- The City of Edmonton activated its extreme weather response on Dec. 8 to help vulnerable residents during cold weather as temperatures of -20°C or lower with wind chill are expected. The response makes city facilities like recreation centres and libraries available as warming spots. Al Rashid Mosque will offer an overnight shelter for up to 50 individuals, supplementing existing day and 24/7 shelters. Nightly winter shelter shuttles, including a 24/7 Hope Mission shuttle, will operate until March 31 to transport people between shelters, support services, and healthcare providers.
- Edmonton Transit Service riders can now use debit, credit, and digital wallets to pay fares on an Arc validator. The expansion permits tapping Mastercard, Visa, Interac Debit, American Express, Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and Samsung Wallet directly. The system is available in Edmonton, Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, and Strathcona County, and eliminates the need for an Arc or exact change. Arc cards and cash fares are still accepted. Paper tickets will no longer be accepted beginning in 2026.
- The Edmonton Police Service rollout of AI-powered facial recognition body cameras is drawing international attention as experts warn of ethical and privacy risks. The Axon-developed technology, which scans footage for roughly 7,000 people on a "high-risk" watch list, has raised alarms among global civil liberties advocates who say the system is being deployed without sufficient public debate or independent testing. Barry Friedman, former chair of Axon's own AI ethics board, noted that similar concerns over accuracy and bias prompted the company to halt facial-recognition efforts in 2019. Critics argue the Edmonton pilot underscores a broader tension over police use of AI tools and the potential for misuse. The pilot project continues through December.
- An Edmonton Police Service officer was reprimanded for inappropriate texts to a sexual assault complainant earlier this year. Det. Troy Forester sent messages to the woman, who said it reactivated trauma and made her fearful, City News reported. The police service's Professional Standards Branch responded by recommending counselling for Forester, an option available under Alberta's Police Regulations. Police Chief Warren Driechel acknowledged the behaviour was inappropriate. Forester remains on active duty in an investigative role.
- Alberta Health Services issued a public alert after confirming a measles case at the Edmonton International Airport. The exposure occurred during a flight from Toronto Pearson Airport that arrived in Edmonton on Dec. 2, and subsequently in the airport's baggage claim area from 7:10pm to 9:45pm. The health authority advises individuals present during these times to self-monitor for symptoms, review immunization records, and stay home if symptoms like fever or rash develop.
- A massive 427,170-kilogram acetylene hydrogenation reactor, measuring 6.4 metres wide, 8.3 metres high, and 60.4 metres long, will travel from Lloydminster to Fort Saskatchewan on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. This super-heavy load will move at a maximum speed of 60 km/h. Drivers can expect significant traffic delays between Lloydminster and Fort Saskatchewan and near Lamont as the convoy will use the entire width of the highway.
- First Nations applauded a court decision that ruled a proposed referendum question on provincial separation is unconstitutional. Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby's decision affirms that the question, put forth by the Alberta Prosperity Project, would violate Treaty Rights, Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, alongside Treaty No. 7 and No. 8 First Nations, said the ruling is a victory for Treaty Rights.
- The Edmonton Elks have signed kicker Vincent Blanchard to a contract extension through the 2027 season. Blanchard, one of the CFL's youngest kickers in 2025, hit 78.8% of his field goals and nearly all his extra points last season.
Headlines: Dec. 9, 2025
By Mariam Ibrahim