🏛️ Government & Politics
- Officials to update public after CFB Wainwright blaze that killed four soldiers. The blaze began as a grass fire and officials said four soldiers died; 39 were initially wounded and that number was reported at 27 with 13 in critical condition. Roughly 150 people attended a vigil in Wainwright; Mayor Bruce Pugh said base activities are starting to return to normal.
- Former cabinet minister Peter Guthrie says Premier Smith can’t survive UCP crisis after referendum. Guthrie, removed from the UCP caucus, now leads the Progressive Tory Party and said the referendum left Premier Danielle Smith with more enemies than supporters; about 75 per cent of voters cast ballots to keep Alberta in Canada. Smith’s office rejected Guthrie’s comments and said UCP members must accept a pro-Canada stance.
- Nurse testifies to crowded, chaotic Edmonton ER at fatality inquiry into local man’s death. At the inquiry for an Edmonton man, a nurse described overcrowding and chaotic conditions in the hospital emergency department and gave testimony under oath about patient flow and staffing during the incident.
💼 Economy & Business
- Edmonton-based BioWare to shut down after more than 30 years. The studio, founded in Edmonton and operating for over three decades, is closing its doors after publishing landmark games and employing Edmonton-based development teams. The shutdown affects ongoing local projects and staff in the city’s game-development sector.
- Mayor defends spending millions on industrial development incentives. Edmonton’s mayor said the city is investing millions in incentives for industrial development and argued those incentives are worth the cost to attract private investment and jobs.
🏈 Sports
- World Juniors pre-tournament schedule set with six Alberta cities hosting 12 games Dec. 17–23. Cold Lake, Blackfalds, Red Deer, Camrose, Lloydminster and Edmonton will host pre-tournament games; Canada plays Finland in Red Deer on Dec. 18 and Sweden on Dec. 20, and finishes pre-tournament against Sweden at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Dec. 22. The main tournament runs Dec. 26–Jan. 5, 2027, with Edmonton as a host city.
- Elks defensive lineman Darien Newell suspended nine games for second doping violation. The CFL imposed a nine-game ban after positive tests for cardarine and drostanolone in May 2026; Newell’s appeal to an independent arbitrator was dismissed. Newell previously tested positive at the 2025 CFL combine and was ineligible to sign for one calendar year.
📰 Also Today
- Top court will hear appeal over federal Charter breach ruling from convoy protest.
- Former BioWare writer reflects on company’s impact on Edmonton after studio closure.
- Alberta’s referendum count remains incomplete, results delayed.
- A quarter of Albertans say Canada 'needs to change', separatist campaigner reports.
- Premier tells separatists: be pro-Canada or join a different party, Smith warns.
- First Nations artists pull work from University of Calgary event on residential schools.
- MPs propose restrictions on gambling ads amid mounting harms.
- Top Canadian scientists urge changes to Carney’s major projects bill.
- Wainwright vigil honours fallen and injured soldiers after base tragedy.
- Wainwright prayer vigil drew about 150 people for community remembrance.
- Ontario to send 28 health-care staff to Alberta to help Wainwright victims.
- Ontario soldier injured at CFB Wainwright honoured by Tecumseh mayor.
- Northern Alberta students walk out over teacher’s post about residential schools.
- Party leaders in a local riding publicly back Danielle Smith ahead of next election.
- Top court will hear convoy protest Charter appeal (duplicate listing for completeness).
