- Edmonton will receive funding for 10 new school projects as part of Alberta's Budget 2026, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced March 9. This funding, part of $3.3 billion allocated province-wide over three years, addresses growth pressures, especially in Edmonton Catholic Schools, where high schools are at 112% utilization. Edmonton Public Schools secured funding for four schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools for three, and three francophone schools also received allocations.
- Edmonton city council will consider a motion next week to evaluate restrictive covenants and exclusivity controls that can prevent competing grocery stores from opening near existing or former locations. Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz says the restrictions, sometimes used by companies such as Sobeys and Safeway, limit competition and reduce grocery access in neighbourhoods. Council is set to debate the proposal on March 17.
- Multifamily building landlords are urging the City of Edmonton to reinstate weekly trash pickup, citing issues with the current biweekly collection system. At city council's utility committee meeting on March 9, property owners, including Scott Seibel of Opaque Developments, detailed problems such as limited space for multiple bins, blocked parking, property damage, and covering illegal dumping costs. Edmonton has seen an 8.8% reduction in waste per person since 2021 and an 80% drop in single-use bags.
- YWCA Edmonton has announced the recipients of its 2026 Women of Distinction Awards, recognizing six leaders for their contributions to the Edmonton community. The winners are Pilar Martinez (Trailblazer), Shiza Wasi (Emerging Leader), Carolyn Campbell (Business & Entrepreneur), Maggie Mitchell (Arts & Culture), Holly Hallborg (Community Changemaker) and Rosalind Smith (Bellamy Award). The awards honour women and gender-diverse individuals whose leadership and work advance equity and opportunity. They will be recognized at the Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon on May 7 at the Royal Glenora Club. Proceeds from the event support YWCA Edmonton programs.
- Strong winds from a fast-moving cold front damaged homes across the Edmonton area on March 8, stripping shingles and roof vents and prompting dozens of repair calls to Romac Roofing. The storm also knocked out power for thousands of customers across Alberta. The high winds created hazardous travel conditions, leading to several overturned semi-trucks on highways. Meteorologists warn intense wind events could become more frequent in the future.
- Alberta schools, including Edmonton Public Schools and Parkland School Division, have removed at least 166 titles, predominantly graphic novels, from library shelves, CBC reported. The move comes after a provincial order mandated the removal of any material containing explicit depiction of a sexual act. Among the removed works are graphic versions of The Handmaid's Tale and 1984. James Turk of the Centre for Free Expression described the policy as Canada's most significant book-banning order, while a spokesperson for the province said it is a "common-sense standard" to protect children, not censorship.
Headlines: March 10, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim