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Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates expresses his support for the return of Operation Red Nose, the safe-ride and designated driver service, for the 2026-27 holiday season during a press conference at the Dome Building on Wednesday. The program’s resurrection has been fuelled by a new partnership with the Manitoba Provincial Exhibition. The program was previously cancelled in 2024 by organizers who cited declining user numbers and volunteer shortages, and the service was also unavailable in 2025. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun)