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Headlines: Sept. 16, 2026

· The Pulse
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  • Edmonton's transit peace officers issued more than $3 million in trespass tickets to individuals with no fixed address in 2025, according to data released by local advocacy groups. Critics, including Chris Wiebe of the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association and University of Alberta criminologist Temitope Oriola, argue this targets marginalized individuals and call for broader housing solutions. Mayor Andrew Knack emphasized the importance of connecting individuals with social supports, but noted that enforcement occurs in only 7% of transit peace officer interactions. The Providing Accessible Transit Here program offers free transit passes to those in need.
  • Edmonton city council is set to debate tighter lodging-house rules that would redefine a lodging house as three or more individually rented bedrooms and cap them at eight or 12 bedrooms per lot depending on zoning. The proposed bylaw would also bar lodging houses from row housing and secondary suites.
  • Edmonton Public Schools is considering new ward maps for the 2029 civic election, including options that would keep nine trustees or reduce the board to seven. Trustees voted 7-2 to postpone a final decision until October, and any change would require provincial approval.
  • The Edmonton Arts Council has returned a sculpture commonly referred to as Lunchbox Joe to Churchill Square after about 18 months of repairs following an attempted theft. The restored sculpture, formally titled Lunchbreak and created by John Seward Johnson, was first installed there in 1983.
  • West Edmonton Mall has revealed its Mindbender replacement will be a Nerf-themed roller coaster. The ride is slated to open at Galaxyland in spring 2027 with a standard core mode and a more intense quantum mode.
  • Strathcona County has declared an agricultural state of disaster after what it called historic rainfall left 20% to 30% of annual crops submerged and cut yields. The declaration does not trigger aid automatically, but the county plans to press the Alberta government for support.
  • A 42-year-old Edmonton man has been charged with arson for fraudulent purposes in the fire that destroyed Wetaskiwin's Memorial Arts Centre. RCMP said the charge alleges intent to defraud insurance, and the man is due back in court on Oct. 13.
  • Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's office blamed a conservative vote split for the UCP's Calgary-Shaw byelection loss, while critics across the political spectrum argued the Oct. 19 referendum on whether Alberta should remain in Canada hurt the party more. The Alberta NDP won the longtime conservative riding by 582 votes.