- 4B Harm Reduction founder Angie Staines told Postmedia there is desperation on Edmonton's streets as the province reports some of its highest-ever opioid fatality rates. Alberta's substance use surveillance data shows 179 opioid poisoning deaths in April, and 613 from January to April, including 197 in Edmonton. Staines said the increase is "blatantly obvious" to front-line workers and that deaths will continue as long as the province pursues a recovery-oriented system of care. NDP health critic David Shepherd criticized the province's slow data-reporting and said the record number of deaths in April shows "a failure of policy."
- The city and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights collaborated on the YEG Dignity Mural, a permanent art installation in the underground pedway between Churchill LRT station and Edmonton City Centre. The art piece, unveiled June 27 to honour National Indigenous History Month and Canadian Multiculturalism Day, was created by 15 young and emerging Edmonton-based artists led by Carla Rae Taylor and contains 32 circular panels. It is the latest public art installation in the Paint the Rails initiative. A short video profiling the artists and their work was also released.
- The Edmonton Downtown Farmers Market will be moving next spring from its current location on 97 Street because it can't afford its lease. Executive director Corinne Olson said the board was forced to make the call due to the pandemic's effect on the downtown core and a falling visitor count attributed to several moves in recent years. The current lease expires in April, and the board will choose a new location in coming months. Olson said the market will share updates online.
- The Muttart Conservatory premiered the Muttart Brick by Brick exhibit on June 26. The Northern Alberta LEGO Users Group (NALUG) created LEGO models throughout the pyramid, including a 7.5-metre model of the High Level Bridge, a model of the Muttart Conservatory, and replicas of Edmonton buildings. Around 25 NALUG members contributed to the exhibit, including St. Albert resident Angelique Roth, who built a Disney-themed display. The exhibit is open daily until Aug. 25, with late hours for families on Thursday evenings and adult-only hours on Wednesday evenings. You can make reservations online, but walk-in guests are also accepted.
- A panel has upheld a 2022 decision by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) to deny a proposal from Capital City Casinos to move its Camrose Resort and Casino to Edmonton, citing a lack of community support and negative effects on local casinos. In a press release issued after the original denial, Capital City Casinos said the Camrose casino would close if it could not relocate and 650 rural charities would lose "desperately needed revenues". The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues opposed the relocation because it worried the move would decrease charitable revenue for Edmonton's community leagues, since the casino would have retained its rural status despite being located in the city.
- Oilers captain Connor McDavid is being praised after he "dominated" the NHL awards this season, taking home his third Hart Trophy for being the NHL's most valuable player, his fourth Ted Lindsay Award for being the league's most outstanding player as voted by his peers, his fifth Art Ross Trophy, and his first Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy. At the awards ceremony on June 26, McDavid also spoke about the NHL's decision to stop having teams wearing themed warm-up jerseys, including Pride jerseys. "We strongly feel hockey is for everybody, and that includes the Pride nights," he said.
- The 2023/24 regular season schedule for the Edmonton Oilers is now available. The season opener against the Vancouver Canucks is set for Oct. 11 in Vancouver, followed by a match against the Canucks in Edmonton on Oct. 14.
- The Edmonton Elks have signed quarterback Khalil Tate, the team announced June 27. Tate, who has also played with the Toronto Argonauts and the Philadelphia Eagles, previously signed with the Elks in March 2023 before being released in May. The team's next game is June 30 in Ottawa against the Redblacks.
Correction: This file has been updated to more accurately reflect the reason the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues opposed a proposal to move the Camrose Resort and Casino to Edmonton.