- The Urban Development Institute (UDI) has announced its members are "rallying around downtown vibrancy" with the approval of its new strategic plan. "With many Edmontonians returning-to-work, one immediate call-to-action is for our members to come downtown – to show their support for downtown businesses, shops, and restaurants," said board chair Susan Keating. The focus on downtown is one of six strategic priorities identified in the plan, all aimed at increasing investment and jobs in the Edmonton metro region.
- Between January and October last year, 1,372 Albertans died of drug poisoning, making it the deadliest year on record. Postmedia reporter Anna Junker has started a three-part series on the toxic drugs crisis in Edmonton.
- While Mayor Amarjeet Sohi is still waiting for the province to respond to Edmonton's request for funding to make a bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vancouver Mayor Kenney Stewart announced his city will spend up to $5 million to support its bid. "We will continue to explore and continue to try to convince the province that this is good for the city, this is good for Alberta," Sohi told CTV News. "This provides us an opportunity to a global platform to showcase what Edmonton has to offer."
- The Edmonton Police Service's early intervention unit referred more than 1,300 critical incidents to member support last year. The unit flags issues that could impact an officer's wellness, including fatal collisions, severe assaults, homicides, offences involving children, and office-involved shootings.
- Three people have been killed by Edmonton police officers so far this year. Police Chief Dale McFee told the Edmonton Police Commission that there's no pattern to the deaths. "It's not fair to look at pattern unless there's two that are linked to each other," he said. "But it is always fair to review operational review of each incident, review training standards." EPS shot and killed six people from 2016 to 2020, according to CTV News.
- Lynx Air, a new Calgary-based budget airline, announced that starting July 28 it will operate seven flights per week between Edmonton and Toronto.
