This episode we launch a new mini-series ahead of Edmonton’s municipal election on October 18. Welcome to ‘The Young Vote’. Every week we’re talking to young Edmontonians about the issues that matter to them, and try to learn how a young city is looking to the future. The Young Vote series is a partnership with Edmonton's NextGen.

This week Alberta declared a state of emergency and brought in new COVID-19 restrictions. CBC’s Hannah Kost breaks down the rules and the province’s new ‘restriction exemption program’. On the national side of things, The Loop’s Min Dhariwal digs into the federal election before Canadians hit the polls Monday. Plus we remember Edmontonian Julie Rohr.

Read Julie's essay for CBC Edmonton here: shorturl.at/bisQ3

A federal election has the country focused on debates and lawn signs, but in Alberta the story is still COVID-19. The province is leading the country on daily new cases and active cases and the latest measure is a $100 debit card per dose for the unvaccinated. CBC Reporter Stephanie Dubois digs into the province’s vaccine lottery, and why experts say the new cash incentive isn’t enough. Plus CBC Edmonton's Liam Harrap takes us to a gathering in Edmonton where Indigenous people from across the province are sharing stories and experiences of residential schools and the Charles Camsell Indian Hospital.

Alberta is facing a political mystery. Where has Premier Jason Kenney been for weeks? Provincial affairs reporter Michelle Bellefontaine joins host Clare Bonnyman to talk about the very strange summer of the missing government officials. Plus social media strategist Brittney Le Blanc breaks down the ways organizations and politicians use social media, and whether or not “thirst trap politics” is the best approach.

This week on the Loop we’re looking ahead to more familiar times after months of pandemic — welcome back to reality. Parents are already dreading the school lunches they’ll be making everyday, so chef Doreen Prei helps us think outside the tupperware. And as the city talks about policy ahead of the October election, we’ll look at how ready Edmonton is for the climate crisis we declared three years ago.

There are some seriously big question marks around what comes next for Edmontonians right now. This week on The Loop, we talk to developmental biologist Gosia Gasperowicz about her projections for a pandemic fall. Plus, CBC’s Kashmala Fida Mohatarem shares the story of Afghan Edmontonians wondering what they can do now for their families in Afghanistan, following a Taliban takeover.

COVID-19 is spreading fast again, with the R-value doubling in recent weeks -- yet the provincial government continues to loosen pandemic restrictions. Reporter Paige Parsons explains what’s changing and how medical experts are reacting. We’ll find out how Edmonton’s Heritage Festival is trying to prevent the spread of the virus at Hawrelak Park. Plus: an extraordinary student’s indirect path to winning one of MacEwan University’s highest honours.

This week we get a sneak preview of the latest episode of World On Fire, an original podcast from CBC Edmonton. We explore heat domes, extreme temperatures and the tinder dry conditions that are igniting out of control wildfires across North America this year.

Read more online at cbc.ca/1.6108111

It's been branded as the 'Best Summer Ever' but its at least a great time to get outside and enjoy the city. This week, we do just that! Our Edmonton's Adrienne Lamb takes us to the great outdoors with an interactive map showing green spaces in the city. Clare Bonnyman heads out on the North Saskatchewan for the first time and Edmonton AM's Kim Nakrieko tests hosts Clare and Min Dhariwal on their critter knowledge.

As Alberta reopens we’re all excited to return to family, friends and everything else the pandemic kept at a distance. But how do we get past our pandemic anxiety to appreciate it all? And how do we keep that gratitude going past the first few months of post-pandemic bliss? A local mindfulness coach helps us up our awareness game. And Min Dhariwal shares how the digital connections we made while socially distanced are shifting into in-person experiences as we enter another ‘new normal’.