Here’s a story about the old days of radio. In 1924, there were all kinds of stories about life on Mars. Might the beings living there be trying to communicate with Earth? An American radio astronomer named David Todd wanted to find out.
He and a partner came up with a way that was supposed to intercept radio signals coming from Mars and then print out the radio waves on paper. There was one catch, though. For this to work, all Earthly radio stations had to fall silent for five minutes at the beginning of each hour for three consecutive days: August 21 to 24, 1924.
And it actually worked. Sort of.
Terrestrial radio silence was achieved, and some radio wave scribbles were captured. Strangely, they resembled a crudely drawn face, something that was dutifully reported in the newspapers. However, Jenkins didn’t believe it meant anything, and he stopped his research, fearful that he’d be branded a kook.
Calgary city council will deliberate the next four-year budget on Nov. 23 after the proposed spending plan is released publicly in early November.
Global News
Any spending requests for city council to consider are simply part of a “wishlist,” according to Calgary’s mayor, as fallout continues at city hall over the leak of preliminary budget documents.
It comes after Global News obtained the confidential documents, which indicated revenue from property taxes would need to increase by 20.2 per cent next year alone to fund an additional $510 million in operating spending required to cover every single spending request from across city departments and partners.
According to the documents, which were presented to council during a closed session on July 28, property taxes would also need to increase by 8.5 per cent in 2028, nine per cent in 2029 and 8.9 per cent increase in 2030, if all the spending requests got council approval this fall.
However, city council directed administration to narrow the scope of those requests within a 15 per cent property tax increase next year, followed by a 12.5 per cent increase in 2028, a nine per cent jump in 2029 and a six per cent increase in 2030.
Those updated figures will be presented to council during a closed session on Sept. 22, Global News has learned.
“At this time, city council hasn’t adopted any tax increase, we haven’t even adopted a proposed tax increase,” Mayor Jeromy Farkas told reporters Thursday.
“We’re still pencils to paper to really make sure we’re focusing on the needs over the wants.”
According to Farkas, the slew of spending requests up for council consideration do not represent what the final number taxpayers could face when the budget is finalized in November; he noted his objectives are to prioritize infrastructure and public safety.
“This is a wishlist. Everybody comes out of the woodwork around budget time and asks for all of the stuff,” Farkas said.
“If you were to add and tally all the requests… it comes out to a real big number.”
However, the documents show many of the funding requests to be debated during budget talks in November have already been in front of and endorsed by city council throughout the year.
Those figures for 2027 include:
$44.3 million to help secure sustainable funding for infrastructure maintenance
$16.9 million to increase the number of Transit Peace Officers on the transit system
$20 million to improve transit service frequency as part of RouteAhead
$27.5 million to fund the low-income transit pass, $28 million to fill the gap in fine revenue from photo radar rule changes
$25.1 million for the city’s Safer Together plan
“That’s not a wishlist — that’s a council that has trouble saying no,” said Ward 14 Coun. Landon Johnston. “I’m not okay with that. I don’t think taxpayers should be okay with the mayor (being) unable to make difficult decisions.”
Johnston was at the centre of political fallout at city hall Thursday after he took to social media and admitted he leaked confidential budget documents.
Typically, the budget documents and discussions remain behind closed doors until the spending plan is finalized and released in early November for public feedback, ahead of deliberations later that month.
Johnston argued releasing the “unconstrained” insight into the budget process would be in the public interest, and that “deep” spending cuts would be required.
“I’m hardly the first person to release confidential information, I was just the first person not to be a coward about it,” he told reporters.
“This gives us a reason to come back and attack the priorities Calgarians want.”
Farkas accused Johnston of “click baiting, rage farming, and trying to provoke a reaction.”
Farkas defended the confidential nature of the discussions to date, and added he is concerned about the legal risk for the city if third-party information is released.
Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Yule told reporters he was disappointed the information was released, but isn’t confident there will be any repercussions, as the council code of conduct was eliminated by the provincial government last year.
“Every leak is inappropriate and every leak should be investigated, but without a framework to do that, we’re just left hanging,” Yule said.
