Good morning, Halifax!

Second-round voting for the Best of Halifax Awards 2026 has finished as of Sunday evening. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate this year.

Having helped out with the Best of Halifax last year, I can say it’s a blast to see so many people share their opinions throughout the nominations process and then see those opinions refined in our second-round voting. It’s a lot of work to put this on, so I’m glad to see people are engaging with it.

The results won’t be released until sometime in early 2026, but I can assure you it’ll be worth the wait. I’ll be sure to let you know when we plan to release the results.

Thanks for your continued support, and hope your week is off to a great start!

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌨️ 3°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ 3°

Next Day: 🌧️ 4°

7-day forecast

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

FOOD + DRINK

Annapolis Fine Cheese reaches the podium in Canadian cheese contest

There are moments in our province’s food story when a single win feels like a symbolic turning point, the kind of recognition that doesn’t just reward one producer’s hard work, but signals that something bigger is happening across our culinary landscape. This month, Nova Scotia had one of those moments.

At the 2025 National Cheese Competition during the Royal Agricultural Fair in Toronto, Annapolis Fine Cheese, barely two years into its cheesemaking journey, earned first place for their Truffle Fresh Cheese and second place for their Herb and Garlic Fresh Cheese in the flavoured cheese category. Taking first and second place in a category with 18 submissions speaks to the quality and distinctiveness of the product. Both cheeses are part of their Fresh Cheese line-up, which also includes an unflavoured version. They describe these products as akin to French fromage blanc.

The Coast’s food and wine expert Mark DeWolf goes over the prestigious award given to Annapolis Fine Cheese and why it’s so well deserved.

🤔 Need To Know

👨‍⚕️ The province has amended nursing regulations to allow psychiatric nurses specialized in mental health and addictions to practice in Nova Scotia—Nova Scotia Health is expected to begin recruitment in January.

🚓 A man with a firearm was taken into custody in Enfield on Saturday after triggering an emergency alert—police have not yet released any info on what charges the man faces, nor any further reasoning on why they used the emergency alert.

🏛️ Former justice minister Becky Druhan is speaking out against the PC Party after her departure—she says a staff member told her not to speak on a bill that was in the legislature during the fall session.

🍯 Winnie the Pooh! Come step into the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh Bear, Christopher Robin, Piglet and their friends at the Pond Playhouse. Runs until Dec 6.  Tickets are going fast!*

🛍️ Join Spring Garden Road Businesses this Friday December 5 from 5pm - 9pm for Shopping Under the Stars.*

💃 Live Art Dance presents a double bill featuring Gillian Seaward-Boone’s new solo, and the celebrated work of Compagnie ODD with Raphael Wenroth-Browne! Get tickets today!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY FEED NOVA SCOTIA

Take a crack at 50/50!

The 50/50 draw is almost here - grab your tickets before it’s too late! With every ticket you buy for Feed Nova Scotia’s 50/50, you’re supporting the thousands of Nova Scotians turning to food banks, meal programs, and shelters each day. Help those who need it most this holiday season.

🗞️ In Other News

🏞️ Natural resources minister Kim Masland says she’s open to allowing developments on provincially-protected land—this comes a few weeks after Cabot Golf was denied its bid to build a course in West Mabou Beach Provincial Park.

🚨 40-year-old Aaron James Johnson has been charged with second-degree murder for a killing in the North End last week—59-year-old Troy Clayton was found injured on Gottingen Street and later died of his injuries.

🥌 Team Rachel Homan will compete at the 2026 Olympic Games after their victorious curling match against Nova Scotia’s Team Christina Black at the Scotiabank Centre on Friday—this will be Homan’s third straight Olympics representing Canada in the women’s team event.

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMISSION

Downtown is "Delightful" this Holiday Season

DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN, Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s winter lighting program, is back, brightening the holiday season with dazzling light displays across Downtown Halifax.

Enjoy the vibrant light projection show on the former Halifax Memorial Library at Grafton Park, the glittering 28-foot-tall tree in Peace and Friendship Park, festive light-pole decorations, and more! See them all here.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Knots and Knits: Bring a knitting or needlework project you’re working on and hang out with like-minded crafters in a quiet space with hot drinks. Happening at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. | Dec. 2 | 1PM |

🗓 Tuesday Night Jazz at The Shoe: Join The Shoe every Tuesday night for three sets of live jazz featuring Leo Cox (Bass), Dante Kierstead (Drums), and Ben Tucker (Guitar). Happy hour is from 4pm-7pm. | Nov. 25 | 7:00PM |

🗓 Evergreen Festival: A four-week-long festival celebrating everything Nova Scotian: culture, foods, spirits, crafts, art and experiences. Check out the website to plan your perfect Evergreen Festival. | Nov. 21-Dec. 14 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin bulk carrier departed Halifax for Portsmouth at 5am.

➡️ The Augusta Luna container vessel departs Halifax for Villagarcia (de Arousa) at 8am.

➡️ The Szare Szeregi bulk carrier departs Halifax for Immingham at 8am.

➡️ The Lake St. Clair general cargo vessel departs Halifax for Toronto at 2pm.

🚢 The Atlantic Sea container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 3:20pm.

🚢 The Contship Cup container vessel arrives in Halifax from New York at 3:20pm.

➡️ The Themis vehicle carrier departs Halifax for New York at 3:30pm.

🚢 The MSC Nisha V container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 3:45pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🥧 Order holiday-themed ice cream pies from Churned before closing time on Dec. 14! They have Candy Cane, Blueberry & Almond and Cherry Chocolate. Pick up is on Dec. 19.

🍝 Pasta specials are back at Rustic Crust Pizza. This week they’re serving Panna e Limone Tagliatelle: lemon basil oil, cherry tomatoes, garlic, cream, topped with shaved parmesan, crispy pancetta and more lemon basil oil.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎵 The East Coast Music Association has announced renowned performers Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison to host next year’s East Coast Music Awards, which will be taking place in Sydney. The husband-and-wife duo are both known across the country for their work in television, theatre, and more. MacDonald is an award-winning actor, writer and comedian best known for her starring role in the television series Rideau Hall and for playing Trudy Walsh on Mr. D. MacDonald also stars in the spirited holiday theatre show Christmas in Cape Breton. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over some of the announcements from the East Coast Music Association from the last few weeks.

🛢️ Premier Tim Houston voiced his optimism for offshore oil development despite previous attempts in Newfoundland failing—Houston declared himself energy minister during the last cabinet shuffle.

⚖️ A murder case is being sent back to the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal as new evidence surfaced—Nathan Johnson was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a pizza delivery worker.

That’s it!

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