Hello all,

I hope finals went well for everyone!

The Gateway will continue to write and publish stories over the summer, so keep an eye out for our weekly pitch emails and watch our website for new articles throughout the summer break!

All the best,

Leah

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Steep rise in rate of stillbirth among young women in Alberta

Talk to Joan Robinson about the rise in stillbirths among women ages 15 to 19, and the factors that play a case.

To save the Least: study pinpoints most helpful habitat for Least Flycatcher

A new U of A study helps define the most helpful breeding habitat for the Least Flycatcher, a species of bird in rapid decline.

T-Rex: about as smart as your average crocodile

An international team of scientists including two neurobiologists from the U of A is weighing in on the latest controversy over the brain power of the Tyrannosaurus rex. These researchers worked together to author a paper that refutes the recently made claim that the T-rex were as smart as primates.

Canadian-made environmentally-friendly fibres could boost textile manufacturing

The new project explores the most efficient way to process and manufacture specialized fibres from cellulose, a compound found in all plants.

Children’s social circumstances dictate outcomes in emergency care

New research has found that social determinants of health — including race, language, and socio-economic deprivation shape how children and their families seek care at emergency departments.

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Leah at [email protected] or over Slack!

Liquor in grocery stores: The Government of Alberta is considering allowing the sale of liquor in grocery stores, although no decision has been made yet. Is having alcohol in grocery stores a good idea and more convenient? Or will it harm small locally owned liquor stores? Write about what you think regarding this idea!

TikTok Ban in Canada?: The United States Senate recently passed legislation that threatens to ban TikTok if the parent company in China doesn’t sell the app. While Trudeau has not commented on if Canada could see its own ban, there have been concerns about the safety of the app. Should Canada also consider banning TikTok? Do these safety concerns override the benefits of the app for Canadians? What does the future of the social media platform look like in Canada?

U of A’s Land Use: Edmonton City Councillor Michael Janz recently questioned how the University of Alberta is using its land. The U of A’s surface parking lots were of particular concern for Janz. Should the U of A reconsider how they use the land they own? If so, should housing be the first priority or are there other uses for it that could benefit students?

Alberta’s drought: Following a dry winter, Alberta is anticipating a drought. This will mean difficulties for farmers and for firefighters battling wildfires. Alberta is already seeing “heightened wildfire activity” and it isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. Is the Government of Alberta doing enough to prepare for these dry conditions? What needs to be done to make the best of the limited water we will have at our disposal?

Top 5: Ways to Unwind: The winter semester is finally over. For most students this means four months without classes, assignments, or exams. It’s time for students to kick their feet up. The weather is also getting warmer and sunnier, and there’s so many ways to enjoy the sun and relax. Share your top five recommendations for how students can enjoy the summer break!

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Wares and Trinkets: OddBird Art and Craft Fair

Following The Royal Bison’s last market in 2023, a group of past vendors and organizers came together to create a new arts and crafts fair, OddBird.

OddBird with have its first market from May 10-12 at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre. It will “keep serving up all things weird, wonderful, and delightfully Edmonton.” Speak to someone from the team about the new market and the legacy it hopes to continue!

Exhibit Review: Buddy at the Banff Park Zoo at FAB Gallery, May 15 to June 1

This virtual reality artwork allows participants to become a polar bear named Buddy. Buddy was held captive at the Banff Park Zoo in Banff National Park between 1922 and 1937. This artwork recreates Buddy’s experience of his concrete cage, equipped with high iron bars. When visitors to FAB Gallery put on a virtual reality headset and hold the controllers, they can see what Buddy saw, in polar bear vision, and move around his relatively small cage, or take a swim in his plunge pool.

Join the artists & research team for an informal gallery talk about the creation of the work on Saturday May 25 at 12 pm.

Exhibit Review: The True Cost of Oil: Canada’s Oil Sands and the Last Great Forest at FAB Gallery, May 15 to June 1

“The True Cost of Oil exhibit by editorial and fine art photographer Garth Lenz, contrasts Alberta’s oil sands - one of the biggest industrial projects in the world - and the surrounding Boreal Forest, an essential carbon storehouse and home to countless, unique species. The oil sands, including the tailings “ponds” that hold toxic wastewater, a byproduct of production, are a growing environmental threat. They harm Alberta’s landscape, wildlife, and waterways. They endanger local communities’ health and way of life.

The True Cost of Oil invites viewers to consider the cost of this dependence and the damage already done – the scarred land, the boreal forest and peatlands ripped up, the compromised waterways – as well as the value of what’s left to safeguard and the importance of honouring the treaties, close relationship to the land and stewardship of local Indigenous Nations.”

Interview: Juno-nominated award-winning folk-music duo, Burnstick

The married couple, Nadia and Jason Burnstick, has been creating songs together for over a decade. Burnstick's signature sound is driven by Jason's proficient playing of 100-year-old Weissenborn lap slide guitars, resonating intently with Nadia's rich and striking vocals. Burnstick will be releasing their sophomore album in May. In the meantime, they’ve recently released their new single, “Hands Tied.”

Interview the duo about their music!

Interview: Winnipeg songwriter Keri Latimer from band Leaf Rapids

“On the third Leaf Rapids record, Velvet Paintings, veteran Winnipeg songwriter Keri Latimer makes room for the world. Over a lush palette of roots music—ethereal folk, driving country, and wiry honky-tonk—she shifts her gaze to the environments around her, observing and reflecting on their movements and the movements of the people who direct their motion. The album will be out on April 19th. The band will celebrate the album with a run of tour dates, including a stop in Edmonton on April 25th.”

Speak with Keri about the album and the band!