Combined pitch email - July 24

Hey everyone,

Hopefully everyone is finding ways to stay cool in this intense heat! We have some fun pitches for you this week as we head into the height of summer!

If you want to take any of these pitches, or have a pitch of your own that you would like to write an article on, message the line editor of that section (through email or The Gateway's Slack), and they'll set you up to write the article.

Happy writing!

Katie

News Pitches

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

U of A spinoff company teaming up with Edmonton International Airport to develop biojet facility: Forge Hydrocarbons, a University of Alberta spinoff company producing renewable fuels and chemicals, is collaborating with Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to work towards a new biojet fuel production facility in the Edmonton area.

Damage to gut bacteria linked with chemo-induced weight gain in breast cancer patients: New research seeks to explain why patients who undergo chemotherapy lose muscle and gain fat, with the goal of helping survivors avoid future obesity-related illness.

Study reveals evolution of controversial human gut microbe: Blastocystis is one of the most common microbes found in our guts but its role in human health is poorly understood. Blastocystis infection can lead to diarrhea, nausea, weight loss and fatigue, yet the microbe’s presence is also considered by some as a sign of a healthy gut. “One in six people on the planet have it and we don't know if it can hurt you or not. Probably we should know how this thing works,” says Joel Dacks, professor of infectious diseases in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and co-lead on new research published in Current Biology that seeks to illuminate the evolutionary biology of Blastocystis.

Low muscle mass could make people more vulnerable to COVID, study suggests: Levels of muscle mass and body fat play a pivotal role in COVID-19 prognosis and recovery, according to new University of Alberta research.In a review of several studies, the researchers found that abnormalities in body composition were prevalent in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and were often associated with more severe disease and poorer outcomes, including higher risk of death.

Opinion Pitches

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

Mandate letters: More mandate letters were released over the past week, including one addressed to the Minister of Advanced Education, Rajan Sawhney. Mandate letters are written by Premier Danielle Smith, and are meant to outline the objectives that Smith wants each minister to work on over the course of their tenure. Take this pitch, choose a mandate letter, and tell us what you think. Do you think Premier Smith’s requests are justified? Should she have focused on something else? Is there anything missing? Are the objectives achievable?

Vending machines on campus: After Roe vs. Wade was overturned in the United States, many campuses started offering emergency contraception and more with vending machines. The University of Alberta offers free feminine hygiene products in multiple dispensaries, but its vending machines are less impressive. They mainly sell goods like chips, pop, and candy. Take this pitch and write about the future of vending machines on campus. What kinds of goods should they sell?

Alberta clashes with federal government on net-zero targets: Premier Smith said that Alberta will not acknowledge Canada’s net-zero mandates for oil and gas production. Since then, Canada’s federal environment minister turned down a meeting with the Pathways Alliance in his recent visit, citing his busy schedule. Take this pitch and write about the likely consequences of Alberta’s decision in more depth. What are the mandates that Smith and the United Conservative Party (UCP) disagree with? Will the UCP gets its way, or is heavier federal involvement inevitable?

Marble Pedestal: Summer storms. Edmonton has been getting hit with a deluge of intense thunderstorms over the summer. Take this pitch, and write about why summer storms are the best — even if they wake you up in the middle of the night.

A&C Pitches

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

Event Coverage: Pride Day at K-Days

Edmonton EXPO Centre, July 28 starting at 12:30 p.m.

Celebrate Pride at K-Days this year! This special series of events at Edmonton’s annual summer festival will include many drag showcases, queer DJs, and free concerts. The House of Hymen will be hosting an adults only show at 11:00 p.m. at the Cristal Palace.

Event Coverage: Taste of Edmonton

Sir Winston Churchill Square, until July 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. July 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Review some tasty bites at this classic festival, coming back to the streets of Edmonton with over 50 locally owned restaurants. There will also be daily music performances and plenty of food trucks with a wide variety of dishes and drinks for attendee’s to sample. This year, the festival will also include food tours, bike tours, and a nightly performance of duelling pianos. You can purchase food tickets online, starting at $2.00 for a single ticket.

Event Coverage: Where Dark Things Dwell

Fort Edmonton Park, until September 24, Thursday & Friday Games - 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Saturday Games - 5:30 p.m., 8:00 pm and 10:30 p.m., Sunday Games - 5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Check out the largest outdoor escape room at Fort Edmonton Park! This interactive experience starts when an ancient curse drives the villagers of Edmonton mad. In teams of four you must stop the curse from spreading to the rest of the world. Tickets for the experience are $30 and it is both indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly!

Interview Opportunities:

Bella White

Performances at Edmonton Folk Fest, August 12 and 13

Bella White is a singer-songwriter from Calgary who released her first album when she was just a teenager. Now at 22, she has just dropped her sophomore album Among Other Things and is heading on a short run of Canadian tour dates, including Folk Fest.

Sparrow Blue

Sparrow Blue is available for interviews with The Gateway! This is a local rock band that will soon be setting off on their Canada-wide tour to promote their new album.

Movements

Movements is a Southern California group that is soon releasing a new album RUCKUS!. Their music combines hardcore punk and pop influences, as showcased in their latest music video “Tightrope.”

A&C Columns

Double Take: Love spitting fire-hot takes on pop culture? You and a friend (or foe) can team up to write opposing takes on some piece of art/entertainment/media.

Brew Crew/Vino Bitches: As we head into the partying season, write a fun, short review of your favourite (or not-so-favourite) beers, wines, or other alcoholic beverages of choice!0