Oh hey Halifax, didn’t see you there,

I think we need to talk about the random acts of complete hooliganism that have taken place in our great province in the past few days. Is there some sort of parasitic psychosis spreading around that is making people do absolutely insane things? I will take literally ANY explanation.

First, the Public Gardens tree murderer is at it again. HRM says last weekend a weeping European beech was significantly damaged for a second time—and it cannot say how the new damage will affect the tree’s long-term health. This gorgeous lady is already weeping and now you gird her while she’s down?

The over 200-year-old tree was one of about 30 trees that were girdled—a term that refers to hacking away at the bark around the circumference of a tree as a way of killing it without cutting it down—in the gardens in July 2022.

And now she has to be re-traumatized? I hate this so deeply and in unpopular opinion—and I don’t throw this around loosely—we need to bring back public stonings in the middle of Parade Square for whoever did this. I said what I said.

THEN, we have the great chicken massacre of 2026—as it will henceforth be known. Someone(s) in Lunenburg broke into a poultry farm and killed 10,000 chickens! What in the hell for? My brain immediately goes to blaming the vegans, but they seem like a peaceful people.

And the most harrowing part is—TRIGGER WARNING—the perps broke in and turned the building’s ventilations fans off. So the chickens probably suffered greatly and now I’m actually crying.

Guys, what is wrong with people? Make it make sense!

Can everyone please make a concerted effort to be as sane as they possibly can today in hopes that it catches on?

All the love, light and sanity!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: 🌧️ 22°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 18°

Next Day: ☁ 24°

7-day forecast

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

Long before Halifax Fashion Week became one of Atlantic Canada's largest fashion events, Solitha Shortte was producing runway shows driven by her determination, borrowed spaces and money from her own pay cheque.

The founder and creative director of The House of Soli says she entered Nova Scotia's fashion industry not to compete with existing organizers, but to create opportunities she believed did not exist for many racialized designers, models and creatives.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva speaks with Shortte about Halifax Fashion Week, set for Aug 8-15.

👀 Halifax police are asking the public for help identifying a motorcycle driver who rode onto a pedestrian path near the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge and ran into a man on an e-bike.

📱 In 2028, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island residents looking to get a new phone number will have to remember three digits: 851—that will be the new area code for both provinces.

🚧 Motorists can expect traffic disruptions on a busy Halifax road starting next week as the city begins Phase 2 of the Bayers Road Transit Priority Corridor project—construction will begin Tuesday and continue for about two years.

At Purple Cow, they like to keep things simple, like their prices. When it started eight years ago, Purple Cow offered internet starting at $60 per month. Today, it still starts at $60 with no promotional offers that fall off, no rate increases, and no contracts. No weird hoops to jump through.

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The only thing painful... is realizing you could’ve done this months ago

👮 The province is expanding local RCMP resources with millions of dollars in new spending to address concerns about inadequate police services across the province—the government says will spend $16M this year and annual spending of $18M in subsequent years as part of a plan to hire 25 new officers.

🪧 The clock is ticking down toward a strike deadline that could see 4,400 WestJet flight attendants hit the picket line as soon as Sunday—cabin crew at the Calgary-based airline voted 99% in favour of a strike mandate in mid-July.

🏗️ A development that will bring thousands of units and people to land behind Mount Saint Vincent University is well underway—but a vote on whether to allow additional units has yet to happen.

🧒 The mother of a toddler with autism is raising concerns about inclusivity at daycares after her daughter was dismissed by her child-care provider.

🩺 Nova Scotia Health says its strategy to offer all health-care students at Dalhousie University a job is paying off—but one of the unions representing health-care workers says recruiters could go even further in convincing graduates to remain in the province.

⚖️ A former Nova Scotia Health employee who has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges including sexual assault will now face additional charges—Jason Bernard James, 52, was initially charged in July 2025 with sexual assault, extortion and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

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

🗓 Better Times Comedy at Good Robot: Better Times Comedy is an award-winning stand-up comedy show at Good Robot Brewing (Robie St.) every Thursday. Regular guests include Clare Belford (writer, This Hour Has 22 Minutes), Dan Hendricken (CBC LOL, Halifax Comedy Festival), Travis Lindsay, and Adam Myatt, plus a rotating cast of Halifax and visiting comics. | July 30 | 8pm | $15 |

🗓 Twisted Tea Presents Natal Day Block Party!: Natal Day weekend is getting a full block party takeover! Two nights of music, dancing, drinks, and nonstop party energy across The Dome, Neon Armadillo, UNKNWN, The Roxbury and Rox Live! Whether you’re kicking off the long weekend, gathering the crew, or looking for the place to be downtown, this is your Natal Day celebration destination. Expect big summer vibes, cold drinks, and the kind of weekend Halifax knows how to do right. | July 31 and Aug 1| 

🗓 Jurassic Quest: Step into a prehistoric adventure with Jurassic Quest—an immersive, family-friendly exhibition featuring life-size animatronic dinosaurs, interactive exhibits, fossil digs, engaging activities that bring the Jurassic era to life, and let their creativity soar in our LEGO®-themed play zones.Perfect for all ages, it’s a roaring experience you won’t want to miss! | July 31-Aug 2 | From $37 |

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

➡️ The Atlantic Sky container vessel departed Halifax for Liverpool at 1am.

🚢 The CSL Kajika bulk carrier arrived in Halifax from Tampa at 3:21am.

🚢 The RCC Africa vehicle carrier arrives in Halifax from Ulsan at 5:55am

🚢 The Titus vehicle carrier arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 7am

🚢➡️ The Volendam cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 8am and departs at 4pm.

🚢 The Silver Arctic container vessel arrives in Halifax from Nuuk (Godthaab) at 8:15am

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container vessel arrives in Halifax from Argentia at 8:15am

🚢 The One Stork container vessel arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 10:45am

🚢 The Vistula Maersk container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 4:15pm.

🌿 Pazzo Ristorante is now serving interactive tableside pesto! An in-house expert crushes fresh summer ingredients right at your seat for the ultimate aromatic pasta experience.

🌅 Authentic Latin flavours meet the Halifax waterfront. Order online to skip the line, then collect your fresh Salt + Sol bites and enjoy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This is some wizardry. Super crushable." Good Robot’s award-winning Ultra Light IPA. 100 calories. 4%. Full-flavoured. Try it at Good Robot locations.

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💸 The federal government is investing more than $1.2 million in two Dartmouth-based manufacturers: Site 20/20 Inc. and Atlantica Mechanical Contractors. Announced on Monday, July 27, by Sackville-Bedford-Preston MP Braedon Clark, the repayable investment comes from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. The feds hope to see these funds used to conduct major facility upgrades that is said to spur product development while reducing costs and improving services.

👀 Halifax Regional Police have requested the help of the public in locating an individual who has been missing in Halifax since Monday afternoon—police identify the man as 22-year-old Fardeen Chowdhurry.

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