Discover Narcity
Get the latest and greatest stories every day in your inbox.
Snowfall sends Alberta drivers a winter warning
Alberta RCMP say 2026 is on track to be the worst year for road deaths in a decade.
Alberta RCMP and AMA are urging drivers to ready their vehicles and emergency kits for the winter as snow fell across central and southern Alberta on Friday.
The Alberta Motor Association says cold temperatures can affect how a vehicle runs, meaning basic checks are important to carry out this time of year. AMA recommends keeping vehicles fuel tank at least half full, since cold weather lowers fuel efficiency and spare fuel helps during an unexpected delay.
Winter tires are another important step, the association says, because they grip and stop better than all season tires in snow and ice. Drivers should check tire pressure often because
it can drop when temperatures fall.
Road science supports the advice. The Canadian Automobile Association says all season tires lose grip below 7C because the rubber stiffens in the cold. Transport Canada says black ice can form between 4C and -4C, and they say bridges and overpasses often freeze before roads do.
The AMA says drivers should pack a kit with booster cables, a flashlight and spare batteries, blankets, warm clothing, non-perishable food, candles, matches, first aid-supplies and a charged cellphone. If a vehicle breaks down, the kits can help keep people safe while they wait for help.
Alberta RCMP are also asking drivers to slow down and make safe choices. Police say impaired, distracted, fatigued and aggressive driving cause the most serious crashes. They suggest setting navigation and music before travelling, not while the vehicle is moving.
"We're seeing a concerning trend in fatal collisions on Alberta roads," said Cpl. Mike Warman of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. "All road users have a part to play in road safety."
The reminders come during a deadly year on provincial roads. Alberta RCMP say 2026 is on track to be the worst year for road deaths in a decade. As of Aug. 31, there were 192 fatal crashes on roads the force patrols.
Drivers can check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting 511 Alberta online before they leave. RCMP warn drivers that highway conditions can change fast this time of year.
Copyright 2026, Medicine Hat News. All rights reserved.
Brook Wagner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Medicine Hat News.
Keep reading
Show less
Manitoba bans teachers from texting, messaging students on social media
Manitoba bans teachers from messaging students
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Manitoba government is banning teachers from texting with students or messaging them on social media sites.
The province says school employees will still be able to communicate with students on platforms that are monitored by school divisions or other administrators.
Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says the province's directive will help keep kids safe, set expectations for parents and give educators guidelines.
All schools will be required to share the changes with students, staff and families in their communities.
The ban comes after two educators recently lost their teaching certificates for sending inappropriate messages to students.
An investigation by Manitoba's independent education commissioner found that in one case, the teacher engaged in a years-long inappropriate relationship with a student that began in middle school and continued as the student went into high school.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
Suburban Montreal mayor pleads guilty, faces $30,000 fine after anti-Palestine posts
Mayor faces $30,000 fine over Palestine comments
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy
The mayor of a Montreal suburb pleaded guilty to a professional ethics breach and faces a $30,000 fine over comments he made about Palestine.
Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi entered his plea on Thursday after a complaint to the Quebec order of professional accountants.
The complaint accuses Levi of making comments that undermine the reputation of the profession.
The complaint cites over 20 social media posts by Levi between January 2024 and February 2025 about Palestine and pro-Palestinian activists.
The disciplinary council recommended the fine and a mandatory training.
The Town of Hampstead and Levi's lawyer both declined to comment about the ruling.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2025.
By Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
Introducing the new Narcity experience
The biggest update to Narcity.com since its launch in 2014.
This weekend marked the soft launch of the revamped Narcity website, taking us back to our essence as a local publication devoted to forging a deeper bond between you and your city.
We've poured our hearts into building a solid foundation, and today, we're thrilled to also introduce Milla, our fresh fintech brand and platform that powers the new Narcity logged-in experience. It's a game-changer for our registered and Pro users and will keep evolving as we invest into more features and functionality.
Get started now
New Features on Narcity
We can't wait for you to dive into this enhanced version of Narcity and please leave your feedback / ideas in the comment section below 👇
Stay tuned for many more features and updates to come.
If you encounter any hiccups or have feedback, don’t hesitate to let us know in our support portal.
Sending love,
The Narcity Team