Karen Bartko
Online Journalist
Karen has worked at Global Edmonton since 2006, and is currently an online journalist.
She got her start as a studio assistant running the teleprompter, before becoming an ENG video editor for four years.
She then spent three years on the overnight team as a writer for Global News Morning Edmonton.
Karen joined the online team in 2014. She lives for breaking news and also enjoys the fast pace of the digital world, creating videos and crafting original content for social media.
She grew up just outside Edmonton and graduated from the Radio and Television Arts program at NAIT in 2008.
Outside of work, Karen enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, travelling the world and taking in Edmonton’s numerous summer festivals.
Karen is a pop culture geek who indulges in a long list of TV shows and can frequently be found scouring Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Reddit.
She would also never say no to a good glass of wine.
Video Archives
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Deadly stabbing of child, woman in Edmonton believed to be ‘completely random’
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Heat wave driving demand for air conditioners in Alberta
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Growing wildfires west of Edmonton prompt expansion of evacuation orders
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‘You will always be the love of my life’: Wife of late Alberta RCMP officer
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Young boy makes a miraculous recover with the help of Glenrose Foundation
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COVID vaccines set to expire in Canada & Umbilical cord ‘milking’ can help newborns
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Edmonton landmarks lit up in blue to honour fallen officers
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Alberta exploring 2030 Commonwealth Games bid
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Toonies for Tummies addressing food insecurity at Edmonton school
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Alberta mother survives terrifying Guillain-Barré Syndrome illness, write 2 books
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Global News Hour at 6 Edmonton: February 7
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Alberta researchers studying benefits of continuous glucose monitors for Type 2 diabetes
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Police scene in north Edmonton after fatal attack
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Aerial view of police presence in north Edmonton where attack leaves 1 dead, 2 injured
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Inside Pride series explores 2SLGBTQQIA+ topics
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Progress being made in bisexuality being recognized in Canada, but neutrality is ‘not good enough’
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Are bi guys promiscuous? Stereotypes leave bisexual people excluded from straight & 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities
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What is biphobia and bisexual erasure? Explaining the harmful stereotypes, stigmas bisexual people face
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Bisexual man’s coming out advice: ‘You’d be shocked at how much support you’re going to get’
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Life-sized mammoth moves through downtown Edmonton
Author Archives
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Sticker shock: Edmonton homeowners feeling impact of 5% city tax increaseOver 400,000 notices were sent out this week, the city said, after assessments were sent in January, when property owners were told to expect a tax increase for 2023.ConsumerMay 26
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Man seriously injured during random Churchill Square stabbing in downtown EdmontonPolice said a fight reportedly took place between two men who didn't know each other, and one stabbed the other before heading towards the Churchill LRT station.CrimeMay 26
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Alberta Election: How parties beyond the NDP and UCP could affect the outcomePolitical scientist Lori Williams said choices besides the NDP and UCP — such as the Alberta Party and Green Party — may make a difference in ridings where the vote will be close.PoliticsMay 23
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Heavy rain expected across northern, western Alberta: Will it be enough to dampen wildfires?Between 50 to 75 mm of rain is expected and Alberta Wildfire is hoping for a long, steady shower that will soak in, rather than short bursts that could bring lightning.WeatherMay 22
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Charges pending after man rescued by helicopter from Fox Creek wildfire evacuation zoneRCMP said the man allegedly took a gravel road around a checkpoint near Fox Creek, became stuck in mud and surrounded by flames, and had to be rescued by a forestry helicopter.CrimeMay 22
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Alberta wildfires: Evacuation order expanded again near Shiningbank LakeThe evacuation zone is: north of the CN Rail line, east of Highway 32, south of Township Road 570 east to Range Road 130, south to Township Road 561, west of Range Road 110.FireMay 19
