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Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Thursday! ☀️
Expect a warm one today, sunshine to start before a few afternoon storms roll through and clear out again by evening.
We've got a business sale that will turn heads, a new library boss stepping in, and a pipeline conversation heating up in Ottawa. Here is what is making news across Edmonton and the surrounding areas this Thursday.
🌳 Tenth Case of Dutch Elm Disease Confirmed in Edmonton, This One in Calder
What is being done about Dutch elm disease in Edmonton?
A tree in the Calder neighbourhood tested positive for Dutch elm disease this week, the tenth confirmed case in Edmonton since 2024 and the third one found this month alone. City crews removed the infected tree right away.
The city expanded its one kilometre protocol zone around the infected tree.
Elm trees make up about 22 percent of Edmonton's boulevard and open space tree inventory, roughly 90,000 trees total.
Worth knowing before your next walk under the canopy.
🧰 Edmonton's Gregg Distributors Sold to Investment Giant Brookfield for $1.6 Billion
Who bought Edmonton's Gregg Distributors?
Brookfield Asset Management is buying Gregg Distributors, the Edmonton industrial supply company that started in the trunk of a family car in the late 1950s and grew into one of Western Canada's biggest suppliers of everyday gear for energy, farming and construction. The Gregg family and employee owners are keeping a stake.
Gregg now runs more than two dozen locations across three provinces.
The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending regulatory approval.
A quiet Edmonton name just made a very big move.
📚 Edmonton Public Library Names Sharon Day as Its Next CEO
Who is the new CEO of Edmonton Public Library?
EPL announced Sharon Day, a 20 year library veteran with 17 years at EPL itself, will take over as chief executive officer on August 17. She succeeds Pilar Martinez, who is staying on through mid September to help with the handoff.
Day has spent the last four years leading strategic direction for all 21 EPL branches.
She has championed intellectual freedom and equitable access to information throughout her career.
A familiar face taking on a big new role.
🔍 Search for Missing Calgary Boy Parker Wells Enters a Seventh Day
Has Parker Wells been found yet?
Not yet. Calgary police have now covered more than 7,000 kilometres and logged over 5,500 search hours looking for 11 year old Parker, who is nonverbal and neurodivergent. Investigators are focused on vacant properties in a specific northeast area where he may be sheltering.
Roughly 500 people have joined the search, including more than 400 police members and trained volunteers.
Anyone aware of vacant properties on Travis Street, Travis Crescent, Trail Drive, Taylor Crescent, Travis Place or Thomas Street is asked to come forward.
Keep an eye out and keep him in your thoughts.
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🤝 Carney Wraps Up Premiers Meeting, Says Canada Will Do Whatever It Takes on Tariffs
What came out of the First Ministers meeting in Charlottetown?
Prime Minister Mark Carney closed out a four hour First Ministers meeting in Charlottetown Thursday, calling it the federation working as it should and pointing to the premiers' unity behind a coordinated response to Trump's newest 50 percent tariff. Alberta's Danielle Smith was among those pushing for movement on interprovincial trade barriers and major project approvals.
Carney said everything is on the table in Canada's response to Washington.
Premiers are also pressing Ottawa to boost its share of health care funding.
Worth watching what comes out of Ottawa next.
🛢️ Trans Mountain CEO Says He Is Confident a New West Coast Pipeline Will Get Built
Will a new oil pipeline to the West Coast actually get built?
In an exclusive interview, Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki told CTV News he believes a new oil pipeline to the West Coast can be built, as the federal and Alberta governments keep advancing the proposal. It is a direct continuation of the energy corridor conversation Alberta readers have been tracking all summer.
Maki says the existing Trans Mountain line is approaching capacity.
Both federal and Alberta governments are actively working the file.
The kind of news that hits close to home for Alberta's energy sector.
📱 France Becomes First EU Country to Pass a Blanket Social Media Ban for Kids Under 15
What does France's new social media ban for kids actually do?
French lawmakers approved a sweeping ban this week barring children under 15 from TikTok, Instagram and Facebook starting September 1. The final version dropped the age verification requirements that would have given the law real teeth, a debate that will feel familiar to any parent or grandparent here who has wondered the same thing about their own kids' phones.
