering at Winnipeg Harvest led to a dream job for one young Winnipeg woman. She did it to learn social skills. And it changed her life. Becky Froese spoke to Margaux Watt.

This week, CBC talked to former government employee Jack Dalgleish who predicted the failure of the Crocus fund years before its collapse. Now, one of the first outspoken critics of the fund - who launched a class action lawsuit to get investors their money back - joins in the conversation. Bernie Bellan spoke to Terry MacLeod.

The city's property and development committee has decided to approve a drive-thru for a restaurant owner on Corydon Avenue. In 2006, rules were changed to disallow drive thrus in the Corydon neighbourhood, but the old Chicken Delight building -- which will now be home to a new Harvey's - was grandfathered. We hear reaction from both an area resident and the owner of the new resturant, Munther Zeid.

The collapse of the troubled Crocus Investment Fund happened exactly eight years ago. The fund was heavily promoted by the NDP government - until it failed in 2004 - leaving 30,000 investors stranded. And now, Jack Dalgliesh is speaking publicly for the first time. He was the provincial bureauocrat who predicted it would fail, four years before the crash happened.

The Association of Manitoba Municipalities met at the University of Winnipeg to discuss ways to increase the number of women working in municipal government. Marcy moderated a panel discussion which included three Winnipeg councillors. Here's an excerpt from the question and answer session.

When Puratone - one of the biggest hog producers in Manitoba - wanted to buy Robert Wiebe's winter wheat, he delivered. But the company only paid him for a third of the wheat before they went into bankruptcy protection this fall. Now Wiebe - a farmer from near Morden - is struggling without the three hundred thousand dollars Puratone owes him. Wiebe is just one of a long list of creditors. Puratone owes nearly 100 million dollars.

River Heights residents are upset after an annoucement that streets that run through their community may have their speed limits increased from 50km/h to 60km/h. The routes in question are Grant, Corydon and Waverly. There are two public hearings scheduled. Judy Plotkin is a long-time resident of River Heights. She is also co-chair of the River Heights Residents Association. John Orlikow os City Councillor for the River Heights-Fort Garry Ward. Marcy Markusa spoke to both.

On November 28th, Ikea will open its doors in Winnipeg. Corporate responsibility is a big part of how the company sells itself... but how good can we feel about spending our money there? What kind of corporate citizen is Ikea? The CBC's Bridget Forbes reports to Marcy Markusa.

The agency charged with investigating Sagkeeng CFS is suing the province and the band chief for political interference. They claim it could prevent them from making sure kids who are in care are protected. CBC Producer Donna Carreiro brings us the details.

Sagkeeng CFS workers describe an agency in crisis that is putting kids in crisis. We find out what the province can do to protect those kids, along with the workers who rang the alarm bells. CBC Producer Donna Carreiro brings us the details.