Gas Prices, Olympians, and Explosives — Edmonton's Thursday Buzz

Alberta government faces another legal fight to keep supervised consumption sites open

Less than a year after a judge ruled on a similar case in Red Deer, the provincial government is facing an injunction seeking to stop supervised consumption services from closing in Calgary and Lethbridge.

Rally held in Edmonton to support First Nations’ fight to stop Alberta separation referendum

Signs and the flags of many nations filled Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton on Wednesday as roughly 200 First Nations leaders, community members and supporters gathered to oppose an attempt to force a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.

Edmonton man accused of forcing women into sex trade charged with trafficking, bestiality

A 47-year-old man is facing charges for sexually exploiting women in the Edmonton region, allegedly forcing his victims into the city’s sex trade.

Artemis II astronauts prepare for experience of 'riding a fireball through the atmosphere' to get home

Air Canada is testing a new program to resolve customer complaints. Will it work?

Amid a backlog of complaints in the Canadian Transport Agency's complaints system, Air Canada is piloting a new program that will outsource complaints to a third-party arbitrator. Experts say it's good Air Canada is trying to find a solution, but oversight will be needed to make sure the new system doesn't favour companies over consumers.

Liberals descend on Montreal for convention on the cusp of a majority government

Liberals are gathering in Montreal for the next few days, buzzing on a fifth floor crossing and with a sought-after majority government in sight.

Oilers goaltender turned Mammoth rejection into No. 1 role, Masterton nomination

Connor Ingram's performance with the Edmonton Oilers, where he seized the No. 1 goaltending job after three others failed to hold it, has earned him the team's nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.

Oil and fuel prices to remain high throughout the year: Deloitte report

The ongoing war between Iran and the U.S. is expected to keep oil prices high for the remainder of the year, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices too.

Alberta issues measles exposure alert for Stollery Children's Hospital

The province is warning the public about potential measles exposure at the Stollery Children's Hospital.

Calgary city council votes to repeal blanket rezoning

After eight days of public hearings, along with thousands of written submissions arguing for or against blanket rezoning, councillors voted heavily in favour of repealing the policy on Wednesday.

Edmonton election financial disclosures show disparity between campaign spending and victory

Some political commentators and strategists point to Edmonton’s last civic election as an example of growing distaste for money in politics, but others say without more money, many voters will continue to pay no attention.

With 18 extortion-linked shootings, Calgary police say crimes targeting South Asian community a 'top priority'

Cases of extortion against South Asians started coming to light later in Calgary than some other cities, but since then they have "come with a little bit of fury,” said Calgary police Supt. Jeff Bell.

Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association calls for criminal probe into Edmonton police chief, lawyer

The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says serious questions surround Chief Warren Driechel and police lawyer Megan Hankewich for their statements about a recent manslaughter case involving the death of an eight-year-old girl named Nina Napope.

As drones upend tank warfare, Canada's army races to rethink its armour

Canada's army is weighing faster timelines for new armoured vehicles while rethinking tanks in light of Ukraine's drone-dominated battlefield. Aging Leopards need replacement, but commanders say technology — including uncrewed systems — will shape decisions, even as other priorities like air defence and long-range strike rank higher.

Carney breaks down plans to spend $51B on local infrastructure over a decade

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government has a plan to address infrastructure gaps across Canada with billions of dollars in funding over the coming decade.

A workout class sent this St. John's woman to hospital. She's not the only one

One woman was admitted with a life-threatening condition called exercise-induced or exertional rhabdomyolysis, rhabdo for short. The illness can happen after an intense workout and is when muscle tissue breaks down, leaking enzymes and proteins into the bloodstream. In high amounts, the proteins can damage the kidneys and lead to an imbalance of electrolytes, which can cause dehydration and heart issues.

Trump and Iran agreed to a ceasefire. What happens now?

Now that U.S. President Donald Trump has backed off his escalating threats to bomb Iran's power plants, bridges and even destroy its civilization, attention turns to whether the warring sides can reach a full-fledged peace deal that lasts.

Sylvan Lake to remain a town after weighing city status

The town of Sylvan Lake has decided it won’t become a city — at least for now. Council said it saw no need to move forward, and said the transition would be intensive and time-consuming, with little practical benefit.

Oilers surge into first place in Pacific Division after McDavid's 5-point performance

The best way for the Edmonton Oilers to shake off a tough loss was to let Connor McDavid take over the game. One night after his team squandered three separate leads in an overtime defeat at Utah, McDavid delivered the kind of performance Edmonton needed.

Artemis II crew reviewing re-entry procedures on last full day in space

IED in Sherwood Park car designed to kill many people, former Mountie says

'This is the kind of stuff you use to kill high numbers of people,' a former RCMP major crimes investigator said of the briefcase bomb found by police in Sherwood Park.

Doctor-turned-patient joins fight to reopen Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital pool

Once treating patients himself, four years ago Dr. Rob Agostinis's life was turned upside down after a rare neurological condition left him paralyzed within days.

Alberta separatists claim looming Carney majority helps their cause

Alberta separatists in Alberta claim recent floor crossings in Ottawa and the prospect of a federal Liberal majority government will be a boost to their efforts for independence.

Premier Danielle Smith teases future bid from Alberta for the Olympics

Premier Danielle Smith raised the prospect of a future bid for Alberta to host the Olympics, during a speech to the Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary on Thursday.

Deportation hearing for Indian extortion suspect halted when officials can’t find him

Minutes into Abjeet Kingra’s deportation hearing, the Immigration and Refugee Board said it had lost track of the Indian citizen.

Alberta nurses union wants weapons screening, more officers at hospitals due to violence

The United Nurses of Alberta is also calling on the Alberta government to acknowledge violence in emergency departments is linked to overcrowding and lack of capacity.

Calgary Police Service employee charged in breach of privacy investigation

Calgary Police Service employee charged following allegations she breached the privacy of victims she had, or was interested in having personal relationships with.

5 charged with 1st-degree murder of Lethbridge man who was confined, assaulted to death

In the hours before his death, LPS said several people went to the apartment, where the man was "forcibly confined, assaulted and choked, ultimately succumbing to his injuries."

Electric vehicle enthusiasm going up as gas price show little sign of coming down

With no relief in sight for high gas and diesel prices, potential car buyers at Edmonton’s annual Auto Experience are taking a closer look at electric vehicles.

Collecting signatures for separation vote doesn’t violate treaty: Alberta’s lawyers

Lawyers for the Alberta government say collecting signatures for a potential referendum on Alberta separatism doesn't violate treaty rights nor would holding a vote.