- Edmonton municipal election candidates are calling for special voting measures for the Oct. 20 election, which coincides with Diwali celebrations, to ensure South Asian communities are not disenfranchised. They suggest mobile polling stations to allow families to vote while celebrating. Edmonton Elections said the provincial Local Authorities Election Act sets the election date but highlighted multiple voting opportunities, including special ballots available since Aug. 1 and advance voting from Oct. 7 to 11, to ensure an accessible election for all Edmontonians.
- Bike Edmonton and the broader cycling community in Edmonton is mourning the loss of well-known ICU doctor Darren Markland, a cycling advocate who died at the age of 54 on Sept. 21. Markland succumbed to injuries after a crash while mountain biking in Nordegg, Alberta, an incident the RCMP is investigating. A passionate mountain biker, Markland was a vocal advocate for health care during the COVID-19 pandemic and promoted cycling as active transportation in Edmonton.
- Edmontonians can now cast their votes for the 2025 Urban Design Awards People's Choice Award. This year's competition drew 51 submissions across categories including civic design, climate resilience, housing innovation, urban architecture, and student projects. Round one voting runs until midnight on Oct. 2, with finalists advancing to a second round from Oct. 3-10. All submissions are also on display at City Hall from Sept. 29 to Oct. 10. Winners will be announced at City Hall on Nov. 20.
- The Edmonton Police Service has issued Canada-wide warrants for 41-year-old Abraham Alfonso Chavez, suspected in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a 13-year-old cyclist in southeast Edmonton. Chavez faces charges including manslaughter, dangerous driving causing death, and hit and run causing death. The incident happened on May 29, 2024, on 34 Avenue between 48 Street and Mill Woods Road. Authorities are seeking the public's help to locate Chavez and identify witnesses.
- In an opinion piece published in Postmedia, Business Council of Alberta (BCA) President Adam Legge wrote that business leaders in the province are highly concerned about crime and safety in their communities. A BCA survey found that 94% of its members worry about issues ranging from social disorder in downtowns to vandalism in rural areas. This erosion of safety threatens to displace companies and push businesses online, impacting vitality and property tax bases, Legge wrote, calling on Alberta's civic leaders to make crime and safety a top priority as municipal elections approach.
- Edmonton resident Darryl Learie has started a petition against the province's changes to the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program. Learie initiated the petition to voice the disabled community's strong disapproval of the proposed revisions. The UCP government is changing the program to shift some recipients to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program.
- The Edmonton Elks announced the death of owner Larry Thompson on Sept. 25, due to complications after surgery. Thompson, who realized a lifelong dream by purchasing the team in August 2024, invested heavily in the club and expanded its community outreach. He acquired the Elks after selling his Spruce Grove-based Thompson Construction Group in 2023. His wife, Deb Thompson, will continue his vision to rebuild the franchise as a pillar in the Edmonton sports scene and community.
- Alberta Court of Justice Chief Justice James Hunter has launched a review after an analysis revealed Gordon Kenneth Hatch and Daniel Robert Pahl, whose names are identical to two sitting Alberta judges, made donations to the United Conservative Party. The Investigative Journalism Foundation reported that Hatch donated $262.50 in 2022, and Pahl gave $3,535 between 2018 and 2023. The Court confirmed an investigation to the IJF, citing the Judicature Act for potential disciplinary measures like reprimands or referrals to the Judicial Council.
Headlines: Sept. 26, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim