Taproot Edmonton

Garbage at an entrance to Central LRT station in downtown Edmonton.

Your turn: Jasper Ave, street labs, and biz census

This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes a survey about the proposed redesign of part of Jasper Avenue's streetscape, feedback opportunities for street safety solutions, and the annual Edmonton business census.

A newspaper clipping of an ad that reads 'New Management Proves Popular: Hotel Alberta'

A moment in history: May 29, 1931

On this day in 1931, the city's oldest hotel was hoping to lure visiting sports teams to enjoy its hot and cold running water.

A man wearing a suit poses in front of a bright orange backdrop that reads Northernmost and NoMo

Kidney-transplant company plans to make existing tech obsolete

Almost three decades after being part of the team that revolutionized the transport of kidneys for transplants, the leader of Northernmost is getting close to the green light for a sequel.

Ron Byers on a Pride float

Pride in Edmonton seeks to amplify, not dictate

Pride festivities in Edmonton are gathered from the bottom up, not dominated by one top-level organizer, says the curator and historian who collects those celebrations of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The Pulse

Friday, May 29

In this edition: Your turn: Jasper Ave, street labs, and biz census; a moment in history from 1931; and more headlines and happenings

Roundup

Business Roundup: May 29, 2026

With news from T.rex AI, Edmonton Unlimited, Northernmost, Elevate Aviation, Shawn Kanungo, Cushman & Wakefield, IABC Edmonton, and more.

Roundup

Events Roundup: May 28, 2026

Featuring an event pick from Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude and a listing of workshop events that you can add to your calendar.

Speaking Municipally

This week had Highs and Lows

The City of Edmonton announced plans to decommission and replace three iconic bridges: the High Level Bridge and the Low Level Bridges. Plus, we talk with Coun. Erin Rutherford about unfunded service packages and how the budget process is changing this year.


Get The Pulse in your inbox

Get reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region, straight to your inbox, every weekday morning.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.

A woman poses with her red, decorated bicycle, in front of a cafe and bike shop.

Bikeology launches with push to design cycling with women in mind

A new non-profit is seeking to encourage more women and girls to ride bicycles by combining community events with advocacy aimed at making cycling infrastructure safer and more practical for all.

A brown, rusty steel truss bridge over the North Saskatchewan River.

On the agenda: Bridges, trees, and office budgets

This week, councillors will hear an update on bridges in the core, vote on amendments aimed at protecting trees on infill lots, and discuss the common budget for the Office of the Councillors.

A grey library building in a strip mall.

Your turn: Devon library, Parkland County, and Edmonton's downtown

This week's batch of calls for public engagement includes a discussion about potentially expanding the Devon Public Library, as well as surveys on Parkland County's strategic plan and Edmonton's downtown policy.

A newspaper clipping of an ad for the Little Klondike Queen with a picture of a paddlewheeler

A moment in history: May 22, 1965

On this day in 1965, the Little Klondike Queen was offering hour-long cruises on the North Saskatchewan River.

T.rex AI wins Startup TNT investment summit

T.rex AI, a company that seeks to make electrical grids more efficient and reliable, won the finale of Startup TNT's Edmonton investment summit on May 28.

Bent Stick and Audreys brew up book-fair nostalgia

This week, we're highlighting an event pick by Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude. Stephanie recommends the Grown-Up Book Fair for adults that miss the stickers, pencils, and nostalgic goodies.

Purple City brings the noise with first-wave lineup

Purple City Music Festival's first lineup drop has been "very well curated" to include emerging artists who are ready for the professional stage, says one performer and festival sound tech.

Report analyzes housing insecurity in Tri-Municipal Region

More than 1,100 people are living in an insecure housing situation in Parkland County, Spruce Grove, and Stony Plain, says a new report.


Join Taproot

Reliable intelligence about the Edmonton region.

Taproot members sustain our work of providing reliable intelligence to help the Edmonton region understand itself better.

Cancel anytime. No paywalls. No intrusive ads.

Taproot members and stories

Business Roundup: May 29, 2026

With news from T.rex AI, Edmonton Unlimited, Northernmost, Elevate Aviation, Shawn Kanungo, Cushman & Wakefield, IABC Edmonton, and more.

Events Roundup: May 28, 2026

Featuring an event pick from Taproot curator/reporter Stephanie Swensrude and a listing of workshop events that you can add to your calendar.

Arts Roundup: May 28, 2026

With news from Purple City, ARDN, Robin Cisek, The McDades, Cheyenne Rain LeGrande, the Nina, Concrete Theatre, Lit Resistance, and more.

Regional Roundup: May 27, 2026

With news from the Tri-Municipal Region, Keyera, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, Gaias Glasswear, the Dog Rump Creek Disc Golf Course, David Berry, and more.

Health Innovation Roundup: May 27, 2026

With news from Upper Bound, the University of Alberta, Christian Zyp, the Women's Health Coalition, Enoch Cree Nation, Adaptabilities, and more.

Food Roundup: May 26, 2026

With news from the Terroir Symposium, RJ Tasty Bites, The Bread Haus, Sunterra Market, Edmonton Riverhawks, Campio, Happy and Olive, and more.

Tech Roundup: May 26, 2026

With news from Upper Bound, Startup TNT, Wyvern, Wandering Shepherd, Matrix Gemini, Zero Point Cryogenics, Punchcard Systems, Shawn Kanungo, and more.


Speaking Municipally

Return to office! But not on your bike

Business organizations have called once again for municipal employees to return to the office full time, but the mayor isn't budging. Plus, the province is planning legislation that would let it review or remove bike lanes.

Speaking Municipally

You have been engaged

Edmonton city council has approved a rezoning that will allow a 25-storey tower in Windsor Park. Plus, Stephanie took a trip to a budget engagement session to learn what the mayor's been hearing from Edmontonians.

Speaking Municipally

Three feet repeat

Edmonton city council voted to reduce the maximum height in the RS zone, and they approved some District Policy changes too. Plus, we found out how much more the Lewis Farms Recreation Centre is going to cost, and one councillor's wondering if we should give up on LRT in the northwest.

Speaking Municipally

Your KDays are numbered

This week, we learned that city council is sunsetting seven boards that offered expert insight on women's issues, racism, climate, and more. Plus, KDays might have to downsize, and the Africa Centre is one step closer to its multicultural community hub.


Accessibility and design improvements across Taproot

Accessibility and design improvements across Taproot

Delivering reliable intelligence to our community means thinking about how to serve the entire community. With the help of our readers, we identified accessibility and design as key areas for improvement.

Taproot Survey earns more award nominations

Taproot Survey earns more award nominations

Taproot's 2025 municipal election project has earned two new award nominations, from the Canadian Journalism Foundation and the National Media Awards Foundation.

How we use artificial intelligence at Taproot

How we use artificial intelligence at Taproot

We have now published a policy on artificial intelligence. We use AI to help make our work more efficient, accessible, and useful, while keeping our journalism human-led, human-edited, and human-accountable.