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WestJet and its pilots reach 11th-hour deal to avoid strikeWestJet said Friday morning it was re-starting operations as quickly and efficiently as possible, however the full resumption of flights will take time.CanadaMay 19
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Alberta election: Smith, Notley face off in debate, ask voters who do they trustUnited Conservative Party leader Danielle Smith and Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley squared off in a debate hosted by a media consortium on Thursday.PoliticsMay 18
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Alberta parks closed over wildfire risk, Crown land campers urged to be smart May long weekend'I know this is disappointing for many, but it is necessary to reduce the risk of wildfire,' Alberta's minister of forestry and parks said of bans ahead of the May long weekend.FireMay 18
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Cat tortured, found dead in microwave after northwest Edmonton break-inErica Piche was away on a camping trip on the last weekend of April when she says her Edmonton home was invaded, trashed and her cat Cheech tortured and killed in a microwave.CrimeMay 16
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Suspects sought after man injured trying to stop grocery store theft in north EdmontonTwo suspects are believed to have stolen groceries and assaulted a man outside a store near Castledowns Road and 153 Avenue in north Edmonton back in February.CrimeMay 16
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Alberta wildfires: Evacuation order for Shining Bank Lake area in Yellowhead CountyA wildfire in Yellowhead County west of Edmonton grew on Monday, prompting an evacuation order for a rural area halfway between Highway 16 and Whitecourt.FireMay 15
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Alberta students affected by lengthy wildfire evacuations exempt from diploma examsIf an Alberta student has been displaced from school because of the wildfires for 10 or more school days, they'll automatically be exempt from writing their diploma exams in June.EducationMay 15
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Evacuation order lifted in Leduc County after wildfire near Devon prompts alertThe wildfire broke out Saturday three kilometres west of the town of Devon and three kilometres south of the North Saskatchewan River.FireMay 13
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Edmonton Oilers watch parties back to being all-ages events'With great weather forecasted and a pivotal Game 6 on Sunday, we encourage all Oilers fans to come cheer the team on in the greatest outdoor fan forum in the NHL.'SportsMay 13
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Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of Paul Band First Nation womanSaundra Bearhead, who was 33, was rushed to an Edmonton hospital with serious knife wounds on May 2, but died of her injuries five days later.CrimeMay 10
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Boy on scooter, 11, seriously injured after north Edmonton crosswalk collisionEdmonton police said the the boy and a friend were attempting to cross 153 Avenue in the unmarked crosswalk when he was hit by an eastbound vehicle.TrafficMay 10
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Alberta wildfire: Drayton Valley fire chief issues emotional plea for evacuees to be patient'This fire could become very active again in a flip of a switch. It's solely dependent on the wind and how fast we can get the hot spots under control.'FireMay 9
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Athabasca County evacuation order issued due to wildfire northeast of townAn Alberta Emergency Alert issued around 11:30 p.m. Thursday said there was a wildfire about 10 kilometres northeast of Athabasca, east of Camping Lake and moving west.FireMay 5
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Alberta is on fire: The wildfire situation Sunday and where to find evacuation ordersOfficials said Friday that despite more seasonable weather conditions, the big wildfires burning in Alberta will take months to put out.CanadaMay 4
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Helicopter fighting Alberta wildfires crashes at Edson Airport, pilot walks awayRCMP said the helicopter was helping fight wildfires in western Alberta when it crashed at the Edson airport on Thursday evening.FireMay 4
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Backcountry around Brazeau Dam being evacuated again due to several raging forest firesAlberta Wildfire said several large wildfires west of Lodgepole around the Brazeau Dam primarily affect the oil and gas industry but anyone within the area must leave.FireMay 4
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Alberta Wildfire: Cold Lake First Nation evacuation order rescindedEveryone south of Township Road 614 and up to Range Road 24 in Cold Lake First Nation was told to flee immediately and head to the Dene Hotel and Conference Centre.FireMay 4
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Drayton Valley residents flee central Alberta town amid wildfire evacuation orderEvacuees were told to head to Edmonton and register at the Edmonton Expo Center (7515 118 Ave.) in Hall C.FireMay 4
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Alberta wildfires: Lac Ste. Anne County reissues evacuation orderAn evacuation order was issued Thursday afternoon for part of Lac Ste. Anne County, where officials said a wildfire was burning near Range Road 60 and Township Road 560.FireMay 4