🚨 Crime & Public Safety
- Calgary officer charged with two counts of second‑degree murder will go to trial. A judge committed Const. Craig Stothard, 52, to trial after a preliminary inquiry on Tuesday; he faces charges in the May 29, 2023 shooting that killed Wesley Davidson and Levon Boyce Fox and is currently on leave from the service.
- Two teenagers charged after early‑morning police chase on electric dirt bikes. Police say officers and HAWCS pursued three teens from Coach Hill around 1:30 a.m.; two were arrested and charged with dangerous operation and flight from police while a third remains sought, and police remind that e‑dirt bikes are illegal on roads, sidewalks, pathways and parks.
🏛️ Government & Politics
- Alberta minister launches town halls on proposed AI data centres, starting in Lacombe. Technology minister Nate Glubish is holding the first session tonight in Lacombe; Sturgeon County is the planned site of Meta’s $13‑billion data centre complex and the government says a virtual town hall with Premier Danielle Smith is set for Aug. 27.
- Elections Alberta seeks help from other jurisdictions for fall referendum logistics. Elections Alberta is soliciting assistance from other provinces and territories to run the province’s fall referendum, citing the scale of administration required for the vote.
🎨 Community & Culture
- Calgary birdwatchers cheer as warblers stream through for fall migration. Local observers reported multiple warbler species returning during early migration counts in Calgary this week, noting urban hazards like window collisions and limited tree cover in some neighbourhoods.
- Banff temporary housing program suspended after 155 people used it last year. Parks Canada says the temporary housing program that sheltered 155 people in Banff in the past year has been suspended while authorities review the initiative.
📰 Also Today
- Lord Strathcona’s Horse historic mounted troop visits Whoop‑Up Days in Lethbridge, first visit in years.
- Timeline of Keystone XL developments, tracking project milestones and U.S. connection status.
- Big auntie earring competitions highlight Treaty Days, winner Delanie Bruyere at Sagkeeng First Nation.
- Explainer: Keystone XL’s Canadian section mostly complete, U.S. connection still outstanding.
- Dutch police get 500+ tips about ‘Lucky’, a mystery man with possible Canadian ties.
- Explainer on paused U.S. tariffs and how talks reached a temporary pause.
- Alberta government announces town hall tour on data‑centre development, multiple dates listed.
- Edmonton Marathon apologizes after detour error lengthened 2026 race distances.
- Edmonton Elks aim to clinch season series over Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday, standings noted (Edmonton 7‑3, Winnipeg 5‑4).
- Canada and U.S. negotiators meet after Trump pauses threatened 50% tariffs, talks ongoing.
- Police charge two youth after an electric dirt bike chase, separate report of the same Coach Hill chase.
- Woman fined after grizzly encounter involving off‑leash dog in Banff National Park.
- June rainfall and floods caused $2.1M in damage in Canmore, municipal estimate.