Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Wednesday!
Sunny skies hold today with a high near 26C, a great one to be outside. Two old political rivals are joining forces to keep Alberta in Canada, city council just cleared the way for a new shelter in the southeast, and tonight the world is saying goodbye to country music legend Dolly Parton.
Scroll down for today's full lineup of events too, including Guns N Roses at Commonwealth Stadium and Opera in the Garden.
🤝 Notley And Kenney Team Up To Keep Alberta In Canada
Ever wonder what it takes to get two old political rivals on the same side?
Former premiers Rachel Notley and Jason Kenney are co chairing a new Canadian Chamber of Commerce campaign making the case for Alberta to stay in Canada, ahead of the October 19 referendum on separation.
The two spent years as political opponents before finding common ground on this one.
Notley says the referendum is bad for business and bad timing during a trade war.
A rare team up worth watching as the fall vote gets closer.
🏠 Council Approves A New Shelter For Edmonton's Southeast
Ever wonder what happens after months of debate over where a shelter should go?
Edmonton city council approved rezoning a stretch of industrial land in the city's southeast so Hope Mission can run a permanent shelter out of its Girard Road building.
The move lets Hope Mission spread shelter space out beyond the downtown core.
A few neighbouring businesses raised concerns during the public hearing.
One more step toward more shelter beds heading into fall.
🛍️ Kingsway Mall Has New Owners
Ever wonder who actually owns the mall you shop at?
Kingsway Mall, Edmonton's second largest shopping centre, has been sold to Montreal based Westcliff Management, ending a 26 year run under Oxford Properties.
Kingsway draws close to seven million visitors a year across more than 160 stores.
Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Worth watching what a new owner might mean for the mall down the road.
🪧 A West Edmonton Homeowner Takes His Fight To The Front Lawn
Ever wonder how far you would go after a claim gets denied?
A west Edmonton homeowner spent 300 dollars on his own protest sign after the city denied his claim over 9000 dollars in snow plow damage to his front lawn edging.
The city says the damage likely came from plowed snow along a curb with no sidewalk.
The area councillor says she has reached out to talk it through with him.
A small sign making a pretty big point about accountability.
🇨🇦 Canada Hits Back With Its Own Tariffs
Ever wonder what a trade war actually looks like on your grocery list?
Canada announced dollar for dollar retaliatory tariffs on roughly 700 US products worth about 27.6 billion dollars, taking effect September 8, alongside a 7.5 billion dollar support package for affected workers and businesses.
Everyday items like cheese, clothing and cosmetics are on the list this time.
A new Canada Strong Diversification Fund will get a 2 billion dollar boost.
A big week for anyone watching what this means for prices at home.
✈️ WestJet Flight Attendants Ratify New Contract
Ever wonder what a little good labour news looks like these days?
WestJet flight attendants voted 90.2 percent to ratify a new three year collective agreement, a bit of calm news amid all the trade tension this week.
The vote wraps up a round of negotiations between the airline and its cabin crew.
The new deal runs for three years.
Nice to see something get settled smoothly for once.
🎶 Country Music Loses Its Queen, Dolly Parton Dies At 80
Ever wonder how many childhoods one voice can touch?
Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at 80. Her Imagination Library has gifted more than 5 million free books to Canadian kids over the past 20 years, reaching every province and territory including right here in Alberta.
Tributes are pouring in from country artists across Canada and beyond.
Her Imagination Library still mails a free book every month to enrolled kids under five.
A good night to hug the nearest kid and read them a story.
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆5° than historical avg. Night ⬆7° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Wednesday, August 26
Clear skies hold all day with a morning low near 16C warming to an afternoon high near 26C, light winds and no rain in sight. Skies stay clear into the evening with temperatures easing back to near 23C, a great one for a patio or a walk.
Feature My Business
Do you have a business you'd like us to show case or shine a spotlight on? Tell us about it by submitting a request here ➡ [email protected]
Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Wednesday, August 26
🎸 Guns N’ Roses: World Tour 2026 🎟️ Details
🗓 Wed Aug 26 · ⏰ Gates 5 p.m. · show starts 6:25 p.m. · 📍 Commonwealth Stadium, 11000 Stadium Rd NW
Huge stadium date for Guns N’ Roses, with public transit recommended due to expected crowds.edmonton+1
🍷 Opera in the Garden 🎟️ Details
🗓 Wed Aug 26 · ⏰ 6:30 p.m. · 📍 University of Alberta Botanic Garden, 51227 Hwy 60, Parkland County
Outdoor opera evening with garden admission and a charcuterie snack box; advance tickets required.dailyhive
👩💻 WomenHack Edmonton 🎟️ Details
🗓 Wed Aug 26 · ⏰ 6–8 p.m. · 📍 Edmonton venue shared on registration
Professional networking event connecting tech employers and women in tech.eventbrite
🥕 Bountiful Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Wed Aug 26 · ⏰ Check market hours · 📍 3696 97 St NW
Indoor food-and-makers market for a mid‑week local shopping stop.dailyhive
🦁 Edmonton Valley Zoo 🎟️ Details
🗓 Wed Aug 26 · ⏰ 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · 📍 13315 Buena Vista Rd NW
Family-friendly zoo day with daily animal exhibits and outdoor walking paths
Thursday, August 27
🎤 K.Y.T.E 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Aug 27 · ⏰ 8 p.m. · 📍 9692 Jasper Ave, downtown Edmonton
Live music night featuring K.Y.T.E. in an intimate downtown setting.open.spotify
🌱 Green Shack Shows 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Aug 27 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Various Edmonton parks
Free kids’ games, crafts, and drop‑in recreation in neighbourhood parks.
🎨 Edmonton Mural Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 Thu Aug 27 · ⏰ Various times · 📍 Various Edmonton locations
Ongoing public‑art programming, mural viewing, and local art tours.
Friday, August 28
🎸 Boots and Hearts West (Day 1) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Aug 28–Sat Aug 29 · ⏰ From 3 p.m. · 📍 Fan Park, ICE District
Two‑day country music festival featuring Russell Dickerson and other artists.nightout+1
🎤 Russell Dickerson 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Aug 28 · ⏰ 3 p.m. · 📍 Fan Park, ICE District
Country‑pop headliner performing during Boots and Hearts West.nightout
🏕 Wetaskiwin AA Annual Campout Roundup 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Aug 28–Sun Aug 30 · ⏰ Starts 5 p.m. · 📍 Wetaskiwin area
Annual recovery‑community campout and roundup just south of Edmonton.edmontonaa
🎨 Edmonton Mural Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 Fri Aug 28 · ⏰ Various times · 📍 Various Edmonton locations
Public‑art programming, mural viewing, and local art tours.
HIT OR MISS 🎯
Hit or Miss, Edmonton style: our pick for the city's best independent bookstores. Owl's Nest Books, Glass Bookshop downtown, Audreys Books on Whyte and Wee Book Inn's many locations. Hit or miss on our picks, or did we skip your favourite? Hit reply and let us know, we read every single reply.