At 55, Ray Swirsky traded corporate life for paintbrushes—and within 18 months, he was selling $40K worth of art at the Calgary Stampede. His haunting oil paintings fuse historic maps with Indigenous imagery, spotlighting Métis heritage through century-old photos. Meanwhile, the Stampede’s Western Oasis show buzzes with fresh talent—like 20-year-old James Zimmer, who paints mountain wildlife after childhood inspiration, and Alexandra Kavanagh, whose oil-and-gas-infused western scenes redefine what “Western art” means today. Together, old masters and new voices prove the West is still painting its own story.

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Two grizzly bears brutally gunned down near Calgary—just days after another illegal killing—have wildlife officials scrambling for answers. These young, healthy males were found dead along a highway, with witnesses reporting a speeding black Chevy and a gunshot around 8:30 PM. Grizzlies are federally protected in Alberta, and hunting them is illegal. Experts suspect personal revenge—maybe from a rancher whose livestock was attacked—or a terrifying encounter that turned deadly. The suspect likely lives nearby. With 58 illegal killings since 2013, tensions rise as conservationists and locals clash over coexistence. If you know anything, call Report a Poacher at 1-800-642-3800.

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Police shut down Highway 9 near Irricana Friday night after an incident involving their own officers, sparking community concern and drawing a heavy RCMP presence — including STARS Air Ambulance, which responded but didn’t transport anyone. Details remain scarce as the investigation continues.

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