The Edmonton Brief: House renting by the hour, teachers in court and Oilers trade

This is one of those neighbourhood issues that quietly turns into a bigger city conversation.

Residents near the University of Alberta say some newly built infill homes are being rented out room-by-room — and in some cases even by the hour.

The homes were approved as multi-family developments, but neighbours say the way they’re being used is creating problems for the community.

Here’s what residents say they’re noticing:

• Higher turnover of short-term tenants
• Increased traffic at all hours
• Concerns about safety and zoning enforcement

City officials say they’re looking into the complaints and reviewing whether the properties are being used in ways that violate local bylaws.

For many Edmontonians, the situation highlights the growing tension between higher-density housing and preserving neighbourhood character.

Click here: to read the full story and see how the city may respond.

A legal battle between Alberta’s teachers and the provincial government is heading back to court.

The case challenges the province’s use of back-to-work legislation, which ended a previous teachers’ strike.

Teachers argue the law violated their constitutional right to collective bargaining.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Whether the legislation infringed on Charter rights
• Future labour negotiations between teachers and the province
• Potential precedent for other public sector disputes

Education advocates say the ruling could shape how labour disputes are handled across Alberta for years to come.

For families, the outcome may influence future contract negotiations, school stability, and education funding discussions.

Click here: to follow the case and see what happens next.

The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a thrilling 5–4 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators, continuing their push toward the playoffs.

⚡ The moment:
Defenseman Evan Bouchard blasted the overtime winner, completing Edmonton’s comeback and sending the home crowd into celebration.

It was a big night for Leon Draisaitl, who finished with two goals and three assists, driving much of the Oilers’ offence.

The victory comes just as Edmonton makes a strategic move ahead of the NHL trade deadline.

The team recently acquired veteran defenseman Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks, adding size, experience, and defensive reliability to the blue line.

Here’s what Murphy brings to Edmonton:

• Over 800 NHL games of NHL experience
• Strong shot-blocking and penalty-killing ability
• A more physical presence on defence

While Murphy didn’t play in the Ottawa game, the move signals the Oilers are strengthening their defence for a serious playoff push.

For fans, the big question now is whether this addition gives Edmonton the defensive stability needed for a deeper postseason run.

Oilers fans:
Is Murphy the missing defensive piece for a deep playoff run?

Watch the overtime winner and full game highlights here.

A measles exposure alert has been issued for Strathcona Community Hospital in Sherwood Park, after Alberta Health Services confirmed a possible exposure in mid-February.

Health officials say anyone who was at the hospital during the exposure window should watch for symptoms over the coming days.

Here’s what residents should know:

• The exposure occurred at Strathcona Community Hospital
• Measles symptoms can appear 7–21 days after exposure
• People who are unvaccinated or unsure of their status are most at risk

Health authorities are urging anyone who may have been exposed to monitor symptoms and check their vaccination records.

For families in the Sherwood Park area, the situation is a reminder of how quickly highly contagious illnesses like measles can spread.

Read the full health advisory and exposure details here.

A growing community west of Edmonton marked an important milestone this weekend.

Spruce Grove celebrated its 40th anniversary as a city, reflecting on its growth from a small settlement to one of Alberta’s larger communities.

The area was first settled by French and Scottish families in 1891, later becoming a town in 1971 before officially receiving city status in 1986.

At the time, some residents were concerned the transition might change the town’s identity. Former mayor George Cuff said leaders believed the city could grow while still maintaining its strong community feel.

A ceremony at Heavy Metal Place marked the anniversary and included an Indigenous hoop dance performance and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Today, Spruce Grove has grown to more than 44,000 residents, making it the 12th largest city in Alberta, about 25 kilometres west of Edmonton.

Read the highlight of the day, as well as the full story

A growing conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran is already sending shockwaves through global energy markets.

Oil prices have surged as fears grow that the war could disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil routes in the world. Around 20% of global oil supply passes through the strait, making it a critical chokepoint for energy markets.

Since the conflict escalated, Brent crude has climbed above about $80 per barrel, with analysts warning prices could rise further if the conflict expands.

Here’s why this matters for Canada and Alberta:

• Higher oil prices can boost revenue for Alberta’s government
• Canadian energy companies may see stronger profits and investment
• But Canadians could also face higher gasoline and travel costs

Some analysts say geopolitical tensions could even make Canada a more reliable oil supplier for global markets if Middle East exports become unstable.

For Albertans, that means the conflict could have mixed effects — stronger oil revenues but potentially higher fuel prices.

Read more about how the conflict is affecting global oil markets.

Alberta’s March forecast is shaping up to be messy and unpredictable. Northern Alberta is expected to stay cooler than normal, southern areas like Calgary may see slightly warmer temperatures, and Edmonton will likely hover around seasonal averages with short warm and cold swings.

Precipitation is expected to be higher than normal, especially in northern Alberta and around Edmonton, meaning a mix of snow and rain is likely. While meteorological spring has begun, winter conditions could still linger — typical for Alberta’s ever-changing March weather.