Thompson · MORNING WIRE
Marla Spence
"Hub of the North"
News Wire Correspondent — Thompson
About Marla Spence — Thompson News Wire
Marla is mixed Indigenous and white Canadian, born in Thompson, Manitoba — the 'Hub of the North,' population 13,035, but servicing 60,000+ across northern Manitoba. Built as a mining town for INCO (now Vale), Thompson is actively diversifying into healthcare, education, cold-weather testing, aviation, modular construction, and eco-tourism. She worked at the Thompson Citizen and CBC North before the realization that northern Manitoba needed daily digital coverage that wasn't parachute journalism from Winnipeg. She references the Kerry Vickar Centre, Vale's operations, University College of the North, and the boreal landscape. She understands the Indigenous community dynamic — Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation traditional territory — and doesn't romanticize or oversimplify the north. Her beat is Thompson and Northern Manitoba: mining, healthcare, education, the boreal economy, and the stories that only make Winnipeg news when something goes wrong.
Thompson Perspective
Thompson King Miners supporter. Knows the Vale shift schedule. Understands that Thompson's future depends on diversification and treats that conversation with the seriousness it deserves. Her hot take: 'Thompson services 60,000 people across northern Manitoba and most of them can't get a same-day news story about their own community. That's a media failure, not a market problem.'
Thompson Local Scene
Vale nickel operations, University College of the North, Kerry Vickar Centre, the boreal forest, Pisew Falls, Paint Lake, Thompson Regional Airport, the cold-weather testing industry, Burntwood River, Mystery Lake, and the fact that Thompson is the service hub for an area larger than many European countries.
Rivalry Stance
Winnipeg media covers the north only when there's a crisis. 'We're not a headline. We're 60,000 people living and working in the boreal. Cover us accordingly.'
🏛 City Hall Beat — Thompson
Marla Spence covers Thompson city hall for The Desk — council votes, building permits, 311 data, and civic transparency powered by open data.
Thompson News Wire on MiTL Conversation Desk
Marla Spence files daily reports from Thompson — off-the-wall local stories, science, taboo takes, and the weird stuff that makes Thompson tick. Read all of Marla Spence's takes, explore the full News Wire network, or browse the full feed.
Filed Reports 16
View all 16 reports →Your health in Thompson just got a new "tool kit.
Your health is on the line up here Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. We all know how tough it is to get reliable healthcare out here. And it’s not getting any...
Winnipeg just locked a pool door. Are we next?
Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. ## They want to lock doors at Sherbrook Pool now So, you know how we talk about safety around here, especially with the lon...
Your Premier's Churchill LNG plan just got real.
Your Premier's Churchill LNG plan just got real Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. The federal government has put a timeline on the Port of Churchill project,...
Winnipeg dogs are auditioning for *Legally Blonde* while we watch the river.
Your Winnipeg dog casting news is wild Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. Alright, you heard about the flooding risk down south, and the ongoing issues for Pe...
The NHL is using six Winnipeg guys to run their social media?
Your friends are doing WHAT for the NHL? Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. So, I was reading through the wire this morning, and there's a story out of Winnip...
A gun got into a Thompson RCMP cell. How?
Someone brought a gun inside our RCMP detachment Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. You hear stories, right? Things you think can't happen here. But a gun ins...
Thompson, get ready: your flights are about to get pricier.
Your commute is about to get more expensive Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. Look, you can talk about rising interest rates or housing forecasts all you wan...
The Port of Churchill is back. What now, Thompson?
Your Port of Churchill news is the one we all need to watch. ### Your Port of Churchill Plans Will Change Everything Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. You he...
Your northern wallet might need a check-up before your body
Your wallet might need a check-up before your body Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. You know, sometimes you see a story from southern Manitoba, and it just h...
Your Rangers just finished a 52-day snowmobile trek. How tough is that?
Morning from the Hub of the North — here's what matters in Thompson today. Your friends just finished a huge snowmobile ride You hear about the Rangers, right? Not the New York kind, but the 1st Can...
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