Greetings from the motherland—in the most literal sense of the word ever.

Oh my Coasties, I miss you so much and assure you that I am coming back sooner than you think. Turns out my 6-month old is also a liberal, angry, man-hater, so she’s been getting me all riled up with her woke rhetoric and crusade against the patriarchy.

We’ve obviously also had some very heated conversations about the hot garbage juice that was the Houston budget too. But this isn’t about him (today), it’s about my favourite subject as you all know—ME!

Quick update since I last spoke to you: I lost my mom and became a mom…in the same week. All this just five months after my husband suddenly and unexpectedly passed away from a blood clot. Yep, the hits just kept on coming.

Poppy Parsons Lawrence has been a game-changer in so many ways and if you haven’t been consuming her content, then follow me on Instagram asap because she’s the most perfect baby ever made and is already in gymnastics training for the Olympics which is going…slowly because her arms still don’t clear her head, which is kind of a necessity.

Behold our first trip to the gym:

But this isn’t just a life update; I obviously need something from you. 

I applied to be in this SUPER MOM competition because I want to show that sometimes being a “super mom” isn’t balancing a full schedule with a million kids and a full-time job (which is effing super, don’t get me wrong).

Sometimes it’s just surviving another day without giving up on life altogether. I am now painfully aware that walking through the world with this kind of grief is heroic. If you're unfortunate enough to be doing it yourself, you're amazing.

Being Poppy's mom is beautiful and fun, but I won't lie to you, I'm still really struggling to make sense of why this had to happen to us. And I'm sad all of the time, even when I'm happy.

In the unlikely event that I win, I want to donate the $20K in my Binney’s name to help people struggling with alcoholism, as we both did for so many years. I’ll also take you ALL on vacation with me. 

If you get a second, please cast a few (hundred) votes for me - https://thesupermom.org/2026/julie-lawrence 

Thank you for all the love and support and I can’t wait to be back in your inboxes every morning verrrrrrry soon.

Love and light!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: 🌧️ 7°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 14°

Next Day: 🌧️ 14°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

There is something quietly compelling about the North End of Halifax right now. It is not just the restaurants that get the big headlines, but the smaller, more personal spaces that feel discovered rather than marketed. Places that rely less on spectacle and more on craft.

Tucked into that North End rhythm is Michelle Ashley’s Bakery on Isleville Street, just a couple blocks north of the Hydrostone Market. It’s a spot that, until recently, I had been quietly keeping to myself. Out of selfishness? I hope not. But it is one of those places you discover that feels a little too genuine to be part of the usual churn of attention, and there is that fear of losing your secret spot to the crowds.

Food critic Mark DeWolf shares this sweet North End secret in this profile of Michelle Ashley’s Bakery.

🚓 Three Halifax youths were arrested and charged after evading police for hours in an allegedly stolen vehicle—police say two youths in masks tried to steal a food delivery truck before fleeing on foot and stealing a Honda Civic to make a getaway.

⚖️ A Hells Angels hitman serving time for a double murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the deaths of Kirk Mersereau and Nancy Christensen—the two were killed in their Centre Burlington home in September 2000.

⛽ The federal government is suspending the fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel until Labour Day—Prime Minister Mark Carney says the tax break will start on April 20, saving drivers 10 cents per litre on gas and 4 cents per litre on diesel.

🛋️ Overthinking everything? You’re not alone. When your mind won’t slow down, talking helps. Real conversations, real support. Start with Your Counselling and feel clearer again.*

📅 Save the date! Open City returns Saturday, May 9 across the Halifax peninsula and downtown Dartmouth. Businesses in these areas can register now!*

🚙 Dinner, drinks, maybe one more stop. Lyft’s got your exit strategy. Get 50% off first five rides. Max $10/ride. Terms apply. Make the night easier.*

*Sponsored Post

With readings and interviews featuring best-selling writers like Souvankham Thammavongsa, Kim Echlin, and Iain Reid, readings from local favourites including Vicki Grant, Tom Ryan, and Christine Wu, new poetry from Sue Sinclair, a North End bookcrawl, and AwkWord, a night of true, live storytelling, Spring ForeWord brings writers and readers together in Halifax.

