Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Monday, neighbours!
Yesterday afternoon in Los Angeles, in the 92nd minute of a World Cup knockout match, Stephen Eustaquio's goal sent Canada into the Round of 16 for the first time in history. Alphonso Davies made his World Cup debut. ICE District erupted. The entire country lost its mind and I am not even a little sorry that we are starting with that.
Closer to home, it is now official: June 2026 is the wettest June in Edmonton's recorded history, with records going back to the late 1800s. Sherwood Park is dealing with flooding this morning. There is a north Edmonton school bus driver with one of the most remarkable stories you have read from a neighbour this year. And your phone company can no longer charge you junk fees. Big Monday. Grab your coffee ☕
🚌 The Edmonton School Bus Driver Who Is Also Running a Government in Exile
Who is Abdulahat Nur and why does it matter that he calls Edmonton home?
For 25 years, Abdulahat Nur has driven school buses in north Edmonton, currently taking kids to and from Edmonton Islamic Academy each day. What most people in his community do not know is that he is also the internationally recognized Prime Minister of East Turkistan in exile, the Uyghur homeland that China absorbed in 1949. He was elected to the role in 2023 at a Washington D.C. gathering of the global Uyghur diaspora and has been advocating openly for his people ever since, from his home right here.
Nur was jailed in China for teaching students about East Turkistan's history and language, then fled to Kyrgyzstan and Turkey before arriving in Canada in 2001. He has lost two children to what he believes was targeted assassination in 2006. Chinese intelligence agents have followed him across three countries.
He has called on the United Nations to recognize East Turkistan as a non-self-governing territory. He still drives the bus. He says it keeps him grounded.
One of the most remarkable stories you will read from a neighbour this year.
🌧️ It Is Official. Edmonton Just Broke a June Rainfall Record That Has Stood Since 1914.
Has Edmonton ever recorded a wetter June than this one in its history?
CTV Edmonton confirmed Sunday that June 2026 is now the wettest June on record in Edmonton, with rainfall measurements going back to the late 1800s. The city has surpassed the previous record set in 1914. The rain that has defined our entire month did not just approach a record. It broke one. It is now official.
Environment Canada's Orange Warning for heavy rainfall remains in place Monday, with another 40 to 90mm possible through the day and evening. The pattern is not done with us yet.
Drainage systems across the region have been under sustained pressure for weeks. Residents in lower-lying areas are asked to monitor conditions and follow local emergency alerts closely.
The confirmation is in. History made, unfortunately in the wettest possible way.
💧 Two Sherwood Park Communities Are Underwater Right Now
Which Sherwood Park neighbourhoods are flooding and what should residents know?
Two communities in Sherwood Park were flooded Sunday evening as rain continued moving through central Alberta. Jubilee Landing was among the neighbourhoods photographed submerged on June 28. Strathcona County emergency services are monitoring the situation and residents in affected areas are being asked to stay clear of floodwaters and follow official updates closely.
The flooding arrives as the Edmonton region records its wettest June in history, with multiple storm systems delivering rain across the area over several weeks. Sunday's system pushed several communities past their drainage limits.
Strathcona County is the best source for real-time road closures and community updates. Follow their official social channels if you are in or near an affected area.
Sherwood Park neighbours, we see you. Stay safe out there.
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🇨🇦 Canada Is in the Round of 16. Eustaquio Just Made History.
What happened when Canada played South Africa in the FIFA World Cup on June 28, 2026?
Stephen Eustaquio scored in the 92nd minute and Canada won 1-0 over South Africa to advance to the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 for the first time in the country's history. Alphonso Davies, who grew up in Edmonton's Glengarry neighbourhood and came up through the Edmonton Strikers program, made his World Cup debut after recovering from injury. The match was played at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles and watch parties across Edmonton erupted the moment the goal hit the net.
Canada had not played a World Cup match since 1986, and had never made it past the group stage. Sunday's win changes that permanently. The team will now wait to see who they face in the Round of 16.
Coach Jesse Marsch's side finished at the top of their group. The win was not comfortable but Eustaquio's stoppage time finish made it real. One of the greatest nights in Canadian soccer history.
Relive every second of Canada's historic 1-0 win over South Africa.
📱 Your Phone Company Can No Longer Charge You Junk Fees
What telecom fees did the CRTC ban and when does the change take effect for Canadians?
The CRTC officially banned activation, cancellation, and modification fees on wireless and internet plans as of June 12. Those extra charges that carriers have been collecting for years are now gone. Customers will also be able to change their plans through self serve portals, and companies must notify you before any plan expires. It is a genuine consumer win, even if the big carriers are already pushing back.
Bell, Telus, and Rogers have been introducing workaround fees to offset the lost revenue. Analysts say costs may simply shift into higher base rates, so keep an eye on your plan pricing over the coming months.
If you were recently charged a cancellation or modification fee, contact your carrier directly. Depending on the timing, it may now be refundable.
Get the full breakdown of what changed and what to keep an eye on.
🐻 A Woman Faced Down an Aggressive Grizzly Near Kananaskis with Her Voice and Her Dog
What happened when a hiker encountered a grizzly bear near Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis?
A woman walking her dog near Mount Engadine Lodge in Kananaskis on June 24 had one of the most intense bear encounters you will see on video. A grizzly circled her, reared up on its hind legs multiple times, and got close enough that she could have reached out and touched it. She yelled it off. She filmed the whole thing. Alberta Parks has now issued a bear warning for the area.
