- The Garneau community is resisting a proposal for a four-storey apartment building on 89 Avenue, arguing it does not fit in with the area's historic character. During a public hearing on March 17, residents raised concerns about the proposed building's height and density, noting the proximity to historic homes and questioning the developer's motives. City staff recommended councillors approve the proposal, citing the need for increased density near transit and the University of Alberta, but council asked administration to explore a zoning plan with a 12-metre height limit as a compromise. Council is expected to further debate the zoning proposal next month.
- Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange endorsed measles vaccinations on March 17 after multiple measles cases were confirmed in Edmonton. Alberta Health Services issued a public alert, advising those born after 1970 with fewer than two documented vaccine doses to monitor for symptoms. The province offers free measles vaccines, which are typically given to children at 12 months and 18 months. Vaccination rates have declined since 2019, though rates rise closer to adulthood. Cases have also been confirmed in northern Alberta and north of Calgary.
- CanadaOne Auto has donated $85,000 to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton after it paused intakes for counselling services due to the end of a provincial grant. The centre said the $1.8 million grant, which was not renewed in the 2025 budget, helped reduce its waiting list, but operational funding from the province does not allow it to maintain staffing levels. Children and Family Services Minister Searle Turton said the grant was a one-time initiative, adding the centre's nearly $2.1 million in operational funding has not been cut.
- Malcolm Bruce will retire as CEO of Edmonton Global later this year after years of driving regional economic growth and global competitiveness, the organization said. He has led Edmonton Global since its founding, strengthening municipal collaboration and enhancing the region's investment readiness. Before joining Edmonton Global, he served as CEO of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board and had a 30-year military career. Edmonton Global's board has begun searching for his successor.
- Pizza 73 temporarily rebranded its Edmonton locations to Pizza 74 in partnership with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner. As part of the collaboration, Pizza 74 logos will be displayed on arena boards during Oilers home games. The partnership also includes a limited-time "Skinner Dinner" special, offering a large two-topping pizza and three drinks for $18.99.
- The Kingsway/Royal Alex LRT station was temporarily closed to the public after a shooting March 17 that left one person with non-life-threatening injuries. Edmonton police arrested three people.
- DynaLife Medical Labs took over Alberta's community medical lab testing in December 2022 but soon faced financial trouble, a CBC News investigation found. Two weeks before the contract began, the company asked the province for extra funding, and within months, it declared insolvency. By mid-2023, DynaLife sold its operations back to the government for nearly $100 million. Documents obtained through freedom of information requests show the province knew about financial concerns but did not make them public. Critics say the failed privatization underscores the risks of outsourcing essential health services.
Headlines: March 18, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim