Calgary Daily Digest — Jan 27, 2026

Tough times for trans Albertans: Two weeks after a suicide attempt, Calgary activist Anna Murphy is speaking out about the surge in online hate and three Alberta laws targeting transgender youth, saying many in the community are in crisis and need targeted mental-health support. Psychologists and groups like Skipping Stone Foundation and Egale Canada warn the laws have made youth more anxious and even driven some families to consider leaving the province.

Tragic crash on Anthony Henday Drive: Ahmed Ali, 27, died after his Volkswagen broke down east of Heritage Valley Road around 8:30 a.m. and was struck from behind, a minute before his friend Shahbaz Asif could reach him; friends say he fled war in Yemen, hoped for a sports-management career, and a GoFundMe was launched to fly his body home.

Corb Lund petition gets green light: Country singer Corb Lund’s petition to ban new coal mining in the eastern slopes of the Rockies has been re-approved by Elections Alberta, clearing a paperwork step so he can seek nearly 178,000 signatures in four months to force legislature debate or a provincewide vote.

Auto-theft crisis hits Edmonton and Calgary: The Insurance Bureau of Canada says stolen-vehicle claims rose 85% in Edmonton and 73% in Calgary from 2021–2025, blaming organised crime and tech-enabled methods like relay attacks, reprogramming and CAN-bus hacks; IBC wants a coordinated law-enforcement task force while Alberta prepares for no-fault insurance from Jan. 1, 2027.

Rourke stays with B.C. Lions through 2028: Star QB Nathan Rourke, 27, signed an extension through the 2028 season after a stellar 2025 (5,290 passing yards, 31 TDs, 564 rushing yards, 10 rushing TDs); Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden called him the CFL’s best player and the face of the league.

Paul Brandt stays coy on separatism: Country star Paul Brandt declined to say yes or no when asked if Alberta should separate from Canada after a Jan. 25 social post quoted his song lyric, “I’ve got independence in my veins.” He says many Albertans have real grievances but won’t use his platform to sway votes.

Judges push back after premier’s comments: Alberta’s three chief justices (Dawn Pentelechuk, Kent Davidson and James Hunter) issued a rare statement stressing judicial independence after Premier Danielle Smith said she wished she could "direct" judges, saying courts must decide based on law and evidence for a healthy democracy.

Dozens of kids sick after Canmore hotel pool: About 30 children showed vomiting and other symptoms after a swim at the Canmore Inn & Suites on Sunday; 10 needed paramedic treatment and one child was flown to Alberta Children’s Hospital, while early firefighter air tests suggested elevated chlorine levels and authorities continue investigating.

Calgary doctor denied bail in alleged two-year abduction: Dr. Muhammad Zia-Ur Rahman, 62, accused of abducting his son in Dec. 2023 and travelling across multiple countries, was denied bail by Justice Peter Barley as a flight risk; Rahman was arrested in Mauritius and returned to Calgary on Jan. 17, and is due back in court Feb. 2.

Ekholm’s hat trick makes hockey history: In his 938th NHL game, defender Mattias Ekholm scored his first career hat trick as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Anaheim Ducks 7–4 on Monday, making the Oilers the first team ever to have defencemen record hat tricks in consecutive games after Evan Bouchard did so the night before.