-There’s going to be a televised debate this evening between UCP leader Danielle Smith and NDP leader Rachel Notley.
Happens at 6 on most TV stations across the province, with the leaders answering questions that were submitted by everyday Albertans.
The leaders of the Alberta Party and Liberals aren’t taking part.

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-Time is running out for WestJet and its pilots to reach an agreement to avoid a possible strike.
The pilots are looking for job security, better pay and scheduling and could walk off the job early tomorrow morning.
The airline has already started cancelling flights, just in case.

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-All the smoke in the province has brought the issue of air quality front and center this week.
Dr. Laura McDougall is the Senior Medical Officer of Health with Alberta Health Services, and says smoke can affect everyone to different degrees.
She says your eyes and throat might be scratchy, you might be having headaches or dealing with shortness of breath.
She says that’s why they recommend people stay inside as much as possible with the windows closed.
Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated is also a good idea.
Veterinarians say the same advice goes for our pets.

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-Some good news for people evacuated from Valleyview this week, as they’re being allowed to head back home at noon today.
But those east of Range Road 242, north of Township Road 722, west of Highway 49, south to Township Road 710, west to Range Road 225 and south to Township Road 700, are still out of their homes.
That includes the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.

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-The people of Drayton Valley say it’s a relief to be back home after two weeks of being evacuated because of the wildfires.
There was a lot of hugging among residents, and some very happy faces as shelves were re-stocked at the grocery store.
But not everyone had a home to go back to, as five homes were destroyed.

Fire Chief Tom Thomson says the fire is now “being held”, which means they don’t think it will jump the fire guard they have in place.

Some residents of Brazeau County are still evacuated because of lingering hotspots and a risk of falling trees.

-RCMP also say several people were arrested in connection with some break-ins while residents were gone.

-As for how long the wildfires could go on, Josee St. Onge with Alberta Wildfire says unless there’s some big change in the weather, it could be the entire summer.

Support for evacuees

• Since the announcement of one-time emergency financial assistance for evacuees, more than 11,200 applications have been processed.
• More than $16.4 million in e-transfers has been sent to evacuees.
• More than $3.9 million in debit cards has been distributed.
• Debit cards are available for evacuees unable to receive an e-transfer at 16 Alberta Supports Centre locations with extended hours and at Edmonton and Calgary evacuation centres.

Donations

• Albertans who wish to help can make cash donations through the Canadian Red Cross or within their regions to a recognized charitable organization of their choice.
• The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta will each match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal. This means that every $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires.
• Individuals and companies with goods or services to offer or donate to support the government’s response to the wildfire can email EmergencySupportOffers@gov.ab.ca.

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-Investigators are trying to find a motive, after arresting a man who’s believed to have used a truck to ram a car several times while chasing it down the Henday yesterday morning.
The men in the car had been heading to work when they say a man in the pickup pulled up beside them and pulled out a gun.
They sped off to get away from him, and say thats when he began chasing them, hitting their vehicle about twenty times.
He took off when a police officer showed up around the QE-2 exit.
The truck was found later in Millwoods, after it had slammed into some trees.
Police say the driver is also blamed for some ramming incidents downtown with a different truck Tuesday night.
And they allege he was involved in a couple of violent carjackings earlier that same evening.
The suspect was wanted on 17 outstanding warrants.

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-Investigators looking into the case of the little girl who fell out of a moving vehicle this week, now say she wasn’t in her car seat.
This happened around 111th Avenue and 163rd Street Tuesday afternoon, and the 3-year old girl wound up with non life-threatening injuries.
In addition to not being in a car seat, the door she fell out of, wasn’t properly latched.
Police are now considering charges.

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-After dealing with a fire caused by an e-bike that was charging as the owners were sleeping, Leduc Fire Services has some tips on how owners of e-bikes and scooters can stay safe.
They say you should always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter, refrain from using extension cords, charge the battery outside and don’t leave it unattended while it’s charging.

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-St. Albert city council has approved a property tax hike of 4.1-percent for this year.
Now that it’s been given the green light, they’ll start mailing out tax notices.
They’ll begin showing up the week of May 29th.

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-Jays beat the Yankees 3-nothing yesterday, and they meet again this afternoon at 5:07pm.

-Canada beat Kazakhstan 5-1 at the World Hockey Championship yesterday, so Canada is still unbeaten.

-Game 1 of the NHL’s Eastern Conference Final happens tonight, as the Panthers take on the Hurricanes. 6pm start.