- Edmonton city council concluded its budget discussions on Dec. 4, setting the property tax increase at 6.9%. Councillors approved the widening of Whitemud Drive as a joint project with the province and Enoch Cree Nation. They also funded a new $5.8-million traffic safety enforcement team. Mayor Andrew Knack advocated for the traffic unit, comprising peace officers, to enhance street safety. The team is not expected to be operational until late 2026 due to hiring and training.
- More than one-third of Edmonton Public Schools students, approximately 39,600, were chronically absent from class during the 2024-2025 academic year, nearly tripling since 2019-2020. Data obtained by CBC News reveals chronic absenteeism, defined as missing 10% or more of the school year, has surged across both Edmonton public and Catholic schools since the COVID-19 pandemic. Edmonton Catholic Schools data shows about 30% of high school students have been chronically absent in each of the past four years. Both divisions are implementing varied strategies to improve attendance.
- Hyperlocal print publications in Edmonton, including community league papers like The Westmount Window and those managed by Calder Publications, along with student newspapers like The Gateway at the University of Alberta, are keeping local journalism alive. These often volunteer-run efforts focus on community connection and fill gaps in mainstream media. Despite the past closures of publications like The Yards and VUE Weekly, these hyperlocal outlets thrive by providing relevant, localized content, acting as historical records, and building a sense of community for residents and students, The Griff, the student newspaper at MacEwan University, reported.
- Dave Chappelle's Edmonton show at Rogers Place on Dec. 3 faced disruptions due to hecklers and yelling, frustrating both the comedian and audience members. Many attendees took to social media to lament the behaviour, with some questioning Chappelle's return to Edmonton. Additional complaints included poor sound quality and the temperature in the venue.
- ATB Financial announced Chris Turchansky as its next president and CEO, with his tenure beginning Jan. 1. Turchansky, who grew up in rural Alberta and has nearly 30 years of financial services experience across the province, will succeed Curtis Stange. The Alberta government has formally approved his appointment.
- The Alberta government introduced Bill 14, which would transfer control over citizen-led referendums from the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer to the justice minister and could derail a court case on the constitutionality of a proposed separation question. The bill would also remove limits on whether referendum proposals can violate the Constitution and would cancel unissued petitions, with a short window to reapply. It also introduces new political party naming rules, restricts mandatory training for lawyers, and bans DEI-related requirements.
Headlines: Dec. 5, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim