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The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Friday!
We are finally trading the umbrella for sunglasses today, with a high near 29C and barely a cloud in sight.
A group of Edmonton seniors is heading to court over missing retirement savings, the Elks just put together the best passing game the CFL has seen in years, and the skies over southern Europe and the Middle East are anything but calm. Here is what is making news across Edmonton and the surrounding areas this Friday.
🏠 Edmonton Seniors Take Their Retirement Home to Court
What happened to their life lease investments?
Dozens of residents at Lions Village of Greater Edmonton Society say they still do not know where their life lease money went, and they are done waiting for answers.
The group alleges the society mismanaged the investments residents paid into when they moved in.
Many say they are now unsure how much of their original investment they will ever see back.
If this touches your own family, this one is worth the read.
🏈 Elks QB Throws for a CFL Era Best, Rematch Saturday
How good was Cody Fajardo's game against Saskatchewan?
Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for a career best 510 yards and four touchdowns in a thrilling 36 to 34 road win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the first CFL quarterback to hit 500 yards in a game since 2017.
Receiver Austin Mack added four catches for 173 yards including a 57 yard and an 81 yard touchdown.
The two teams meet again Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in the second half of their home and home series.
Good excuse for a Saturday night at the stadium.
⚠️ Tanker Truck Tire Catches Fire Outside West Edmonton
What happened near Winterburn Road?
A tanker truck carrying sulfuric acid was pulled over near Winterburn Road and 103 Avenue Thursday evening after one of its tires caught fire.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded and brought the fire under control.
No injuries or leaks were reported.
Worth knowing if you were anywhere near that stretch last night.
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✈️ WestJet Flight Attendants Issue 72 Hour Strike Notice
Could WestJet flights actually be grounded this weekend?
The union representing 4,400 WestJet flight attendants served the airline a 72 hour strike notice Thursday, and WestJet responded with its own lockout notice, raising the possibility of grounded flights as early as Sunday.
Passengers booked between now and August 4 can change or cancel their flight without a fee.
Both sides say talks are still progressing as the deadline nears.
If you have a flight booked this weekend, this one is worth watching closely.
🏛️ Smith Asks Carney to Rework the Equalization Formula
What is Alberta actually asking for?
At the same Red Deer stop where Ottawa announced housing infrastructure funding this week, Premier Danielle Smith also pressed Prime Minister Mark Carney to reconsider how equalization payments are calculated.
Smith argues the current formula does not reflect what fairness looks like for Alberta.
Carney said a review of the formula is already coming, without committing to specific changes.
One more thread in the ongoing conversation between Alberta and Ottawa.
🔥 Southern Europe's Wildfires Turn Deadly
How bad has it gotten across France, Spain and Greece?
Two firefighters died battling a blaze in Greece this week as an uncontained wildfire four times the size of Paris kept crews on edge in southwest France, part of a wildfire emergency that has driven a third of a million people from their homes across France and Spain.
France's Gironde region remains the country's largest active wildfire battle, with more than 2,200 firefighters and 20 aircraft mobilized.
Tens of thousands of evacuees have begun returning home in parts of Spain as crews make progress.
A hard reminder of how fast a heat wave can turn.
🚢 Drone Strikes US Owned Tanker at Egyptian Port
How far is this conflict spreading now?
A drone struck a US owned gas tanker at Egypt's Damietta port this week, sparking a fire that spread to a second vessel and marking the first confirmed attack on Egyptian soil since the Middle East conflict began.
Egyptian officials say a drone caused the fires, and no one was injured.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The ripple effects keep reaching further.
The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.
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.
You already showed up this morning and read to this point, and I am grateful for that more than you know. If you want to do one more thing for this community, click through to one of our sponsors today. They are the only links sitting outside the purple frames, and every click keeps us going.
Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬇2° higher than historical avg. Night ⬆5° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Friday July 31
Friday brings mostly clear skies and plenty of sunshine with a high near 29C, the warmest stretch we have seen in a while. It stays clear and mild overnight with a low near 17C, great timing for anything happening outdoors this evening.
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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
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.
Saturday, August 1
🌍 Edmonton Heritage Festival 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 1–Mon Aug 3 · ⏰ 12–8 p.m. · 📍 William Hawrelak Park / Edmonton Exhibition Lands, 9330 Groat Rd NW
Huge multicultural festival with food, performances, and shopping from 100+ cultures.eventeny+2
🏀 FIBA 3x3 Hoop City 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 1–Mon Aug 3 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 West Edmonton Mall Ice Palace
Free-to-watch international 3x3 basketball action all weekend.edmontonmama+1
🎧 Subsonic Forest 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 1 · ⏰ 9 p.m.–2 a.m. · 📍 The Faculty Event Centre, 10151 82 Ave NW
Late-night electronic and bass showcase for club-goers.electricyeg
⚾ Big Valley Jamboree Saturday Pass 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 1 · ⏰ All day · 📍 Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds, Camrose
Country music festival day pass with big-headliner energy.labs.songkick
🎨 Chinatown food tours 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Aug 1 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 Chinatown
Budget-friendly savoury and sweet food tour options.
STORY CORNER 📖
A free lemonade stand with nothing for sale
On a stretch of 149th Street this week, a ten year old boy set up a folding table with a hand painted sign that just said FREE, water and lemonade for anyone working outside. His mom said he had seen the news about Calgary sending cleanup crews north and wanted to do something too, even something small. Over three afternoons he handed out more than 200 cups to city workers, storm crews and neighbours out walking their dogs in the heat. He would not take a single dollar, even when people tried to leave one anyway. When asked why, he just shrugged and said everyone seemed to be helping everyone else this week, so he figured he would too.
Sometimes the whole spirit of a hard week shows up in a kid with a pitcher of lemonade. Got a small moment like this from around Edmonton or the surrounding area? Hit reply, I would love to feature it.