Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press

The Alberta government says it has postponed the release of its revised school library book ban policy.

The government initially promised the new ministerial order this afternoon, but the province now says it will be released Monday.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the government is "taking the time needed" to make sure the new ministerial order is clear.

The new version of the policy is set to come almost one week after the government directed school boards to pause their work in complying with the original ministerial order.

A new contract has been reached between some 23,000 civil servants and the Alberta government, averting a strike that could’ve happened as soon as next week.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says the mediator-recommended deal passed with 63 per cent of voting members in favour and 36.5 per cent opposed.

In a release Wednesday, the union said 71 per cent of eligible members voted.

The affected employees include administrative workers, some Alberta Sheriffs, social workers and provincial wildfire fighters.

An Alberta cabinet minister is promising to follow the rules following an unusual late-night tour of the legislature last week for controversial American Christian singer Sean Feucht.

Family Services Minister Searle Turton says he led Feucht and others through the domed building late Friday after the singer held a concert on the legislature grounds.

Feucht later posted a short video on social media of a "worship session," with him and others singing in the building's rotunda.

The group representing Alberta teachers says hopes are high that a deal will be reached as mediated talks resume before the school year gets underway.

Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, says while hopeful, there are a number of issues that need to be settled if this week's talks are to be successful.

Teachers voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this summer.

Schilling says the June vote signalled that pay, classroom conditions, crowding and resources for students were unacceptable.

Alberta's government is looking to power some of its jails with solar energy.

The province says it's planning to build solar installations at five of its 10 correctional facilities, with early energy cost savings estimated at $1 million per year.

"The solar installations are expected to offset approximately 80 per cent of the energy used at each site," Michael Kwas, press secretary for Infrastructure Minister Martin Long, said in an email.

He said the estimated savings will likely change as the installations are further designed.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will consider reversing a recent policy change that ended the public disclosure of expense receipts over $100 for ministers and other government officials.

Smith, asked about the change Thursday at her Alberta Next panel town hall in Edmonton, told the crowd that it caught her off guard but was made for safety reasons.

A judge has denied an application to quash a review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation.

Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby says it will benefit democracy to have a full hearing on the constitutionality of the question.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month so a judge could determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed.

A judge is expected to decide today whether a special court review of a proposed Alberta referendum question on separation should go ahead.

Alberta's chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, referred the question to court last month for a judge to determine whether it violates the Constitution, including treaty rights.

The group that submitted the question applied to have the referral quashed, and Court of King's Bench Justice Colin Feasby heard arguments last week.

Alberta's government is creating fines and rules meant to curb predatory tow truck drivers.

Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen says concerns have been raised about tow truck drivers showing up at car accidents and pressuring those involved to unnecessarily accept their services.

Dreeshen says in some cases tow truck drivers charge excessive fees and don't provide necessary information to those whose vehicles are towed.

An audit of Alberta medical clinics charging membership fees found no significant cases of patients paying out of pocket for covered medical treatment but paying members are likely getting more thorough care.

The province launched the audit in 2023 in response to concerns over a Calgary medical clinic switching to a membership model and planning to charge annual fees of about $5,000 for families and $2,000 for an adult.