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Headlines: June 4, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton's ICE District will host free watch parties for 97 World Cup games, including all of Team Canada's matches, OEG Sports and Entertainment, the City of Edmonton, and Explore Edmonton announced. Dubbed "Edmonton's Summer of Soccer," the event offers food trucks, DJ entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
  • Edmonton Coun. Anne Stevenson has proposed revisiting property tax relief for businesses affected by prolonged construction, following the closure of Khazana Restaurant in downtown Edmonton. The restaurant, a staple since 1998, cited ongoing LRT construction and reduced accessibility as reasons for its closure. Stevenson emphasized the need for council to consider compensating businesses lacking proper municipal services due to construction. Mayor Andrew Knack previously advocated for similar compensation plans, which were not implemented.
  • Starting July 2, Alberta will issue integrated driver's licences that include healthcare numbers, replacing the longstanding paper health cards. These new licences will also indicate citizenship to streamline government service eligibility and voting rights. Applicants must show proof of legal Canadian residency and may add their health number. The revised card features an oil derrick, wild rose, and "Alberta Strong and Free" slogan.
  • Edmonton is experiencing an increase in tick populations, with some carrying Lyme disease, warns University of Alberta entomologist Janet Sperling. Recent reports indicate that ticks are increasingly found in urban areas, such as Edmonton's river valley and as far out as Mill Woods. Factors contributing to the rise include climate change and urban sprawl. Dog owners are advised to use tick prevention treatments and wear protective clothing.
  • The Edmonton Police Service has charged a 40-year-old man with 27 criminal offences, including five counts of arson, related to fires at under-construction homes in late 2025. The incidents happened in the King Edward Park, Strathcona, Belgravia, and Glenora neighbourhoods from Oct. 18 to Nov. 2, 2025. Police believe the fires were deliberately set.
  • Edmontonian Mildred Thill, who spearheaded the restoration of Edmonton's W.C. "Tubby" Bateman Park 25 years ago, criticized EPCOR's three-year closure of the park's grassy field. "Kids need outdoor recreation," Thill said. The closure, since March 2023, is due to underground utility work. EPCOR said the replacement of the utility infrastructure was necessary, and that sloping on the field is necessary for drainage. The fencing is set to stay up until the City of Edmonton completes inspections.
  • Alberta received a "D-" in an annual poverty report card from Food Banks Canada, largely due to challenges in healthcare access, housing affordability, and food insecurity. Edmonton's Food Bank has seen a surge in demand, serving more than 46,000 people last month. Executive Director Marjorie Bencz emphasized the troubling trend of increasing need.