Alberta Issues Fire Bans in Some Provincial Parks Due to Dry Conditions The Alberta government has issued fire bans for several provincial parks and recreation areas in the northeastern part of the province as dry conditions increase wildfire risks. The bans prohibit outdoor campfires at Whitemud Falls and Crow Lake Pr...

Chipewyan Prairie First Nation man charged with arson after home goes up in flames JANVIER, AB. - A 54-year-old man from Chipewyan Prairie First Nation is facing an arson charge after a fire destroyed a residence in the community south of Fort McMurray last week. On April 15, around 4:15 p.m., Wood Buffalo RCMP and Reg...

Fire devastates parts Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village centre, irreplaceable artifacts lost A fire that tore through the grounds near Alberta's Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village has destroyed the site's visitor centre, taking with it a collection of irreplaceable artifacts that told the story of generations of Ukr...

CBSA intercepts 17.6 kilograms of cocaine at Montréal-Trudeau Airport More than $2 million worth of cocaine will never make it to Canadian streets thanks to a major drug bust at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. On April 4, officers with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted a suspici...

Bank of Canada holds interest rate steady amid global trade uncertainty The Bank of Canada is holding its key interest rate at 2.75 per cent, citing growing global uncertainty caused by unpredictable U.S. trade policies and tariff threats. "The major shift in direction of U.S. trade policy and the unpredictability...

Drop off pet waste for free at convenient locations this April Fort McMurray, AB - Spring has arrived, and with it comes the need to clean up pet waste that accumulated over the winter. To help residents dispose of it responsibly, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is providing free pet waste drop-off at two loc...

China Turns to Canadian Crude, Seeking to Replace U.S. Imports Chinese refiners imported a record 7.3 million barrels of Canadian crude through the Trans Mountain Pipeline in March, and April deliveries are on pace to surpass that level as Beijing shifts its sourcing away from U.S. supply. The Trans Mountain expansion,...

Province issues bear activity advisory as animals emerge from hibernation FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - As bears begin to wake from their winter slumber, Alberta Forestry and Parks, alongside Public Safety and Emergency Services, has issued a seasonal bear activity advisory, reminding residents to be cautious when heading out...

Fire advisory issued for southern RMWB as wildfire near Janvier reaches 150 hectares FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - Alberta Wildfire has issued a fire advisory for parts of the southern Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) as dry and windy conditions continue across the Lac La Biche Forest Area. The advisory affects the ...

Street Sweepers Take Over as RMWB Wraps Up Winter Maintenance Season Fort McMurray, AB- Say goodbye to snowplows and hello to street sweepers. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is officially calling an end to its annual Winter Maintenance Zone (WMZ) season, after clearing over 404,695 cubic metres of snow from ...

Inter Pipeline Fort McMurray Marathon returns this fall with community spirit and Boston dreams FORT MCMURRAY, AB. - One of northern Alberta's most anticipated athletic events is lacing up for another big year. The Inter Pipeline Fort McMurray Marathon is set to return on Sunday, September 21, 2025, bringing runners of...

Wildfire near Janvier grows to 100 hectares, cause under investigation JANVIER, AB. - A new wildfire burning about 10 kilometres north of the hamlet of Janvier has grown to approximately 100 hectares in size, making it one of the largest new wildfires in Alberta so far this year. Alberta Wildfire says the blaze began a...

Oil Prices Rise as OPEC Sees Steady Demand Despite Trade Risks Oil prices climbed slightly on Monday, with Brent crude reaching $65.39 and WTI hitting $62.14, after OPEC revised its 2025 demand growth forecast to 1.3 million barrels per day, down 150,000 bpd from previous estimates. The rebound in oil prices were also ...

Liberal Staffers Caught Planting Fake Buttons at Conservative Conference, Prompting Apology from Carney Liberal campaign staff are under fire after a covert operation at a conservative networking event in Ottawa backfired, sparking international headlines. Last week, two Liberal operatives infiltrated the Canada Strong...

Residency questions arise as federal election approaches in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake FORT McMURRAY, AB - With less than two weeks to go before Canadians head to the polls, voters in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake are raising concerns about where their local candidates actually live. Out of the six names on the ballot, only two...

Updated April 14 2025 10:00am River Breakup Complete in Fort McMurrayFlood risk has passed; public urged to avoid riverbanks River breakup is now complete, ending the risk of ice jam-related flooding along the Clearwater and Athabasca rivers. "We had an early and active river breakup this year," said Erin Sie...

Two Canadians honoured posthumously for sacrifice in Ukraine A pair of Canadians who lost their lives defending Ukraine are being honoured by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada. Austin Lathlin-Bercier and Winton "Bud" Hardy have been awarded the Ukrainian Cana...

