- The Edmonton Police Commission selected Warren Driechel as the new chief of the Edmonton Police Service on Sept. 19. Driechel, who joined EPS in 1997 and was serving as an interim chief since February, was selected after a nationwide search and public engagement process to lead the force. Driechel will lead approximately 2,000 sworn officers and 1,000 professional staff, tasked with addressing social disorder and building trust with marginalized communities.
- The carfentanil crisis has escalated in Edmonton, prompting experts like Rob Tanguay of Recovery Alberta and Elaine Hyshka of the University of Alberta to press for new approaches. Coroner reports show that of the 338 opioid-related deaths reviewed in 2025 so far, carfentanil was present in 68% of cases and fentanyl in 93%. The Alberta government is concerned about the surge in Edmonton deaths, acknowledging a potential carfentanil lab near the city.
- Edmonton mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell says his Better Edmonton party will be put on hold after the Oct. 20 election, with its branding and infrastructure shelved while he waits to see how the province handles municipal parties. Cartmell said the group has been useful for fundraising and voter clarity but will not influence council business, noting that party discipline remains prohibited under the Municipal Government Act.
- The Alberta government and the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) resumed bargaining on Sept. 19 to prevent a potential Alberta-wide strike by Oct. 6. More than 51,000 teachers could walk out, affecting 700,000 students. Finance Minister Nate Horner confirmed the government's offer includes a 12% pay hike over four years and 3,000 new teachers to address classroom concerns, but teachers rejected it in May. A labour board complaint of bad-faith bargaining was resolved, with outstanding issues now focused on pay and vaccine policy. Both sides have launched advertising campaigns.
- Enoch Cree Nation, located west of Edmonton, is set to open its Maskêkosihk Recovery Community in 2026. The addiction recovery centre is a partnership between the Alberta government and the First Nation, and is one of 11 recovery facilities under the provincial program.
- The Edmonton Downtown Business Association named James Robinson as its new leader on Sept. 19. Robinson, who is replacing outgoing executive director Puneeta McBryan, previously worked as a Business Improvement Area infrastructure specialist for the City of Edmonton.
- Alanna Bird, mother of 14-year-old Samuel Bird, is speaking out amid new developments in the suspicious disappearance of her son, who went missing on June 1. The Edmonton Police Service executed a search warrant on Sept. 18 at a Canora neighbourhood residence, which Alanna Bird said is connected to Samuel's former partner. While Edmonton police have not confirmed details of the warrant or any arrests, community volunteers, led by Dakota Bear, continue extensive search efforts.
- Edmonton's first mountain bike park is taking shape in the river valley southeast of the Walterdale Bridge, thanks to a dedicated community effort. The new facility will provide a designated area for mountain biking enthusiasts in the city.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith defended the potential use of the notwithstanding clause to expedite resolving laws affecting transgender youth, citing lengthy court processes and a need to "protect kids." An internal memo indicates the government plans to invoke it for laws on school pronouns, female sports, and gender-affirming care, which currently faces legal challenges from groups like Egale Canada and Skipping Stone.
- Edmonton's Marco Arop secured a bronze medal in the men's 800-metre final at the World Athletics Championships in Japan National Stadium on Sept. 20. The 27-year-old achieved a season-best time of 1:41.95. This adds to Arop's three world championship medals, which include one gold and two bronze, along with his 2024 Olympic silver.
Headlines: Sept. 22, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim