Good morning, Halifax!

On this fine morning, I wanted to give a shout out to one of Halifax’s greatest artists who has made this city as vibrant as it is: Jah’Mila. If you haven’t listened to Woman of the Sun, it’s a fantastic album.

Jah’Mila has been dealing with a cancer diagnosis for which she was receiving chemotherapy for. She announced on Instagram yesterday that it was her last day of chemo.

While she still has treatments to undergo according to her post, let’s all wish for further positivity in Jah’Mila’s battle as she moves forward, one step at a time. In the meantime, please check out her music if you haven’t.

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: 🌨️ -2°

Tomorrow: ☀ -5°

Next Day: ☁ -4°

7-day forecast

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

The Sanctuary Arts Centre has spoken up regarding fire regulation issues that could see the venue facing massive operations issues going forward.

In a letter sent out to the music venue’s community on Wednesday by the Halifax Art and Performance Association, it said the upper level had been reclassified by the Office of the Fire Marshal, a provincial department, when they had a municipal fire inspector in to check compliance while they made improvements to the lower level of the facility, which included increasing capacity and becoming more accessible.

This new classification requires massive upgrades that the Association says it can’t afford. Neither can the building’s landlord.

“For a few months now, we have been involved in appealing the Fire Marshal’s decision,” the Association writes. “We believe it stems from a misunderstanding of the nature of our operations and facilities. Out of respect for that process and the parties involved, we have avoided commenting publicly on the appeal.”

The Association recommits to operating as they have since 2023, reassuring the safety of the Sanctuary Arts Centre.

⚖️ The former CEO of the IWK has been sentenced to nine months in jail for defrauding the hospital of over $30,000 using her corporate credit card—the defence had asked for house arrest, but the judge did not deem it sufficient.

🎒 Violence in schools is still a major concern across Nova Scotia, says the Nova Scotia Teachers Union—the president says some teachers are wearing Kevlar sleeves in their schools to protect against biting or stabbing.

🚗 Halifax Regional Municipality handed out 270 tickets to drivers for violating the overnight winter parking ban and another 194 for obstructing snow clearing operations during the day during the storm that hit Sunday and Monday—this does not include tickets handed out by Halifax police or RCMP.

🍤 Halifax's favourite foodie event, Dine Around, begins this week! Start planning your February foodie adventure.*

🛋️ Feeling overwhelmed, on edge? Your Counselling offers therapy to understand anxiety, build coping skills, and regain calm, confidence, and control in life. Get Matched Today.*

🏊 With a supportive YMCA community, fitness feels easier. Members enjoy pools, group classes, and encouragement to ignite their full potential —now with a $0 joiner fee. *offer valid until February 15th.*

*Sponsored Post

Benjamin Bridge thanks everyone who voted them Gold for Best Winery 2026. The team is incredibly honoured and deeply grateful for the continued support of their community. This recognition wouldn’t be possible without it!

⚖️ The man who allegedly attacked staff at the Halifax Infirmary last year lost both of his lawyers—Nicholas Robert Coulombe, 33, faces nine charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault.

🛣️ Pothole reports are more than six times higher than last year due to the swings in temperature—there were 737 pothole repair requests from January to February, up from the 118 reported last year during the same period.

⚡ Nova Scotia and Massachusetts has signed a memorandum of understanding as the province seeks to create offshore wind energy—Premier Tim Houston signed the agreement at a news conference in Boston.

Flower Street Florist, located in Downtown Dartmouth, is recognized as one of HRM's best Flower Shops. Flower Street specializes in floristry that is funky & modern, carries a curated selection of local goods & gifts, and offers delivery six days a week. Use code COAST10 to save 10% this month!

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

🗓 Better Times Comedy at Good Robot Brewing: This weekly comedy show features Clare Belford, Dan Hendricken, Travis Lindsay, Adam Myatt, and a rotating cast of local and visiting comics. | Feb. 5 | 7:30PM | $15 |

🗓 Matt Andersen and Mariel Buckley: One of the Maritimes’ greatest folk acts graces the stage of the Light House Arts Centre, joined by Calgary country singer Mariel Buckley. | Feb. 5-8 | 8PM | $66 |

🗓 Jeremy Vaughan Ocean Island River Forest: Nova Scotia’s Jeremy Vaughan presents his new collection of work at the Prow Gallery. | Jan. 22-Feb. 13 |

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

🚢➡️ The Pictor container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) at 8:15am and departs for Argentia 6pm.

➡️ The Ocean Seeker research vessel departs Halifax at 10am.

🚢➡️ The MSC England container ship arrives in Halifax from Malaga at 10:15am and departs for Montreal at 9:45pm.

🚢 The CMA CGM Paranagua container ship arrives in Halifax from Rotterdam at 12:15pm.

Tako Loko is feeling the love! Huge thanks to the Halifax community for the Silver win for Best Burrito. From burritos and tacos to fresh-made salsas, it’s all about bold flavors and good vibes. Find us! on 3248 Isleville Street and see what the hype’s about.

🍝 2 Doors Down Dartmouth has a special entree on the Dine Around menu: Lamb Bolognese, made with slow braised lamb ragu, Ciro’s ricotta, mint, pappardelle and toasted focaccia from Maria’s Pantry.

🍔 Try out this weekly special from Wave Foods: the Bacon Kimchi QP. A quarter-pound smash burger with melted cheese, bacon, kimchi, lettuce, crispy onion and Wave Sauce on a brioche bun.

🎶 History always has a way of informing the present, and Aquakultre has perfectly captured that feeling throughout his new album, 1783. Lance Sampson, the mind and soul behind Aquakultre, has wholeheartedly embraced his family’s history. He has carried its weight on his shoulders as he fights a legal battle to see his great-great-grandfather, Daniel Sampson, cleared of a murder he didn’t commit. He thinks back to sailors picking fights when they came to port, members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion writing home, and the generational trauma laden within his own family tree. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Sampson about the new album and its roots in African Nova Scotian history.

🏠 The Nova Scotia government is lowering the minimum down payment for participating first-time home buyers to two percent through a four-year pilot program—the province will also make up for most of the lender’s shortfall if the buyer defaults.

🔫 Going against Premier Tim Houston, the Halifax Regional Police will be participating in the federal gun buy-back program for banned guns—Houston says there are other things police could be focused on.

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