A small group of Albertans has been advocating for the province to separate from Canada and become the 51st state. I wonder if seeing the U.S. Secretary of War say something like this about an existing state, hours after a second civilian was shot dead by federal authorities, gives them any pause.

Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti. "Please get the truth out about our son."

"The remarks hit many of us at the Herald like a physical punch. Our dear friend Michelle Lang, a wonderful person and one of the best reporters ever to walk into that newsroom, was killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb on Dec. 20, 2009." calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...

16 days into 2026 and Calgary is averaging 1 person/day getting hit by cars. And that is just the reported incidents.... #roadsafety

"I used to be someone who didn't know who they'd be without work. Now I'm amassing so many hobbies that work is simply what I do when I'm not doing my hobbies." A fun read on the power of hobbies: www.businessinsider.com/trailrunning...

Yes it's January. Yes you should start thinking about the summer camping season. gooutside.substack.com/p/camping-re...

I've entered the wild parenting stage that is trying to manage Kindergarten in Alberta. This means... just under three hours a day at school! Limited childcare options! Transportation gaps between the school and childcare! Send advice please, ideally involving no one needing to quit their job.🤦‍♀️

This is an independent venture, but I’ll be working in partnership with two firms run by people I know & respect (who are all former journalists, too): @curtisbrownmb.bsky.social & @mawelch.bsky.social with Probe Research @annaliseak.bsky.social & @alexyyc.bsky.social with Champion Communications

As they say, *ahem*, some personal news: After 20 years in journalism, including a decade at CBC News, I'm moving on to something different. I’m launching my own independent practice as a Data & Storytelling Strategist. Yes, I'm giving up a stable job in order to hang up my own shingle. Why? 🧵👇

Couldn't agree more. I left Twitter in 2023 and there's been so many more reasons to leave since then. The fact that many politicians, not to mention smart journalists, academics and people remain boggles my mind. What are you accomplishing by staying?

"I believe we’re not fully human unless we are experiencing life together,” Ms. Hill says. 🥹 www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article...

"Infrastructure deterioration is a problem across Canada...But Calgary’s situation is particularly severe as the fastest-growing major city in the country, with a low density resulting in more kilometres of pipe per resident than any other major Canadian city." #yyccc www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

NEW EP: Episode 1900 Crisis Without a Comms Collapse PATREON: Carter & Phillips on Calgary's water main break and how the city's comms are actually working. How do you manage a crisis when no one's paying attention? Zain's out - Annalise is in.

"Researchers found no significant differences in well-being between people living in single detached homes, duplexes, townhouses, laneway houses and apartment buildings (basement units smaller than 300 square feet were the only negative exception)."

“It takes many years, not of heavy lifting, but light lifting – light kinds of interactions. Then suddenly, you have something incredibly strong. But you can’t put the strong thing together without a lot of threads.” A nice feature on friendship: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/ad12d82...

Local politics is the best politics.

"If you read a book in 2025—just one book—you belong to an endangered species...fewer than half of Americans had read a single book in the previous 12 months; only 38 percent had read a novel or short story." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Water Main Break: See the graphic below for a summary of the most recent and important information at this time. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day as City crews and staff continue their work on-site. #yyc #yyccc

What if investing in infrastructure, both in building it high quality and maintaining it through regular investments is actually important? (You could say I’m subtweeting a city but honestly it’s a continent wide phenomenon)

Story trails in Kimberley, hiking clothes we actually love, Switzerland's epic playgrounds and après ski raclette... these are a few of the outdoor things we loved in 2025. Our full Go Outside post is here gooutside.substack.com/p/outdoor-th... I'm curious, what's on your list?

I recognize spreading the word that the ACC Elizabeth Parker Hut lottery is now open diminishes my chances of getting a spot but also, maybe you'll enter & win and have 4 extra spaces for me! 🤞🤞🤞 $16 to enter. 2 entries for ACC members. 1 if you are not. One of the most magical places on earth!

Alberta coal mining opponents ‘exasperated’ after citizen petition cancelled globalnews.ca/news/1157895... #Alberta #abpoli

The UCP has made 2025 one of the darkest years for Alberta’s democracy. Albertans can turn on the lights in 2026. By simply being Albertan. Let me explain. 🧵 open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...

