- Members of the Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) overwhelmingly rejected a tentative agreement with the province, with 89.5% of 43,362 votes cast opposing the deal. The union, representing 51,000 public, Catholic, and francophone teachers, said a strike could happen on Oct. 6 if no new agreement is reached by that date. Talks between the two sides have been contentious. The strike would disrupt classes for more than 700,000 students across Alberta.
- The Edmonton Police Service confirmed that a suspicious fire on Sept. 29 at a home in the Canora neighbourhood was the same duplex it searched earlier this month in connection with the missing person case of 15-year-old Samuel Bird. While the fire's connection to Bird's disappearance, which police have deemed suspicious, is unknown, investigators are treating the fire as suspicious and are seeking information about a white cargo-style minivan. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services reported no injuries.
- Kalen Anderson, one of Edmonton's City Plan creators, says the document needs a "revamp" as the city's population grew 16% in five years, reaching its 1.25 million target in 2025, seven years ahead of schedule. Anderson, who is now CEO of BILD Edmonton Metro, suggests the new mayor and council, set to be elected in the Oct. 20 municipal election, should re-evaluate the City Plan, focusing on its economic growth chapters for job creation and partnerships. She emphasizes the plan should be treated as a guide, not a "dogmatic document," and council should heed public feedback, like concerns over the zoning bylaw.
- The University of Alberta reinstated law professor Florence Ashley a week ago, one week after placing the professor on non-disciplinary leave. The university initially cited community safety concerns regarding Ashley's social media posts about the Sept. 10 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. A subsequent review determined no safety risk, leading to Ashley's reinstatement. Ashley, who was not asked to participate in the review, expressed concerns that the university's actions aimed to suppress free speech.
- Misericordia Hospital in Edmonton unveiled an Indigenous healing garden for patients and their families. The new garden features plants known for their Indigenous healing properties, as well as a fire pit and water feature.
- John de Ruiter, a self-styled spiritual leader, and his wife Leigh Ann de Ruiter are scheduled for an "exceptionally long" four-month jury trial on six counts of sexual assault. Defence lawyer Dino Bottos stated the length of the trial, set for Jan. 19 to May 29, is due to six complainants and extensive evidence. De Ruiter was initially charged in January 2023, with police alleging he told female followers of his Oasis Group/College of Integrated Philosophy that sexual activity with him would lead to "spiritual enlightenment." His wife was charged in March 2023 with the same six counts.
- Two senior Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement officials, Jitendra Prasad and Blayne Iskiw, were briefly directors of a numbered company with ties to MHCare Medical, an Edmonton-based supplier that has received more than $600 million in AHS business since the pandemic, the Globe and Mail reported. Corporate filings in October 2022 showed Prasad, Iskiw, and Khalil Mraiche as directors. The company listed MHCare's Edmonton office as a registered address. This revelation adds to multiple ongoing investigations by the RCMP, the province's auditor general, and a retired judge into AHS's procurement decisions. Iskiw subsequently joined MHCare as a consultant in November 2022.
Headlines: Sept. 30, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim