10 of our favourite Edmonton stories of 2024

This past year has been a wild ride in Edmonton, and we’re taking a look back at some of our favourite stories of 2024.

From NHL playoff mania to wacky weather and a changing media landscape, here are some of our favourite YEG stories of 2024.

Edmonton gets its first Krispy Kreme

Allison Stephen/Daily Hive

The year started off sweet with an announcement in January that Edmonton would be getting its first Krispy Kreme with a donut theatre. The iconic American donut chain opened its doors to the public at its new location on Calgary Trail on December 10, with people waiting in line reportedly for hours to try a donut.

The city gets hit with a brutal cold snap

Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock

In mid-January, a brutally cold snap descended over Edmonton, with wind chill values plunging as low as  -55°C, making the city one of the coldest places on Earth for a period of time.

The January cold snap caused an unprecedented surge in demand for power, prompting an Alberta Emergency Alert urging residents and businesses to conserve electricity to prevent rolling power outages during the dead of winter.

Edmontonians prepare for a strike

oasisamuel/Shutterstock

From Canada Post to WestJet, strikes and labour action were a big theme for Canada in 2024. Between the cost of living ballooning since the pandemic and contracts due for renewal, workers nationwide, including those with the City of Edmonton, demanded a fair deal from their employers.

While a strike was narrowly averted in the case of City of Edmonton and Library staff, with workers voting to accept a deal at the final hour, Edmontonians wanted to be prepared and came to us to find out what city services could potentially be affected.

Oilers-mania sweeps Edmonton

Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports

Oilers-mania swept the city throughout spring and early summer, with the team taking YEG on a historic run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The atmosphere was jubilant, and we loved how many wild, whacky, and heartwarming moments came from this time in 2024 in Edmonton.

From Mama Stanley to Shania Twain, the infamous Oilers flasher, celebrations in the ICE District, an outsider’s perspective on Edmonton, and the Oilers forcing a historic Game 7 after being down 3-0. Though the team ultimately lost to the Florida Panthers, It was a thrilling ride and a massive moment for Edmonton in 2024.

Beloved Global News Edmonton weatherman retires

Global News Edmonton

Layoffs hit the media industry hard in 2024, and Edmonton was no exception. In addition to the departure of Breanna Karstens-Smith from Global News Edmonton, CTV National’s Alberta bureau chief Bill Fortier, and others, Kevin O’Connell, the beloved weather specialist at Global News Edmonton, announced his retirement.

O’Connell delivered his last forecast during Global News Morning on Sunday, July 28.

Wildfire hits the Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park

@karyndecore/Instagram

Edmontonians and Albertans provincewide expressed feeling devastated as another brutal wildfire season claimed one-third of the Town of Jasper and scorched the surrounding Jasper National Park.

In late July, the entire town and iconic National Park were evacuated as a rapidly moving wildfire encroached on the area, with firefighters describing scenes of flames as high as 400 feet tall.

Though the fire devastated much of the town’s west portion, Jasper’s critical infrastructure was saved thanks to the effort of firefighters.

Northern Alberta towns vote to ban pride flags and crosswalks

LIGHTITUP/Shutterstock

Residents in two towns north of Edmonton voted for their own versions of “neutrality” bylaws, aimed at keeping town-owned crosswalks and flagpoles free from displays of political, religious, social, and commercial messaging.

The Town of Barrhead turned Edmontonians’ heads when town council drafted a bylaw in September that would do away with messaging that includes pride flags and crosswalks.

On December 2, Barrhead voters said yes to bringing in the neutrality bylaw, making it the second Northern Alberta town to do so in 2024.

Earlier this year, the residents of Westlock voted in favour of forbidding the town from flying non-governmental flags on municipal flagpoles or painting local crosswalks in a manner other than in a white, laddered pattern.

This multimillion-dollar home in Edmonton

Century 21 Masters

This $12 million home in Valleyview turned heads in 2024 as the most expensive property for sale in Edmonton. It boasts stunning city views and includes an elevator, a Brunswick 10-pin bowling alley, a media room, a European squash/basketball court, a bar, and a sauna/steam room. Edmontonians were curious to know the story behind this ultra-luxe mansion.

Draisaitl spills the beans on the best schnitzel in Edmonton

Perry Nelson/USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one thing Edmontonians may love as much as hockey, it has to be food, as the city is home to an underrated food scene with a diverse range of incredible restaurants. Ahead of the highly-anticipated 2024-24 NHL Regular Season after the Oilers’ playoff run, German-born forward Leon Draisatil revealed the spot he believes has the city’s best schnitzel.

Edmonton walloped by snow

darioayala/Shutterstock

The year started cold and ended with snow, with meteorologists calling for above-average snowfall in Edmonton this winter. The city saw its first significant snowfall in early November, and it feels like Mother Nature has been piling on ever since.