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Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Wednesday!
The rain is finally taking a break today, with sunshine and a high near 23C after the wettest summer this city has ever seen.
We have got a rain record that just fell, a Sherwood Park property that has the whole neighbourhood talking, and a new poll on where Albertans actually stand on separation. Here is what is making news across Edmonton and the surrounding areas this Wednesday.
🌧️ Edmonton Just Broke a 70 Year Rainfall Record
Just how much rain has Edmonton gotten this summer?
The region has picked up 580mm of rain since the start of June, breaking the old record of 417mm set all the way back in 1953, and July is on pace to be the wettest month this city has ever recorded.
June alone brought more than 260mm of rain, breaking a 112 year old record for the month.
More storms are already in the forecast for the weeks ahead.
Hang onto those rain boots a little longer.
🐕 A Sherwood Park Home Has the Whole Neighbourhood on Edge
What is going on at this Sherwood Park property?
Neighbours near a Sherwood Park home say they have dealt with dog bites and suspected criminal activity for months, and the property has now caught the attention of police, the mayor and Alberta Health Services.
Residents describe feeling unsafe walking near the home.
Multiple agencies are now involved in addressing the complaints.
If this is your street, you already know the feeling.
🗳️ New Poll Finds Most Albertans Want to Stay in Canada
Where do Albertans actually stand on separation?
A new province wide poll ahead of the October 19 referendum finds a large majority of Albertans in every region of the province, including right here at home, want to remain part of Canada.
The survey was commissioned by Vote to Stay and conducted by Innovative Research Group.
It comes just weeks after Elections Alberta confirmed the separation petition itself gathered enough signatures to succeed.
Wherever you land on this one, the conversation is not going away before October.
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🇨🇦 Carney Heads to Red Deer as the Separatism Conversation Continues
Why is the Prime Minister coming to central Alberta?
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit Red Deer Wednesday, the latest stop in his effort to engage directly with Albertans as the province heads toward its October independence referendum.
The visit lands the same week as a new poll showing most Albertans want to stay in Canada.
Red Deer sits almost exactly between Edmonton and Calgary, a symbolic stop right in the middle of it all.
Keep an eye out for what he actually says once he lands.
🛂 Renewing Your Passport Just Got a Lot Easier
Can you finally renew your Canadian passport online?
The federal government has removed the daily cap on online passport renewals, meaning every eligible Canadian can now apply online whenever it is convenient instead of waiting for one of 2,000 daily spots.
You need to be 16 or older with a passport issued in the last 15 years that is expired or expiring within six months.
Processing still takes about 20 business days, so do not wait until the week before your trip.
If your passport has been collecting dust in a drawer, today is the day.
🇯🇵 A Powerful Earthquake Rocked Southern Japan
What happened in the Kumamoto earthquake?
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, collapsing part of a shopping mall and a factory chimney, with several people confirmed dead and dozens more injured or missing.
More than a million people felt very strong to severe shaking from the quake.
Global Affairs Canada says it is monitoring the situation for any Canadians who may be affected.
A good moment to send a little extra patience and grace into the world today.
🕊️ Israel and Lebanon Head Back to the Table in Rome
What is next for the Israel Lebanon peace process?
Israel and Lebanon will hold a fresh round of talks in Rome from August 4 to 6, working to expand ceasefire pilot zones and settle outstanding border disputes as part of last month's framework agreement.
The sixth round of talks builds on what officials call significant momentum from the first pilot zone.
A comprehensive peace and security agreement remains the ultimate goal.
Cautious optimism feels earned on this one.
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬇1° lower than historical avg. Night ⬆1° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Wednesday July 29
Wednesday finally brings a break from the rain, mostly sunny with a high near 23C and only a slim chance of showers. Skies stay clear into a cool evening near 12C, a welcome breather before more storms return later this week.
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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Wednesday, July 29
🦗 Family Nature Nights: Crawling Critters 🎟️ Details
📅 Wed Jul 29 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Gold Bar Park, east Edmonton
Free, family friendly outdoor nature night focused on insects and other “crawling critters.”
🍸 Dolly's x Solmano Mezcal Cocktail Railcar 🎟️ Details
📅 Wed Jul 29 · ⏰ 7:15 p.m. · 📍 High Level Streetcar (Jasper Plaza Terminal)
Pop up mezcal cocktail experience aboard the historic High Level Bridge streetcar.
🎶 Qualico Patio Series (Sherwood Park) 🎟️ Details
📅 Wed Jul 29 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Broadmoor Lake Park, Sherwood Park
Relaxed outdoor concert series on the patio overlooking Broadmoor Lake.
🎷 Edmonton Jazz Alley 🎟️ Details
📅 Wed Jul 29 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Alberta Avenue (Jazz Alley)
Street level jazz night with music, drinks, and snacks along Alberta Avenue.
🔥 Cultural Campfires 🎟️ Details
📅 Wed Jul 29 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 Shikaoi Park, Stony Plain
Storytelling around a campfire featuring rotating cultural voices and local hosts.
Thursday, July 30
Ongoing festivals like Heritage Fest, Big Valley Jamboree, and summer patios keep rolling through Thursday.
🎡 K Days (final week atmosphere) 🎟️ Details
📅 Through Jul 30 · ⏰ Day & evening · 📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre & grounds
Mid week fair day with rides, midway games, food, and live entertainment.
🌍 Heritage Fest (lead in) 🎟️ Details
📅 Weekend of Aug 1 to 3 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Hawrelak/Gallagher Park area
Multi culture food and performance festival, up next after this week.
🎶 Summer at the Centre (Spruce Grove) 🎟️ Details
📅 Thu Jul 30 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 City Centre, Spruce Grove
Free street party style event with music and activities west of Edmonton.
Friday, July 31
🏀 Edmonton Stingers vs. Saskatoon Mamba 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Edmonton EXPO Centre
Pro basketball home game closing July, with a strong summer sports vibe.
🧠 Death: Life's Greatest Mystery (Exhibit opening) 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 to Fri Aug 7 · ⏰ Museum hours · 📍 Downtown Edmonton venue
Interactive exhibit exploring ideas about death, grief, and meaning.
🩸 Blade Blood Rave 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 · ⏰ 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. · 📍 Downtown Edmonton
Nightlife event inspired by the Blade movie rave aesthetic, dark club energy, themed music and visuals.
🏒 Summer Fun at WEM 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 West Edmonton Mall
Mall wide summer programming with attractions, games, and family activities.
🐟 Sea Lion Shows at WEM 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 · ⏰ Multiple showtimes · 📍 Sea Life Caverns, West Edmonton Mall
Short, family friendly sea lion performances running through the day.
⛸ Afterglow Skate Night 🎟️ Details
📅 Fri Jul 31 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 Ice rink, West Edmonton Mall
Music driven public skate night with lights and a casual party feel.
HIT OR MISS 🎯
Hit or miss on your go to rainy day spot?
With this soggy summer nowhere near done, we want to know where you go when the sky opens up. Some go to picks: TELUS World of Science, West Edmonton Mall, the Royal Alberta Museum, or a coffee shop with a good window seat. Hit reply and tell us your pick, hit or miss.