Marsha McLeod
@marshamcleod.bsky.social
Investigative reporter @winnipegfreepress.com | Tips welcome: [email protected], [email protected]
Great reporting by @sourcenm.com, highlighted in the @localmatters.bsky.social newsletter this week, which is always full of great reads.
sourcenm.com/2026/01/28/f...
sourcenm.com/2026/01/28/f...
FEMA official overseeing NM fire victims fund received six-figure payout, documents show • Source New Mexico
Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon claims director Mitchell received six-figure payment for smoke damage at his Angel Fire home
sourcenm.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Great reporting by @sourcenm.com, highlighted in the @localmatters.bsky.social newsletter this week, which is always full of great reads.
sourcenm.com/2026/01/28/f...
sourcenm.com/2026/01/28/f...
Damn, I didn't realize the digital news subscription tax credit has ended, with 2024 as the last eligible year.
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-a...
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-a...
About the digital news subscription tax credit - Canada.ca
The amendments clarify the CRA’s authority to publish both the names of organizations whose digital news subscriptions are eligible for the subscription tax credit, and the qualifying subscriptions th...
www.canada.ca
February 3, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Damn, I didn't realize the digital news subscription tax credit has ended, with 2024 as the last eligible year.
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-a...
www.canada.ca/en/revenue-a...
February 2, 2026 at 9:56 PM
The mandated court inquest into the death of 16-year-old Ojibwe teen, Eishia Loletta Hudson, begins today in Winnipeg, said the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in a press release. Eishia was shot and killed by a member of the Winnipeg Police Service nearly six years ago, on April 8, 2020.
February 2, 2026 at 4:40 PM
The mandated court inquest into the death of 16-year-old Ojibwe teen, Eishia Loletta Hudson, begins today in Winnipeg, said the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in a press release. Eishia was shot and killed by a member of the Winnipeg Police Service nearly six years ago, on April 8, 2020.
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
Just one reason among many why I have never even glanced at Threads. I'm entangled with FB and Insta in ways I'll have to figure out eventually. But what do I need ANOTHER news-blocked platform for?
906 days.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
January 23, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Just one reason among many why I have never even glanced at Threads. I'm entangled with FB and Insta in ways I'll have to figure out eventually. But what do I need ANOTHER news-blocked platform for?
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
I wrote about this leading up to the election, and this blew my mind: "According to a MEO report from August 2024, only 22 per cent of Canadians knew that news was banned on Facebook and Instagram. At that point, the ban had been in place for a year." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Increasingly sophisticated deepfake AI-generated political ads threaten to unravel Canada’s social order
Increasingly sophisticated deepfake AI-generated internet political ads threaten to unravel Canada’s social order, experts warn, pointing to the successful war on truth U.S. President Donald Trump is ...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:50 PM
I wrote about this leading up to the election, and this blew my mind: "According to a MEO report from August 2024, only 22 per cent of Canadians knew that news was banned on Facebook and Instagram. At that point, the ban had been in place for a year." www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
906 days.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
January 23, 2026 at 3:14 PM
906 days.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
That's how long Meta's been blocking news in Canada.
Doesn't matter if the outlet is based in Canada, the U.S. or Germany – we can't read it. Small non-profit or legacy newspaper. Can't read it. Posts made before Aug. 1, 2023? Nope. But disinformation, AI-generated spam, that'll pass.
“I think this is a wake-up call for Canada,” said Lloyd Richardson, with the Winnipeg-based @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social. “Let’s get on with it, let’s stop bantering around about the Online Harms Act. Let’s get pen to paper. Let’s get all political parties on the same page.”
My latest ⬇️
My latest ⬇️
Concern has intensified in recent weeks over the role of social-networking app X in public and political life, as the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot has created millions of sexual “deepfakes.”
AI chatbot drags X deeper into gutter
Grok turns platform into deepfake weapon; politicians, victim advocates struggle to hold social media giants accountable for proliferation of misogynistic and child sexual abuse imagery
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:03 AM
“I think this is a wake-up call for Canada,” said Lloyd Richardson, with the Winnipeg-based @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social. “Let’s get on with it, let’s stop bantering around about the Online Harms Act. Let’s get pen to paper. Let’s get all political parties on the same page.”
My latest ⬇️
My latest ⬇️
Frenchie was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison today.
#Philippines: as the verdict approaches in the trial of Frenchie Mae Cumpio, RSF looks back on six years of fabricated cases against one of the country’s bravest journalists. We call on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to act immediately to secure her release.
rsf.org/en/philippin...
rsf.org/en/philippin...
Philippines: As journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio’s trial enters final phase, a look back at nearly six years of judicial ordeal
The judicial ordeal faced by the investigative journalist since her arrest in 2020 highlights the persistent dangers confronting the press in the Philippines. As the verdict approaches, Reporters With...
rsf.org
January 23, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Frenchie was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison today.
I spoke with Dr. Lavallee on background in 2023, when I first joined the paper, ahead of my series on inquests in Manitoba. He said something that really stuck with me: the inquest system could not see the "imprint of racism."
January 22, 2026 at 7:21 PM
I spoke with Dr. Lavallee on background in 2023, when I first joined the paper, ahead of my series on inquests in Manitoba. He said something that really stuck with me: the inquest system could not see the "imprint of racism."
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
Dr. Barry Lavallee was the head physician of a health and wellness centre in northern Manitoba that represented 23 First Nations.
Lavallee’s passing was unexpected and further updates will be made when deemed appropriate by his family.
Lavallee’s passing was unexpected and further updates will be made when deemed appropriate by his family.
Head physician of health and wellness center for 23 First Nations has died | APTN News
YouTube video by APTN News
youtu.be
January 21, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Dr. Barry Lavallee was the head physician of a health and wellness centre in northern Manitoba that represented 23 First Nations.
Lavallee’s passing was unexpected and further updates will be made when deemed appropriate by his family.
Lavallee’s passing was unexpected and further updates will be made when deemed appropriate by his family.
We heard today that Dr. Barry Lavallee has passed away. What an immense loss.
Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, where he was CEO, said in a release: "His powerful voice commanded attention. He spoke up for those who could not and left an impact that will be remembered."
kiminoayawin.com/5845-2/
Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, where he was CEO, said in a release: "His powerful voice commanded attention. He spoke up for those who could not and left an impact that will be remembered."
kiminoayawin.com/5845-2/
January 20, 2026 at 10:32 PM
We heard today that Dr. Barry Lavallee has passed away. What an immense loss.
Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, where he was CEO, said in a release: "His powerful voice commanded attention. He spoke up for those who could not and left an impact that will be remembered."
kiminoayawin.com/5845-2/
Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin, where he was CEO, said in a release: "His powerful voice commanded attention. He spoke up for those who could not and left an impact that will be remembered."
kiminoayawin.com/5845-2/
Something I've loved seeing since I came to Winnipeg is the strength of the community organizations and the community spirit, and it was nice to write about that today.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
After Manwin fire, Winnipeg’s community network steps up
In the early morning hours Wednesday, as a massive blaze at the Manwin Hotel forced 150 people to evacuate from the Main Street Project’s emergency shelter, a tightly connected network of community or...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:06 AM
Something I've loved seeing since I came to Winnipeg is the strength of the community organizations and the community spirit, and it was nice to write about that today.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
Elon Musk’s Grok ‘Undressing’ Problem Isn’t Fixed
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk’s Grok ‘Undressing’ Problem Isn’t Fixed
X has placed more restrictions on Grok’s ability to generate explicit AI images, but tests show that the updates have created a patchwork of limitations that fail to fully address the issue.
www.wired.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Elon Musk’s Grok ‘Undressing’ Problem Isn’t Fixed
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
Indigenous legal experts and advocates were not shocked by the findings, but say it shines a light on systemic issues that persist after centuries of colonization.
Indigenous adults overrepresented in prison by 10 times: Stats Can
Advocates say a new report showing that Indigenous adults are overrepresented in the prison system by 10 times is staggering.
www.aptnnews.ca
January 15, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Indigenous legal experts and advocates were not shocked by the findings, but say it shines a light on systemic issues that persist after centuries of colonization.
"The Manitoba wheat farmer turned Central America crop duster did not know what lay ahead of him – whether he could buy the fuel he needed or what might come next."
By Nathan VanderKlippe
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
By Nathan VanderKlippe
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
As Venezuela begins releasing prisoners, a Manitoba man held there since 2013 seeks Ottawa’s help
David Sawatzky denies the drug-trafficking charges that led to his conviction and says his continued detention is politically motivated
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:42 PM
"The Manitoba wheat farmer turned Central America crop duster did not know what lay ahead of him – whether he could buy the fuel he needed or what might come next."
By Nathan VanderKlippe
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
By Nathan VanderKlippe
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
This documentary, which aired last May, by W5’s Avery Haines is horrific. It's disturbing, but worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRE...
Sleeping with the Enemy: A W5 investigation
YouTube video by Official W5
www.youtube.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:18 PM
This documentary, which aired last May, by W5’s Avery Haines is horrific. It's disturbing, but worth a watch.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRE...
A big year-end thank you to our @winnipegfreepress.com readers, who, far from shying away from a 7,600-word piece, made this story on Conor Rae, an 18-year-old who was fatally shot by an RCMP officer, the fourth-most engaged with story on our site in 2025.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/featured/202...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/featured/202...
