HAL’S HEADLINES: I was wrong, young people have it figured out

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Sick leave is up significantly since before the pandemic, 42% to be exact. Sick days have seen a similar increase. According to the human resources platform Dayforce, younger workers are leading the charge to not just tough it out. And you know what, they’ve got it right. I’ve always been a suck-it-up buttercup kind of guy but not so much anymore. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with needing and taking a break, even if it’s just a mental health day. I wish I had done things differently. After six decades on this planet and a 40-year career in media, I can now say that I should have given up some success and money (not that I had much of either) for a better work/life balance. I would have been better off personally and my health would have benefitted as well. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved my work and I still do today. But would I trade some work in the past for a bit more life back then, hell yeah! I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. And it’s true what they say, it’s never too late.

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BOMBERS PLAY FOR TOP SPOT

Legendary sports broadcaster Bob Irving kept telling me to relax when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers got off to a terrible start this season. And you know what, he was right. With a win in Regina on Sunday, the boys will be the CFL’s best in the west. The Labour Day Classic hasn’t been kind to the Bombers over the years. But I like our chances. The Roughriders are on a five-game losing skid and we haven’t lost in three straight. Then both teams will go at it again in the Banjo Bowl the following weekend back here at Princess Auto Stadium. It should be a fun week for football fans. GO BOMBERS!!!

DESTINATION WINNIPEG BEACH

It turns out my spot at Winnipeg Beach is part of that community’s rich history. Wendy Peter, founder of the Winnipeg Beach Historical Society, surprised me on my radio show this week with the news that my cottage was a popular spot for people who travelled by train from Winnipeg back in the day. They would eat and stay there. Sort of a guest inn, if you will. Wendy is part of a new initiative, Destination Winnipeg Beach, that plans to come up with ways to celebrate the town as Manitoba’s Historic Playground. I’m anxious to see what they come up with.

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FACTS DON’T CHANGE MINDS

In my business, you hear from a lot of people who believe the BS they see online. But it turns out even the truth doesn’t make a difference. A new study out of Washington State University says presenting someone with facts after they’ve engaged with bogus information won’t undo the damage. Lead author Robert Danielson says it’s more effective to try to address common misconceptions rather than correct misinformation.

YELLOWSTONE & TED LASSO

What a great week for fans of Yellowstone and Ted Lasso. Both TV shows are closer to coming back for another season. Just when you thought Yellowstone was dead after Kevin Costner made his exit official, producers say there might be a surprise sixth season, led by Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser who play Beth and Rip. Season five of Yellowstone begins airing Nov. 10. As for Ted Lasso, a fourth season is apparently possible but it all depends on how Jason Sudeikis feels about being Ted again. My fingers, toes and eyes are all crossed.

— Hal has written columns for years. He’s also the host of Connecting Winnipeg weekday mornings from 10 to noon on 680 CJOB. You can email him at Hal@HalAnderson.ca.

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