In this Urban Brief Edmonton Edition…
An Edmonton Born Man Has Been Sitting In A Texas Detention Cell Since November. His Hearing Is Today
Curtis Wright, 39, was born in Edmonton but has lived in the United States for almost 30 years. His parents, fiancée and three children all live there too. In November he was stopped at Houston's Bush Airport returning from a business trip to Mexico, and never made it home.
Here's what makes this case so alarming:
His permanent residency had been renewed and he crossed the border multiple times as recently as last summer with zero issues
He describes the detention facility as rundown, with mold and dirt everywhere, he won't even drink the water without boiling it first
Moving back to Canada would put his custody arrangement with his two sons at risk
Of the hundreds of people he's met across three facilities, Wright says most are people just like him not the dangerous criminals the Trump administration claims to be targeting
His deportation hearing is today. His family is waiting. Edmonton is watching.
This could be your neighbour. Your colleague. Your family member. This could happen to someone you know. Share this story and let's make some noise 👇
Alberta May Never Ask You To Change Your Clocks Again, And It Could Happen Sooner Than You Think
Premier Danielle Smith just announced Alberta will launch public consultations on eliminating the twice yearly clock change, and if a switch happens, she's leaning toward permanent daylight time. The timing? B.C. just announced this weekend will be the last time they ever change their clocks.
Here's what you need to know:
Five years ago a referendum on this exact question failed by the thinnest margin imaginable, 50.2% to 49.8%
Smith believes the question was confusingly worded and a cleaner vote would pass overwhelmingly
The annual spring clock change has been linked to increased car accidents, heart attacks and strokes
Saskatchewan uses permanent standard time. B.C. is going permanent daylight time. Alberta has to pick a side
One hour. Twice a year. Albertans have complained about it forever, and now the end might actually be in sight.
Team "never change the clocks again" 🙋 or team "leave it alone" 😤? Drop your vote in the comments and let's settle this once and for all 👇
The Deadline Is Done. Here's Exactly What The Oilers Did And Whether It's Enough
The NHL trade deadline came and went, and the Oilers didn't just make one move, they made two. Edmonton acquired Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first round pick in 2027. Combined with the earlier acquisition of Connor Murphy, the Oilers added three players before the buzzer.
Here's the breakdown:
Dickinson is a dependable two way centre known for defensive reliability and faceoff dominance
Colton Dach, younger brother of Islanders forward Kirby Dach, brings skilled forward depth the Oilers desperately needed
The conditional first round pick is the price of doing business for a team that believes its window is wide open
Three new faces in the locker room signals one thing, this front office is all in
After back to back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the pressure to finally close the deal has never been higher.
McDavid's clock is ticking. Draisaitl is in his prime. The moves are made. So we're asking you straight up, is this team lifting the Cup in June? 🏆 Yes or no, no fence sitting, drop it in the comments 👇
Parkland County Just Became The Most Important Piece of Real Estate in Canada Nobody Is Talking About
TransAlta has signed a deal with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Brookfield to develop a massive data centre at its Keephills power plant in Parkland County. The initial agreement covers 230 megawatts of power with potential to grow to 1,000 megawatts. That's enough energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes, now being redirected to fuel the AI economy.
Here's why this is a big deal:
Canada Pension Plan and Brookfield are serious institutional money betting on the Edmonton region
1,000 megawatts would make this one of the largest AI infrastructure projects in Canadian history
Alberta's energy advantage isn't just about oil anymore, it's about powering the digital future
Parkland County quietly just landed itself at the intersection of two of the world's most powerful industries
Alberta has always powered the world with energy. Now it's powering the world with data. Think your neighbour knows about this yet? Share this and blow their mind 🤯👇
Millions left without power in Cuba again
While the world watches the Middle East, an entire island nation has gone dark, and nobody is really talking about it.
A blackout hit the western half of Cuba, leaving millions of people in Havana and beyond without power. It is the latest and most severe in a series of cascading energy failures hitting the island, and the cause goes far deeper than a technical glitch.
Cuba is suffering another massive blackout as the U.S. oil blockade worsens what is already a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Here's what's happening on the ground in Cuba right now:
The country's electrical grid has been deteriorating for years due to aging Soviet-era infrastructure and a chronic lack of fuel
With the Middle East conflict disrupting global oil supply, Cuba, which depends heavily on Venezuelan oil, is caught in a perfect storm
Hospitals are running on backup generators, food is spoiling, and water pumping systems have failed in parts of Havana
More than 10 million Cubans are affected by rolling blackouts that can last 20 hours a day in some areas
This is a slow-moving humanitarian crisis unfolding 3,000 kilometres from Edmonton and it's barely making the news.