“Whether people think this is a big deal or a nothingburger — it is a breach of trust of this council and our oath of office.”
Calgary city council will deliberate the next four-year budget on Nov. 23 after the proposed spending plan is released publicly in early November.
Global News reached out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for comment but did not receive a response before publishing.
Const. Kal Dosanjh was arrested Thursday and faces multiple fraud, theft and breach of trust charges following a lengthy investigation.
x.com/Kal_Dosanjh
A veteran Vancouver police officer and founder of the KidsPlay Foundation has been arrested and charged with multiple criminal offences.
Const. Kal Dosanjh was arrested Thursday in Surrey and is charged with four counts of fraud over $5,000, four counts of theft over $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer.
A co-accused, Sarabjit Singh Gill, faces six charges: three counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of theft over $5,000.
Police allege the offences occurred between 2017 and 2025.
Dosanjh has served with the Vancouver Police Department for decades and is widely known for his work with the Surrey-based KidsPlay Foundation.
A search warrant was executed at the charity’s offices Thursday.
Through his lawyer, Dosanjh said he is innocent and committed no crimes.
Vancouver police say the charges stem from a covert investigation that lasted about 2.5 years.
Police are scheduled to provide more details at a news conference Friday morning.
CAQ leader Christine Fréchette is trying to make inroads with the English-speaking community. She insists information at the polls will be bilingual on voting day but admits the information on mail voter information cards will be in French only for the first time ever. Tim Sargeant reports.
CAQ Leader Christine Fréchette is defending a decision to send voter information cards in French only ahead of Quebec’s election, while insisting anglophone voters will still have access to information in English.
Speaking Thursday, Fréchette said information at polling stations will be available in both French and English and argued the rights of Quebec’s English-speaking community are being respected.
The issue centres on voter information cards mailed before election day. The cards, which include details on where and when to vote, have previously been issued in both official languages.
Fréchette said voters will still be able to access information in English through QR codes, the Elections Québec website and by phone.
A group of lawyers representing members of the English-speaking community has threatened legal action over the move, while opposition party leaders and language-rights advocates have also criticized the change.
Fréchette said Quebec’s Charter of the French Language protects both French and the rights of the province’s English-speaking community.
It remains unclear what impact, if any, the French-only voter cards could have on anglophone voter turnout.
Police were called to a hobby farm near Wainwright on Aug. 26, after the owner found one of her lambs with a bullet wound in its leg.
It’s believed someone trespassed onto the pasture, about two kilometres west of Wainwright along Highway 14, sometime between the morning of Aug. 23, and noon on Aug. 24.
That’s when Sandra Creech got home from work and realized something was wrong with her flock of about 25 lambs.
While checking the rest of the property, the family discovered the remains of a second lamb that appeared to have been butchered behind an old shed in a grove of trees.
Creech suspects the baby animal was killed for its meat.
“They knew we had animals, of course. I think they were staking out the property — it’s not very hard when we are right on the highway,” she said.
While RCMP investigate, the family is stepping up security.
The pristine, subarctic wilderness of Churchill, Man. is home to thousands of beluga whales this time of year. In a few months, hundreds of polar bears will be gathering near the community, waiting for the sea ice to form. Global's Marney Blunt was in Churchill and has more on the work being done there to protect these captivating creatures.
The pristine, subarctic wilderness of Churchill, Man. is home to thousands of beluga whales this time of year, and soon hundreds of polar bears will also gather around the community, waiting for the sea ice to form.
“It’s really incredible, we get this big migration, thousands of beluga whales migrate here and they spend the summer in the estuary,” said Kieran McIver, the manager of Churchill field operations for Polar Bears International.
A beluga whale approaches the underwater camera on Polar Bear International's 'beluga boat'.
Kieran McIver / Polar Bears International
The non-profit organization just wrapped up its ‘beluga boat’ season, which launched on July 15 to coincide with Arctic Sea Ice Day. Throughout the summer and until the end of August, the beluga boat heads out on the water daily, capturing and livestreaming underwater images of the beluga whales in the Churchill River estuary and along the shores of the Hudson Bay.
Kieran McIver with the beluga boat on dry land after another season of capturing images of Churchill's beluga migration.
Marney Blunt / Global News
McIver says the beluga whales are curious of the boat and cameras and often follow them, something that is relatively unique to the belugas in the Churchill-area, he says.
“They seem to just be really curious,” he said.
“Something that kind of makes them unique as well is their cervical spine is not fused vertebrae, so that gives them the ability to move their heads and necks around. So when they are coming and approaching the paddle boarders or kayakers or us on the beluga boat, you can see them physically looking up at you – so it’s a pretty neat experience.”
Polar Bears International is the only non-profit organization in the world dedicated solely to polar bear conservation through research and education.
Kieran McIver holds a life-sized replica of a male polar bear skull at Polar Bears International in Churchill, Man.
Marney Blunt / Global News
“Our goal is to keep polar bears in the Arctic for a long time and to do that we need to understand the species,” Polar Bears International director of science Alysa McCall told Global News.
The organization does a variety of research on the bears, aiming to better understand their physiology, genetics, behaviour, and the coexistence between humans and bears.
“We want to keep polar bears around for a long time, and we also know more polar bears are spending a longer time on-land, especially in Canada, so we have this obligation to support the people that now have to increasingly live with this very large predator,” McCall said.
Alysa McCall is the director of science with Polar Bears International.
Source / Zoom
Polar Bears International also supports tracking research in conjunction with Environment & Climate Change Canada and the University of Alberta. Each year, tracking collars are put on about ten female bears in the Churchill area.
Polar Bears International says the biggest threat to polar bears is the loss of sea ice due to climate change.
BJ Kirschhoffer / Polar Bears International
McCall said that research is useful in understanding the bear’s patterns as they deal with their biggest threat; sea ice loss caused by climate change.
“I like to call them blubber-hunting ice bears,” McCall said. “They’re really out there to hunt seals, eat blubber, they’re mainly focused on fat, they’re on the ice – but within that, there is so much individual variation of where the females move – It might depend on their age, what their mom taught them, but the patterns we see our really cool.”
Here’s how to recreate that hotel-inspired look at home with finds from Quince, Silk & Snow, Brooklinen and more.
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You don’t need to book a luxury getaway to get that five-star feeling. With the right bedding, plush layers and a few thoughtful finishing touches, you can make your bed resemble the boutique hotel suite that had you drifting into dreamland the moment your head hit the pillow.
The secret is all in the details: crisp sheets, an inviting duvet, plenty of pillows and a restrained colour palette can make your bed feel instantly more luxurious. Here’s how to recreate that hotel-inspired look at home with finds from Quince, Silk & Snow, Brooklinen and more.
Start with crisp, hotel-style sheets
These sheets from Brooklinen are made from 100% long-staple cotton with a 480-thread-count sateen weave, giving your bed that smooth, soft look associated with upscale hotel bedding.[/product_listing]
For a cooler, crisper feel, Silk & Snow Percale Cotton Sheet Set is another option. The brand describes its percale as crisp, cool and breathable, so it’s well suited to recreating that fresh hotel-sheet feeling.[/product_listing]
Layer your duvet instead of using just one blanket
Quince European Linen Duvet Cover is a good starting point for a relaxed, upscale look. The pre-washed linen is designed to soften over time, and it comes in a wide selection of neutral and deeper shades.[/product_listing]
Waffle gives you visual interest and depth that plain, flat knits lack. For a more textured finish, try Quince’s Organic Luxe Waffle Duvet Cover Set, which adds the perfect amount of subtle texture to your bedding.[/product_listing]
Add a fluffy duvet insert
Even the nicest duvet cover won’t look particularly luxurious if the insert inside is flat. Choose a lofty insert that fills out the cover and gives your bed that oversized, cloud-like appearance. Quince Premium Down Alternative Duvet Insert is one option, with Quince offering the insert in different sizes and warmth levels.[/product_listing]
Top your bed with fluffy pillows
The Puredown Goose Feather Down Pillows instantly gives your bed that plush, layered look you’d expect from a five-star hotel. Filled with 95% goose feather and 5% goose down, these king-size pillows have comfortable support and help create a full, inviting bed.[/product_listing]
Finish the bed with a folded throw
Drape the Bedsure Faux Fur Throw Blanket across the foot of your bed for an extra layer of plush texture and warmth. Fluffy and luxurious. [/product_listing]
Elections Alberta is addressing concerns over special ballots. Those packages for the upcoming referendum are being mailed out to voters, but some recipients say they're missing questions. Erik Bay has more on what they're being told to do.
Edmonton seniors Lorrie and John Jegen got their mail-in voting packages on Sept. 1. While Lorrie’s envelope contained all the required slips of paper, her husband’s was significantly lighter.
“All I got was… one ballot,” John Jegen said, holding up the slip of paper containing the first referendum question from the package he received — which was missing the other nine questions.
“Can’t do much with that.”
Edmonton resident John Jegen didn't receive all 10 mail-in ballots for the Alberta referendum from Elections Alberta.
Global News
The couple applied to vote in advance to avoid lines at polling stations like the ones experienced during last year’s municipal election, when some voters waited several hours.
“The thought of standing in line for three or four hours because there’s no automatic tabulated voting machines and what have you … it’s tough for a couple like us,” Jegen said.
“My wife certainly won’t be able do it, and I would have a hard time too.”
After discovering the missing pages, Jegen said he contacted Elections Alberta and, unable to talk to a person, left a message asking what to do.
Jegen is still waiting for a response, but hopes to see the issue resolved quickly so his vote can count.
“I’m hoping they come back and say, ‘Yeah, okay, here’s your booklet’ or ‘Come and get it’ or ‘We’ll send it to you.’ But we’ll have to wait and see,” he said.
“I am one of the people who wants to stay in Canada and so is my wife, so it’s very important to us to make sure that our voices are heard.”
Elections Alberta says voters who receive incomplete packages should do what Jegen did — contact the agency so the issue can be corrected.
The special ballots come attached to each other, Elections Alberta said, explaining they’re all glued together at the top and have a cardboard backing like a notepad.
“There are a few, a couple handfuls right now of people reporting that they’re missing maybe question one from their ballot, or they’re missing the ballot package,” deputy chief electoral officer Dallas Stoesz said on Thursday.
“Those folks should get in touch with us. We’ll make sure to get them a proper set of ballots.”
Elections Alberta mail-in ballots for the Alberta referendum on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Global News
The provincial agency is also addressing concerns about wording contained in some special ballot declaration forms.
A statement on certain forms asks voters to declare they are unable to vote at advance voting, which takes place Oct. 13 to 17 or on the Oct. 19 referendum day — or face a fine.
Elections Alberta said the language came from a previous version of the Election Act and will be removed from future ballot packages.
Stoesz said voters who receive forms containing the outdated wording can simply cross it out before submitting their ballot package.
“They complete the rest of the declaration, sign it, send it back — we will accept those,” she said. “Every special ballot package going out from now forward will have a different declaration with that line removed.”
“This is absolutely a historic event. Not only has Alberta never done anything like this, nowhere in Canada has done anything like this before,” Stoesz said.
“Yes, we’ve had referendums. Yes, there’s been millions of ballots — but not concentrated like this.”
Elections Alberta says about 290,000 people have already applied for special ballots, up from 225,000 earlier in the week.
The spike in applications has prompted Elections Alberta to move up the deadline for requesting a special ballot.
Voters must now apply by Sept. 25, two weeks earlier than the original Oct. 9 deadline.
Stoesz said the change is intended to avoid a rush of last-minute applications and help ensure ballots can be delivered and returned on time, particularly with the Thanksgiving holiday affecting mail service.
Elections Alberta has said administering the referendum will be a massive undertaking that will require at least 60,000 workers.
The ballot contains 10 government-initiated questions dealing largely with immigration and constitutional reform, although public attention has focused on the final question asking Albertans whether they want to remain in Canada or proceed to a second, binding referendum on leaving Confederation.