Festival ticket prices are affordable, so that everyone who wants to enjoy Spring ForeWord can. Venues are wheelchair accessible, equipped with gender neutral bathrooms, and accessible by public transit.

Tickets are on sale now, and they'll go fast, so get yours today.

🚨 A 41-year-old man is dead after what police say was a targeted shooting in Amherst on Monday evening—as of Tuesday, no arrests have been made in connection with the killing.

⚖️ A 23-year-old is facing multiple child sexual abuse charges after a police search of his home in Halifax—Owen Wilson is facing charges of possession, access and distribution of child sexual abuse and exploitation material, as well as making the material available to a child.

❤️‍🩹 A program revolving around healthy relationships and violence prevention is only available in 20 high schools across Nova Scotia—a mass casualty commission recommendation called for a province-wide curriculum addressing gender-based violence.

The Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festivalcelebrates bold, diverse storytelling from local and global filmmakers. Showcasing features, shorts, panels, and performances, it amplifies underrepresented voices and fosters community. Now in its 16th year, Emerging Lens has proudly celebrated National Canadian Film Day for the past eight years, continuing to inspire and elevate film.

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Force of Nature: The David Suzuki Movie: This National Film Day screening of this documentary on environmentalist David Suzuki is free for those interested at Patagonia Halifax. | April 15 | 7PM |

🗓 Radiant Ground: New Paintings by Marilyn McAvoy: Local artist Marilyn McAvoy’s new collection is on display at The Prow Gallery, with an artist reception on April 16. | April 14-May 8 |

🗓 Live Jazz with The Matt MacLennan Trio: Bassist Matt MacLennan brings his three-piece band along for velvety ballads and smooth bossa novas at the Obladee. | April 15 | 7PM |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

➡️ The CMA CGM Libra container vessel departed Halifax for New York at 4am.

🚢➡️ The MSC West V container vessel arrives in Halifax from Sines at 3:15pm and departs for Montreal at 10pm.

🚢 The Titania container vessel arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 4pm.

Celtic Corner is bringing a loaded half-pound Certified Angus burger to Burger Bash — topped with Buffalo cheese sauce, fresh green onions, and crunchy Hickory Sticks for that extra satisfying bite. At $19.99, with $1 going to Feed NS, it's a burger you can feel good about ordering. Check out the full line-up and start planning your order.

🥪 Larry’s Sandwiches has an oldie but a goodie: the Turkey Sandwich. It’s their best-seller, and that’s for good reason. Thinly sliced turkey, smoked bacon, avocado mayo, fresh tomato salsa, provolone cheese and mixed greens on a sub bun.

🍨 Churned is now serving Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars. Pick your favourite flavour: vanilla dipped in either dark or white chocolate, coated with freeze-dried strawberries and crunchy puffed rice. Gluten-free!

Spring Garden comes alive during Halifax Burger Bash, inviting food lovers to explore eight restaurants along the street. Each offers a unique burger creation, from classic comfort to bold innovation. Visitors can stroll, share, and savor the variety, making Spring Garden your next stop for unforgettable burgers!

🖥️ Tevin Nicholas, also known as rapper T3KILLAH, was present at the Highway 102 protests in between Truro and Halifax on Thursday, April 2. However, a self-described news outlet called Wall posted a photo of Nicholas—one he’d never seen before—with a headline about the vandalism that occurred after the protest in Potlotek First Nation on the same day and, in his opinion, implicating him in the vandalism. Trouble is, the two locations are hours away from one another. After some investigating, it seems that Wall’s content is primarily AI-generated, hateful, and according to its Instagram description, “powered by Polymarket”. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer digs deep in an attempt to find out why this social media news outlet made a false post about the First Nations protests.

🔥 A 50-year-old woman has died from her injuries after last week’s apartment fire in Spryfield—police are considering the fire suspicious and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

⛔ A former sports facility in Bedford must be fenced off and cleaned up according to an order from Halifax regional council—a compliance officer says nothing is stopping students from wandering through the area.

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