Government alerted to no sexually graphic material so far in rural school libraries

By George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter No examples of potentially age-inappropriate content from Alberta’s rural school libraries had landed on the education minister’s desk by Tuesday morning. During a roundtable with about 20 reporters and other rural media representatives, Demetrios Nicolaides confirmed that the examples of graphic content the government was alerted to originated from four books in Edmonton and … Read more

Hundreds kept out of meeting on controversial Crowsnest Pass coal mine

By Alexandra Noad, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The Premier’s Coal Town Hall event held on Wednesday evening at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall was described as “a gong show” by many in attendance, with several being left outside, including the media. Hundreds of people lined up down the street hours before the doors opened, many of them protesting the … Read more

Voters must register for 2025 Municipal Election

By Lacie Nairn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Residents interested in exercising their voting rights during the 2025 municipal elections will need to ensure that they are registered to vote in the upcoming municipal election before September 15, 2025.  This is the first municipal election cycle where voters will need to register to vote following changes made by the Municipal Affairs Statutes … Read more

Boos, cheers and pointed questions: Emotions flare at coal town hall with Danielle Smith, ministers

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter “You took us down!” “What about the back room deal?” Voices shouted in protest, fists pounded on chairs and anti-mining placards waved in the air at the Fort Macleod community hall as Premier Danielle Smith stepped to the podium June 11 to face sharp scrutiny over Alberta’s coal future. Dozens stood along the walls, … Read more

Coal town hall draws conflicting reactions

By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Reactions to last week’s coal town hall revealed the sharp divide that remains over coal development in southern Alberta. Dean Ward, a Municipality of Crowsnest Pass councillor who attended the meeting, said he was disappointed by what he described as a lack of respectful dialogue. “I went to the coal meeting in Fort Macleod … Read more

Alberta government PR branch moved under premier’s office

By Brett McKay, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Alberta’s government has quietly transferred responsibility for its communications wing to the premier’s office, greatly expanding the size and budget of the province’s executive council. An April 29 Order in Council shifted responsibility for the province’s Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) department from Treasury Board and Finance to Executive Council, meaning Premier Danielle Smith is now … Read more