Elections Alberta ballots for the Alberta referendum on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
The question: “Should Alberta remain a province of Canada? Or should the government of Alberta commence the legal process required under the Canadian Constitution to hold a binding provincial referendum on whether or not Alberta should separate from Canada?”
Elections Alberta is encouraging voters to read the questions in advance and understand what they mean, as polling station staff are limited in what they can convey.
“Beyond having the posters and information about what the questions are, we won’t be able to offer any explanation on what the question mean or the intent of the questions,” said Michelle Gurney, media relations lead with Elections Alberta.
Elections Alberta ballot boxes for the Alberta referendum on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
Global News
Once the polls close, the counting won’t stop until it’s done.
“There are no breaks. It is straight through. We do not have the option to go home and sleep and come back the next day and start. We have 48 hours from the time voting ends to complete the count,” Stoesz said, explaining that is why elections staff will be working in shifts around the clock.
Elections Alberta leadership will be receiving support from their counterparts across Canada during that window.
“Obviously we can’t stay awake for 60 hours and be coherent. So they’re gonna be coming and helping us because they are experienced professionals. They know exactly how to do this work,” Stoesz said.
Elections Alberta ballots for the Alberta referendum on Thursday, September 3, 2026.
WATCH: Leaside home gets hit by a massive maple tree during storm.
Stephen Armstromg is upbeat despite the fact a tree hit his home in Leaside during Wednesday afternoon’s storm and his front sidewalk and door are blocked by the giant tree limbs.
“We had just come in the house and we started videotaping out the front door because the wind was coming sideways and we went into the back of the house and all of a sudden bang,” said Armstrong.
A massive branch from a maple tree, which sits on a boulevard owned by the city, ripped away from the trunk, the limbs brushing up against the windows and tearing down some eavestroughs.
A massive tree limb fell onto the property during Wednesday’s storm.
Global News
Armstrong says it appears his home, the truck in his driveway and the vehicles in his neighbour’s driveway were not damaged.
Armstrong had a plan to propose to his girlfriend of six years on Wednesday and was not prepared to let a storm derail his special plans.
“Nobody died, but it was a hell of a time, you know. When you get married it should be memorable. When you propose, this was memorable,” he said.
Armstrong shared a video with Global News that his son filmed showing the proposal.
As his fiance is trying on a new coat Armstrong had bought her with a box hidden in the pocket, his phone begins to ring.
“The phone’s ringing and my neighbours are telling me about the tree, as I’m trying to propose,” says Armstrong.
His girlfriend found the ring and said “yes.”
Shabnam Saffari told Global News she was confused by how calm Armstrong was, given a massive tree limb had just fallen onto the front lawn striking the edge of the home.
“It was really memorable. It was a stressful and emotional day mixed together for us,” Saffari said.
The neighbours called 311 on Armstrong’s behalf. He said the City of Toronto told them it’s a priority for them to remove the fallen tree given it’s blocking a sidewalk.
“Just to propose and have her say ‘yes’ was great but god says ‘you can’t leave’,” said Armstrong, referring to the fact the front door is still blocked.
The beleaguered Rogers Stadium suffered “significant” damage after a powerful storm swept through Toronto on Wednesday evening.
Photos of the open-air Downsview Park stadium show blue bleachers strewn across partially collapsed grandstands.
The sign outside the open-air venue also looked to be damaged, partially stripped of its red cover.
Live Nation Canada, which operates the stadium, said the venue sustained “significant damage” but no one was hurt. It did not immediately provide details about the extent of the damage.
It’s the latest setback for a stadium beset by issues since it opened last summer.
Live Nation said it would make adjustments after concertgoers initially complained the 50,000-person venue seemed ill-prepared to handle crowds and local officials raised noise complaints.
The venue last hosted a show on Aug. 23 for K-pop superstars BTS and is next scheduled to welcome AC/DC on Sept. 16.
Wednesday’s storm walloped Toronto with strong winds and dumped more than 100 millimetres of rain on some hard-hit neighbourhoods, prompting widespread power outages and flooding.
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