- Masks will still be mandatory in Edmonton going into 2022. The temporary mandatory face coverings bylaw remains in effect though new conditions have been added to trigger a review. Once active COVID-19 cases remain below 100 per 100,000 population for 28 consecutive days or the provincial health order regarding face coverings is rescinded, council will have 30 days to decide whether to leave the bylaw in effect, amend it, or repeal it.
- A local man is educating bar staff on how to better serve people with disabilities. Brad Bartko — who uses a wheelchair and founded the consulting business Disability Accessible by Design — has already worked with three watering holes in Edmonton.
- A quarter of all online COVID-19 misinformation comes from the United States and India, according to a new study out of the University of Alberta which analyzed 9,657 pieces of COVID-19 misinformation between January 2020 and March 2021.
- Hope Mission's Great Gift Giveaway begins today. Staff at the organization will spend the week packing and delivering gift hampers — which are tailored for age and interest — to kids around the city.
- The provincial government will be providing free rapid tests to Albertans before the holidays. Tests will be available at pharmacies and additional details are expected to be announced during the COVID-19 update on Dec. 14.
- The provincial government is rewriting the drafts of several proposed and controversial K-6 course curriculums, after a majority of school boards refused to pilot the proposed changes. The courses include social studies, fine arts, and science.
- Former Wildrose Party leader and perpetual premier hopeful Brian Jean won the UCP nomination for the Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche byelection. Beyond criticizing Jason Kenney, Jean has also previously stated that he is the candidate to beat NDP leader and Edmonton-Strathcona MLA Rachel Notley in 2023.
Headlines
By Doug Johnson