Happy Monday!

I hope everyone’s doing well - just a couple more weeks until reading week!

Our pitch meeting is today at 4:00 p.m. in the Gateway Office, as per usual. Stop on by if you can!

We have a workshop with Jonn Kmech Thursday at 4:00 p.m.. Let us know if you’d like to attend, or RSVP on our website.

Cheers,

Anna

News Pitches

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

Why deadly, invasive Step-A infections are surging in Canada

One Canadian-Australian team that includes researchers at the U of A is in the midst of early clinical trials for its vaccine candidate. Talk to Dr. Vanessa Meier Stephenson about the challenges of creating the Strep-A vaccine.

U of A research provides new insight into how harmful fungal infections could affect the ability of lodgepole pines to defend themselves from deadly mountain pine beetle attacks.

Weevils found in Philippine forest ‘almost like discovering a dodo bird’

A U of A researcher has unearthed two species of weevils — one new and one thought to have been extinct — that have managed to survive clearcutting of the Philippines rainforest.

What is chronic wasting disease? A look at ‘very concerning’ cases in Canada

A condition that fatally infects the brains of animals like deer, continues to spread in Canada and has been found for the first time in a new province, British Columbia.

Routine vaccines for kids slipped during the pandemic. Now provinces are working to catch up

After routine childhood vaccinations fell during the pandemic, public health officials across the country are working to get Canadian students back up to date on immunizations for serious yet preventable diseases.

SPORTS! - write a recap of the game or take a photos

Feb 9 - MEN'S VOLLEYBALL vs University of Manitoba — 6:00 PM AND/OR Feb 10 at 6:30 PM

Feb 9 - WOMEN'S HOCKEY vs Trinity Western University — 7:00 PM AND/OR Feb 10 at 2:00 PM

Opinion Pitches

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

$10/day daycare: In April 2023, Danielle Smith announced that by 2026 Albertans will have access to $10/day daycare. However, there have been some concerns about how beneficial this program will actually be. Daycare operators are concerned that this new program will not be able to provide a well-rounded daycare experience — things like sufficient staffing, meal services, and additional programs. Is $10/day daycare more of a hassle in the longterm? How can the province better support childcare centres, especially in regards to Albertan families?

Going Green: The city of Edmonton has paired up with a Norwegian company to turn waste into green energy. The project aims to divert waste away from the landfills to reduce emissions. The facility will turn waste into steam that will generate electricity instead. Do you think this partnership will be beneficial in Alberta’s attempt at being carbon neutral? Is there something more the government should be doing? 

Russia to be disqualified over doping in 2022 Olympics: Canada is likely to be upgraded to bronze in figure skating after Russia’s Kamila Valieva has been disqualified for doping during the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Valieva was 15 at the time, which raises the question of whether or not young athletes are being taken advantage of and pushed further than they should be. Is the call to disqualify Valieva a win for clean sports, or is this a tragic tale of a teenager being pushed to a breaking point? Write a piece on the larger conversation of doping at the Olympic level!

Marble Pedestal: Winter is superior: As Albertans, we usually have to deal with five to six months of winter weather. Most of us dread the cold season, especially because of the ice and snow. But are you someone who is of the opposite opinion? Do you love winter more than summer or fall? Rave about why winter is better in this marble pedestal!

A&C Pitches

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

Movie Review: Valentine’s Edition

Review a romance or romcom movie in time for Valentine’s day! Is it a movie that’s wildly popular but you’ve put off seeing? Are you not a fan of the genre, and you’re finally branching out? Share your thoughts with the world on a movie of your choice!

Event Review: Togather Chinatown Art Fair

February 10 and 11, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre (9540 – 102 Ave NW)

“Togather Chinatown Art Fair is a multi-cultural, family friendly, arts and community market that takes place over Lunar New Year at the Edmonton Chinatown Multi-Cultural Centre. Inspired by the Chinese slogan 不见不散, meaning “Don’t leave until we meet”, Togather Chinatown Art Market brings local art, storytelling, and friendships together – Holding space to gather and be together in Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year through the Arts!”

Talk to vendors, show anything you buy, and write about the overall experience!

Exhibit Review: OPEN WALLS Community Art Exhibition

12-3:00 p.m. Saturdays from February 3 - March 2, Bleeding Heart Art Space

Visit the seventh annual OPEN WALLS community art exhibition, which “celebrates the beautiful chaos of diverse community!” Artists are able to display one original work at any time during the show’s duration, meaning that the exhibit changes throughout!

Exhibit Review: Proofread: Yvonne Mullock

FAB Gallery, January 16 to February 10

“Proofread, a borrowed term used to describe the process of checking for errors in text prior to printing, is an interactive work comprising print and video, incubated during a nine month visiting artist position in the printmaking department at the University of Alberta.”

Visit the exhibit and share your thoughts! 

Artist Interview: same as me

same as me (Esma) is a Canadian rapper, producer, and songwriter from Edmonton. Currently, she’s working in the music industry at Alberta Music, and is also an artist producer and vocal coach.

In August, she released Sweet Dreams, which she recorded and produced. Her music video for the album’s title single is being debuted on February 15. Speak to Esma about her career and music!