- Ahead of the Oct. 20 municipal election, Edmonton mayoral candidates Michael Walters and Andrew Knack are focusing on youth and traffic safety. Walters proposes expanding youth recreation and after-school programs by waiving school gym rental fees for nonprofits to host daily free or low-cost activities. Knack pledges to establish a traffic safety team outside a west Edmonton school to address speeding and excessively noisy vehicles. A recent Leger poll indicated nearly 60% of Edmontonians are dissatisfied with the city's current direction.
- The federal government announced $4.5 million in funding through the Affordable Housing Fund to help Veterans' House Canada build 40 supportive residences for homeless veterans in Edmonton's Athlone neighbourhood. This project, supported by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and Veterans' House Canada's equity, will offer bachelor units with amenities like a fitness room and meditation park. On-site services will provide mental health and addiction support to veterans.
- Alberta bookstores, including Audreys Books and Magpie Books in Edmonton, say they are seeing significant sales spike in the wake of the Alberta government's move to ban books containing what it sees as explicit content. Kelly Dyer with Audreys Books says sales of graphic novels identified by the government have spiked, along with Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, which was listed for removal from Edmonton Public Schools libraries.
- The novel The Lesser Blessed, by Tłı̨chǫ author Richard Van Camp, was among more than 200 titles on an Edmonton Public Schools list for removal after the Alberta government ordered school libraries to ban sexually explicit content. Van Camp expressed honour at his book's inclusion, stating that such bans often encourage people to read the works. His novel, set in a fictional town in the Northwest Territories, explores true lived experiences and graphic content, which Van Camp defends as vital. The province paused the ban on Sept. 2, but announced a new order will be introduced.
- Edmontonians are seeing more bats as bat season unfolds, with populations preparing to migrate for winter and pups leaving their families. Dale Gienow, executive director of WILDNorth, reported 50 calls in two weeks about bats in homes and unusual locations. Experts caution against touching bats due to rabies risk, advising heavy gloves or contacting WILDNorth for assistance.
- The Edmonton Police Service made an arrest in connection with the July 12 arson that severely damaged the playground at St. Pius X Catholic Elementary School in north Edmonton. Police charged Rayden Bigstone, 20, with arson and issued a province-wide warrant for Darius Bigstone, 20, who is also wanted for arson. The fire destroyed slides, a bridge, canopies, and the rubber surface of the playground, which had been replaced in 2024 after a $250,000 fundraising effort. The Sherbrooke Community League and St. Pius X Parent Association have launched a new fundraiser, raising more than $11,000 toward a $50,000 goal for repairs.
- A vehicle transporting an excavator crashed into a Whitemud Drive overpass on Sept. 4. The incident caused significant delays and slowed northbound traffic on Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton.
- OEG announced Welcome Back Hockey Weekend will return to Edmonton's ICE District from Sept. 20-21. The event features free admission to activities like an open Edmonton Oilers practice at Rogers Place, a locker room sale, and opportunities to meet Oilers and Oil Kings alumni. On Sept. 20, the Edmonton Oil Kings will play their home opener against the Red Deer Rebels. The Oilers will start their 2025-26 preseason schedule on Sept. 21, with a split-squad game against the Calgary Flames.
- Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl is eager to see teammate Connor McDavid sign an extension with the team. Draisaitl, who signed an eight-year extension in September 2024, anticipates McDavid will seek a shorter three-to-four-year deal upon completing his current $100-million contract.
Headlines: Sept, 5, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim