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Headlines: Aug. 11, 2025

· The Pulse
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  • Buffalo Keeper NehiYaw Centre will open new transitional housing units in Edmonton for Indigenous families in October 2025. Co-founder Brad Seneca said the Seneca One building, offering six units, aims to assist those moving from Indigenous communities, addressing the disproportionately high Indigenous homelessness rates in the city. The federally funded project provides two-year stays, employment services, and cultural support, with plans for additional housing for women exiting prison by 2026.
  • Edmonton mayoral candidate Andrew Knack took his campaign to the sidewalk, setting up a desk outside his office on Aug. 10 to hear directly from voters. The effort aimed to make him directly accessible to Edmonton residents, allowing them to discuss city issues and ask questions face-to-face.
  • Edmonton police are searching for individuals who intentionally struck a cyclist with an SUV in Edmonton's Beverly Heights neighbourhood early on Aug. 5. The incident, near 42 Street and 113 Avenue, was allegedly recorded and posted to social media for "online entertainment." Edmonton Police Service acting Staff Sgt. Richard Windover described the act as an "incredibly disturbing" disregard for life. The cyclist was hospitalized in stable condition, and police have released security footage of the suspected vehicle.
  • The Edmonton Police Service is investigating arson at an under-construction house in southwest Edmonton, located at 20 Avenue SW and 190 Street SW. Fire crews responded to the blaze on the morning of Aug. 7, reporting heavy smoke. The fire was brought under control within an hour and fully extinguished by 9:07am, with no injuries reported.
  • Edmonton police are seeking five persons of interest following an arson that destroyed the accessible "Purple Park" playground at St. Pius X Catholic Elementary School in Edmonton's Sherbrooke neighbourhood on July 12. The Sherbrooke Community League and St. Pius X Parents Association, which spent a decade fundraising for the park, are now working to rebuild it, having raised more than $10,000 toward a $50,000 goal.
  • The University of Alberta has released a request for proposals, seeking assistance to manage its infrastructure and reduce its physical footprint by up to 30%. Facing more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance and aiming to enroll 60,000 students by 2033, the university manages more than 400 buildings, with more than 60% over 40 years old. The two-year project will identify how to efficiently use assets, consolidate space, and determine which buildings should be disposed of.
  • Popular pickle brand Bick's is no longer stocked at some Canadian retailers, including several Safeway stores in Edmonton, due to a 25% Canadian counter-tariff on cucumbers and gherkins. The tariff, a response to U.S. tariffs, makes the product too expensive, according to Steven Oakland of TreeHouse Foods Inc., Bick's owner.
  • Alberta Health Services announced its program to redirect non-urgent 911 calls to Health Link 811 has surpassed 50,000 transfers since its launch in February 2023. The initiative aims to free up ambulances for critical emergencies. Patients redirected to Health Link 811 receive guidance from registered nurses and other professionals.
  • On Aug. 8, the Edmonton Police Service Major Collision Investigations Section announced it located a 2017 blue Mazda 3 in Edmonton, linked to a fatal hit-and-run on May 29, 2024. The collision killed a 13-year-old cyclist near 48 Street and 34 Avenue in southeast Edmonton. Acting Sgt. Chris Deslaurier said the vehicle was found at a repair shop after tips from the public. The driver remains at large, and police continue to seek information regarding the collision or the vehicle's owner.
  • The Alberta government changed its expense disclosure policy on Aug. 1, removing the requirement for the premier, ministers, deputy ministers, and senior staff to publicly disclose receipts for expenses more than $100. The new policy also removed eight years of historical expense reports from public view. A government spokesperson said the changes "improve government operations and reduce red tape" and align with other provinces, but critics say it reduces transparency.
  • Alberta recorded Canada's largest employment drop in July 2025, with a net loss of 17,000 jobs, a significant reversal from its leading job growth in June. The construction industry was hit hardest, losing 20,300 jobs, with agriculture and natural resource extraction also declining. Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed some losses to tariff uncertainty, while ATB deputy chief economist Rob Roach noted challenges in filling positions due to reduced numbers of temporary foreign workers.
  • The Edmonton Oilers face crucial questions, notably whether captain Connor McDavid will re-sign as he enters the final year of his current contract. McDavid, who can become an unrestricted free agent after this season, indicated he will take his time making a decision, a choice vital for the team's ongoing success. His future follows teammate Leon Draisaitl's recent eight-year, $112 million contract extension.