This is Edmonton

On The Loop we bring you closer to the news, sharing the context behind the top stories from CBC Edmonton.This week, we explore three things making headlines that are part of much bigger stories playing out in our community. On this episode reporter Janet French explores the province’s plan to get kids back to school as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across Alberta. Web journalist Drew Anderson analyzes the broken relationship between Alberta’s government and doctors as some threaten to leave. Plus, two Indigenous brothers share the story of an Edmonton ‘starlight tour’ that left them scarred and speaking out against The Edmonton Police Service.

Its the return of recreation, but not without some caveats. July marks the first month since the pandemic began when professional athletes are returning to work. COVID-19 has marked the biggest disruption to the sports calendar in recent memory, while the current social climate is raising questions about what we call our teams and whether or not we can do better. Sports are back in the headlines and this week local podcaster and marketing expert Ryan Holtz joins us to talk about the mounting pressure to change the name of the Edmonton CFL team. In hockey news, germ guy Jason Tetro joins us to break down the NHL bubble as we prepare to become a hub city. Plus, reporter Kashmala Fida talks about a crackdown on Edmonton car meets, and a weather wunderkind might steal Tara’s (other) job.

Skepticism is often confused with cynicism. But really its not about rejection as much as it is curiosity, and trying to understand things better and more deeply. It’s that ‘grain of salt’—not taking it all at face value because there is always the possibility that what we think is true today could be proven false. And a healthy dose of this critical thinking presents itself in many ways. This week reporter Natasha Riebe joins us to dig deeper into Edmonton City Council’s police motion, and explain why some feel it falls flat. An born and bred Oiler’s fan weighs in on the NHL hub city talk, plus communities find new ways forward and new records of the past.

We’re seeing cracks in how things have been done. There’s an urge to update what’s outdated and a demand for change to come after all these challenges. This week we explore situations where the public is pushing for change and making their voices heard. Reporter Janet French brings us into the conversation the EPSB is having over School Resource Officers, and what needs to be done before they can even have that conversation. Reporter Jordan Omstead shares the story of Habitat For Humanity Edmonton, where 57 families are speaking out after a change to the way the program worked—leaving them with questions and concerns. Plus Edmonton musician Josh Sahunta finds a silver lining to social distancing, and a cooking show that gets the whole family involved.

In the media it is the people we speak to who are storytellers. We offer them a platform but it is their voices and passions that drive movement and change—and make our communities what they are. This week we feature stories from those speaking out about things especially when it is tough. Their voices start conversations, open up discussions and can make a difference. Reporter Paige Parsons takes us into her investigation into the life and death of four-year old Serenity, and the years of work her mother has put in to try and find the truth. Two-Spirit artist Shawnee shares her music and Pride, Edmonton teacher Andrew Parker shares his dream as a Black man, and Enoch Cree Nation model Ashley Callingbull takes another step forward… this time, with Nike.

These days its hard not to think about time and examine our collective, complicated and even painful histories as we look to a better future. Right now things are focused on education and acknowledging experiences of colonialism, racial discrimination and public safety. But maybe, the past can inform the present and help us to reconstruct our future. This week Reporter Andrea Huncar takes us into meetings with the public to change the shape of Edmonton’s police force. We reach out to the Edmonton Arts Council to discuss problematic public art and the role it plays — and we look at a new series with a worldwide view on wildfire.

The proof is in the receipts ⁠— Canadian independent bookstores are saying nine out of 10 titles on the non-fiction bestseller list are from BIPOC authors. Books on anti-racism are sold out and back-ordered. Canadians are turning to Black, Indigenous and POC authors to learn more and conversations about systemic racism are happening. Still, it is essential to keep them going and to follow them with change. This week, we speak with Edmontonian Bashir Mohamed about his activism work in the city, and the anti-Black racism toolkit he created. Also, associate producer Ariel Fournier shares the story of an Indigenous woman who says the health care system failed her over, and over again. Plus we talk about commuting during a flood, and finding fame at the pool table.

It has been a week of difficult news and important discussions. Yet while much of it happens south of the border, there are conversations we need to start having here at home. It is a time to listen, to educate ourselves, and to do more and do better than we have. This week, reporter Janet French takes us through another big week of announcements from the provincial government. Reporter Min Dhariwal

takes a closer look at the city’s craft beer industry amidst COVID-19. Plus, we hear firsthand experiences from Edmonton’s Black Community, and reflect on the year its been since the report on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls was published.

While we’re living in the middle of a global pandemic, it’s important to look forward and figure out what comes next. No matter how hard times are, you’ve got to find a way through it — even if that just means your plans for the next weekend, or how to create a ‘bubble’ of your own to get through this together. This week, reporter Natasha Riebe takes us through how the city is planning for our businesses, services and safety over the coming weeks. Then we check in with a local company that switched gears to make masks and ‘reinvent’ their supply chain. Plus we learn about the birds, and the pigs that are helping us and each other through the hard times.

Edmonton is facing a reset. As the city sets to reopen in phases, we look closer at how the new normal is shaping up. Digital producer Wallis Snowdon walks us through the retail landscape in a city that’s famous for a mall. We take a deep dive into Edmonton’s live music industry with an insider, and reporter Kashmala Fida shares her experience celebrating a solitary month of Ramadan.