The video has been viewed over 11,000 times. Bear sightings in Kananaskis and Banff have been elevated this season, and anyone heading into the backcountry this summer should have bear spray within reach at all times, not packed away.
She kept her composure remarkably well. Standing her ground and using her voice is exactly what wildlife experts recommend in a bluff charge. She did everything right.
Watch the video and read Alberta's updated bear warning for the area.
🛢️ The Strait of Hormuz Is Open Again. Here Is What Happened Over the Weekend.
What led to the US-Iran pause and what does reopening the Strait of Hormuz mean for oil markets and global shipping?
After a weekend of military exchanges that included Iran striking a commercial tanker, the US hitting 10 Iranian targets, and Iran striking US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, both sides stood down Sunday. Commercial shipping is once again moving freely through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that carries roughly 20 percent of the world's oil. Technical talks between the two sides are continuing. Brent crude is sitting around $72 a barrel.
The weekend marked some of the most direct US-Iran military contact in years. The pause is fragile and analysts are watching closely. Any new provocation could reignite hostilities and push energy markets higher again, which matters directly to Alberta royalty revenues.
The brief Strait closure pushed fuel prices higher across global markets. The reopening brought some immediate relief but traders are not calling this settled. The situation in the region remains volatile.
NPR has the clearest breakdown of what happened and where things stand right now.
YOUR TURN 💌
Where were you when Eustaquio's goal went in yesterday afternoon? Couch, bar, backyard, someone's living room you were not technically invited to? Hit reply and tell me. The best setup gets a shoutout tomorrow.
One small thing I ask of you: when you spot a sponsor link today (they are the ones sitting outside the purple frames), click through and take a look. It takes ten seconds and it is genuinely what makes tomorrow's issue possible.
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆2° higher than historical avg, Night ⬆3° higher than historical avg.
🌧️ Edmonton Weather: Monday June 29
Monday starts with a rainy morning and a 40% chance of showers, with temperatures beginning around 17°C. Skies should start clearing through the afternoon as the system lifts, with a high of 23°C expected. Environment Canada's Orange Warning for heavy rainfall remains in place through the evening, and thunderstorms are possible after dark. If you are heading out, bring layers and keep an eye on those alerts. Tuesday looks calmer.
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📅 Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Monday June 29
🌸 The Works Art & Design Festival 🏙️ Details
📅 June 29 to July 1 ⏰ Festival hours 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Final days of the free art and design festival running through the Canada Day long weekend. A great option before the holiday.
🌸 Death: Life's Greatest Mystery Exhibition 🏙️ Details
📅 June 29 to July 3 ⏰ Museum hours 📍 Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton
An immersive exhibition exploring how cultures around the world understand death and remembrance. Open through the long weekend.
🌸 Edmonton International Jazz Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 29 · ⏰ Various showtimes · 📍 Multiple Edmonton venues
The citywide jazz festival continues into the final days of June. Edmonton
🌸 The Works Art & Design Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 29 · ⏰ Festival hours · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
A free interactive art festival with installations and performances. Edmonton
🌸 Canada Day Weekend prep events 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 29 · ⏰ Varies · 📍 Edmonton
Family calendars are already flagging Canada Day-related activities leading into July 1
🌸 Canada Day at Hawrelak Park 🏙️ Details
📅 June 29 - July 1 ⏰ Festivities through the day 📍 Hawrelak Park, Edmonton
Canada Day is tomorrow. Music, fireworks, family activities. Start planning your day now.
Tuesday June 30
🌸 The Works Art & Design Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 30 · ⏰ Festival hours · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
The art festival continues downtown. Edmonton
🌸 Edmonton International Jazz Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 30 · ⏰ Various showtimes · 📍 Multiple Edmonton venues
Jazz Fest continues across the city.
🌸 Hundred Acre Wood at Muttart Conservatory 🎟️ Details
🗓 June 30 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton
A botanical exhibit inspired by Winnie the Pooh. Facebook
Wednesday July 1
🌸 Canada Day celebrations 🎟️ Details
🗓 July 1 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Edmonton and area
Family calendars are highlighting multiple Canada Day events and fireworks options.Facebook
🌸 The Works Art & Design Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 July 1 · ⏰ Festival hours · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Festival programming continues into Canada Day. Edmonton
🌸 Edmonton International Jazz Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 July 1 · ⏰ Various showtimes · 📍 Multiple Edmonton venues
Jazz Fest continues into the first day of July. Edmonton
🌸 Strathcona County Museum & Archives Multiculturalism Day 🎟️ Details
🗓 July 1 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Strathcona County
A free multicultural celebration in the surrounding area. Facebook
Surrounding Areas
🌸 Regional Canada Day and Long Weekend Events 🏙️ Details
📅 This week ⏰ Varies 📍 Communities surrounding Edmonton
Communities across the region have Canada Day programming scheduled for July 1. Check local calendars for what is happening near you.
🌸 Canada Round of 16, FIFA World Cup 2026 🏙️ Details
📅 Early July (TBD) ⏰ TBD 📍 TBD venue
Canada is in the Round of 16. ICE District has been hosting watch parties for the full tournament. Stay tuned for the next match date and viewing details.
THIS OR THAT 🗾️
Canada is in the Round of 16. The next match is coming. When it does, where are you watching from?
This: ICE District Fan Park. Big screen, big crowd, strangers hugging strangers. You want to feel it with the city.
That: Your couch at home. Snacks sorted, volume at 11, no lineup for the bathroom. Total comfort, zero strangers.
Hit reply with your answer. This or That. We will share the results in Tuesday's issue.