As COVID cases continue to rise, so does the percentage of cases that can’t be connected to a known source. Contact tracing has been a difficult task for health officials. Dr. Deena Hinshaw acknowledged and confirmed this week that the province is in its second wave of the virus. She said what happens in the future is in our hands. This week on The Loop, CBC reporter Robson Fletcher examines how effective Alberta’s contact-tracing app has been since it launched six months ago. After a boom and bust, reporter Jamie Malbeuf looks at whether real estate in Fort McMurray could be taking a positive turn. Plus, The Loop producer Clare Bonnyman on how Edmonton seniors groups are adapting and preparing for the COVID winter season, and a Whitefish Lake First Nation artist channels personal inspiration into a Marvel comic contribution.

As COVID case numbers continue to rise across the country, some provinces are tightening restrictions. Manitoba has moved into level red of its pandemic response with non-essential services closed to in-person customers for at least two weeks. The Alberta government has so far stayed away from strict, sweeping lockdown measures. Some are happy to hear that, while others say the acute-care system is in jeopardy. This week, an Edmonton doctor discusses why he wrote a letter urging officials to enforce a short, sharp, “circuit breaker” lockdown. CBC reporter Paige Parsons tells us how a group of men are seeking justice after the death of their alleged abuser. Personal trainer and fitness columnist Chris Tse talks about a local business focused on diversity and inclusion. Plus, the number one trend of 2020: pandemic puppies.

Many Albertans are keeping a close eye on the daily COVID updates as the number of new cases continues to rise. There are over 6,200 active cases in the province—the highest total recorded since the pandemic began. What does that mean for the spread of the virus as we enter the winter months? Beyond COVID, how is the city supporting our vulnerable population to find shelter as the temperature drops? This week, CBC web journalist Trevor Howlett looks at the rise in coronavirus cases. CBC’s Andrea Huncar explains why hundreds of women are being notified about a class-action lawsuit against Samson Cree Nation. We’ll also hear how Camp Pekiwewin (an Indigenous-led homeless encampment) is transitioning as winter approaches. Plus, thoughts on a divisive U.S. election from Americans living in Edmonton.

Monday morning began with news that health-care workers walked off the job to stage a wildcat strike at hospitals across the province. At the same time, next week’s U.S. presidential election is drawing attention from those who can and can’t cast a ballot. Many people took to social media recently to celebrate the life and legacy of a beloved Edmontonian, and it also happens to be Halloween this weekend—with COVID restrictions, of course. Clare Bonnyman hosts The Loop this week and gets a closer look at the wildcat strike from CBC reporter Wallis Snowdon. CBC national reporter Raffy Boudjikanian shares what it’s like to be covering the U.S. election in Washington. Mark Connolly remembers Oilers locker-room attendant and legend Joey Moss, and hear how one household has prepared a Halloween scare during the pandemic.

This week the CBC broke a story about proposals to change the curriculum for Alberta students from K-6. Changes that if imposed, could completely restructure the way we educate our kids. And it’s one of many things that makes these days feel faster — more restless. We’re no longer in the early days of the pandemic, when things were quieter and we baked bread at home. COVID case numbers are rising in Edmonton, temperatures are dropping, the days are shorter and it’s hard not to feel a little low. This week on The Loop reporter Janet French helps us dig into those proposed curriculum changes, and we also speak to a psychologist about how to slow down and take care of yourself as the days get colder. Plus CBC News Network Producer Terry Reith tells us the story of Alberta’s iOAT program and those who rely on it, and we meet a newly minted multi-millionaire in Calmar.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many job sectors. The unemployment rate in Alberta is currently at 11.7 per cent, which is above the national average. While the federal government has opened applications for the new Canada Recovery Benefit, times are still tough for many. Then this week came with an announcement from the UCP government that thousands of jobs will be cut in the Alberta Health Services implementation plan. CBC investigative reporter Jennie Russell takes a closer look at that plan and reaction to the health care cuts. Also, staying home isn’t an easy answer for everyone these days. CBC reporter Josee St-Onge has been looking at how domestic violence cases are affected by the pandemic. Local band nêhiyawak is on the short list for this year’s Polaris Music Prize, so we’ll hear from a member of the band about their sound and nominated album, nipiy. Plus, the thrill of seeing the northern lights for the very first time.

Much like every holiday before it in 2020, Albertans are being asked to be cautious during the Thanksgiving weekend. The province is reporting a steadily increasing number of COVID cases each day and over 50 per cent of the active caseload is in the Edmonton health zone. CBC digital reporter Wallis Snowdon takes a look at what is causing the surge, what public health officials are saying and doing to slow it down, and how COVID fatigue factors in. Plus, it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Recently, former rugby player Jen Kish publicly shared her bipolar disorder diagnosis, so she joins us on The Loop to tell her story. Producer Clare Bonnyman visits a new coffee shop in Edmonton that has inclusive intentions, and we’ll discuss some new statistics that show millennials aren’t simply a lazy, avocado toast-loving generation.

After this week’s U.S. presidential debate, many took to social media to react, saying it might be time to move to Canada. President Trump’s controversial comments on white supremacy had people examining the current climate in America. Things may be better by comparison in our country, but they are by no means perfect. This week, Irfan Chaudhry, a hate crimes researcher and director of the Office of Human Rights, Diversity and Equity for MacEwan University, looks at the prevalence of right-wing extremism in our province. CBC digital associate producer Madeleine Cummings finds out why some trees in Mill Woods are surprisingly thriving in a paved parking lot. Plus, local writer and poet Nisha Patel tells us why she’s getting personal about chronic illness and Canada’s health care system in her new podcast, 70 Percent Coverage.

Pivot. Adapt. Modify. Transition. No matter what word you use, that’s exactly what individuals and industries have done for over six months now. The pandemic has introduced new challenges, so we’re constantly pivoting and adapting. Even beyond COVID, transitioning is about preparing for tomorrow because the world is always changing. The oil and gas industry has taken many hits over the past few years, so what’s in store for Alberta’s energy sector? CBC investigative reporter Robson Fletcher discusses what experts are saying about how the province can transition to a low-carbon future and what impact that might have. We also speak with Terri Suntjens and Robert Houle, co-chairs of a committee that worked to rename the ward boundaries in Edmonton using various Indigenous languages. Plus, CBC’s Rod Kurtz delves into how daycares are impacted by COVID-19, and we hear why a beloved mac & cheese meal is getting a fall flavour makeover.

When the Black Panther film came out in 2018, it was a big deal and led to renewed conversations about why representation matters. However, pop culture is just one part of a much larger discussion. What about gathering race-based data? How does a lack of information affect the way people and communities are cared for and supported? What about how diverse bodies and skin tones are photographed? Are those behind the lens properly capturing each individual’s true likeness and beauty? Edmontonians are advocating for these sorts of changes. And people are listening. This week, CBC reporter Andrea Huncar looks at a national study on how Black Canadians are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and how news of that data has led to local support. Associate producer Kashmala Fida shares the story of an Edmonton model who is pushing for a stronger focus on diversity in the photography industry. Plus, reporter Min Dhariwal tells us about a new team in the city that’s stepping up to the plate, and our intrepid producer and tech, Clare Bonnyman, makes new friends during harvest season.