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Daily Calgary Oct 24 - Oct 24, 2026

Wainwright Fire, First Nations Meeting & Riders Record — Calgary Saturday

18 articles 1 hour ago 5

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. Rapid spread of fire was main factor in CFB Wainwright deaths and injuries. The top military commander told an investigation that the speed at which the blaze moved was central to deaths and injuries at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. The testimony is part of an ongoing probe into the incident, which has drawn federal attention and offers of outside assistance.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. First Nations leaders set priorities ahead of historic Ottawa meeting with prime minister and premiers. The Assembly of First Nations is meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial premiers — the first gathering of its kind in over two decades — to press for items including a proposed First Nations sovereign wealth fund from Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and action on policing, employment and health. Leaders warn they want more than economic-focused discussion.
  2. Referendum ballot counting delayed by days in first provincial vote after tabulator ban. Officials confirmed that ballot counting in Alberta’s referendum will be delayed by days, marking the province’s first vote since a ban on vote tabulation machines took effect. Elections administrators say the delay affects results reporting timelines and public expectations.
  3. Chiefs and Opposition urge Alberta government to drop appeal of decision that quashed separation petition. Both Indigenous chiefs and the Opposition have called for the provincial government to abandon its legal appeal after a court quashed a petition seeking separation, framing the call as a demand for political de-escalation.

🌦️ Weather & Roads

  1. Winter road conditions on Highway 63 left several vehicles stuck and caused traffic jams, RCMP say. Alberta RCMP reported multiple vehicles became immobilized on Highway 63 during winter conditions, producing traffic backups and responder activity. The incidents underline early-season hazards on a key Alberta route.

🏈 Sports

  1. Tommy Stevens breaks CFL single‑season record with two rushing touchdowns in Riders' 16-9 win. Stevens scored twice for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to set a new league mark for rushing majors during a 16-9 victory over the Edmonton Elks; the Riders will face the B.C. Lions in the West semi-final. The record had been shared previously by George Reed and Caleb Evans.
  2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat B.C. Lions 34-10 and clinch a CFL playoff spot; Stampeders eliminated. The Bombers’ 34-10 victory secured their place in the CFL playoffs and confirmed the Calgary Stampeders (9-9) were officially eliminated from postseason contention.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. Calgary family finds box of Pokémon cards valued at roughly $48,000. A Calgary family discovered a box of Pokémon cards with an estimated value near $48,000, according to the report.

📰 Also Today

  • Snowy owls now designated a 'sensitive species' in Alberta.
  • Inquiry into man's death in Edmonton ER hears about too many patients and not enough beds or doctors.
  • Crown tells jurors burn-barrel fire video shows 'zero remorse' for victim in murder trial.
  • Lloydminster and Cold Lake push for new commercial air service.
  • Opinion: Will Alberta referendum deepen polarization around immigration?
  • U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra offers Canada help after Wainwright tragedy.
  • New regulations on flags at Alberta schools to take effect in January.
  • Maple Leafs beat Oilers 7-2; William Nylander scores 300th career goal.
  • Leafs' Auston Matthews extends road point streak to five games.
  • (duplicate ID noted) Video of burn barrel fire shows 'zero remorse' for victim's life, Crown tells jurors.

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Source Articles (18)

Chiefs, Opposition call for Alberta government to drop appeal of decision that quashed separation petition

With the Alberta referendum now in the books, some First Nation chiefs are calling on the provincial government to drop its appeal of a judge’s decision to quash the citizen petition on separation.

General Oct 24, 2026

New regulations on flags flown at Alberta schools to take effect in January

The Alberta government says new legislation about which flags can be displayed at schools will take effect in January. Those rules include making the Alberta and Canada flags mandatory, and prohibiting flags that "advance a social or political cause."

General Oct 24, 2026

Rapid spread of fire was main factor in CFB Wainwright deaths, injuries: top military commander

The military's top commander believes the main reason soldiers couldn't escape the deadly fire at CFB Wainwright is because of how quickly it tore across the training area.

General Oct 24, 2026

Calgary family finds box of Pokémon cards valued at roughly $48,000

A Calgary family is giving thanks after they discovered an old box of Pokémon cards worth roughly $48,000 during Thanksgiving dinner.

General Oct 24, 2026

Video of burn barrel fire shows 'zero remorse' for victim's life, Crown tells murder trial jurors

Video of a large burn barrel fire seized from an accused killer’s cellphone shows the “incineration” of Christopher Stevenson’s body and depicts a “celebration,” the prosecution told jurors Friday during closing arguments in a Calgary courtroom.

General Oct 24, 2026

Inquiry looking into man's death in Edmonton ER hears about too many patients, not enough beds or doctors

An Edmonton physician says hiring more doctors won’t solve chronic overcrowding at Grey Nuns Community Hospital as the facility's five general medicine units have been operating above capacity.

General Oct 24, 2026

Referendum ballot counting delayed by days in first provincial vote after tabulator ban

Several days after Monday's referendum in Alberta, elections officers were still counting more than 20 million ballots that were cast concerning 10 questions. The referendum came a year after electronic vote tabulators were banned by the United Conservative Party government.

General Oct 24, 2026

Winter road conditions on Highway 63 cause several vehicles to get stuck, traffic jams: RCMP

RCMP are advising against travel on Highway 63, in northeastern Alberta, as multiple vehicles got stuck Saturday morning due to winter road conditions on the thoroughfare.

General Oct 24, 2026

Q&A: Premier Danielle Smith says she doesn’t need Alberta separatists’ support

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has told members of her party to back the province’s referendum results, or leave. In an interview with CBC’s West of Centre, she says she doesn’t need separatists to get re-elected.

General Oct 24, 2026

Snowy owls are now a 'sensitive species' in Alberta

Snowy owls, mountain bluebirds and hermit thrushes are now designated "sensitive species" in Alberta amid population declines across Canada.

General Oct 24, 2026

Lloydminster, Cold Lake push for commercial air service

Provincial government is exploring how subsidies could support regional air services while Lloydminster and Cold Lake push to bring commercial flights to their communities.

General Oct 24, 2026

Will the Alberta referendum feed a more polarized immigration debate?

Beside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's own political future, the most unresolved questions raised by her referendum concern immigration.

General Oct 24, 2026

U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra offers Canada help following Wainwright tragedy

Four soldiers were killed and 39 injured on Oct. 17 when a fire that began during a training exercise on an anti-grenade launching range was picked up by fierce winds.

General Oct 24, 2026
First Nations leaders voice priorities ahead of historic meeting in Ottawa

First Nations leaders voice priorities ahead of historic meeting in Ottawa

First Nations leaders are preparing for a historic meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the nation’s premiers, the first of its kind in more than two decades.

Politics Oct 24, 2026
Blue Bombers beat Lions, clinch playoff spot

Blue Bombers beat Lions, clinch playoff spot

It's been an up-and-down season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

Sports Oct 24, 2026
Energized Leafs continue hot roll with 7-2 win

Energized Leafs continue hot roll with 7-2 win

Picking the Toronto Maple Leafs to win in Edmonton has become a safe bet in recent years.

Sports Oct 24, 2026
Leafs scorch Oilers 7-2 for fourth win in a row

Leafs scorch Oilers 7-2 for fourth win in a row

William Nylander had two goals, including the 300th of his career, as the Toronto Maple Leafs scorched the Edmonton Oilers 7-2 on Saturday.

Sports Oct 24, 2026
Riders top Elks 16-9, will face Lions in West semi

Riders top Elks 16-9, will face Lions in West semi

Tommy Stevens admits landing in the CFL record book is a bit surreal for him.

Sports Oct 24, 2026