The Pulse
July 14, 2026

Annie Poirier was fed up with typical dating apps like Hinge and Tinder.

"I almost feel like they do it on purpose — not show you your kind of people — because, I swear to God, I could swipe right on the 500th swipe," Poirier told Taproot. "From my own experience with the dating apps, you go on there, and you get ghosted, and I think it's normal for people to ghost people — they don't care about you because they never felt anything. They just swiped on a face, and there was no chemistry to start with."

So she created her own dating app called Oops Social. It opened to about 160 beta testers in Edmonton on June 29.

"I think people are really sick and tired of (typical) platforms, and I've had so many people even reaching out personally — they're like, 'Finally, someone that's doing something different,'" she said. "People are really, actually, truly, genuinely really excited for it."

Studies suggest that meeting online has become the most popular way couples meet, but at the same time, dating app users report worse psychological health and well-being. Research has found that the use of "gamified" elements in dating apps, such as swiping, can hijack the reward centre in the brain, leading to compulsive or habitual behaviour.

Oops Social doesn't have swiping or standard text-based messaging. Instead, users communicate through voice notes. To create their profile, users upload a voice note explaining what they're looking for. Then they play the Wheel of Oops, which offers fun and silly prompts. Next is the Confession Booth for deeper questions. Finally, users unlock the Crush Booth where they talk about attraction. Then they can explore what other people have uploaded.

• Severe weather in Edmonton over the weekend caused significant disruptions, including local flooding and fallen trees. The storms downed trees and caused street flooding, leading to the formation of a massive sinkhole in the Lauderdale neighbourhood. This sinkhole, measuring about 12 by 12 feet and 35 feet deep, has forced road and sidewalk closures at 130 Avenue and 107 Street. EPCOR is working to stabilize and repair the area. Several roads, including sections of Whitemud Drive and Yellowhead Trail, have reopened, while others, like 130 Avenue and Stony Plain Road, remain closed. Some facilities, including Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre, are open, but others, such as TELUS World of Science - Edmonton, remain closed. Crews continue to address debris and flood damage. Hours at Eco Stations and the Edmonton Waste Management Facility have been extended to help manage storm debris. North Saskatchewan River boat launches are closed and residents are advised to stay clear of moving water.
• E-scooter injuries in Edmonton are escalating sharply, with Alberta Health Services reporting 1,198 emergency department visits related to e-scooters in the most recent fiscal year, compared to 813 the previous year, Postmedia reported. The rise in injuries, which includes a 33% increase across Alberta, is placing strain on the healthcare system, as many cases require ambulance transport and further medical intervention.
• Ramneek Singh, a local food writer known for his "Butter Chicken Odyssey," has embarked on a quest to explore Edmonton's vibrant donair scene. Despite initial hesitations, Singh's assessments have garnered enthusiastic responses, reviewing locations including Mike's Famous on Whyte Avenue to Eddie's Donair and Pizza on 163 Street. Singh, who documents his culinary adventures on Facebook under Ram's Food Reviews, noted the passionate reactions donairs evoke compared to butter chicken.
• An apartment building fire in north Edmonton on July 13 resulted in one death, authorities said. The three-storey building, located on 132nd Avenue and 82nd Street, houses businesses on the ground floor and apartments above. Edmonton Fire Rescue Service responded to the blaze at 9:19pm and quickly escalated the response to a second alarm. By 10pm, 11 fire crews were on site. Multiple ambulances responded, but the number of injuries remains unclear. The cause of the blaze and details about a related collision are still under investigation by the Edmonton Police Service.
• Lacombe Police Service, with assistance from the Edmonton Police Service, located two abducted children in downtown Edmonton on July 10. The children, aged 14 and 12, were taken from the Gary Moe Sportsplex in Lacombe by their biological mother, who was on a conditional sentence order. After receiving information from the public, officers tracked them to a convenience store. The biological mother was arrested and charged with abduction, and the children were safely returned to Lacombe. The mother remains in custody to serve the remainder of her sentence.
• Alberta's newly regulated iGaming market launched with 22 operators on July 13, offering online casino games and sports betting through approved platforms. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally emphasized that strict standards are in place, warning operators against exploiting Albertans. The initiative aims to channel gambling from offshore to regulated sites. The province expects $76 million in first-year revenues, with percentages allocated to First Nations and gambling treatment programs.
• The Edmonton Elks have added Carmine Bastone to the team's practice roster. Bastone, a 6'2", 300-pound defensive lineman from Northwestern University, joins the team after a notable college career, where he played 39 games, recording 68 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Here are some events happening today in the Edmonton area.

• Theatre in the Park starting at 11am at Ken Newman Park Playground and at 2:30pm at Brightview South Playground
• Beverly Towne Farmers' Market starting at 3:00pm at Riverview Crossing Mall
• The Public Farmers Market starting at 3:30pm at Ritchie Community Hall
• Junk Journalling with Sidney McConnell starting 6pm at Alberta Craft Council
• Trivia Night starting at 7pm at The Pizza Spot (West Edmonton Mall)
• Cocktails at Pam's starting at 7:30pm at Varscona Theatre
• Clue starting at 7:30pm at Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:

• July 17-26: KDays Innovation Zone at Edmonton EXPO Centre
• July 22: Summer Reading Fest: Japanese Drumming with Kita no Taiko at Edmonton Public Library (Stanley A. Milner)
• July 24: The Green Room: Dance Party at Earth's Refillery Coop

Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.

Test your crossword prowess and deploy a little of your Edmonton knowledge. Complete the puzzle.

Need a hint for 4-Across and 6-Across? Here you go.