Okotoks

Ariana Zapata's favourite subject in school is social studies.

For the 13-year-old in Edmonton, this means lessons on historical societies, colonialism, how worldviews are developed and so on.

The eighth grader's own worldview is still being built, but she has pillars in place: family, fight for what you believe in, don't be too trusting and, critically, education is a right.

That's why, when Zapata gets home from school every day, she passes on what she learned to her three younger siblings.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for de-escalation after the United States carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites early Sunday.

Carney issued a social media post saying the U.S. military action was "designed to alleviate" threats posed by Iran, but the situation in the Middle East remains "highly volatile."

He says stability in the region is a priority and is calling on parties to get back to the negotiating table to find a diplomatic solution.

First Nations youth leaders are warning Canadians can expect a long, tense summer of protests as governments push forward with plans to fast-track major projects — and young people will be leading the charge.

"You will see us in your cities, your city's hubs," said Ramon Kataquapit, a youth councillor with the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation and a member of Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario.

With significant rainfall expected throughout Southern Alberta this weekend, Vulcan County is urging residents to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and their property.  

Heavy rain is expected with amounts ranging between 40 to 80 mm by Saturday evening.

The chucks were off and running last night in Wainwright for the first time since 1983.

The crowd were not disappointed as the rain cleared, and they were able to run all 12 heats of three wagons each.

High River's Jason Glass had an excellent night finishing in 3rd.

The wagons race again this afternoon, weather pending, with the championships tomorrow.

Day 1 Results

1 - Jamie Laboucane - Wild Rows Pump & Compression Ltd. - 1:04.14

2 - Rae Croteau Jr. - Scorpion Oilfield Services Ltd. - 1:04.23

Scientist Daniel Shugar says images of the aftermath of Thursday's deadly rockslide in Banff National Park provide evidence of its cause — water flowing through the interior of the mountain.

“You can actually see some springs coming out of the cliff and actually coming out exactly from the scar itself,” said the University of Calgary professor of geomorphology.

He described how water from a lake above the cliff at Bow Glacier Falls had been seeping through rocks for decades before it eventually provided enough force to dislodge a boulder, triggering the rockfall.

Foothills County wants to hear from local producers about their experiences with Richardson's ground squirrels, commonly referred to as gophers.

The County's Agricultural Services Board is gathering feedback on the damage inflicted by gophers, the costs/losses associated with the damage, and any control methods that producers have found effective.

They plan to pass the information along to the Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade, and Immigration, Joseph Schow, who has requested letters from producers to illustrate the scope of damages caused by gophers.

Parts of southern Alberta could see significant snowfall tonight (June 20), especially at higher elevations.

Environment Canada issued a Snowfall Warning Friday afternoon for the Kananaskis Improvement District near Highwood House. The agency says rain is expected to change to snow overnight for areas above 1,500 metres in elevation.

Snowfall amounts of 10 to 20 centimetres are expected throughout Saturday, but accumulation will vary due to the wet and heavy nature of the snow. As much as 30 centimetres is possible over higher elevations, including Highwood Pass.

The sleigh-driving skeleton on display outside High River’s Mystic Manor has been returned.  

The skeleton went missing on the night of June 14, and was returned on June 20, wearing a floral dress and sun hat.  

When Faye Steinberg, owner and creator of Mystic Manor, saw that the skeleton had returned, she felt a strong sense of community.  

Foothills County is no longer under a Fire Restriction.

They implemented the Fire Restriction at the end of May, but they downgraded it to a Fire Advisory today (Friday, June 20), due to the weather conditions the area is experiencing.

Now, under the Fire Advisory, all open fires are allowed, but a burning permit must be obtained, which can be found on the Foothills County website.

Foothills County is reminding everyone that obtaining a fire permit is mandatory, but the permits are free.