Karen is the co-founder of Taproot Publishing Inc. and the Alberta Podcast Network. She previously worked as a reporter and editor for 14 years at the Edmonton Journal before leaving the newsroom in 2011 to start a consulting business and teach journalism.
Karen has a Masters in Journalism from Carleton University and attended the beat business training program at CUNY's Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism in the summer of 2015.
Recent work by Karen
Court case complicates parking-lot permit pickle
As absurd as it might seem that 90% of Edmonton's downtown surface parking lots lack permits, a 2009 court ruling might make it difficult for the city to pursue enforcement.
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Edmonton's deficit likely to cause pain, podcast posits
Tax increases or service cuts seem inevitable in light of the $73.8-million deficit the City of Edmonton is projecting by the end of this year, noted the city hall watchers at Speaking Municipally.
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Single-use item bylaw is doing its job, podcast suggests
While Edmonton's single-use item bylaw has not been popular, complaints have decreased since it came into force on July 1, and city council should keep the rules in place, say Taproot's city hall watchers at Speaking Municipally.
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Coming up this week: Sept. 5-8, 2023
It's a short week, but there's a lot going on, with business-oriented sessions on due diligence, Silicon Valley investment, startup mistakes, and quantum technology, plus a cask party on rails and an art walk.
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Changes to election law should be made independently: councillor
Coun. Andrew Knack hopes Premier Danielle Smith's directive to review the law governing local elections will address problems that arose from amendments made in 2020.
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![A map of the 13 member municipalities in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board]](https://taprootyeg.blob.core.windows.net/photos/2023/08/09/mandate-letters-emrb.jpg "Municipal Affairs mandate calls for oversight of regional board")
Municipal Affairs mandate calls for oversight of regional board
Alberta's minister of municipal affairs has been asked to keep tabs on the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board and its Calgary counterpart to "ensure they are serving the needs of their urban and rural residents effectively and fairly without unnecessarily interfering with the autonomy of small and mid-sized municipalities."
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Podcast seeks Edmonton's best playground, past or present
What's your favourite Edmonton playground? Let's Find Out wants your help to answer a listener's question.
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Headlines: Aug. 4, 2023
Province withdraws support for Commonwealth Games bid; Edmonton Downtown Business Association unveils Night Patrol; Coun. Aaron Paquette outlines what city is doing about safety
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Headlines: July 27, 2023
Cabinet shuffle shifts Boissonnault into employment ministry; Elks' odds of winning Grey Cup pegged at +25,000; Pride Float and Corn Maze return
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