The National Assembly passed the measure 279 to 81.
France is the first European Union country to approve a blanket ban like this.
A conversation happening in living rooms everywhere, not just in France.
⚛️ US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Deal
What did the US and Saudi Arabia just agree to?
The US and Saudi Arabia signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement this week, with the deal reportedly requiring the kingdom to move toward normalizing relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords. It is tied to the same Middle East diplomacy readers have been following through our Iran coverage this summer.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed the agreement.
The deal lays the legal foundation for future nuclear energy cooperation between the two countries.
Worth watching how this shapes the region.
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YOUR TURN 💌
What is a spot in Edmonton or the surrounding area that meant something to you growing up that most people have probably forgotten about? A restaurant, a building, a corner of a park, a store. Hit reply and bring it back to life for a moment.
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆4° higher than historical avg. Night ⬆3° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Thursday July 23
Thursday starts sunny and mild near 19C, warming into a hot afternoon near 29C that will feel closer to 34C with the humidity, with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and some smoky skies. Things ease off by evening as temperatures settle toward a low near 15C overnight.
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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Thursday, July 23
🎭 Thursday Night Improv at Grindstone Theatre 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ 7–8 p.m.
📍 Grindstone Theatre, 10019 81 Ave NW
Fast‑paced improv comedy night.curiocity
🎳 theScore Bet Jersey Swap 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ 1–8 p.m.
📍 LAST, 10242 106 St NW
Trade an old jersey and donation for a Jays jersey.
🎳 Lawn Bowling Social (NAIOP DL x BOMA) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Commonwealth Lawn Bowling Club
Casual networking around lawn bowling.
🍷 Atlas x MSSM Intimate Chefs Dinner 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Atlas Steak + Seafood, Grand Villa Casino
Multi‑course chef‑driven dinner.
🍲 Paella Party Cooking Class 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Get Cooking studio
Hands‑on paella making class.
🍷 Italian Wine Dinner at Golden Sparrow 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Golden Sparrow
Italian set menu with wine pairings.
🎭 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Citadel Theatre
Musical comedy about a quirky spelling bee.
🌸 K Days, running through July 26, Thursday music lineup 🎟️ Details
📅 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ bbno$ with Jungle Bobby at 7:30 PM (Main Stage) · 📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre and Exhibition Grounds
🌸 124 Grand Market 🎟️ Details
📅 Thu Jul 23 · ⏰ 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM · 📍 108 Avenue and 124 Street, Edmonton
Friday, July 24
⚾ Edmonton Riverhawks Margaritaville Beach Party 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24 · ⏰ Evening
📍 RE/MAX Field, 10233 96 Ave NW
Themed ballgame with tropical beach vibes.
🎤 Post Malone + Jelly Roll Stadium Tour 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24 · ⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Commonwealth Stadium, 11000 Stadium Rd NW
Major stadium concert with multiple openers.edmonton+1
🏁 NASCAR NAPA 300 (Edmonton Int’l Raceway) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24–Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ TBA
📍 244047A Township Rd 464, Wetaskiwin
Weekend NASCAR Canada Series racing.curiocity
🎭 Crowd Worked at Grindstone Theatre 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24 · ⏰ Evening
📍 Grindstone Theatre, 10019 81 Ave NW
Improvised stand‑up built on crowd interaction.
🎮 K‑Pop Club Night at The Rec Room South 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24–Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Late night
📍 The Rec Room South Edmonton
High‑energy K‑Pop DJ dance night.
🔥 4 Elements Dining Experience at HALO 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Jul 24 · ⏰ Evening
📍 HALO Bar | Bistro, Nisku
Immersive multi‑course dinner with projections.
🌸 Taste of Edmonton, running through July 26 🎟️ Details
📅 Daily through Jul 26 · ⏰ 11:00 AM to late · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
SPOTTED IN EDMONTON 📸
With K Days and Taste of Edmonton both still going strong this week, Churchill Square and the EXPO grounds are packed with something worth a photo almost every hour. Reply with what you spotted out there, whether it is a food truck line, a concert moment or something totally unexpected.
Hit reply and send us your best shot. We love featuring reader photos when we can.