We're now three weeks since #yyc's first big snowfall and trying to push a stroller around this city is still a pain. This is a well-used route next to a shopping centre (North Hill Centre). #yycwalk #yyccc

Time for my annual reminder that Calgary is cold and snowy and wonderful and we need a Winter Mayor! What's that!? Read on: open.substack.com/pub/gooutsid... #yyccc

“We’re cutting away at access points for the poorest Calgarians when we start making these moves.” “We just decreased taxes for Calgarians but with this move, we’re going to eliminate any benefit of that increase for the ones who need it the most." calgaryherald.com/news/council... #yyccc

On Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Sam Mraiche www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... w/ @tomcardoso.bsky.social @markmackinnon.bsky.social @hoserlibrarian.bsky.social

Abertans have had their say — and every time, we've said no to coal. Demand answers, and demand action. Send a letter to your MLA telling them you oppose coal mining in the #EasternSlopes of Alberta's #RockyMountains. And ask them: What are you doing, or going to do, about it? #MountainsNotMines

Waiting for a Chinook is *not* a good snow clearing strategy. Waiting for a Chinook is *not* a good snow clearing strategy. Waiting for a Chinook is *not* a good snow clearing strategy. #yyccc

Apropos of nothing in particular…

Colleen Jones asked me to interview her a couple of months ago during a chemotherapy appointment. She told me to write one heck of a story. I hope I did her proud. About always believing something wonderful is about to happen. My tribute to Colleen: www.cbc.ca/sports/olymp...

NEW: Global News has learned the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has paused $129M in federal Housing Accelerator Fund money to the City of Calgary pending further clarity on citywide rezoning. globalnews.ca/news/1154274...

"Every media era gets the fabulists it deserves." Brilliant essay/investigation by @nickhunebrown.bsky.social into journalism scammers in the age of AI. thelocal.to/investigatin...

I spoke to @thewalrus.ca EIC Carmine Starnino about Victoria Goldiee, fake reporters, and what the hell journalists are supposed to do in this AI slop era. thewalrus.ca/the-phantom-...

Using the voters list as a political weapon against a constituent feels like perfectly reasonable grounds for a recall to me.

VIDEO: Episode 1893: God Damnit: The 9 Lives Of Stephen Carter Like and Subscribe 

I cannot emphasize strongly enough how much adding the words "with AI" to a product make me less likely to buy that product.

A quote from former Alberta premier Ralph Klein I hadn't come across before (in a column @senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social wrote in 2024). albertaviews.ca/stripping-aw...

Let’s be clear on this: Danielle Smith is ripping up the Charter of Rights & Freedoms to take away rights from the most vulnerable people in Alberta. And she’s doing it to protect herself from the militant wing of her own party, nothing more. Hope it’s all she’s ever remembered for in the long run

⚠️ BREAKING ⚠️ This afternoon, country music artist @corblund.bsky.social headed to #Edmonton to submit his application to Elections Alberta for a petition to prohibit coal mining in the #EasternSlopes of the Rocky Mountains. #MountainsNotMines #WaterNotCoal #Calgary #YYC #Alberta #AbLeg #AbPoli

Going to put this here for no reason whatsoever. We need an updated version stat. Let's not take our downtown for granted, Calgary.

A cool part of running a small biz is supporting other small businesses! We always ask a local biz to make our client xmas presents. We've done Friday Sock Co. socks, Alberta Premium Apparel toques, Local Laundry dog bandanas & Weekday Candles. Now we're seeking suggestions for a 2025 local gift.

Alberta is calling! "So far this year, Alberta has recorded nearly 2,000 cases...and the United States nearly 1,700. Canada is set to be the first Western country since the coronavirus pandemic to lose its elimination status, according to W.H.O. data." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/w...

Whether you're grumbling about the cold, or you're excited ski season is here, today's Go Outside post is for you. Olympian Dasha Atkins shares tips to help beginners, families, and seasoned skiers find joy on the trails this winter. Embrace the snow! gooutside.substack.com/p/embrace-th...

"Skiing connects me to winter in a way that nothing else does. It’s peaceful, it’s beautiful, and it feels like meditation in motion." open.substack.com/pub/gooutsid... #GoOutside #ExploreAB

Yet another pedestrian death on Calgary's streets. This article doesn't include the context that last month, three pedestrians were killed in 24 hours and #yyc surpassed last year’s 10-year high for fatal traffic collisions. We need to talk about this more. #yyccc www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Happy Halloween

It will be interesting to see how overriding charter rights, forcing a rejected labour deal on workers, and threatening substantial fines will impact Alberta's plan to add and recruit 3,000 new teachers over the next 3 years.