- City council's urban planning committee approved a motion by Coun. Anne Stevenson on March 23 to reinstate parking on 101 Street, from 107 Avenue to Kingsway, weekdays 9:30am to 3:30pm. Council will vote on the motion at an upcoming meeting. Edmonton businesses express mixed reactions to bus-only lanes and parking restrictions. Richard Liukko of the Chinatown Business Association cited significant midday business drops due to parking removal on 101 Street during non-peak hours. Meanwhile, businesses and residents near Whyte Avenue, including Emily Stremel of the Edmonton Transit Riders, support dedicated bus lanes for transit and emergency services, particularly near the University of Alberta Hospital.
- Edmonton Public Schools is projecting that enrolment will surpass 144,000 students by 2035, with facilities reaching full capacity by 2033. Despite new school funding, the division expects a shortfall and estimates it needs about 23,000 additional spaces to maintain current utilization. Trustees say ongoing growth means overcrowding and enrolment restrictions may persist at some schools. Several projects are in planning or construction, but timelines remain uncertain. Meanwhile, a deferred maintenance backlog exceeding $1 billion is adding pressure on the system.
- Edmonton tap water has a noticeable smell and stronger chlorine taste due to spring runoff, which washes sediments and organic materials into the North Saskatchewan River. Jonathan Gelinas of EPCOR said the water is safe to drink, and noted that increased organic matter requires more chlorine for disinfection. EPCOR expects the smell to diminish within three to five days. Residents can run cold water, use carbon filters, or add lemon to their water to mitigate the taste and smell.
- Reports are mounting of Canadians in the United States being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite having valid or pending legal status, Postmedia reported. Recent cases include a British Columbia-born woman held with her daughter over an alleged visa issue and an Edmonton-born man facing deportation for a decades-old minor offence. With enforcement tightened under President Donald Trump, lawyers urge Canadians to closely review their status, as even minor issues can lead to denial or deportation.
- The Alberta government plans to amend legislation to allow individuals to sue over the sharing of AI-generated intimate images, known as deepfakes. Technology Minister Nate Glubish said the move aims to address the serious harm such content can cause. The proposed changes would expand legal protections by creating a new avenue for civil action. The government has not yet provided a timeline for introducing the amendments.
- The Edmonton Oilers are enduring one of the team's most disappointing seasons, appearing tired and prone to costly mistakes after two recent Stanley Cup Final appearances, journalist Allan Mitchell wrote in The Athletic. Following a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Connor McDavid voiced concerns about the team's organization and execution. The Oilers face challenges with confidence, goaltending, defensive coverage, and Leon Draisaitl's injury, which has taken him off the ice for the remainder of the regular season. If the team's current struggles continue, sweeping changes in management, coaching, and on-ice personnel are expected.
Headlines: March 24, 2026
By Mariam Ibrahim