--Twelfth NewsWatch--

---

(Mba-Remains) (Audio: 087)

Crown prosecutors have finished calling evidence in the Winnipeg trial of admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki (skih-BITS'-kee).

They presented nine letters between Skibicki and an inmate in Nova Scotia, but their content was not read in court.

The trial is to resume June 3rd, with defence lawyers calling an expert to testify about Skibicki's state of mind at the time of the killings.

He doesn't deny killing four Indigenous women, but his lawyers argue he should be found not criminally responsible due to mental illness. (12)

---

(Mtl-Triple-Homicide) (Audio: 082)

Montreal police say there's no threat to the public after a recent string of homicides in the city.

Those include the stabbing deaths of three young people last night.

A 15-year-old boy and two men aged 23 and 25 died after a brawl broke out in an alley.

Police say the fight was rooted in a personal conflict, and they don't think it was gang-related. (12)

---

(WestJet-CEO-Speech) (Audio: 096)

WestJet's C-E-O says the federal government could improve air travel affordability by cutting the rent it collects from airports.

Canada's major airports are all operated on federally owned lands, and they must pay rent to the federal government based on a proportion of their revenues.

Airports earn money by charging fees to airlines, to businesses like restaurants and to passengers through ticket surcharges such as "airport improvement fees."

Alexis von Hoensbroech (HOHNZ'-bruhk) says these charges drive up the cost of flying in Canada. (12)

---

(Ont-Indigo-Protest)

Charges have been dropped against four of the 11 people accused of defacing a Toronto Indigo bookstore in a pro-Palestinian protest.

Toronto police charged eleven people with mischief, conspiracy and criminal harassment after a group allegedly splashed red paint and postered the downtown store.

The case has become a flashpoint over how police respond to pro-Palestinian protests, as groups accused the police of mischaracterizing the protest as "hate-motivated."

Indigo founder and chief executive Heather Reisman, who is Jewish, has long been a target of protests over her foundation that encourages people with no family ties in Israel to serve in the army.

Pro-Israel groups have denounced the protests as antisemitic. (12)

---

(Wildfires-BC)

The mayor of the regional municipality that includes Fort Nelson, B-C, says recent rains have helped crews battling a fire that forced thousands to evacuate the community earlier this month.

Rob Fraser says he's optimistic crews have "a very good handle" on the wildfire.

He says in a video posted late yesterday plans are underway for residents to return.

Fraser says hydro, natural gas and telecommunications crews were in town working to ensure the services are safely up and running. (12)

---

(US-Uvalde-School-Shooting)

Families of victims in the Uvalde (yoo-VAL'-dee) elementary school shooting in Texas are suing nearly 100 state police officers who were part of the botched law enforcement response.

The attack at Robb Elementary School in May 2022 was one of the deadliest school shootings in U-S history, leaving 19 students and two teachers dead.

Hundreds of officers who converged on the scene waited more than 70 minutes before confronting the shooter.

The families said in a statement that they also agreed a two-million-dollar settlement with the city, under which city leaders promise higher standards and better training for local police. (12)

---

(NewsWatch by Emily Joveski)

The Canadian Press