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Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Saturday! ☀️
It is shaping up to be another scorcher before storms roll in tonight, so soak up the sunshine early and keep an eye on the sky by evening.
We have got Alberta’s separation petition officially clearing the bar, Edmonton’s mosquitoes breaking records, and a heartbreaking wildfire situation unfolding across France and Spain. Here is what is making news across Edmonton and the surrounding areas this Saturday.
🗳️ Alberta Separation Petition Declared Successful, Referendum Vote Still Set for October
What just happened with Alberta’s separation petition?
Elections Alberta confirmed the Stay Free Alberta pro separation petition gathered enough valid signatures to succeed, close to 223,000 verified out of about 280,000 submitted, clearing the threshold with room to spare.
The document is largely symbolic since Premier Smith already called the October 19 referendum on her own, independent of the petition process.
A competing Forever Canadian petition asking whether Alberta should stay was verified back in December with more than 400,000 signatures, nearly double the separation total.
Either way, the vote itself is already locked in for the fall.
🦟 Edmonton’s Mosquito Population Just Broke Records
How bad is Edmonton’s mosquito problem right now?
This week may have been the peak of the largest mosquito swarm Edmonton has seen in at least five years, possibly since the early 1980s, after last month’s rainfall shattered records across the region.
The city’s own scientist says counts are running about fifteen times higher than this time last year.
Store shelves have been running low on bug spray as the swarm keeps building.
Hang in there, cooler and drier weather should start thinning them out soon.
🎤 John Cena Is Coming to Edmonton Expo This September
Who else is joining the Edmonton Expo lineup this year?
WWE and Hollywood star John Cena is joining Ron Perlman, Christopher Judge and the cast of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie at this year’s Edmonton Expo, running September 18 to 20.
Autographs, photo ops and special experiences go on sale Tuesday July 28 at 10am.
Cena joins a lineup already stacked with familiar faces from film and television.
Mark your calendar if you want a shot at meeting him.
🔍 Search for Missing Calgary Boy Parker Wells Enters a 9th Day
Has Parker Wells been found yet?
Not yet. The search for eleven year old Parker, who is nonverbal and autistic, shifted to Nose Hill Park Friday, with more than 300 Calgary police members involved and volunteers now travelling in from across the province to help.
Police have covered more than 7,000 kilometres in the search so far.
Investigators are asking residents to check sheds, decks and any hidden corners of their property.
Keep him in your thoughts and keep an eye out.
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🇺🇸 U.S. Hits Canada With a New 10 Percent Tariff Over Forced Labour Claims
What is this new US tariff on Canada actually about?
The Trump administration imposed a new tariff on 60 countries including Canada this week, citing weak forced labour protections in supply chains, separate from the steeper 50 percent tariff already set to take effect August 19.
Goods traded under CUSMA, including oil and gas, are exempt from this particular tariff.
Canada’s trade minister called the move not unexpected and says talks with the US will continue.
One more thread in an already tangled trade relationship.
🏀 Commonwealth Games Open in Glasgow, Canada’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Off to a Strong Start
How did Canada do on opening day of the Commonwealth Games?
Canada’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball teams opened the 2026 Commonwealth Games with a pair of wins as they defend their title, part of a busy opening day that saw fourteen gold medals decided across the Games in Glasgow.
Canadian swimmers picked up the country’s first two medals of the Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Canadian gymnasts also captured gold in the men’s team event on day one.
Plenty more to watch as the Games continue through August 2.
🔥 More Than 200,000 People Flee Wildfires Tearing Through France and Spain
How bad are the wildfires burning across France and Spain right now?
Wildfires burning out of control in southwestern France and central Spain forced more than 200,000 people from their homes, some escaping by boat off France’s Atlantic coast, as Spain declared a national emergency in two regions.
Flames near Bordeaux pushed thousands to flee the Cap Ferret peninsula, some by water.
Spain’s Avila province alone has seen between 13,000 and 15,000 hectares burn.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by one of Europe’s worst fire seasons in years.
⚖️ ICC Removes Its Chief Prosecutor Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations, a First
Why did the ICC just remove its chief prosecutor?
Member states of the International Criminal Court voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan nearly two years after misconduct allegations first surfaced, the first time in the court’s history a chief prosecutor has been removed from office.
Eighty two of the court’s 125 member states voted to remove him, well past the majority needed.
Khan denies any wrongdoing and his lawyers call the process unfair.
A historic first for an institution built to hold others accountable.
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Edmonton local Weather
Day ⬆4° higher than historical avg. Night ⬆3° higher than historical avg.
Edmonton Weather: Saturday July 25
Saturday starts off clear and mild near 19C, warming into a hot sunny afternoon near 27C that will feel closer to 33C under strong UV with a heat warning in effect, before evening thunderstorms roll in and cool things back down to around 23C overnight.
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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas
Saturday, July 25
🥕 Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 8 a.m.–3 p.m. 📍 10310 83 Ave NW.
Indoor, year‑round food and makers market.osfm+1
🥕 Downtown Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 📍 104 St, north of Jasper Ave
Outdoor downtown market with local vendors.edmonton
🥕 Bountiful Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 9 a.m.–4 p.m. 📍 3696 97 St NW
Large indoor south‑side market with food stalls.exploreedmonton
🥕 South Common Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 📍 South Edmonton Common area
Seasonal outdoor market with fresh produce.infoedmonton+1
🥕 124 Grand Market (South) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 📍 2110 101 St NW
Neighbourhood market with food trucks and makers.exploreedmonton
🌾 St. Albert Outdoor Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 📍 5 St. Anne St, St. Albert
Large outdoor market with hundreds of vendors.edmonton.taproot
🌾 Spruce Grove Market at the Elevator 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 📍 120 Railway Ave, Spruce Grove
Small‑town style market by historic elevator.edifyedmonton
🌾 Stony Plain Farmers’ Market 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 9 a.m.–1 p.m. 📍 5008 51 Ave, Stony Plain
Community market with local growers and crafters.edifyedmonton
🧘 Rooftop Yoga Flow & Brunch 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 10–11 a.m. 📍 Ice District rooftop, 10332 103 St NW
All‑levels rooftop class plus brunch.
🍻 Establishment Brewing Patio Takeover 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Afternoon–evening. 📍 Frank’s Pub
Tap takeover with craft beer on the patio.
🎉 Summer Block Party on Rice Howard Way 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 1–6 p.m. 📍 Rice Howard Way Entertainment District
Downtown streets with patios and live music.edmontondowntown
🎵 Music on Stony Plain Road 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 6–8:30 p.m. 📍 10126 150 St NW
Free outdoor concert with local musicians.edmonton.taproot
🗣 The Breakdown AB Live 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 7–9:30 p.m. 📍 10045 156 St NW
Live taping of Alberta politics podcast.edmonton.taproot
🎤 Post Malone + Jelly Roll (Night 2) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 7:30 p.m. 📍 Commonwealth Stadium, 11000 Stadium Rd NW
Second night of the stadium concert run.concerts50
🧩 The Locked Library: The Book Case 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Evening slots. 📍 Stanley A. Milner Library
Large‑scale escape room inside the library.
🎭 Spelling Bee (Relaxed/CC Performance) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Evening. 📍 Citadel Theatre
Relaxed, captioned version of the musical.
🎉 Chinatown After Dark 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Evening. 📍 Chinatown (multiple streets)
Night‑market style food and street culture.
🎧 Beach Bash at The Starlite Room 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Late night. 📍 The Starlite Room, Indoor beach‑themed DJ party.
🪑 Anecdote Coffee Tasting 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 2‑hour session. 📍 West Block, 14055 West Block Dr NW
Guided tasting of specialty coffees.
✍️ Free Ekphrastic Writing Workshop 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ 2‑hour workshop. 📍 10130 100 St NW
Free creative writing session based on art.
⚾ Riverhawks Wizards, Wands & Magic 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sat Jul 25 · ⏰ Evening. 📍 RE/MAX Field, 10233 96 Ave NW
Wizard‑themed baseball night with extras.
Sunday, July 26
🍳 Campio Brewing Charity Drag Brunch 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Late morning–early afternoon · 📍 Campio Brewing Co.
Brunch drag show with local performers and craft beer.
🥟 Dragon Food Tour: Savoury Chinatown Walking Tour 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 CTC Storytelling Centre, Chinatown
Guided savoury food tour through Chinatown’s shops and eateries.
🍨 Dragon Food Tour: Sweet Streets of Chinatown 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Daytime · 📍 CTC Storytelling Centre, Chinatown
Dessert‑focused walking tour hitting hidden sweet spots.
🥕 Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (Sunday opening) 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · 📍 10310 83 Ave NW
Indoor, year‑round farmers’ and makers market.
☀️ SolarFest Day at Earth’s Refillery 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Afternoon · 📍 Earth’s Refillery Coop
Solar‑powered demos, barber chair, and climate‑action displays.
🎬 A Mother is Born Screening & Talk 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Evening · 📍 8712 109 St NW
Documentary screening on midwifery with discussion.
⚾ Edmonton Riverhawks Fan Appreciation Day 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Afternoon game · 📍 RE/MAX Field, 10233 96 Ave NW
Final Barking Bleachers day with Frisbee Rob and Sailor.
🍷 Darling Wine Club: Chilled Reds 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Afternoon · 📍 Darling, 9616 Whyte Ave NW
Tasting of natural chilled reds with snacks.
🥖 Vagabond La Grand Picnic 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Afternoon · 📍 Government House Park, 9330 Groat Rd NW
French‑style picnic boxes at a riverside site.
🧘 Sunday Night Sunset Yoga Season 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ Sunset · 📍 Outdoor location, Edmonton
Gentle outdoor flow timed with sunset.
🚲 Bike Month Critical Mass Ride 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ 6 p.m. · 📍 Alexander Circle, Glenora
Community group ride closing out Bike Month.
🎭 A Salute to 1967! 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ 5:30 p.m. · 📍 Varscona Theatre, Old Strathcona
Retro show celebrating 1967’s music and culture.
👗 Summer Clothing Swap at Earth’s Refillery 🎟️ Details
🗓 Sun Jul 26 · ⏰ 11 a.m. · 📍 Earth’s Refillery Coop
Bring clothes to swap and refresh your wardrobe.
🌸 Taste of Edmonton, running through July 26 🎟️ Details
📅 Daily through Jul 26 · ⏰ 11:00 AM to late · 📍 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
THIS OR THAT 🗳️
Post Malone and Jelly Roll at Commonwealth Stadium tonight, or 54.40 closing out Taste of Edmonton at Churchill Square?
Two very different Saturday nights are happening a few blocks apart. One is a stadium sized concert with fireworks and pyrotechnics, the other is a hometown band sending off a week of Taste of Edmonton with a free downtown show. Reply with your pick, we want to know which one you are choosing tonight.