- The City of Edmonton has added messages like "Please don't hit me" and "Give this train a brake" to its LRT trains to remind drivers of road rules and reduce collisions involving trains in the city. Since it began running two years ago, trains on the Valley Line Southeast LRT have been in 24 collisions, including 18 that involved other vehicles.
- Edmonton doctors are urging the Alberta government to declare a state of emergency as major hospitals, including the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, and Misericordia Community Hospital, are overflowing and unable to safely accept new patients. Paul Parks of the Alberta Medical Association said hospitals are in "disaster mode," struggling with population growth, underfunding, and a severe flu season, impacting patients in Edmonton and those diverted to facilities like WestView Health Centre in Stony Plain. A provincial spokesperson said calls to declare a state of emergency are "misguided and would add nothing to what is already being done."
- Edmonton's Lucy the elephant received a clean bill of health following two physical checkups at the Edmonton Valley Zoo in fall 2025. Veterinarians Jennifer D'Agostino and Michael McClure said the geriatric elephant, who has chronic arthritis and sinus congestion, receives excellent medical care, superior nutrition, and an enriching environment. D'Agostino noted Lucy's physical health is great for her age and existing conditions.
- In an update on its snow-clearing efforts, a City of Edmonton spokesperson said success is hard to measure at this point, but that the City is meeting its standards. While initial efforts focused on priority roads such as highways and major bus routes, residential road clearing is set to begin on Jan. 12. A Phase 2 parking ban will be in effect.
- The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton will receive a new therapeutic pool by 2028, replacing the one closed in 2024 due to age and safety concerns. The Alberta government will contribute half of the $6.5 million cost, with the Glenrose Hospital Foundation fundraising the remainder.
- A water main break has closed a south Edmonton street until Jan. 10, according to EPCOR. The closure on 99 Street near 60 Avenue, which began on Jan. 6, is affecting traffic in the area. Drivers can detour along 51 Avenue and 63 Avenue.
- A provincial survey suggests many Alberta teachers find mandatory K–3 literacy and numeracy screenings ineffective and burdensome. Nearly 74% of respondents said the assessments do not help identify student needs or support early intervention, the Alberta Teachers' Association said. Teachers cited lost instructional time, inappropriate content and results they do not trust. The province maintains the screenings, mandated under Bill 6, help identify learning needs early and align with practices in other provinces. Education experts offered mixed views, with some pointing to workload pressures and recent labour tensions as key factors.
- The union representing academic staff at Edmonton's NAIT will hold a strike vote on Jan. 14 and 15. The NAIT Academic Staff Association, which represents 1,000 union members, said it reached a bargaining impasse with the school in December.
Headlines: Jan. 9, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim