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On Tuesday, we asked how you feel about the province inspecting Calgary's water infrastructure management — and you were almost evenly split. The results were close, but those who called it political interference edged out the "about time" crowd by 20 votes. Readers who support the inspection pointed to years of misplaced city priorities, while those opposed worried about UCP motivations and the cost to taxpayers. One reader put it simply: "I don't trust the UCP government." Another countered that council had lost perspective on its core responsibilities.

👀 In today's edition:

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☀️ Today: High 17C, Low 2C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

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Hockey fans, this one's for you. Calgary and Edmonton have been named co-host cities for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey — the largest international sporting event to come to Alberta since the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The bid was secured through a joint effort between Alberta's government, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, OEG Sports & Entertainment, Tourism Calgary, and Explore Edmonton, with the province committing $15 million to make it happen. Calgary and Edmonton each contributed $2.5 million toward the rights fee.

Calgary's Scotia Place will host seven games, while Rogers Place in Edmonton gets the two semifinals and the championship. The tournament runs in February 2028, with 17 games total — seven of which will be played in Prague, Czechia. It will be just the fourth World Cup of Hockey ever held, following tournaments in 1996, 2004, and 2016.

Beyond the hockey itself, the event is expected to generate $375 million in economic activity, support more than 43,000 jobs, and fill nearly 172,000 hotel room nights across the province — a significant boost for two cities that have hosted the world before and know how to do it well.

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⚖️ A Calgary man has been convicted of aggravated sexual assault after raping and beating a woman so severely she was unconscious for more than a week in 2019. Kepra Udup Bang, 27, was identified through DNA evidence nearly six years after the attack.

💧 Calgary city council has unanimously approved a $609 million investment to upgrade the city's water system, including repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main and funding for emergency staffing. Surrounding communities that rely on Calgary's water supply will share in the cost.

🛢️ Alberta's government says $250 million in unpaid oil and gas property taxes is likely unrecoverable, while a new report outlines 17 recommendations to prevent companies from dodging taxes in the future — including making tax payment a condition of holding an energy regulator licence.

🚴 A new community bike shop called Bike Hub opened in Calgary on March 17, offering youth affordable repairs, parts, and programs to keep kids on bikes — with memberships starting at $20 a year, or free for those who can't afford it.

💔 A 22-year-old man was shot and killed on Highway 2 south of Edmonton on Saturday in what his friends are describing as a completely unprovoked attack. Friends of Birinder Singh say they believe discrimination may have been a factor.

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If you're heading to Southcentre Mall on March 29, you might want to budget some extra time. Calgary arts organization Honens is setting up a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano in Centre Court for a full afternoon of free performances in honour of World Piano Day — no ticket required, no concert hall dress code, just live music in the middle of your Saturday errands.

The lineup runs from mid-morning into the evening, mixing professional artists with piano students from the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University. The highlight is a 2:00 p.m. performance by Illia Ovcharenko, the 2022 Honens Prize Laureate, with family-friendly programming earlier in the day courtesy of Calgary songwriter Kenna Burima.

The event also marks the launch of Piano Project YYC 2026, a new Honens initiative that will bring free piano concerts to high-traffic community spaces across Calgary throughout the year — part of the organization's ongoing effort to make exceptional live music accessible to everyone.

World Piano Day falls on the 88th day of the year each year, a nod to the 88 keys of the piano. Honens has marked the occasion with public performances since 2024.

🍴 Pizza Culture: A cozy Neapolitan pizzeria tucked between Renfrew and Crescent Heights, Pizza Culture is the only pizzeria in Calgary and Alberta certified by Italy's Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana — and was named the best pizzeria in Canada in 2025, ranking 81st in the world by Italy's 50 Top Pizza. Founder Jeremy Hube is behind the wood-fired oven most nights.

🍴 Pio Peruvian: A small, family-owned spot in northeast Calgary, Pio has been serving up authentic Peruvian staples for over a decade — ceviche, lomo saltado, anticuchos, and more — with over 600 reviews and 20 OpenTable awards to show for it.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

🎟️ Bow Habitat Station — Marsh Madness: Bow Habitat Station kicks off its 2026 Discovery Days series on Friday, March 20, with a full day of hands-on activities exploring the surprising world of Alberta's wetlands — from camouflaged hunters to plants built to thrive in shifting waters. Admission runs from $6 to $10, with family tickets available at the door.

🎟️ The Springtime Express at Heritage Park: Heritage Park is running a special immersive train experience on March 22 and 29, taking riders on a 105-minute round trip to the historic Wainwright Hotel for live fiddlers, theatrical storytelling, and prairie treats. Tickets are $49.99 plus GST and must be purchased online in advance.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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