Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend! We have lots of great pitches for you again this week. Take a look and see if anything sparks your interest!

Cheers,

Peris

News Pitches

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

Clinical trial could lead to new ‘gold standard’ test for prostate cancer detection

Second study from same U of A lab suggests Black men with prostate cancer have similar outcomes to other Albertans but would benefit from earlier screening.

Canadians and Europeans are leery of taking other countries’ CO2

Financial compensation for carbon storage does not override safety worries or perceived unfairness, U of A study shows.

A revelation in protein folding offers hope for potential ALS medicines

Research suggests repurposing an existing chemotherapy drug could slow or stop the deadly neurodegenerative disease.

Six things to know about primary progressive aphasia

Bruce Willis’ diagnosis puts a spotlight on a rare condition, but the facts are getting muddled.

A study in resilience

An ecologist and an endurance athlete are cycling across Canada to raise awareness of a UN conservation goal — and helping U of A researchers explore the effects of extreme exertion.

Opinion Pitches

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

Legal Aid Alberta: Early last week, it was announced that the provincial government had ended its contract with Legal Aid Alberta. The organization provides legal aid to those who might not otherwise be able to access it. While the province has extended the contract until September, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about Legal Aid Alberta’s fate and that of the people who need it most. What level of responsibility does the provincial government have to make sure all Albertans can access legal aid? How can the province and Legal Aid Alberta ensure that come September, the organization will be able to continue its work?

City Council code of conduct amendments: Edmonton city administration proposed changes to the code of conduct that dictates the behaviour of city councillors. The major change would have been public access to reports on councillors misconduct. Council sent the changes back to administration to take another look after concerns of transparency were raised. But why were these changes proposed in the first place and what was the purpose? Should the changes be amended or scrapped altogether?

Alberta to opt-out of federal dental care plan: Premier Smith announced that Alberta will be opting out of the federal dental plan. Smith wants the money that would otherwise go towards Alberta’s portion of the federal plan. Is this just another stick-it-to-Ottawa for Smith or is this in the best interest of Albertans? What does this mean for Albertans without dental insurance?

No more funding for overdose prevention program: The City of Edmonton funded the first phase of a pilot program that aimed to prevent overdoses and educate people in 2022. Funding was extended in 2023, but now the city says it no longer has the administrative funds for the program. The provincial government denied the city’s funding request. As drug-related deaths are climbing, who is responsible for funding programs like these? How can we tackle these mounting issues?

Top 5 — Ways to cool off: The Alberta summer heat is in full swing and many people will be looking for ways to cool off or simply survive the hot days ahead. Give your top five recommendations for fun ways to keep cool.

A&C Pitches

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

Play Review: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” by Christopher Durang

“Aging siblings and unfortunate roommates, Vanya and Sonia, bicker daily in their family home. When their movie star sister, Masha, comes home with a “scandalously” young man on her arm and a plan to sell the house, the sibling rivalries escalate in an absurd, hilarious, and simply Chekhovian fashion.”

Attend the play’s opening night on Wednesday July 10 at 8:00 p.m. at the Walterdale Theatre. Complimentary tickets are provided. Watch the play and write a review on it!

Festival Review: Thousand Faces Festival

“The 2024 Thousand Faces Festival will feature vibrant, diverse, mythic-inspired performances from local artists and out-of-province guests, spanning the likes of dance, music, theatre, and more. Join the Thousand Faces Festival for a weekend of multidisciplinary performances that showcase how wonderfully mythic Edmonton can be.”

The festival takes place at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre from July 12-14 and is free to go to! Pick a date and write a review about the performances!

Movie Review: “Fancy Dance” directed by Erica Tremblay

“Since her sister’s disappearance, Jax has cared for her niece Roki by scraping by on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. At the risk of Jax losing custody to Roki’s grandfather, Frank, the pair hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki’s mother in time for Roki’s powwow. What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of Indigenous women moving through a colonized world while at the mercy of a failed justice system”

“Fancy Dance” is being screened at Metro Cinema on July 9 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. Watch the movie and write a review!

EP Review: SHINE by Ellie Heath

“For Ellie Heath, life has always been closely intertwined with the stage. The Edmonton-based multidisciplinary artist's debut EP, "SHINE," explores themes of love and self-discovery, including falling in love, falling out of love, and finding self-love.”

Write a review for the latest EP from Edmonton based singer-songwriter Ellie Heath.

Album Review: Every Little Scene by Ellen Doty

“In a fractious world, “Every Little Scene” is how to soothe your soul. It’s rest at the end of a long day and a warm cup of coffee on a Sunday morning. The inspiration behind her latest album comes from the precipice of change in Ellen’s life: she wrote and recorded much of the album while pregnant with her first child. Entering this new era, Ellen is nostalgic, introspective and filled with every emotion, which she pours into each of the 12 new, original songs.” (Jazz YYC)

Listen to Ellen Doty's third album and write a review!