- Valley Line West LRT construction near Stony Plain Road and 149 Street in Edmonton is raising accessibility concerns for residents. Paula Stephenson, who uses a walker, faces challenges navigating detours and changing bus routes. Disability advocate Zachary Weeks, vice-chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, noted similar issues at other construction sites but confirmed Edmonton city council is receptive to feedback. Sarah Feldman with Edmonton Transit Service acknowledged the inconvenience, adding that ETS is working to minimize disruptions and has implemented a temporary on-demand transit service.
- The City of Edmonton highlighted its investment of $27.5 million for 619 new and renewed affordable housing units through the Affordable Housing Investment Program. City council approved grants to support projects by the Governing Council of The Salvation Army in Canada (Grace Manor), Right at Home Housing Society (Millbourne Mews, Edmiston Street), Kingsway Crossing Developments Ltd. (Central McDougall), MPW Developments One Limited Partnership (Kennedale Industrial), and NiGiNan Housing Ventures (Spruce Avenue). The City has now supported 3,541 units since 2023, working towards a goal of 4,652 units by 2026.
- Uncertainty looms for parents as a potential teacher labour disruption could affect the upcoming school year. The Alberta Teachers' Association voted overwhelmingly for a strike in June, prompting the Teachers' Employer Bargaining Association to apply for a lockout vote. Formal mediation between the two parties is set for Aug. 26 to 29, ahead of the scheduled Sept. 2 school start.
- More than 8,500 people participated in the Edmonton Marathon on Aug. 17. Last year, organizers said about 6,500 people participated. The marathon raised more than $77,000 for local charities.
- Edmonton's 113-year-old Mustard Seed Church building, closed since October 2024, could be demolished this fall due to an unsafe structural assessment revealing major foundation and steeple issues. The building, which was a German and Reformed Dutch church, then a nightclub, and later donated to the Mustard Seed in the 1980s, will have a decommissioning ceremony in its parking lot on Aug. 27 at 10am. There are no current plans for what will replace the church.
- The Edmonton Police Service reported nine shootings in July, a decrease from 15 in June and 11 in July 2024. Despite the monthly decline, year-to-date shootings increased by 2.5% to 81, up from 79 during the same period in 2024. Police said eight of July's shootings were targeted, and three resulted in injuries, with no fatalities. Police also seized 50 firearms in July, bringing the 2025 total to 380.
- St. Albert RCMP is seeking the owner of a dog after a woman was attacked while walking her own dog on Aug. 14. Police responded to a report of a dog biting a woman in St. Albert. The woman sustained injuries in the incident. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the dog or its owner to contact them.
- Air Canada flights remained cancelled on Aug. 17, as a labour dispute between the airline and its 10,000 flight attendants continued to ground planes. Despite a Canada Industrial Relations Board order for workers to return to work, the union announced plans to remain on strike, prompting Air Canada to suspend restart plans and cancel approximately 240 flights. In an update on the situation, Edmonton International Airport informed passengers they may see flight attendants demonstrating at the airport.
- Alberta's new paid COVID-19 vaccination program, which opened online pre-ordering on Aug. 11 for appointments beginning in October, is facing widespread criticism from health experts, advocates, and unions. James Talbot, former chief medical officer, warned the policy sabotages the immunization campaign by creating unfair barriers and limiting access. Premier Danielle Smith defended the move, citing efforts to reduce waste after many doses went unused last season. Details on specific qualifying conditions for free vaccines and the estimated $110 cost are still forthcoming.
- The Alberta Next Panel, chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, faced a polarized crowd in west Edmonton on Aug. 14. Attendees frequently jeered proposals, particularly one proposing to switch to an Alberta Pension Plan, though straw polls indicated majority support for the six initiatives. Moderator Bruce McAllister struggled with crowd decorum. Audience members also criticized the province's new expense disclosure policy, which Smith stated she was confused by and would consider reversing. This was the third of 10 planned town halls to discuss Alberta's relationship with the federal government.
- Alberta Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod said the province rejected two of her recommendations regarding access to information requests. In a May 2025 report, McLeod found 27 government departments used policies violating Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy laws. Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta, confirmed the province accepted most recommendations but not those limiting topics in requests or splitting multi-topic requests into new, fee-incurring ones.
- The Edmonton Oilers are nearing a pivotal moment with the next contract for captain Connor McDavid, expected to be a shorter three-to-four-year deal around $16.5 million annually, The Athletic reported. In its analysis, The Athletic suggested the shorter term may reflect McDavid's frustration with past roster decisions and the team's struggle to win a Stanley Cup. General Manager Stan Bowman and Coach Kris Knoblauch have improved defensive depth and added younger wingers, but the contract length will indicate McDavid's long-term commitment to the franchise.
Headlines: Aug. 18, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim