Good morning!

I had the pleasure of meeting with some of my colleagues at The Coast yesterday. If you didn’t already know, we all work from home, and seeing each other in person isn’t always the easiest thing in the world.

During this time, I finally got to meet Julie’s adorable little baby, Poppy, who is just the CUTEST. She didn’t even cry when looking at me, which is crazy considering my face is a half-and-half mix of Meatloaf and Andre the Giant (they were both handsome in their own right, OK?).

So, in honour of meeting Poppy, I’m once again encouraging you all to vote for our lovely editor Julie in the Super Mom contest. She’s currently first place in the quarter-finals, so let’s keep the momentum going!

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: ⛈14°

Tomorrow: ☀ 19°

Next Day: 🌤️ 24°

7-day forecast

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

New polling from Abacus Data suggests Premier Tim Houston's PC Party has taken a dip in popularity following a contentious budget season. Meanwhile, the rising cost of living remains the biggest issue amongst voters.

Surveying 610 adults within Nova Scotia, Houston's conservatives only picked up 38 percent of decided voters, 10 percent less than the last Abacus poll in January 2026. This would still make his party the ones to beat if an election were held today, but it shows just how much their popularity has tanked since announcing its $1.2-billion deficit budget in February.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over the new polling results from Abacus Data and what it says about the current state of Nova Scotia’s politics.

🕊️ A survivor of the mass casualty event that occurred in Nova Scotia in April 2020 has died by suicide—52-year-old Clinton Ellison hid from the gunman in the woods near Portapique after finding the body of his brother Corrie.

🌿 Halifax’s IWK says they are seeing more young people experiencing prolonged psychosis due to high-potency cannabis—a doctor with the IWK says cases of youth psychosis mirror the rise in THC concentration in cannabis products.

🍻 Bar security in Nova Scotia have new rules to follow as of Monday, including the need for a criminal record check and training in security and responsible alcohol use—this comes after a Halifax bouncer was sentenced to four years in prison for killing a patron outside of the Halifax Alehouse in December 2022.

🏡 This free home walkthrough resource helps senior homeowners and their families screen a home's suitability for aging in place, with plenty of lead time.*

*Sponsored Post

People often think managing emotions means staying. It doesn’t. Emotional awareness is the ability to recognize what you're feeling, understand what may be contributing to it, and decide how to respond.

One practical tip is to pay attention to early warning signs. Tight shoulders, a racing mind an irritability are often signals that stress is building. Rather than pushing through, take a moment to pause. Go for a walk, take a few deep breaths, step outside, or connect with a friend.

The goal is not to avoid emotions. The goal is to understand them and respond with intention rather than react on impulse. Small pauses today can create greater balance and resilience tomorrow.

📚 Static funding has caused five small-town libraries in the Annapolis Valley to shut their doors—this includes locations in Hantsport, Kentville, Lawrencetown, Port Williams. and Middleton.

🏅 Rachel Reid, author of Heated Rivalry, has received the 2026 Changemaker Award at the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Canada event—the Reporter says the award is given to those who elevate unrepresented voices and push boundaries through storytelling.

🏭 Air quality standards in Nova Scotia have improved after the province set regulations on 26 air pollutants—this is the first update to the province’s air quality regulations since 1995.

Eastern Front Theatre's annual festival is back this June 3rd to 7th, highlighting playful and innovative new work like MASS FOR SHUT-OUTS, Tanya Davis' poetic take on Sunday service; 2021, a live performance where theatre, AI, and video-game storytelling converge; and EPIDERMIS CIRCUS, "the weirdest puppet show you've ever seen."

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

🗓 STAGES Theatre Festival: A spring theatre festival bringing exciting works that are innovative and boundary-pushing to the Eastern Front Theatre. | June 3-7 |

🗓 Scotia Festival of Music 2026: Two weeks of amazing classical music from local legends and guest artists from across the continent. | May 25-June 7 |

🗓 Neptune Theatre: Come From Away: This musical about the experiences of Gander, NL residents during the September 11 attacks is playing at the Neptune Theatre. | March 31-June 21 | $40+|

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

🚢➡️ The Mersey Venture factory fishing vessel arrived in Halifax from Dartmouth at 12am and departs for Dartmouth at 2pm.

🚢➡️ The Leeway Odyssey research vessel arrived in Halifax from Dartmouth at 12am and departs for Dartmouth at 2pm.

➡️ The Zhen Hua 25 special purpose vessel departs Halifax for Dhuba at 6am.

🚢➡️ The Norwegian Breakaway cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 6am and departs at 3:30pm.

🚢➡️ The Lady Irina general cargo vessel arrives in Halifax from Belfast at 8:30am and departs at 1pm.

🚢 The Algoma East Coast tanker arrives in Halifax from Searsport at 4:40pm.

➡️ The Onego Deusto general cargo vessel departs Halifax at 5pm.

🚢 The Contship Cup container vessel arrives in Halifax from New York at 9:20pm.

With its mix of humour, heart, and nostalgia, Mystic Pizza: The Musical celebrates friendship, first loves, and finding your place in the world. This energetic production promises a night of laughter, hits from the 80's, and memories that will linger long after the lights go down. Tickets are selling fast!

🎂 A gluten-free coffee crunch ice cream cake is all you need to make your party a hit. Check out Churned’s new dessert, made with dirty chai ice cream (coffee with cinnamon and cardamom), a crunchy dark chocolate quinoa, and vanilla ice cream within a chocolate shell with Have Fun Coffee espresso beans.

🍔 The Pint will cure your weather-related blues with The Works: a burger made with double cheddar, caramelized onion, sautéed mushrooms Guinness tomato jam, horseradish aioli, and crispy onion rings.

🏳️‍🌈 It’s no secret that momentum has shifted backwards on issues surrounding queer identity. Between the transphobic and homophobic legislation put forward both in Canada and abroad, there’s a sense of desperation in the minds of many 2SLGTBQIA+ communities as they continue to fight for their right to exist. It’s the kind of desperation that Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum and a trans woman herself, has experienced firsthand. It’s the kind of desperation that Johnstone hopes to push back on her cross-country Trans Canada Tour. “I think a lot of folks in our community are scared,” says Johnstone in a phone interview with The Coast. “They see what’s happening in America, and they’re worried about the same attacks coming and hitting us here at home. That’s why we’re hitting the road. We’re hitting the road to rebuild our movement.” The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Fae Johnstone about the Trans Canada Tour and how she’s looking to build momentum towards political action in Halifax’s queer community.

🕊️ The mother of the newborn who was found deceased in a wooded area in Halifax has also died, says Halifax Regional Police, adding that it may take an extended period of time to determine what exactly happened—the 23-year-old was rushed to hospital in critical condition last Friday after giving birth, though her baby was not with her.

🪧 Talks between the union representing long-term care workers in the province and the Nova Scotia government have once again broken down—the strike has been ongoing for over seven weeks with 3,600 workers demanding higher wages.

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