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Headlines: Sept. 4, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Construction has begun on an expanded habitat for Lucy the Elephant at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The project, expected to be completed in 2027, will nearly triple her enclosure to about 70,000 square feet and add a new indoor facility and larger outdoor yard. The upgrades are intended to improve Lucy's comfort and care as she ages. The zoo is also exploring accreditation from theAssociation of Zoos and Aquariums, which would require meeting enhanced standards for elephant care and safety.
  • Edmonton city council's executive committee approved $114.58 million in climate-related actions for consideration during the city's four-year budget deliberations, while four no-cost measures can begin immediately. The plans include making city operations more energy-efficient, improving electrical-grid resilience with EPCOR and incorporating extreme weather into planning. Funding proposals for December include decarbonizing the city's vehicle fleet, supporting climate-resilient buildings and expanding facilities that provide relief during extreme heat, cold or smoke.
  • As more than 70,000 students return to school, the City of Edmonton is increasing police patrols at public transit hubs during weekday rush hours through Sept. 18. Peace officers and transit staff will also be stationed near post-secondary campuses and will attend student orientations to provide safety information and resources.
  • NorQuest College criminologist Dan Jones told Postmedia the decision by the Edmonton Police Commission to move meetings online and suspend public speaking could damage police legitimacy. The commission cited months of abusive and threatening behaviour for the temporary changes. Jones said he saw no extreme behaviour at a contentious July meeting and argued uncomfortable criticism is part of public oversight. Mayor Andrew Knack said public participation is an important part of the democratic process.
  • St. Albert Mayor Scott Olivieri criticized Edmonton Coun. Michael Janz for suggesting municipalities outside Edmonton are not doing enough to address homelessness and emergency shelter needs. Janz made the comments during an Aug. 25 public hearing on a proposal to convert a Hope Mission facility into a year-round emergency shelter, pointing to a lack of permanent shelter beds outside Edmonton. Olivieri called Janz's remarks "short-sighted" and said the issue is more complex than his comments suggest. Janz defended his position, saying shelter and addiction services should be distributed across the region.
  • Elections Alberta said it began mailing referendum special ballot packages after receiving about 225,000 requests, nearly four times the 2023 total. It said special ballot applications now close Sept. 25, and completed packages must arrive by 5pm on Oct. 16.