- The Downtown Recovery Coalition is calling for enhanced safety and security, increased cleanliness, and more investment for downtown. In the short term, the group would like to see more police officers near LRT station entrances and a more visible police presence throughout the downtown with officers "who are proactive in their patrols on foot and on bikes." A spokesperson for the Edmonton Police Service said the service agrees that "the current state of our downtown is unacceptable" but did not answer a question from Postmedia about how many beat officers are currently deployed downtown compared to earlier this year. Longer-term, the coalition is calling for more recovery spaces for people struggling with additions and homelessness. In a letter sent to the coalition on Sept. 28, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the city has made investments "totalling close to $300 million" in downtown and Chinatown in recent years. He called on the members of the coalition to help advocate to the provincial government to address the systemic issues that "are the root cause of much of the trauma and mental health challenges that our houseless population are facing."
- The forward/slash economic summit hosted by Edmonton Global brought about 1,000 attendees to the Edmonton Convention Centre on Sept. 28 to learn about the region's opportunities in hydrogen, life sciences, and more. "There is so much diversity here and it just shows the innovation and dedication to improving the tech sector in Edmonton," Mayor Amarjeet Sohi told CBC.
- Edmonton Police Service Const. Stephen Fossen was fired on April 7, 2022 for assaulting a female officer during a ski trip in January 2019, CBC reports. "I do not believe Constable Fossen is fit to hold office and remain a police officer with the Edmonton Police Service," retired RCMP Chief Supt. Fred Kamins wrote in a 22-page decision.
- Students of Spruce Avenue School worked with Elder Francis Whiskeyjack to cover the footbridge at 97 Street and 115 Avenue with artwork inspired by medicine wheel teachings. The students walked across the Bridge of Reconciliation in orange t-shirts on Sept. 28.
- The Edmonton Police Service is not required to change its logos to reflect King Charles III's new royal cypher, which is featured on passports, buildings, and various documents in some Commonwealth countries. "The current Edmonton Police Service badge is entirely valid, and there is no immediate need or legal requirement to alter it," the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General said.
- The Alberta Medical Association (AMA), which represents the 11,000 doctors in the province, has ratified a contract with the Alberta government that includes moderate pay increases for three years and promises to resolve a variety of outstanding conflicts. Under the agreement, the AMA will rescind an existing lawsuit against the province if it walks back policies granting itself the power to unilaterally end contracts with doctors. With about 45% turnout from AMA's membership, roughly 70% voted in favour of the contract.
- Karen Principe, councillor for ward tastawiyiniwak, and Gene Principe, who hosts the Edmonton Oilers broadcast on Sportsnet, are described as "the north side's power couple" in a feature published by EDify magazine. The photo of the couple on the cover of the October edition has caused a stir on social media.
Headlines: Sept. 30, 2022
By Kevin Holowack and Mack Male