Keyano College lays off staff amid budget pressures, federal policy changes FORT McMURRAY - Keyano College has laid off a significant number of employees as part of what it describes as a strategic effort to "right-size" its workforce in response to federal policy changes and rising operational costs. Multipl...

Measles cases climb in Alberta as health officials urge vaccination Alberta is reporting eight new cases of measles, including one in the North Zone, bringing the provincial total to 58 confirmed cases. The outbreak is concentrated in central and southern Alberta, but health officials warn the true number may be higher...

River break-up underway on Athabasca River FORT McMURRAY, Alta. - The river break-up is underway. The province issued an update on the status of the Athabasca River at 1:45 p.m. on April 13. "The River Ice Advisory for the ice breakup of the Athabasca River from the House River to Fort McKay remains in effect.This...

Alberta Wildland Firefighter Morgan Kitchen Memorialized with $1,000 Scholarship A new scholarship has been established in honor of Morgan Kitchen, an Alberta wildland firefighter who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. Kitchen, 24, died last summer while battling wildfires near the fire-ravaged town of Jaspe...

Alberta looks beyond U.S. as Trump tariffs open door to new trade opportunities EDMONTON - As the United States escalates its trade war with China, Alberta is pushing forward with a global economic strategy aimed at reducing its reliance on U.S. markets and expanding international trade relationships. On Wednesday, U.S...

Fort McMurray teen headed to elite provincial theatre camp with help from local troupe A young actress from Fort McMurray is heading to Red Deer this summer for an elite theatre camp, thanks to the support of a local theatre troupe. Fourteen-year-old Zoey Zaharchuk has been selected to attend Artstrek, a week-long imme...

Alberta expands wildfire weather network with $900K investment to improve response and community protection EDMONTON - Alberta is upgrading its wildfire weather network with a $900,000 investment aimed at better predicting fire hazards and keeping communities safer. In partnership with FortisAlberta, the province will ...

Wood Buffalo RCMP Seeking Public's Help to Locate Missing 12-Year-Old Girl Wood Buffalo RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 12-year-old Ava Franklin, who was last seen on April 9th around noon. Police have expressed concern for her wellbeing. Ava is described as 5'5" tall, weighing 140 pounds, ...

Canadian Paralympic Champion Nate Tucker Inspires Fort McMurray Students During In-Person Visit FORT MCMURRAY, AB - Canadian Paralympic gold medalist Nate Tucker is coming to Fort McMurray as part of a special mentorship event at Dr. K.A. Clark School. Tucker, a world-record-holding runner who overcame a childhood brai...

Six candidates confirmed in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake federal race FORT McMURRAY, AB - The race is officially on in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake, with six candidates confirmed by Elections Canada to appear on the ballot for the upcoming federal election. Incumbent MP Laila Goodridge is seeking re-election under the Conservati...

Alberta Monitoring Global Economic Uncertainty as Oil Prices Dip Below Budget Forecast Alberta is closely watching global economic volatility amid fluctuating oil prices, which have fallen below the province's budget projections. The 2025 budget was based on an average oil price of $68 per barrel, but prices have recen...

Trump pauses global tariffs, sparks market rebound - but China duties remain U.S. President Donald Trump has hit pause on his global tariffs for 90 days, triggering a rebound in oil prices and a rally on North American stock markets. The move follows steep market losses and growing fears of a U.S. recession. Trump now ...

Global markets reel as US-China trade war erupts into full-scale economic conflict A full-scale trade war between the world's two largest economies has erupted, with the United States enacting sweeping 104 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports and China responding with its own retaliatory measures. The move marks a sharp...

Alberta tourism sector booming, on pace to break spending record again in 2024 Alberta's tourism sector is surging at a pace unmatched by any other province. The latest data shows a 10 per cent increase in visitor spending during the first nine months of 2024. The province says this puts Alberta on track to break last ...

New top Mountie appointed as RCMP leadership changes hands in Alberta Alberta's RCMP have a new commanding officer, as Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux steps into the role following the retirement of Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill. Daroux brings more than 36 years of policing experience to the position, including tim...

Alberta government proposes scrapping municipal codes of conduct in overhaul of local governance rules EDMONTON - Alberta is proposing to scrap the requirement for municipal councils to adopt codes of conduct, citing growing concerns that the rules have been misused and caused dysfunction in local governments. The chan...

