All this week's biggest local, national and world stories

In western Canada, there's no surer sign of the start of summer than the Calgary Stampede, Alberta's annual celebration of all things cowboy (and cowgirl,) which ends Sunday. (Easterners have been known to flock to the event and get into the spirit by buying Stetsons — which then languish in their closets forever more). It's a coming together of a Canadian family of sorts (though there was no coming together between Alberta's re-elected premier and the NDP's new leader at this year's edition, due to their deep differences over the province's oil sands). Heck, the Stampede even nodded toward its French-speaking visitors this week by reinstating a French verse in the national anthem.

Caught up in the spirit of the festivities, Prime Minister Stephen Harper even declared Calgary, his adopted hometown, to be Canada's No. 1 city, drawing some critical reviews from the likes of, oh, maybe Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Unfortunately, there was yet another accident Thursday night at — you guessed it — the chuckwagon racetrack, which ended the lives of at least three horses.

However, with a tip of the hat to the Stampede and its 100th anniversary, The Rundown herewith ropes, rassles and rounds up the highlights of the week's news. Come along for the ride. Stay aboard, if you can.