Taproot Edmonton

A newspaper clipping of a story with the headline 'Sweeping Program of Train Inspection Adopted for Keeping 'Flu Epidemic' from Province

A moment in history: Oct. 16, 1918

On this day in 1918, the province was proposing a strict program of inspections to try to keep the Spanish flu away.

People board and disembark the LRT at Stadium Station

Your turn: Art with an urbanist twist

This week's roundup of calls for public engagement includes opportunities to help shape two upcoming plays from Thou Art Here, as well as public hearings on municipal budgets in the region.

A hydrogen-powered bus next to a fuelling station

Calgary energy company revives long-range H2 fuel in Edmonton

Azolla Hydrogen is bringing longer-range hydrogen fuel back to Edmonton after an American company's 700-bar station closed and was sold off during bankruptcy proceedings.

A person stands at a workbench with fabric

Artists bring new life to Westmount community hall

A fashion designer and a textile artist are turning a former preschool in Westmount into a working studio, gathering place, and showcase for Edmonton's emerging fashion community.

The Pulse

Friday, Oct. 16

In this edition: Your turn: Art with an urbanist twist; a moment in history from 1918; and more headlines and happenings

Roundup

Business Roundup: Oct. 16, 2026

With news about data centres, BILD, Alberta's referendum, the Yellowhead Pipeline, Azolla Hydrogen, Edmonton Global, NiaHealth, Jobber, and more.

Roundup

Events Roundup: Oct. 15, 2026

With a play picked by Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude and page-turning literary affairs to attend around Edmonton.

Speaking Municipally

A sovereign Edmonton within a united Alberta

We look at reaction to the Alberta government's directive to roll Edmonton's zoning bylaw back to its pre-2024 rules. Plus, advance voting is open for the referendum, and we examine the impact of agencies, boards and commissions in 2025.


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Mayor Andrew Knack stands in front of a podium with the Alberta legislature in the background

On the agenda: Municipal autonomy, funding outcomes, rezonings

This week, council will discuss its autonomy, look at outcome reports from municipal funding, and consider several rezoning applications.

The Canadian and Albertan flags flap in the wind

Your turn: Referendum mail-in ballots due, advance polls open soon

This week's roundup of calls for public engagement begins with a reminder to get your special ballot in the mail or get ready to vote in person in the Alberta referendum.

An overhead shot of the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park

Municipalities grapple with communicating about data centres

An Edmonton-based communications company is helping Alberta municipalities talk about AI data centres as public opposition grows as rapidly as demand for the facilities.

Four smiling people pose for a photo

Edmonton-made film explores Eritrean life in Canada

Two newcomers from very different places are working on a documentary called Frozen Injera to capture both the joys and the hardships experienced by members of the Eritrean community in Edmonton.

Data centre explosion mirrors cannabis boom, event hears

Alberta's current data centre boom bears similarity to what the cannabis industry went through in the late 2010s, a regional economic development summit hosted by CREDA Edmonton Region and the Cities Institute heard.

Playwright invites you into Hedda's world

This week, we're highlighting an event pick by Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude. Stephanie recommends Hedda Gabler | by Henrik Ibsen.

Edmonton Design Week examines how we build the world

Design is everywhere — to the point that we may take it for granted. But not during the "method"-themed Edmonton Design Week, where the who and how of the built world go under the Media Architecture and Design Edmonton microscope.

St. Albert, Leduc reconsider density amid infill debate

St. Albert and Leduc are pulling back from denser housing forms in their planning documents at the same time that Edmonton infill is being targeted by the provincial government.


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Taproot members and stories

Business Roundup: Oct. 16, 2026

With news about data centres, BILD, Alberta's referendum, the Yellowhead Pipeline, Azolla Hydrogen, Edmonton Global, NiaHealth, Jobber, and more.

Events Roundup: Oct. 15, 2026

With a play picked by Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude and page-turning literary affairs to attend around Edmonton.

Arts Roundup: Oct. 15, 2026

With news from Edmonton Design Week, LitFest, Shout Out Out Out Out, Augusta Fashion + Textiles, Patrick Lennox, NorthwestFEARFest, and more.

Regional Roundup: Oct. 14, 2026

With news about infill policy, ATCO, CFB Edmonton, Muslim Association of St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital, Bill Purdy, and more.

Health Innovation Roundup: Oct. 14, 2026

With news from Colleen Norris, U of A, NiaHealth, My Viva Plan, SenseHuman AI, RISE NeuroProsthetics, Best Hydrate, the Stollery, DiveThru, and more.

Food Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from 7 Summits Snacks, Zwick's Pretzels, Nom, Paperbirch, EVO, Delavoye Chocolate, Best Hydrate, Transcend Coffee, Double Lunch, and more.

Tech Roundup: Oct. 13, 2026

With news from Edmonton Unlimted, CAINN, Q-Block Computing, Jobber, Aqtiva, Rosette Robotics, SketchDeck.ai, My Viva Plan, COG Studios, and more.


Speaking Municipally

Back to the zoning board

The provincial government is forcing Edmonton to amend its zoning bylaw and restore minimum on-site parking requirements to appease infill critics. Plus, a study found that apartment and condo dwellers are only sorting a third of their waste correctly.

Speaking Municipally

Please present your boarding pass

The new owners of Edmonton City Centre proposed strict security measures at each entrance of the downtown mall, and councillors endorsed changing the definition of public space. Plus, an American company has a vision to turn an industrial park in northeast Edmonton into one of the largest data centre campuses in North America.

Speaking Municipally

What'd I miss?

Stephanie is back! We chat about some of the big and small municipal news you might have missed in the past month. Plus, we hear all about Stephanie's travels and her fresh reflections on cities and how Edmonton stacks up.

Speaking Municipally

What we choose to remember

This week, heritage advocate Andy Grabia talks about the fight to keep the University of Alberta's Casavant organ in Convocation Hall. We also look at Edmonton's uneasy relationship with its heritage and, a decade after Rogers Place opened, revisit the arena debate and the fate of Rexall Place.


Taproot at 10: Still building after Launch Party 7

Taproot at 10: Still building after Launch Party 7

On Oct. 20, 2016, Karen and I spent an evening explaining Taproot Edmonton to curious people at Startup Edmonton's Launch Party 7. Ten years later, we look back on that night as a key milestone in our journey.

Taproot wins award for excellence in journalism

Taproot wins award for excellence in journalism

We have wonderful news to share: Taproot has received the Dr. Eric Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism for our 2025 election project.

Taproot at 10: Celebrating the beginning

Taproot at 10: Celebrating the beginning

Ten years ago this week, we took our first step toward finding out whether Taproot was worth building.