Good morning!

Yesterday, I got more hate mail than that time I made fun of golf.

Remember making fun of golf? I do. Ah, those were the days.

Well, instead of droning on about the the difference between legality and ethics, I want to talk about another topic. One more serious than my tone so far implies: emergency alerts.

An emergency alert was triggered yesterday throughout several counties—including HRM, from some posts I’ve seen online—due to what police are calling an armed home invasion, where a man was robbed in East Shubenacadie sometime around 1:30am by an armed suspect who then took off in a truck with two others. Police tracked the truck to Salmon River, where they found two firearms. As of writing, two of three suspects have been arrested, and the emergency alert was cancelled around 7am Wednesday morning.

Police say they issued this alert at 2:44am because a gun was used in the robbery, but also said they believed the incident was targeted. Even before this information was made public, people questioned the efficacy of the emergency alert, which told anyone nearby to lock their doors and stay inside.

As we all know by now, there’s a lot of trauma surrounding this alert system, much of it stemming from the 2020 mass shooting. I’ve witnessed accounts both in-person and online of people who are genuinely impacted by a system that, while having good intentions, can definitely allow trauma to resurface.

I think the question isn’t whether or not this system should be used. The answer is yes—there are many instances where this system is incredibly important in warning the public. Rather, I think people are left wondering in what situations should it be used.

Was using it in a targeted armed robbery a good call? To be frank, I’m not at all sure what the call should have been. I do think, however, it’s important that folks who have been traumatized by these alerts continue to talk about it publicly and that we respect where they’re coming from, whether or not we agree on the usage.

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: 🌧️ 6°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 6°

Next Day: 🌤️ 11°

7-day forecast

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

Designers from Halifax to Toronto are set to bring a mix of sustainability, global influence, and self-expression to Prince Edward Island as PEI Fashion Weekend returns May 1 and 2.

Now in its fifth season, the event has grown from a pandemic-era idea into a regional platform connecting emerging and established designers from across Canada and beyond.

Founder and director Julia Campbell said the event began in 2020 at a time when much of the fashion industry had slowed.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva speaks with Campbell about PEI Fashion Week and its representation of Atlantic Canadian fashion brands.

🏛️ The opposition criticized the province on what it means to be taken off the need-a-family-practice registry—the government has been counting people who have been matched with a provider but haven’t had any appointments, which has left some MLAs concerned about Houston’s government taking credit for work that has yet to be be done.

🏭 The vice-president of the IESO argues that Nova Scotia needs the two gas power plants considered for development in Pictou County due to an energy problem that will surface from getting off of coal while electricity demand increases—Pictou County’s government asked Premier Tim Houston to pause the project, but Houston denied the request.

💼 According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, more than 30 percent of Nova Scotia’s workforce are either paid low wages, have limited job protection, or report job instability—around 43 percent check two of these three boxes.

🧘 Halifax’s largest wellness expo! 140+ experts, $30K prizes, speakers, swag bags, VIP Night. May 8–9, The Annex. Tickets $7. Shop, learn, grow. Don’t miss it!*

🎤 Halifax’s alt-pop pioneers Neon Dreams join conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser for their orchestral debut with Symphony Nova Scotia. One night only! May 8. Reserve your seats.*

*Sponsored Post

Mayworks presents a double-bill on May 2nd at the Bus Stop Theatre. and so we dance by Kay Macdonald and I'thandi Munro explores history and movement through an African Nova Scotian lens. Be Eternal explores the mortality of Black male musicians through a 5 piece Jazz ensemble led by Jackson Fairfax-Perry.

🔍 After a year of investigating, the RCMP say there is no evidence of abduction or criminal activity in the disappearance of children Jack and Lilly Sullivan—the two children went missing on May 2, 2025 from their family’s mobile home in rural Pictou County.

⚕️ The province is making it easier for for residents to consent and participate in medical trials—people can now opt into trials and research when they renew their health card or by using a web-based portal.

🏒 The Halifax Mooseheads will be expanding their Dartmouth training facility—the team originally asked the city to pay for the $1.6 million project, but council directed staff to negotiate a new lease that includes the expansion with construction costs in lieu of rent.

Big night out? Bold choice. Lyft gets you there—and more importantly, gets you home. Take 50% off your first five rides (max $10 each). Terms apply. Activate once, ride easy all weekend. Claim your ride.

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

🗓 Live Celtic Tunes @ Obladee Wine Bar: Celtic music on the last Thursday of every month with Kolten MacDonell (keys) and Lisa MacArthur (fiddle). | April 30 | 7PM | $5 |

🗓 Better Times Comedy at Good Robot Brewing: This weekly comedy show features regulars like Clare Belford, Dan Hendricken, Travis Lindsay, Adam Myatt, and a rotating cast of local and visiting comics. | April 30 | 7:30PM | $15 |

🗓 The Ghost of Violet Shaw: The Eastern Front Theatre presents this Victorian-era farce featuring a family dealing with their supposed curse. | April 28-May 24 | 2PM, 7:30PM | $25+|

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

🚢➡️ The Independence of the Seas cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 7:30am and departs at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Fir tug departs Halifax for Saint John at 9am.

🚢➡️ The Silver Mary container vessel arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) at 1:15pm and departs for Argentia at 7pm.

🚢➡️ The Pictor container vessel arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) 1:15pm and departs for Argentia at 7pm.

🚢➡️ The Coriolis III research vessel departs Halifax for Dartmouth at 4pm.

🚢➡️ The Sarah Desgagnes tanker departs Halifax for Sarnia at 6pm.

🍦 Dee Dee’s Ice Cream is serving up Creamsicle ice cream: classic vanilla with an orange drizzle that’s bright and creamy.

🥪 Another week, another delicious sandwich from Larry’s Sandwiches & Sides. House made ricotta, mortadella, sunflower seed basil pesto, spiced honey pistachios, provolone, and spring mix on a soft sourdough bun.

🎵 Getting lost in distractions. Feeling the pressure to keep trudging on, even though you've been worked to the bone for too long. Doing anything you can to cope with the stress, the burnout. Award-winning art-pop artist Mat Elliott debuts his first full-length record, Video Games, on April 29. Like his debut EP South Endings from last year, it sounds soulful, smooth, and synth-heavy. In true Mat Elliott fashion, it's also deeply personal. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer talks with Elliott about his brand new record out today.

🎾 The city is launching its “one membership” pilot project, making it easier to access municipal recreation facilities through lower prices for those with memberships at participating facilities—some facilities can be accessed with day passes at a discount of 75 percent.

⛽ According to a Narrative Research poll, Nova Scotians are changing the way they drive due to the increasing price of gas—92 percent of respondents say they are somewhat or extremely worried about the frequent price jumps.

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