Good morning Halifax,

As a rule, I stay out of the woods at all costs, mostly because I was radicalized as a teen by this movie, but also because of ticks.

A quick sidebar on ticks: at my soccer game the other night, a teammate of mine relayed a harrowing story that I simply must ruin your day with. One of her doctor friends treated a woman who had a tick in the MOST womanly of all woman places. I don’t want to spell it out for the bashful gentlemen readers—who probably don’t know where it is anyway—but as a hint, it contains over 10,000 nerve fibres. Enjoy having that in your head all day, ladies.

But just as we’re all getting used to the fact that ticks are true menaces to be both feared and respected, doctors in Ontario have discovered that Lyme disease isn’t the only thing these little a-holes will infect you with.

A new paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal urges doctors to consider anaplasmosis—a lesser-known illness carried by the same black-legged tick—as a possible diagnosis for patients with unexplained fever, tiredness, headache or gastrointestinal issues.

The good news? Anaplasmosis is highly treatable using the antibiotic doxycycline. The bad news? If left untreated, anaplasmosis can cause serious complications, including myocarditis, brain inflammation, acute respiratory distress and kidney failure.

That said, knowledge is power. So please advocate for yourself in the hellscape that is our medical system by asking your doctor to test for anaplasmosis—and if you say that word and they don’t know what you’re talking about, show them the above CMAJ study.

If you don’t, you’ll be pretty “ticked off” when your brain is all inflamed. Sorry, had to do it. 🪲🙄

Love and light!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: 🌦️ 28°

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 27°

Next Day: 🌤️ 25°

7-day forecast

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

Here are the top things to come your eyes on in Canadian business trends this week. From the Bank of Canada’s interest rate announcement, to a looming strike threat at WestJet, to Carney’s trip to NATO, we have you covered.

🥀 Former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm—the Pictou County physician who prescribed belt-tightening for the province's books—has died at age 88.

🚍 Halifax’s mayor says transit users have a right to be frustrated that the rollout of tap-to-pay has been delayed—it was set to roll out on Sept. 21 to coincide with the $0.25 fare increase, but staffers are now aiming for late December.

✈️ Air Canada says they have reached a tentative agreement with its unionized technicians union, meanwhile a strike vote is looming over WestJet as its flight attendants hold a day of action.

🦕 Before extinction, dinosaurs fought to survive! Dinosaur Exploration 2 is a sequel to the hit 2024 exhibit, featuring some of your favourite dinosaurs.*

🏡 Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.*

*Sponsored Post

📞 The 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline will continue to help those considering suicide or worried about someone else contemplating suicide as the province renews the crisis line—since 2023, almost 12,000 calls and more than 14,000 texts from Nova Scotians have been responded to.

🚨 A hoax call originating from outside Canada was responsible for a significant police presence in Bedford early Monday morning—police said they got a call at 12:30 a.m. from a man purporting he had shot his father and was holding his mother hostage at gunpoint.

🐟 Fish and chip shops in the Maritimes are shouldering the burden as haddock prices skyrocket in the region—Fisheries and Oceans Canada reduced haddock fishing quotas by more than 50% in areas of southwestern Nova Scotia.

🤰 Nova Scotia midwives are one step closer to being able to offer more health care to patients—but the health minister says the next step requires more money and there isn’t any in the budget to give.

💰 The Atlantic Lottery Corporation has paid a $212,025 administrative penalty to Canada's financial watchdog for violating rules meant to report money laundering and terrorist financing.

🧑‍🚒 Camp Courage, a Nova Scotia camp that encourages young women and gender-diverse youth to explore careers in firefighting and other emergency services, is marking 20 years—more than 36% of participants go on to work in emergency services.

🎗️ A new, more comfortable place to stay for Nova Scotians undergoing cancer treatment will soon be available, with upgrades to the Canadian Cancer Society’s Lodge That Gives—thanks to a $346,920 donation, a new low-carbon, sustainable and efficient cooling and heating system will be installed.

🌉 Nova Scotia will spend another two years studying options for rebuilding or replacing one of the Halifax harbour bridges—but critics say the project has been examined enough and the cash-strapped government is just kicking a decision down the road.

🏥 An Ottawa woman who is donating her kidney to her sister in Nova Scotia says she was shocked to learn that the province won't cover travel expenses for her partner to support her—and worries the current policy might deter others from live donation.

💸 Advocates and industry groups are calling on the Nova Scotia government to outlaw "tip theft"—the practice of employers pocketing gratuities meant for service industry staff.

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

🗓 Tuesday Night Tunes at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: Enjoy a range of live music performances as part of the summer vibe on Halifax's waterfront! Performances will be held in the museum's anchor yard where you can watch from the boardwalk and enjoy an outdoor evening of live music.  | July 14 | 4-8pm  | Donations | 

🗓 LatinFax 2026:This annual event aims to empower and uplift the Latin American community in Nova Scotia by supporting local Latin-owned businesses, artists, performers, and the latin community. LatinFax creates a joyful, inclusive space where Latin identity is celebrated and shared with the wider community invited to experience its beauty, rhythm, and warmth. | July 15-18| 

🗓 16th Anniversary of the Africa Festival of Arts and Culture: Experience live performances, drum and dance demonstrations, artisan vendors, and a variety of delicious African and Caribbean dishes. With activities for all ages and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, the festival offers a chance to discover new cultures, celebrate heritage, and enjoy the spirit of community through art and entertainment. | July 16-19|

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

🚢➡️ The Contship Cup container vessel arrives in Halifax from New York at 5:20am and departs for Kingston at 6pm.

➡️ The MTM Amsterdam tanker departs Halifax for the United States at 6am.

🚢➡️ The Norwegian Jewel cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 6am and departs at 1pm.

🚢➡️ The CSL Tacoma bulk carrier arrives in Halifax from Burlington at 6:21am

🚢➡️ The Tirranna container vessel arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 7:25am

🚢➡️ The Zuiderdam cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 8am and departs at 5pm.

🍽️ Public is serving Chachos: house kettle chips topped with cured meats, melted mozzarella and brie, pickled chilies, and seasonal jam.

🥒 It's National Pickle Month! Good Robot (Robie St.) is celebrating with thrice-breaded sour dill kosher deli pickles, deep fried and sprinkled with magic pickle dust.

🍕 Sketti & Ball Co. launches a new pizza lineup, from classic Margherita to Meatball Parm, plus rotating weekly staff creations that keep the menu exciting!

*sponsored

Thanks for reading The Coast Daily today.

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Haligonian.

And before you go, let us know: