- The City of Edmonton is launching its free forest bathing program, with weekly sessions set to begin on May 14. Residents can improve their well-being through a guided sensory experience in city parks, fostering a mindful connection with urban forests. Certified guides from the City's Community Forestry team will lead participants in these forest therapy sessions throughout the summer. Registration is available online.
- Edmonton will host more than 2,500 delegates for the 125th annual Federation of Canadian Municipalities in its downtown core from June 4-7. Mayor Andrew Knack hopes to facilitate debate on how municipalities are funded, noting that they manage 60% of infrastructure but receive only eight cents of every tax dollar. The conference, themed "Building the Future Together," will showcase Edmonton's businesses, arts, and culture through tours and events, while delegates discuss national municipal policies and attend a trade show.
- Edmonton business owners on 124 Street are frustrated over the City of Edmonton's parking app, citing confusion from outdated EPark signs and difficulties for seniors who don't have smartphones to use the new "HotSpot" app. While Coun. Michael Janz acknowledged "growing pains" and emphasized improving the digital experience, Mayor Andrew Knack said he wants to explore options for physical parking payments for those without smartphones.
- The Edmonton Police Service has laid additional charges against William McMullin, 56, in an ongoing sexual assault investigation, bringing the total to 22 charges. Nine women have now come forward, including five since police released information about the case in March, alleging their were drugged and sexually assaulted. Investigators believe that incidents may date back to 2021 and potentially involve victims in Calgary.
- The Edmonton Police Service charged two 13-year-old boys in connection with an attack on a 66-year-old woman who was sprayed with a fire extinguisher at a bus shelter on McConachie Boulevard and 64 Street in northeast Edmonton on April 19. Paramedics treated the woman at the scene following the random attack. One teen faces charges including assault with a weapon, housebreaking with intent, mischief, and theft, while the other is charged with assault with a weapon and theft.
- The Alberta government is investing $8.9 million to launch a provincial forensic DNA laboratory just east of Edmonton in Sherwood Park. The province said the facility will reduce turnaround times and cut costs by up to 40% per DNA case. Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel expects that the lab will lead to quicker case resolution for Albertans. The province aims for a federal cost-sharing model to potentially operate the lab at "net-zero cost." by 2031. Services will phase in, accepting property crime DNA by 2029 and expanding to serious crimes like homicides by 2031.
- The United Conservative Party caucus confirmed staff attended an April online meeting hosted by the Alberta separatist group Centurion Project, where, the Alberta NDP alleges, participants were shown a database containing personal voter information. The NDP says video from the meeting shows organizer David Parker searching former premier Jason Kenney's name in a "search electors" tool, though CBC News has not independently verified the footage. The allegations surfaced after a judge ordered the group to shut down the database amid investigations by Elections Alberta and the RCMP into a possible voter data breach.
Headlines: May 7, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim