- The federal government has announced $47.8 million in funding through the 2 Billion Trees program to help plant 1.5 million trees in Edmonton. The city is matching the funding through its $66-million Greener As We Grow tree planting project. "This grant will allow us to expand our planting efforts over the next eight years, and bring us closer to our goals of being a healthy and climate-resilient city," said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. The city plans to add two million new trees by 2030 and to reach total canopy coverage of 20% by 2071.
- The thunderstorm that blew through the city on Sunday night caused several power outages throughout the region and damaged at least one home when lightning ignited a fire. "It's been a really busy, interesting, taxing summer for all of our crews," Brian Williams, a district chief with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, told Global News. "But last night was a bit of a phenom for sure." EFRS said crews responded to about 300 storm-related calls.
- Changes are coming to the afternoon lineup of 630 CHED following the departure of J'lyn Nye. Chelsea on CHED with Chelsea Bird moves to the 2-5pm slot, and Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer will air 5-7pm. The changes will begin on Sept. 5.
- WestJet is expanding its winter service from Edmonton, restarting flights to Abbotsford and Mazatlán, and launching service to Montego Bay as of Nov. 12. The airline is also extending its Edmonton-to-Minneapolis service to operate year-round.
- Edmontonian Khaled Hussein, who was arrested by British police at Heathrow Airport last week, has now been formally charged under the U.K.'s terrorism act. Hussein has been charged with membership in a proscribed organization, identified as Al-Muhajiroun or the Islamic Thinkers Society.
- The provincial government said $68 million in funding for innovative housing solutions is now available through the Affordable Housing Partnership Program. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 16. The first round of funding, which closed in January, resulted in $124.7 million in funding for 30 projects, including $14.9 million for Civida's Lendrum Redevelopment.
- Premier Danielle Smith's mandate letter to Dale Nally, the minister of Service Alberta and red tape reduction, asks for action on infrastructure for hydrogen-powered vehicles as well as electric vehicles. "It's not about one or the other," Nally told Postmedia. "It's about offering Albertans choice in their zero-emission vehicle."
