Good morning, Edmonton and surrounding areas! Happy Monday!

It is a cloudy start this morning near 3C, with some sunny breaks and a high near 9C this afternoon. It was a heavy weekend for central Alberta after the tragedy at CFB Wainwright, and now referendum day is here, so please be gentle with each other out there. We also have McDavid's big night, a new mayor in Vancouver and protests in France.

If you are looking for something to do tonight, Green Drinks is on at The Buckingham at 7pm, and Edmonton Games Week starts today. Scroll down for the full lineup of events too.

Tragedy at CFB Wainwright

Central Alberta is grieving this morning.

Prime Minister Carney says four service members are dead and dozens are hurt after a blast and wind driven fire at CFB Wainwright on Saturday, calling it one of Canada's worst military tragedies in peacetime.

• Several Alberta hospitals went on a mass casualty alert, and people were asked to avoid the University of Alberta Hospital emergency department unless it was urgent.
• The military has not confirmed casualty details or released names, and says the situation is still evolving.

Our thoughts are with every family and the whole Wainwright community. Follow the live updates​

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McDavid Goes Off in Salt Lake City

Five points in one night, not bad for a Saturday.

Connor McDavid scored twice and added three assists as the Oilers beat the Utah Mammoth 6 to 2, splitting the home and home series after Thursday's loss in Edmonton.

• A first period fight between Utah's Jack McBain and Edmonton's Trent Frederic got the game fired up early.

Was that your player of the week already? Hit reply and tell us. Relive the win​

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Referendum Day Is Here and Over a Million Albertans Have Already Voted

Today is the day Alberta has been talking about for months.

Advance polls closed Saturday with more than 703,000 ballots cast, and more than 1.2 million Albertans had voted once special ballots were counted.

• Polls suggest a majority of Albertans will vote to stay in Canada.
• Check Elections Alberta for your polling hours and what ID to bring before you head out.

Heading to the polls today? Hit reply and tell us how it went at your station. See where things stand​

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A New Thrift Store Gives Young People a Next Step

Sometimes a good deal does a little more good than you planned.

Next Step Thrift has opened on 99 Street, and its proceeds and job opportunities are meant to help vulnerable young people find their footing.

• Shopping secondhand here means your money helps set a young person up for success.

Planning a stop on 99 Street? Hit reply and tell us what you hope to find. Meet Next Step Thrift​

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Vancouver Picks a New Mayor

British Columbia went to the polls Saturday and Vancouver voted for change.

Pete Fry is projected to unseat incumbent Ken Sim as Vancouver's mayor in a close race, and Sim has conceded.

• In Surrey, Doug McCallum is projected to reclaim the mayor's office as Brenda Locke concedes.
• Fry told supporters his team would start work right away and promised, "we're not going to let you down."

Alberta votes today and B.C. voted Saturday. What makes a good mayor in your books? Hit reply. See the results​

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Canada Stuns Top Ranked England

A big night for Canadian rugby.

Canada beat top ranked England 24 to 21 in Toronto on Friday night, ending England's 41 game unbeaten streak.

• The WXV Global Series match was played at BMO Field.

Did you catch it? Hit reply and tell us. Read the upset​

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France Erupts Over the Cost of Living

Sound familiar to anyone watching their grocery bill?

Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday over rising living costs and poor school conditions, and police arrested at least 1,800 people after some groups clashed with officers and looted shops.

• The marches joined student protests that were already underway.
• A charred car was photographed in Paris on Sunday, the day after the demonstration.

Are rising costs squeezing your household too? Hit reply and tell us. Read the full report​

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Hurricane Trudy Lashes Mexico's Pacific Coast

Got friends or family soaking up the Mexican sun right now?

Hurricane Trudy hit parts of Mexico's Pacific coast with heavy rain and strong winds over the weekend, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center forecasts it moving away.

• Trudy had strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane as it approached the coast on Saturday.
• Plenty of Albertans winter on Mexico's Pacific side, so it is worth checking in with anyone travelling down there.

Know someone in the path? Hit reply and tell us how they are doing. Track the storm​

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Edmonton Weather: Monday, October 19

Mainly cloudy this morning near 3C, then cloudy with sunny breaks this afternoon and a high near 9C, with a 30 per cent chance of precipitation. Tonight is partly cloudy with a low near 0C.

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This or That 🗳️

It is a cool, cloudy Monday with a few sunny breaks. Which sounds better to you right now: a bowl of hot soup and a warm blanket, or a brisk walk through the river valley with a coffee in hand?

Hit reply and tell us which team you are on, soup and blanket or river valley walk?

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Events Happening in Edmonton and Surrounding Areas

Monday, October 19

🌱 Green Drinks 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Mon Oct 19 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 The Buckingham, 10439 82 Ave NW
Connect with other Edmontonians interested in sustainability at this informal evening gathering.

🎮 Edmonton Games Week 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Mon Oct 19–Sun Oct 25 · 📍 Various Edmonton locations
Explore a week of gaming-related events around the city, with individual activities listed in the week’s program.

💼 Small Business Week 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Mon Oct 19–Fri Oct 23 · 📍 Various Edmonton locations
Discover local business programming and opportunities to connect with Edmonton’s entrepreneurial community. Individual sessions have their own schedules and registration requirements.

Tuesday, October 20

🏒 Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Tue Oct 20 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 Rogers Place, 10220 104 Ave NW
Cheer on the Oilers as they host Minnesota for a Tuesday-night NHL matchup. Doors open at 6 p.m.

📚 Carol Off in Conversation 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Tue Oct 20 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 Audreys Books, 10702 Jasper Ave NW
Spend an evening with journalist and author Carol Off at Edmonton’s downtown independent bookstore.

🌎 Thoughtful Tuesday: Code Red — An Exploration of Degrowth Economics 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Tue Oct 20 · ⏰ 6 p.m. · 📍 Earth’s Refillery Co-op
Join a discussion exploring degrowth economics and the relationship between economic systems and environmental sustainability.

🌽 Edmonton Corn Maze 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Tue Oct 20 · ⏰ 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. · 📍 51529 Range Rd 262, near Spruce Grove
Head west of Edmonton for the corn maze’s final week of the season, with farm activities and fall photo opportunities. Outdoor activities are weather-dependent.

Wednesday, October 21

✍️ No Lonely Writers: Library Write-In 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Wed Oct 21 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 Stanley A. Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Sq
Bring your current writing project and enjoy dedicated writing time alongside other local writers.

🎶 Opera Pub 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Wed Oct 21 · ⏰ 7 p.m. · 📍 The Druid Irish Pub, 11606 Jasper Ave NW
Enjoy live opera in a relaxed pub setting for a different kind of midweek music night.

🎤 Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic 🎟️ Details​
🗓 Wed Oct 21 · ⏰ 10 p.m. to midnight · 📍 Grindstone Theatre, 10019 81 Ave NW
Catch free five-minute sets from first-time performers and experienced local comics at this late-night open mic.