- Edmonton city manager Andre Corbould is leaving his role effective April 3, the City of Edmonton announced. Since taking the position in 2021, Corbould has led the city through several challenges, including the pandemic, budgetary pressures, a near strike by CSU 52 members, and a shooting attack at city hall. His departure is the latest in a series of senior managers to leave their roles with the city over the past year, and marks the fifth search for a new city manager in less than nine years. Eddie Robar will serve as acting city manager until an interim city manager is appointed at the April 3 city council meeting.
- The federal and provincial governments designated a 718-kilometre section of the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta a Canadian heritage river. Smoky Lake County nominated the river in 2022 in recognition of its significant cultural, recreational, and ecological value. The designation also highlights the river's historical role as a gathering place, travel route, and home for various Indigenous peoples, along with its importance in the fur trade. A 49-kilometre stretch of the river flowing through Banff National Park already held the designation.
- The Squeal on Pigs program launched by the Alberta Invasive Species Council has significantly increased public reporting of wild boar sightings in the province. The program helps teach the public to recognize signs of feral pigs, including tracks and signs of damage. Since 2021, trappers have killed 314 pigs in an attempt to control the feral population, which has spread diseases, and damaged crops and natural habitats. Wild boars were introduced into Alberta in the 1970s and 80s, but it's not known how large the population is today.
- The University of Alberta Board of Governors has approved tuition increases for the fifth consecutive year, impacting domestic and international students for the 2024-25 academic year. Students protested the decision, which includes a 2% increase for domestic students, 5% increase for new international students, 6.5% increase for Faculty of Science international students, and a $1,000 hike in the international price adjustment for thesis-based graduate students. The approval came amidst concerns over financial challenges faced by post-secondary students in Edmonton.
- Several Edmonton-area organizations made the shortlist for the 33rd annual Emerald Awards, which recognize excellence in environmentalism and sustainability. Among the nominees were Explore Edmonton, Future Energy Systems, and the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society. The awards will be handed out June 6 during a ceremony at the Calgary Central Library.
- Edmontonians may encounter more skunks than usual over the coming weeks as the males emerge from the river valley in search of a mating partner. Skunks are helpful for controlling pests, but should be given space to avoid any stinky encounters, said Dale Gienow of WILDNorth, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization. He also advised residents to deter skunks from nesting under porches or decks by securing food sources such as trash and fallen fruit.
- Eight finalists have been announced for the 2023 Mindset Awards for their work on mental health reporting. Nominees for the Mindset Award for Reporting on Workplace Mental Health include Jana Pruden and Kasia Mychajlowycz for their episode titled "Helen in Hell" in the Globe & Mail podcast series In Her Defence, along with Odette Auger for her Windspeaker article "Ask water to help you cope with anger." Shari Narine is nominated for the Mindset Award for Reporting on the Mental Health of Young People for her Windspeaker article about Joshua Jordan Heath, who turned to poetry to heal from trauma.
- Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman became the seventh player in the franchise's history to score 50 goals in a season after making a power-play goal against the Ottawa Senators on March 24. Despite the accomplishment, the team went on to lose the game 5-3 after initially leading 3-1.
- Premier Danielle Smith criticized Contentment Social Services for placing vulnerable Albertans in hotel rooms after hospital discharge while failing to pay a $25,000 bill, which the government then settled. The government said the non-profit is being removed from the list of housing providers for hospital discharges, following concerns about its ability to provide appropriate care. The situation has sparked calls for improved oversight to prevent similar incidents.
Headlines: March 25, 2024
By Mariam Ibrahim