- A heat wave broke daily temperature records in six Alberta communities on Aug. 26, including Edmonton and Stony Plain. Edmonton reached more than 32°C, marking its hottest Aug. 26 in 145 years. Residents are advised to stay hydrated and take breaks amid the extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, Arcadia Brewing in Edmonton was collecting bottled water on Aug. 27 for the city's most vulnerable residents. The late summer heat also elevated wildfire risk in eastern and northern Alberta. The heat wave is expected to conclude early next week.
- Some downtown Edmonton business owners say the city's new QR code and app-based parking system, implemented after physical metres were removed in April 2025, is causing issues for customers. Wendy Lien of Maison de Noir and Brent Luebke of Lando Gallery on 124 Street say customers are confused, getting tickets, and struggling with the English-only app or lack of smartphones. Coun. Anne Stevenson said the change was a budgetary decision, saving $6 million, and suggested alternatives like paying from home or businesses registering plates.
- An incident involving a plane upon landing on a runway at Edmonton International Airport on Aug. 26 caused disruptions to operations. No injuries or damages were reported.
- Edmonton mayoral candidates are discussing early campaign donor disclosures and a potential lobbyist registry to enhance transparency. Andrew Knack plans to release his disclosures soon, while candidates Rahim Jaffer and Tim Cartmell, said they would do the same. Knack also promised to reinstate a mayor's lobbyist registry, a system initiated by former Mayor Don Iveson but discontinued by Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. Jaffer and Michael Walters support the idea, and Walters said he is planning to file required donor lists by the Sept. 30 deadline.
- The Edmonton Police Service is seeking witnesses and dashcam footage after an SUV struck a 38-year-old skateboarder in Mill Woods on Aug. 26. The incident happened around 1:48pm at the 23 Avenue and 91 Street intersection, where a 64-year-old Nissan Rogue driver allegedly hit the skateboarder while turning south onto 91 Street. The skateboarder was crossing 91 Street at a marked crosswalk and suffered life-threatening injuries. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact them.
- AUPE members who work for the Government of Alberta are scheduled to vote on mediator recommendations for a new collective agreement. Members will have from Aug. 29 to Sept. 3 to vote on the terms of the new contract. The recommendations follow mediation efforts to resolve ongoing negotiations between the union and the employer.
- The City of St. Albert is transitioning the investigation into a dog attack to City of Edmonton Animal Care and Control Centre. On Aug. 14, a 61-year-old woman walking her dog was bitten by a large black dog near Anthony Henday Drive, behind the Alderwood area, which falls within Edmonton's municipal boundary. The woman required surgery after being hospitalized, and her dog was also injured. St. Albert's municipal enforcement services declared the attacking dog "dangerous" and placed it under a 10-day quarantine. Both cities will collaborate on further investigation.
- Controversial new gender-related policies are set to take effect in Alberta schools on Sept. 1, requiring parental permission for students to use new names or pronouns, and an opt-in for sex education covering gender identity, sexual orientation, or human sexuality. Corinne Mason, a professor at Mount Royal University, called the policies "scary" and "harmful," while the Alberta government said the changes ensure parents are "fully in the loop."
- Peavey Mart, which closed all 90 of its stores earlier in 2025 due to low consumer confidence and increased operating costs, is planning a comeback this fall with new Alberta locations. The farm goods retailer will reopen in Spruce Grove, Westlock, Camrose, and Lacombe. It will focus on high-quality, locally sourced items for farmers, ranchers, and homesteaders, with more details to be released in the coming weeks.
- National Bank of Canada has begun integrating the first wave of clients from Edmonton-based Canadian Western Bank (CWB) onto its platform, following its $5 billion acquisition earlier this year. The move is part of National Bank's strategy to expand its presence in Western Canada, particularly in Alberta and British Columbia, where CWB had a significant branch network. The CWB transaction contributed $284 million to National Bank's third-quarter revenue.
- A public fatality inquiry into the deaths by suicide of four Indigenous teens from Maskwacis between 2017 and 2020 has found that fear of Alberta's child welfare system is a major barrier to care. Judge Danielle Dalton's 44 recommendations, released in August, call for amending legislation to allow voluntary, preventive services for Indigenous youth without requiring an "in need of intervention" finding. Cheryl Whiskeyjack of Edmonton's Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society emphasized systemic fear preventing families in need from accessing services. The Alberta government is reviewing the report.
- Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid reiterated his intention to win in Edmonton at the Canadian Olympic team orientation camp in Calgary on Aug. 27. As his current eight-year, $100-million contract concludes after the upcoming season, speculation suggests he may sign a shorter three- or four-year extension.
- The Edmonton Elks have signed punter Jake Julien to an extension through the 2027 season, the club announced on Aug. 27. He had been released in January 2025 to pursue an NFL opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Elks also added American wide receivers Jalon Calhoun and Ayir Asante.
Headlines: Aug. 28, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim