Thursday, May 8

• Jackie Carmichael spoke with residents evacuated from the Redwater Recreation Area due to wildfire burns in Sturgeon County spanning roughly 1,500 hectares.
  
  
• Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she was “pleased” by the tone of the first ministers meeting with fellow premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
   
• In Sports, Robert Tychkowski questions whether the Edmonton Oilers have a killer instinct.
  
  
• In Arts, Fish Griwkowsky put a spotlight on the winners of the $100,000 annual Edmonton Arts Prizes.

Thoughts or suggestions? Email rostad@postmedia.com

— Ramin Ostad

Evacuations follow loss as wildfire burns in Sturgeon County

Shantelle Williams and her husband were running on fumes Wednesday — that and seven hours of sleep over the four days since their historic farmstead burned up in a wildfire at Redwater River Ranch. “Yeah, running on adrenaline,” she told Postmedia. Extreme fire behaviour and treetop-hopping blazes led to wider evacuations of people and livestock around the Redwater Provincial Recreation Area, 60 km northeast of Edmonton on Wednesday.

Edmonton kicks off 2025 with $1.5B in construction including Downtown park and more residential roads

A major transformation is underway in the heart of Edmonton as work accelerates on the city’s newest Downtown green space, Warehouse Park, marking the start of a construction season that will see more than 70 infrastructure projects break ground across the city. Crown prosecutor Michelle Kai says Olason used excessive force by kicking, stomping and standing on Beaver’s head during the arrest, which was caught on surveillance video. The defence says Olason’s use of force was justified.

Trial continues for former Edmonton police officer who kicked suspect in head

An Edmonton police officer whose former colleague is on trial for putting his boots to a man’s head told jurors he believed the man was resisting arrest. The assault trial of former Edmonton Police Service Const. Oli Olason entered its third day Wednesday with testimony from Const. Daniel Fedechko. A member of the EPS tactical unit, Fedechko was partnered with Olason on March 23, 2021, when they arrested Lee Van Beaver in the alleyway outside Transcend Coffee shop, 9570 76 Ave.

'Stability and calm': Former Edmonton police chief Dale McFee tackles new challenges as top civil servant

Dale McFee was anxious about buying his first large property, a strip mall in Prince Albert, Sask., where he worked as a police officer. Based on his successful four-year stint with the Prince Albert Raiders, McFee had a good name in hockey-mad P.A. but he didn’t have the money for such a large purchase, so he went to an older local businessperson, a mentor, to convince him to invest.

• • Alberta far-right extremist who stockpiled weapons given another year
  • ALERT laid charges in relation to 2024 drug seizure worth $3 million

  • Lorne Gunter: Is Premier Smith working to limit chances of separation?

  • Edmonton home sales and inventory climb with spring temperatures

  • Opinion: Together, we can stop the spread of measles in Alberta

Alberta premier 'pleased' by tone of first ministers meeting, Ford says Ottawa needs to show Prairies 'some love'

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she was “pleased” by the tone of the first ministers meeting with fellow premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney held virtually on Wednesday. In a statement to Postmedia, Smith said there was a consensus among premiers that the federal government needs to clear regulations on their end to pave the way for nation-building projects and attract new investment.

Cooper to resign as MLA and Speaker to take on job as Alberta representative in D.C.

Alberta Speaker Nathan Cooper is set to resign from his role as MLA and take on a new job as the province’s representative in Washington beginning next month. Cooper, 45, has served as MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills for close to a decade and will replace former Edmonton Conservative MP James Rajotte in the D.C.-based diplomatic post. He shared news of his new role in an address to the legislative assembly Wednesday afternoon, saying Premier Danielle Smith had offered him the position and he had accepted.

Can Edmonton Oilers killer instinct conquer Golden Knights desperation?

Leading 1-0 in a playoff series isn’t exactly uncharted territory for the Edmonton Oilers, but they might have to call up Google Maps just to make sure they don’t get lost. A team that makes its living from crawling out of holes could maybe use a little guidance now that they aren’t in one. For just the fourth time in 15 playoff series in the Connor McDavid era, they aren’t trailing 1-0.

Oil Kings opt for pair of defencemen with two first-round picks in WHL bantam draft

After the Edmonton Oil Kings lost the WHL bantam draft lottery last month to the Regina Pats with the best odds going in, and they missed out on the slam-dunk selection of phenom forward Maddox Schultz — an early comparison to Connor Bedard — they had to quickly pivot after not getting the No. 1 junior selection. 

Darin Hagen among winners as Edmonton music, film, books and visual arts awarded $100,000

The $100,000 annual Edmonton Arts Prizes have been awarded, showcasing an impressive range of local talent and vision! Longtime playwright, queer advocate and drag legend Darin Hagen has taken the City of Edmonton Film Prize for his documentary Pride vs. Prejudice: The Delwin Vriend Story, it was announced at a ceremony at Roxy Theatre Wednesday night, while alternative electro-pop artist margø has grabbed its Music Prize cousin for her debut album, who are you when you’re alone?

This space is dedicated to the fabulous and impactful photos taken by Postmedia photographers while they’re out and about town.

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Christopher Jackson celebrates on the sidelines during the first day of the Edmonton Elks' rookie camp held on the turf at Commonwealth Stadium on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts/Postmedia

A window washer cleans windows on 100 Street Place in Downtown Edmonton on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Greg Southam/Postmedia

Mark Carney's 'United Canada' position is undercut by Alberta's Danielle Smith. Malcolm Mayes.

Letters To The Editor welcome

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Email: letters@edmontonjournal.com

Thursday's letters: No mandate for pursuing Alberta sovereignty

Premier Smith and her caucus were never given a mandate to pursue any form of Alberta sovereignty without first seeking a clearly worded public referendum or calling an election explicitly centred on that issue.

The United Conservative Party’s current approach to governance is increasingly concerning — appearing to echo a “made-in-Alberta” version of MAGA-style politics. The premier, seemingly guided by voices from a narrow ideological echo chamber, appears out of touch with the broader need for unity — particularly at a time when Canadians face significant external challenges that demand national solidarity.

That said, I remain confident that all rational, informed and progressive Albertans will reject this direction, now, and when the time comes to take more direct action.

'

Lorne Parker, Edmonton