RCMP urge caution as motorcycle season revs up in Fort McMurrayFort McMurray, Alta. - With spring weather returning and motorcycles already back on the roads in Fort McMurray, Wood Buffalo RCMP are urging both drivers and riders to share the road safely. Police say this time of year brings an uptick in motorcycle traff...

Grande Prairie man arrested in Fort Chipewyan for breaching court order FORT CHIPEWYAN, Alta. - RCMP in Fort Chipewyan are crediting local residents with helping locate a man prohibited from being in the community, following his arrest late last month. On March 29, police received a tip about a man in the hamlet who wa...

Municipality Urges Caution and Preparedness Ahead of River Breakup Season FORT McMURRAY, AB - With warmer weather melting snow and ice across the region, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is urging residents to stay informed and stay safe as river breakup season begins. The annual thaw of the Athabasca and Clea...

Fort McMurray's 'Hello Summer' Festival Brings Big Names and Bigger Vibes in July FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - A wave of music, sunshine, and summer celebration is set to roll into Fort McMurray this July with the Hello Summer festival. This event is set to be one of the biggest outdoor concerts the region has seen in years....

Wood Buffalo RCMP Seek Public Help in Locating Missing Fort McMurray Man FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - Police are asking for the public's assistance in finding a missing 52-year-old Fort McMurray man who hasn't been seen or heard from in about six weeks. Robin Maracle was last known contact was in mid-February, and investigat...

Winter Maintenance Zones winding down for the season in Wood Buffalo FORT McMURRAY, AB. - Winter Maintenance Zone (WMZ) work across the region is winding down for the season. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo announced that all subzones are relaxed until further notice. That means no seasonal on-street parking ...

Visible smoke and fire part of planned hazard reduction activity FORT McMURRAY, AB. - You may start to see smoke rising or fires burning in the brush around town. Crews with Alberta Wildfire and Regional Emergency Services are beginning their annual spring hazard reduction burns this week across several areas of the Re...

Three new cases confirmed in Central Alberta; Texas outbreak passes 500 infections with two child deaths Alberta continues to see a steady rise in measles cases, with three new infections confirmed in Central Alberta over the weekend. The province has now recorded 27 cases, nine of them in the North Zone, and nearly al...

Liberal Party Names Kaitlyn Staines as Candidate for Fort McMurray-Cold Lake FORT MCMURRAY, AB - The Liberal Party of Canada has finally named Kaitlyn Staines as its candidate in Fort McMurray-Cold Lake for the upcoming federal general election on April 28, joining the slate of candidates from Canada's other major poli...

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is taking Alberta to court over oilsands cleanup concerns. They argue the province's Mine Financial Security Program isn't doing enough to ensure companies pay for land reclamation-leaving First Nations to deal with the mess. ACFN's Acting Chief Hazel Mercredi says without stronger ...

Alberta Tops Canada in Beverage Container Recycling Albertans returned more than two billion beverage containers in 2024, earning the province the top spot in Canada and second in North America for recycling. The return rate reached 85 per cent in 2024 which stands well above the national average of 76 per cent. surpas...

Alberta Nurses Secure Pay Raise in New Contract Alberta nurses will see a significant pay raise following the ratification of a new four-year collective agreement with the province. The new contract makes them the highest paid nurses in Canada. The deal, negotiated between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the United N...

Wheelchair Curling Brings Joy to Willow Square Residents in Fort McMurray FORT McMURRAY, AB - Residents of Willow Square Continuing Care Centre are embracing the sport of curling through a recreational therapy program that promotes inclusion, socialization, and wellness. The initiative began this past winter with the g...

Bad Dog! Mischievous Pup Sparks Mobile Home Fire in Gregoire FORT McMURRAY, AB. - A one-year-old German Shepherd with a taste for trouble-and electrical wiring-is being blamed for a fire that damaged a mobile home in Gregoire on Monday. Regional Emergency Services says "Levi" chewed through a lithium-ion batt...

Spring Load Limits Take Effect on Gravel Roads in RMWB FORT MCMURRAY, AB -The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is implementing spring load limits on municipal gravel roads starting Friday, April 4. Vehicles traveling on these roads must not exceed 75 per cent of their gross vehicle weight. The restrictions apply t...

Fort McMurray literary magazine marks Poetry Month with social media campaign, launch event FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - April is National Poetry Month, and Fort McMurray's NorthWord Literary Magazine is marking the occasion by sharing a daily poem from its archives on social media. The magazine is encouraging locals to join...

Canada and Mexico are being spared from most of the sweeping tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump today. In a lengthy speech from the White House Rose Garden, Trump unveiled his latest trade measures aimed at nearly every US trading partner to one degree or another. While the Canada-United States-Mexico Agr...