Hello everyone,

Hopefully you’re all doing well in this insane heat. Try to stay cool and make sure to drink water! If you need something to do as you hunker down in a cool place (hopefully with AC), we have plenty of pitches you could write!

All the best,

Leah

News Pitches

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

The hidden toll of climate change 

A new study urges media to pay more attention to the damaging effects of an unpredictable climate on our mental health.

Research takes on the long-term health of childhood cancer survivors 

Nursing student researchers propose exercise programs to help prevent premature post-treatment heart failure.

Beyond binary: expanding the language of gender

Law professor coins a new term to accommodate the full spectrum of gender identity.

New research offers fresh insights on why some clothes get smellier

Textile scientists simulate sweat to better understand how different fibres absorb and release odours.

Research addresses mental health disparities among Canada’s youth

U of A project aims to ensure Indigenous, Black and Chinese Canadian elementary students have inclusive access to vital mental health literacy resources.

Opinion Pitches

You can pick up a pitch or pitch your own idea to Leah at [email protected] or over Slack!

Battle over jurisdiction: Most premiers shared complaints of the federal government encroaching on provincial jurisdiction as they met last week. But are the issues most important to Canadians across all provinces getting lost in this fight over jurisdiction? Do these arguments slow down progress in Canada? Or do these conversations need to happen for progress to happen properly?

Leduc’s lacking plan to support homeless people: Leduc City Council decided not to move forward with plans to create more shelter space in Leduc. Instead those in need of support will be directed to Edmonton. What does this mean for Edmonton’s shelters and supports, which are already facing struggles? How can Edmonton City Council help support and prepare shelters and supports? What is the provincial government’s role in this?

Political rhetoric: Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith pointed fingers at progressives for their dangerous rhetoric. But Smith also didn’t take accountability for her own rhetoric when asked. Is political rhetoric in Alberta getting too volatile, possibly even dangerous? Is it being driven by one side more than the other, or does everyone have equal responsibility in our political climate?

Edmonton Police Commission’s new rules: The Edmonton Police Commission (EPC), which oversees Edmonton Police Service (EPS), voted to restrict how the public can give feedback. This follows both EPS and EPC being criticized for its response to the encampment on Main Quad. Additionally, the relationship between City Council and EPC has gotten more strained. How does this affect EPC and EPS’ accountability to the public? What needs to be done to increase accountability to the public?

Right to be cool: Following a week of extreme heat, Climate Justice Edmonton’s campaign “Right to be cool” has caught a lot of attention. Among its demands posted to Instagram is to create a maximum temperature bylaw for rentals. Councillor Andrew Knack commented on the post, in favour of the demands but skeptical of the city’s ability to actually implement them. Are the demands of the group viable, either for the city or the province to meet? Are there other things the city can do to ensure Edmontonians don’t suffer in extreme heat?

Top 5 — Olympic sports to watch: The Olympics are coming up soon and let’s be real, some sports are better than others to watch. Share your five favourite sports to watch!

A&C Pitches

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

EP Review: the trials and tribulations of a twenty two year old teenager by Caylie G

“A vast array of emotions can be found within the six-track body of work, including the fear of not being wanted, heartbreak, and the rollercoaster of navigating your early twenties. Through her personable and down-to-earth delivery of such vulnerable feelings, Caylie G’s new EP can be enjoyed by music listeners – and teenagers – of all ages and all walks of life.”

Caylie G is an Edmonton-based musician, and has just released their debut EP. Listen to the album and write a review!

Interview: Award-Winning Blind, Indigenous Hip-Hop Artist, Mattmac, Releases Collaborative Studio Album, All Eyes On Us

“All Eyes On Us unveils the unending skill and creativity of a prolific artist who is empowered by his community. Drawing upon his own experiences while inviting artists to theirs, Mattmac's third studio album is a highly relatable, innovative, and original project that showcases his artistic growth, attention to detail, and musical ambition”

Speak to Mattmac about his third album!

Novella Review: “We Speak Through the Mountain” by Premee Mohamed

“Travelling alone through the climate-crisis-ravaged wilds of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, 19-year-old Reid Graham battles the elements and her lifelong chronic illness to reach the utopia of Howse University. But life in one of the storied “domes” — the last remnants of pre-collapse society — isn’t what she expected.”

Premee is an Edmonton-based writer who writes speculative fiction. Read her latest novella, “We Speak Through the Mountain” and write a review!

Concert Review: Music in the Park

The Stony Plain Road Business Association is hosting Music in the Park at Butler Memorial Park every Wednesday from June 14 - August 14, from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. Each evening will feature a different musician, with genres ranging from folk country to Latin funk!

Attend a “Music in the Park” concert and write a review!

Concert Review: National Youth Orchestra: Horizons Tour

Witness the exceptional talent of Canada’s young musicians in the National Youth Orchestra of Canada as they tackle beloved orchestral classics such as Ravel’s La Verse and more. The concert takes place on July 27 at 7:30 and tickets are $20.50.

Attend the Horizons Tour at the Winspear Centre and write a review!