Your take: This story didn't make CNN. It didn't make CBC. You read it here. If your city lost power for 20 hours a day, every day, what would break first? Your fridge, your patience, or your faith in the system? Share this with someone. 👇
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆7° higher than historical avg, Night ⬆13° higher than historical avg.
It's a classic Edmonton Friday, partly cloudy with a high of just 4°C and a 35% chance of snow flurries rolling through during the day. Not exactly patio weather, but hey, you live here by choice! 😄
Bundle up if you're heading out to the Oilers game tonight or the Craft Beer Festival this weekend, that cold isn't going anywhere just yet. The good news? Saturday climbs to a positively balmy 7°C with only a 10% chance of rain. Spring is teasing us, Edmonton. Don't fall for it. 🌨️
📅 Events Happening This Week in Edmonton
🏒 Oilers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Tickets
🗓 March 6 🕙 7:00 PM
📍 Rogers Place, Edmonton Right in the heart of trade deadline buzz, this one is going to be electric.
🍫 Cacao Conservatory: Chocolate Tasting at Muttart Ticket
🗓 March 6 · ⏰ Evening 7.00Pm
📍 Muttart Conservatory
A special evening featuring a talk on cacao and a guided chocolate tasting with local chocolatier Jacek Chocolate Couture inside Edmonton’s iconic pyramids🎉 International Women’s Day Women + Wealth Gala Tickets
🗓 March 6 · ⏰ 5:00–9:30 p.m.
📍 Hall D, Edmonton Convention Centre
A flagship International Women’s Day gala featuring keynote speakers, a three‑course dinner, and networking with ambitious women and allies from across Alberta🍻 Edmonton Craft Beer Festival Tickets
🗓 March 6–7. ⏰ March 6: 5:30–10:00 p.m · March 7: 12:30–4:30 p.m. & 6:00–10:00 p.m.
📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre
One of the city’s biggest tasting events, showcasing breweries, distilleries, and local food vendors from across Canada under one roof.🤠 Clay Walker Live at River Cree Tickets
🗓 March 6 · ⏰ 9:00 p.m.
📍 River Cree Resort & Casino
Country star Clay Walker brings a hit‑filled set to the west‑end resort for fans of 90s and 2000s country.🎤 William Prince at the Jubilee Tickets
🗓 March 6 · ⏰ 8:00 p.m.
📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
JUNO‑winning singer‑songwriter William Prince delivers an intimate, storytelling‑driven folk show at the Jubilee.💃 Salsachata Latin social and Dance performance Tickets
🗓 March 7 🕑 8:00 PM
📍 #204, 10575 115 Street NW, EdmontonETOWN SALSA hosts Latin dance classes for beginners through advanced levels, including salsa, bachata, and other Latin styles. Singles and couples are welcome, with drop-in lessons and multi-week programs available.
🎤 Josh Ross – Country Concert Tickets
🗓 March 7 🕑 8:00 PM
📍 Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
Canadian country star Josh Ross performs live with his latest tour stop in Edmonton.🩰 Ballet Jörgen – A Midsummer Night’s Dream Tickets
🗓 March 7
📍 Arden Theatre (St. Albert)
A family-friendly ballet inspired by Shakespeare’s classic comedy set in a Canadian woodland landscape.❄️ Sherwood Park Winter Carnival
📅 March 7 🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 50 Spruce Avenue, Sherwood Park
A community winter festival featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, activities, entertainment, and giveaways. Click here for more details🎭 The Wizard of Oz – Live Musical Tickets
📅 March 7 – April 12, 2026
🕢 Evening shows: 7:30 PM | Matinees: 1:30 PM
📍 Citadel Theatre, 9828 101A Ave, EdmontonThe Citadel Theatre brings the classic story of Dorothy and her journey down the Yellow Brick Road to life in a vibrant stage musical featuring iconic songs, colourful characters, and a magical adventure for all ages
Bet You Didn't Know 🤯
🤔 Did You Know?
Edmonton gets more hours of sunshine per year than Miami, Florida. Yes, MIAMI. So next time someone gives you grief about living in the frozen north, hit them with that ☀️