Fatal police shooting and subsequent IIU investigation leave trail of troubling questions in wake of teen’s death in Portage la Prairie
After two years, Tara and Kaylan still cannot comprehend how their mild-mannered homebody son, who didn’t cause them any problems or get into trouble at school, who’d never interacted with the police ...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
A big year-end thank you to our @winnipegfreepress.com readers, who, far from shying away from a 7,600-word piece, made this story on Conor Rae, an 18-year-old who was fatally shot by an RCMP officer, the fourth-most engaged with story on our site in 2025.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/featured/202...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/featured/202...
NYTimes: "local and federal officials were immediately divided on how the shooting unfolded.”
@doubleemmartin.bsky.social "Yes, they are divided by the fact that federal officials are lying."
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
@doubleemmartin.bsky.social "Yes, they are divided by the fact that federal officials are lying."
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Opinion: Video record of ICE killing Minnesota mom lays bare Trump’s disgraceful lies
There were stuffed animals spilling from the glove box of her SUV, because she was a mother. A mother of three children, including a six-year-old who was thankfully in school that day, and not in the ...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:50 PM
NYTimes: "local and federal officials were immediately divided on how the shooting unfolded.”
@doubleemmartin.bsky.social "Yes, they are divided by the fact that federal officials are lying."
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
@doubleemmartin.bsky.social "Yes, they are divided by the fact that federal officials are lying."
www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
A former Winnipeg police officer who previously pleaded guilty to a long list of charges involving corruption and other inappropriate actions has now also admitted to selling drugs over a period of years — both to civilians and other officers.
Story: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Story: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Former Winnipeg police officer pleads guilty to selling drugs — including to other officers | CBC News
A former Winnipeg police officer who previously pleaded guilty to a long list of charges involving corruption and other inappropriate actions has now also admitted to selling drugs over a period of ye...
www.cbc.ca
January 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
A former Winnipeg police officer who previously pleaded guilty to a long list of charges involving corruption and other inappropriate actions has now also admitted to selling drugs over a period of years — both to civilians and other officers.
Story: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Story: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
LLMs are not sentient, are not human. Grok cannot “apologize” or explain how or why any of this is happening. But of course major outlets such as Bari Weiss’s CBS News wrote that Grok “acknowledged ‘lapses in safeguards'." @jasonkoebler.bsky.social with more:
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9l...
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9l...
January 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
LLMs are not sentient, are not human. Grok cannot “apologize” or explain how or why any of this is happening. But of course major outlets such as Bari Weiss’s CBS News wrote that Grok “acknowledged ‘lapses in safeguards'." @jasonkoebler.bsky.social with more:
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9l...
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9l...
This is my favourite take:
"In the era of disinformation and AI slop, hard-hitting, deeply reported investigative stories relevant to real people and real communities will once again be seen as valuable. Not just journalistically, but economically as well."
"In the era of disinformation and AI slop, hard-hitting, deeply reported investigative stories relevant to real people and real communities will once again be seen as valuable. Not just journalistically, but economically as well."
We @niemanlab.org published 210 predictions for journalism this year. It was our biggest (and @joshuabenton.com says best) batch yet.
If you're not a future of news sicko who's already read every one, we've highlighted some of the most notable for you here. www.niemanlab.org/2026/01/what...
If you're not a future of news sicko who's already read every one, we've highlighted some of the most notable for you here. www.niemanlab.org/2026/01/what...
What’s coming for news in 2026? These predictions offer a clue
The inspiration you need for the new year? It's all in here.
www.niemanlab.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:19 PM
This is my favourite take:
"In the era of disinformation and AI slop, hard-hitting, deeply reported investigative stories relevant to real people and real communities will once again be seen as valuable. Not just journalistically, but economically as well."
"In the era of disinformation and AI slop, hard-hitting, deeply reported investigative stories relevant to real people and real communities will once again be seen as valuable. Not just journalistically, but economically as well."
And now I've got insulated, nearly-knee high wellies! Why have I spent so many years with winter boots that barely go past my ankle? Times are changing around here! Snow is not going down the shoes first thing in the morning! No more wet socks!
Moving to Winnipeg has made me confused about why I didn't buy a pair of snow pants before this. As children, it's obvious that our legs would get cold when it's punishingly frigid out, but as adults, somehow our legs are expected to become self-warming? My legs have always been freezing! Until now!
January 5, 2026 at 7:50 PM
And now I've got insulated, nearly-knee high wellies! Why have I spent so many years with winter boots that barely go past my ankle? Times are changing around here! Snow is not going down the shoes first thing in the morning! No more wet socks!
Reposted by Marsha McLeod
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
How Grok's sexual abuse hit a tipping point
Nonconsensual deepfakes on X are nothing new, but now it's built into the platform.
spitfirenews.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
I've been tracking the spread of nonconsensual deepfakes on X for more than two years. Here's a timeline of how Musk's leadership allowed the practice to flourish from a once-underground market to a viral trend, with little recourse for victims or legal enforcement.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-csam-...