Alberta Politics, Inspiring Space Adventures & Sausage Heists — Your Edmonton Coffee Break

Alberta government spending $22M on school security, citing Tumbler Ridge, B.C., shooting

Alberta's government says it's providing $22 million for school security upgrades in the wake of the school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., earlier this year.

Environment Canada to use AI in new weather forecasting model

Environment and Climate Change Canada will use artificial intelligence to make its weather forecasts more accurate, the federal department said Thursday.

Arguments complete in hearing for First Nations groups opposing Alberta separation referendum

Three First Nations groups appearing in court in Edmonton this week have completed their arguments in their legal fight against a proposed referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.

Artemis II in photos: around the moon and inside Orion

The dozens of photos taken by the astronauts include never before seen views of the moon, a total solar eclipse and a stunning shot of Earth.

Emperor penguins now endangered as climate change shrinks sea ice

Emperor penguins, the largest penguin species, are now listed as endangered following a new international assessment of how climate change is affecting their habitat and population.

AI data centre, power plant proposal in Olds, Alta., back on the table

Less than a month after its initial application was nixed, Synapse Real Estate Corp. has reapplied to build a power plant and data centre complex in the town of Olds, Alta.

Immigration Department informing some 30,000 applicants they may be ineligible for refugee hearings

Canada's Immigration Department is sending tens of thousands of refugee claimants letters that they may not be eligible for asylum — and is telling some of them that they should leave immediately.

What to expect ahead of Artemis II’s splashdown

Canadian Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II crew to splash down after historic moon trip

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen and his three American crewmates are on the homestretch of Artemis II's historic trip to the moon.

PM Mark Carney visits Canadiens’ dressing room

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Montreal Canadiens dressing room after the team's 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in a thrilling game Thursday night.

No provincial environmental impact assessment required for Kevin O'Leary's proposed Wonder Valley data centre

Kevin O’Leary's proposed Wonder Valley project in northwestern Alberta will not need to undergo an environmental impact assessment from the province due to existing water and power systems. However, the province says other assessments are required before permits can be issued.

Edmonton ER stabbing prompts calls for weapons screening, officers in Alberta hospitals

The president of the United Nurses of Alberta is calling for quicker installation of weapons scanners at urban hospitals, saying her members face "threats of violence almost daily."

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo council, non-profits frustrated at province's homeless funding changes

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo's mayor and council approved $1.64 million for homeless programs after the provincial government changed how it funds those programs. The province says funding remains stable, but local non-profits report shortfalls and service gaps since the change took effect last year.

Some restaurant owners concerned about impact of Alberta's new Immigration Oversight Act

Some Alberta restaurant owners are worried the province's recently-tabled Immigration Oversight Act will prevent them from hiring enough Temporary Foreign Workers.

Albertans who declared banned guns under Ottawa’s buyback still can’t get compensation

More than 7,000 banned guns have been declared in Alberta under the federal government’s gun buyback program, but owners in the province are not able to collect compensation because of an ongoing dispute between Alberta and Ottawa over how the program is meant to operate.

Artemis II re-entry: Hansen, crew ‘focusing on getting it all done right,’ Hadfield says

Jeremy Hansen and the rest of the Artemis II crew aboard the Orion spacecraft are 'focusing on getting it all done right' ahead of re-entry Friday night, Chris Hadfield says.

Edmonton MP Heather McPherson named as NDP House leader

The new NDP leader has announced critic roles for his six-person caucus, saying he's looked Quebec MP Alexandre Boulerice 'in the eye' and asked him to stay with the party.

Canada is coming off 3 consecutive severe fire years. There are concerning signs for 2026

The 2026 wildfire season may get off to a relatively quiet start in Canada but lingering drought and a warm summer could tip the scales towards another severe year, experts say.

Calgary police lay 67 charges after seizing firearms, drugs and stolen property

Two Calgary men are charged with 67 offences after police seized drugs, firearms and stolen property during an investigation into a series of break-ins targeting local businesses.

Injured Jasper Place High School student taken to hospital, suspect arrested

Police descended Friday afternoon upon Jasper Place High School, which was placed on lockdown officers searched for a suspect and an injured student was taken to hospital.

Edmonton school time capsule from 2000 contains NHL prediction that came true

Time capsules from decades past always seem to reveal predictions that can be far-fetched, but one time capsule at an Edmonton school unveiled a wish that actually came true.

Habs in playoffs, Oilers and Sens inch closer

The Montreal Canadiens have already punched a ticket. The Edmonton Oilers are nearly there, too. 

Calgary Stampede canvas auction smashes old record for total amount bid

Considered by many to be an indicator of the health of the Alberta economy, this year's Calgary Stampede canvas auction garnered a record amount of bids.

Gallery of Timeless Toys vintage museum opens in Drayton Valley

Vintage Barbies, Cabbage Patch Kids, GI Joes, classic Disney movies and video games — just a few nostalgic pieces of childhood that can be found at the Gallery of Timeless Toys.

Documentary highlights Alberta father’s fight for ethnically diverse stem cell donors

An Edmonton father is sharing his tragic son's search for a stem cell match in a new documentary, highlighting the need for more donors across diverse backgrounds.

Alberta teen set to represent Western Canada at International Space School

Sixteen-year-old Thomas Toombes has been chosen as the 2026 Western Canada delegate to attend the International Space School in Houston this summer.

City of Calgary says wild weather swings have pothole crews playing catch-up

It is pothole season, and while City of Calgary crews are already working to repair the divots in the road, the recent wild swings in the weather mean they're playing catch-up.

Stawnichy’s offers 100 sausage rings in exchange for Mundare thieves’ capture

Stawnichy's Mundare Sausage says in their nearly 70 years of business, they've never had a break-in until this week, when thieves caused about $4,000 in damage.

Judge orders temporary pause on Alberta separation referendum petition process

The move effectively steps Elections Alberta from verifying signatures collected by Stay Free Alberta until an overall decision on an the associated First Nations' court challenge.

Elizabeth Fry Society’s shelter closes after lease extension denied

The site along Fort Road near the Belvedere LRT Station was meant to be a temporary home but since the Elizabeth Fry Society hasn't found a new one, it has been evicted.