- May 2023 was the hottest May on record for several parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Prairies Climate Change Project, an initiative of CBC Edmonton and CBC Saskatchewan, explained. Edmonton was among nine Alberta communities that broke records, with average temperatures nearly six degrees hotter than normal. Natalie Hasell, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the warm weather was caused by blocking ridges in the upper atmosphere, which can cause dry, warm conditions. Recent cooler temperatures and precipitation have brought relief, but Hasell cautioned that hot conditions are likely to continue through the summer, and most of Alberta "looks like it will be drier than normal."
- Three officers with the Edmonton Police Service were sanctioned with community service in a police disciplinary hearing decision after kicking a suspect during an arrest in July 2017 that resulted in facial fractures. Const. Scott Henning, Det. William Thomas, and Sgt. Vincent Boe each pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority. The officers' community service has already been completed, with Henning volunteering at the Edmonton Humane Society and Boe splitting his service between Habitat for Humanity and a hospital association. The community service location for Thomas was not disclosed.
- The Faculty Association at Concordia University of Edmonton has passed a vote of non-confidence in the school's president, Tim Loreman, for the second year in a row. The union also voted no-confidence in board chair John Acheson. Faculty association president Glynis Price said the relationship between the union, board of governors, and administration has deteriorated in the last year. The union is concerned about inconsistent and excessive disciplinary measures, with about 15% of faculty currently facing some type of disciplinary action, Price added. Acheson said the board of governors has full confidence in Loreman's leadership, and that the union's concerns "are to be addressed by the administration, and not by the board."
- The popular four-day passes for the Edmonton Folk Music Festival are completely sold out, with 90% of the passes sold by early afternoon on June 3, which was the day they were released. The festival, which is scheduled for Aug. 10-13 at Gallagher Park, will feature Feist, Ben Harper, and Fleet Foxes. As of June 4, single-day tickets were still available for the Thursday, Friday, and Sunday shows.
- Explore Edmonton launched Festival City Mini Parades on June 4 in Kenilworth, the first of five parades around the city that will each feature about a dozen acts. The events are part of an effort to reimagine K-Days after organizers received feedback that the public missed the parade that previously opened the 10-day festival, which is set to begin this year on July 21. The next mini parade is scheduled for June 17 at Sakaw Gardens in Millhurst.
- Edmonton Fire Rescue Services is aiming to recruit more Indigenous people to its ranks through its inaugural Camp Inspire for Indigenous Peoples, which took place from June 2-4. "Even though you don't see yourself regularly in our fire service, doesn't mean you don't have a place," said Fire Chief Joe Zatylny. The city's website notes the camp is designed to promote firefighting as a viable career for Indigenous peoples of all backgrounds.
- Kyle Marshall, a branch manager with Edmonton Public Libraries, came in second place during his Jeopardy! debut on May 31. He performed well, heading into Final Jeopardy only $400 behind the leading competitor, even though he had only one stressful month to prepare after being accepted for the show. "All told, I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I'm proud to have had this incredible experience," he said.
- The Alberta government ended the provincial state of emergency on June 3, but said all wildfire resources and support will remain in place. While the fire situation remains serious in northern Alberta, the province said in a release the measures allowed by the Emergency Management Act are no longer required.
- With challenging wildfire seasons becoming more common in Alberta, the province will need to recruit and train more firefighters to effectively battle the blazes, according to Andrew Buchanan, a firefighter and training officer with the Emergency Services Academy, which provides professional firefighting training. Buchanan said the province needs "trained first responders ready to go," and while the international support has been "incredible," it is not sustainable long-term. So far this year, more than 2,000 firefighters have arrived in Alberta from across Canada and internationally to help with wildfire efforts. That includes 200 South African firefighters who performed a traditional song and dance after landing at Edmonton International Airport on June 4.
- Some Edmonton conservatives say Premier Danielle Smith needs to be more collaborative and less ideological with the city if she wants to make in-roads in the next provincial election. "Even in winning, even in success, it's still the leader's job to show the humility to build that bridge from the party out to the communities," said Edmonton entrepreneur Chris LaBossiere, who has run as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the past. The NDP swept Edmonton, winning all 20 seats in the recent election, including one held by former deputy premier Kaycee Madu. With no representation from the capital city, Smith could also face challenges as she selects a cabinet from her 49 MLA-elects who largely come from rural areas and smaller cities.
Headlines: June 5, 2023
By Mariam Ibrahim