- Dozens of students rallied at the Alberta legislature on Sept. 22 to support the province's 51,000 teachers who are continuing contract negotiations with the province. The students called for higher wages and reduced classroom sizes. The Alberta Teachers' Association said teachers will strike on Oct. 6 if contract negotiations with the Alberta government fail to yield a new deal.
- Former Edmonton nightclub promoter Matthew McKnight, convicted in January 2020 of sexually assaulting five women and sentenced to 11 years in prison, was granted full parole by the Parole Board of Canada earlier this month. He was first released on day parole in March 2025. Board documents indicate McKnight showed commitment to personal change and demonstrated a willingness to "live a pro-social life." Conditions of his parole include prohibitions on consuming alcohol or drugs, entering drinking establishments, and contacting victims. McKnight is also barred from entering the greater Edmonton area.
- Nominations for Edmonton's municipal election closed on Sept. 22, with several candidates scrambling to file their papers before the deadline. Meanwhile, a new Cardinal Research poll showed former councillor Michael Walters narrowly ahead in the mayoral race at 15%, with Andrew Knack and Tim Cartmell close behind at 13% each. Nearly half of respondents remain undecided with less than a month before the Oct. 20 vote. Postmedia has published a list of registered candidates for mayor, city council, and school board trustees.
- CBC News published an explainer ahead of Edmonton's Oct. 20 municipal election, which introduces significant changes. Among them are the reintroduction of corporate and union donations with new finance rules, and the ability for political parties to run candidates. So far, two parties, Principled Accountable Coalition for Edmonton, and Better Edmonton, have registered. All ballots will be hand-counted, meaning results may extend into Oct. 21, according to Edmonton Elections. Advance voting takes place from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11.
- An Edmonton judge acquitted Alinur Mohamed Mussa in an August 2021 shooting at the Duggan Community League hall that killed Hamza Mohamed and injured three bystanders during a packed party. Justice John Macklin ruled the Crown failed to prove Mussa was "Shooter 1," despite DNA placing him at the scene. Two other people have already received life sentences for the second-degree murder of Mohamed. Mussa faces another trial in connection with an unrelated shooting in May 2026.
- Premier Danielle Smith has tasked Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams with limiting property tax increases, and eliminating conflicts between provincial and municipal policies. A mandate letter also instructs Williams to develop a universal code of conduct for municipal officials and staff. Williams said the government will ensure municipalities focus on core services, indicating provincial intervention if they "veer outside its lane."
- The CFL announced that it will implement major changes to game rules in phases, beginning in 2026, to enhance entertainment and game flow. Beginning in 2026, the league will modify the rouge to remove one point for wide field goals or untouched punts/kickoffs out of the end zone, implement opposite-field team benches, and introduce a 35-second automatic play clock. In 2027, major structural changes include moving goalposts to the back of end zones and shortening the field to 100 yards with 15-yard end zones. Edmonton Elks president and CEO Chris Morris said "changes like this are inevitable if you want your game to grow."
Headlines: Sept. 23, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim