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Daily Edmonton Jun 18 - Jun 18, 2026

Oilers Hire Babcock, Virtual Reality in Nursing & Alberta's Political Tensions — Edmonton Thursday

27 articles 3 weeks ago 193

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Senior aide to Premier criticizes First Nations chiefs. Bruce McAllister, a senior aide to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, criticized First Nations chiefs for their "childish nonsense" in accusing Smith of treason over a separation question. In a controversial social media post, McAllister urged chiefs to focus on community issues instead.

  2. Woman charged with murder in Edmonton. A 36-year-old woman faces second-degree murder charges in the death of an Edmonton man, intensifying local safety concerns.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Alberta to distribute $100 affordability payments. Albertans can apply for $100 payments to help with living costs, with funds arriving within two weeks. Premier Danielle Smith noted this approach over cutting gas taxes.

  2. Smith tells First Nations chiefs to 'check themselves'. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith urged First Nations leaders to address their internal issues following treason accusations related to Alberta's political future.

  3. No resolution in sight for Alberta's First Nations and Premier standoff. First Nations leaders continue to demand investigation into the Premier's alleged treason, citing disrespect for Indigenous treaty rights.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. Virtual reality enhances Alberta nursing education. A University of Alberta pilot project uses VR to provide nearly 900 nursing students realistic hands-on training, preparing them for new healthcare challenges.

  2. Banff investigates mysterious underground structure. Park staff are examining a newly discovered underground wooden structure at Lake Minnewanka, drawing public interest.

🏊 Sports

  1. Oilers clear Mike Babcock to coach post-investigation. The NHL approved Babcock’s coaching position with the Edmonton Oilers after reviewing allegations from his previous role in Columbus, addressing fan and team concerns.

  2. Canada's Alphonso Davies set to play against Qatar. Soccer fans rejoice as Canada captain Alphonso Davies confirms participation in the World Cup match, boosting national team morale.

📰 Also Today

  • Sherwood Park dancer halted by RCMP. Authorities end Caden Skelton's curbside performances for safety reasons.
  • Pro-separation signage campaign grows. Taber sees increased activity amid political tensions.
  • Babcock coaching hire confirmed for Edmonton Oilers. NHL clears any previous allegations.
  • 20,000 Alberta kids face therapy delays. Significant backlog impacts children with disabilities.
  • Alberta to allow private surgeries by dual-practice doctors. Pilot begins in September to reduce wait times.
  • Crane driver missing after river accident. RCMP continues search near Grande Prairie.
  • Canada Post releases stamps for Indigenous sport leaders. Honouring figures like Bryan Trottier.
  • Escalation in Alberta's referendum discussion. Premier hints at issues with timely coal referendum.
  • Ponoka celebrates stampede's 90th anniversary. Radio Active event marks the occasion.

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Source Articles (29)

About 3.4 million Albertans will receive $100 energy rebate from provincial government

Twenty years after then-premier Ralph Klein gave every Albertan a $400 cheque, the current Alberta government is giving each eligible resident a one-time payment of $100.

General Jun 18, 2026

Pro-separation sign campaign grows from 1 to 3 amid standoff in Taber

The controversy over a town billboard urging Alberta to leave Canada is growing. After the Town of Taber ordered the removal of a pro-separatism sign, there are now three billboards up in the town.

General Jun 18, 2026

Canada Post stamps honour Bryan Trottier, other Indigenous sport leaders

Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier will be featured on a Canada Post stamp to celebrate Indigenous leaders in sport. Trottier, who is from Val Marie, Sask., is the all-time leader in points and assists for the New York Islanders.

General Jun 18, 2026

Edmonton council votes to build bigger transit garage, despite it adding $66M to debt

Edmonton city council has narrowly decided to build a larger transit garage — and take on millions in debt to do so.

General Jun 18, 2026

Canada captain Alphonso Davies, Moise Bombito will be available to play vs. Qatar on Thursday

Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch says captain Alphonso Davies and Moise Bombito will be available for the country's FIFA World Cup game against Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday.

General Jun 18, 2026
City of Calgary consults residents on next chapter for vacant Westbrook LRT land

City of Calgary consults residents on next chapter for vacant Westbrook LRT land

It's been vacant for more than a decade, but the City of Calgary is now moving forward with development of the 4.2-hectare property adjacent to the Westbrook LRT station.

Canada Jun 17, 2026

An estimated 20,000 Alberta kids face waiting years to get therapy for disabilities

An estimated 20,000 children are stuck on Alberta’s Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) waiting list, facing years of delays to get speech, behavioural and other treatment or therapy for autism and various disabilities.

General Jun 18, 2026

NHL fans will now have to pay to watch games on Sportsnet. What that means for Rogers — and CBC

The National Hockey League season came to a close this month and with it came the end of an era as longtime partners Rogers and CBC were unable to come to a new agreement for NHL broadcasts. So Canadian fans will only be able to watch games in Canada if they pay for a Sportsnet cable or streaming subscription.

General Jun 18, 2026

Edmonton sisters take reins of oldest hotel in Jasper, Alta.

Two Edmonton sisters, who are lifelong hoteliers, officially own the iconic Athabasca Hotel — a historic cornerstone in the Alberta Rocky Mountain community of Jasper.

General Jun 18, 2026

Woman, 36, charged with second-degree murder in death of Edmonton man

An autopsy confirms that Michael Joseph Conway, 32, died of a stab wound and the manner of his death was homicide, police say. He was fatally injured last week in northeast Edmonton.

General Jun 18, 2026

Hot bet summer? Soon Canadians will be able to trade on prediction markets

Canadian retail investors will be able to access prediction markets through a Canadian company this summer, after the platforms had been banned for years. Prediction markets are experiencing explosive growth, and seen as both a financial vehicle and as gambling.

General Jun 18, 2026
May be too late to put coal question on October vote: Danielle Smith

May be too late to put coal question on October vote: Danielle Smith

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is suggesting it's too late to put an anti-coal mining petition question to a provincewide referendum this fall.

Politics Jun 18, 2026

Court hears Alberta separatist group's plea for stay of referendum petition ruling

An Alberta Court of Appeal judge reserved her decision after a hearing on Thursday during which a separatist group asked the province's top court to stay a lower court's decision that quashed its referendum petition.

General Jun 18, 2026
Banff staff explore unknown underground structure found at Lake Minnewanka

Banff staff explore unknown underground structure found at Lake Minnewanka

It has not been determined what the structure actually is, as there is no historical or photographic record of it, Parks Canada said.

Trending Jun 18, 2026

Eligible doctors in Alberta can work in both public, private systems starting this fall

In order to be eligible for dual practice, doctors must do a minimum number of hours in the public system first. The province says those hour requirements along with other safeguards will protect the public system.

General Jun 18, 2026

Smith tells First Nations chiefs to 'check themselves' after treason accusation over separation question

The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs unanimously voted this week to ask RCMP to look into whether Alberta's fall referendum amounts to criminal treason by Premier Danielle Smith and her United Conservative Party.

General Jun 18, 2026
Oilers cleared to hire Mike Babcock as coach

Oilers cleared to hire Mike Babcock as coach

The Edmonton Oilers have been given clearance by the NHL to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after the league concluded an investigation into his conduct while with Columbus in 2023.

Sports Jun 18, 2026

Radio Active returns to Ponoka to celebrate stampede's 90th anniversary

CBC Edmonton proud to return to Ponoka on June 26 for a live broadcast for the 90th anniversary of the stampede.

General Jun 18, 2026

Mike Babcock cleared to coach Oilers after NHL reviews his Columbus tenure

NHL says it completed a review of Mike Babcock's tenure in Columbus, clearing him to coach the Edmonton Oilers if they opt to hire him.

General Jun 18, 2026

'No plans right now' for grizzly hunting season in Alberta, minister says as rural residents call for hunt

Amid calls from rural municipalities for the first grizzly bear hunting season in two decades to be opened in Alberta, Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen says it's not currently on the table. He says the province is focused on helping the threatened species' population recover through conservation and non-lethal wildlife management.

General Jun 18, 2026

Canada vs. Qatar: Fans descend on Vancouver before World Cup match at B.C. Place

General Jun 18, 2026
Driver missing after crane goes over bridge and into river in northern Alberta: RCMP

Driver missing after crane goes over bridge and into river in northern Alberta: RCMP

The RCMP says the driver of a crane is missing after the vehicle he was driving crashed off a bridge and into the Wapiti River near Grand Prairie, Alta. on Tuesday.

Investigations Jun 18, 2026
Virtual reality pilot project gives Alberta nursing students hands-on-experience

Virtual reality pilot project gives Alberta nursing students hands-on-experience

A virtual reality pilot project at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing is giving students hands-on experience to deal with real-life nursing scenarios.

Tech Jun 18, 2026
Senior aide to Alberta premier urges First Nations chiefs to fix their communities

Senior aide to Alberta premier urges First Nations chiefs to fix their communities

The executive director of Danielle Smith’s Calgary office says First Nations chiefs should fix their communities rather than have "the gall" to accuse the premier of treason.

General Jun 18, 2026
War of words continues between First Nations chiefs, Alberta premier

War of words continues between First Nations chiefs, Alberta premier

The Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is defending the decision to call for Premier Danielle Smith to be investigated for possible treason.

Politics Jun 18, 2026
Alberta government expects $100 payouts to arrive within 2 weeks of applications

Alberta government expects $100 payouts to arrive within 2 weeks of applications

Albertans who apply for $100 affordability payments from the province could see the money deposited in their bank accounts within two weeks of applying.

Politics Jun 18, 2026

Bail reform law welcomed by Edmonton leaders tackling crime and disorder

Some local leaders in Edmonton are welcoming this week's long-promised reforms to Canada's bail and sentencing legislation, but it's expected to come at a cost.

General Jun 19, 2026
Alberta dual-practice doctors could begin offering private surgeries in fall

Alberta dual-practice doctors could begin offering private surgeries in fall

Surgical Services Minister Adriana LaGrange says the status quo isn't working as too many Albertans are sitting in the queue too long to get surgery.

Health Jun 18, 2026
Dance no more: Sherwood Park man’s curbside performance put to an end by RCMP

Dance no more: Sherwood Park man’s curbside performance put to an end by RCMP

If you've driven in Sherwood Park, the street corner at Baseline Road and Sherwood Drive probably looks a little empty.

Canada Jun 18, 2026