It’s been almost a year since the devastating wildfires in Halifax and Shelburne Counties.  The Barrington Lake fire — the largest wildfire in recorded history of the province and the Tantallon fire — one of the most expensive.   Kara McCurdy recently left her role as a Fire Prevention officer with Natural Resources and Renewables for a similar role with Halifax Fire and Emergency Services. She was also presented with the Lynn Orstad Award for preventing wildfire and advancing community...

As spring unfolds and the leaves come out, the risk of wildfires in Nova Scotia climbs. A year after the devastating wildfires, an independent report on the response was released by the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables. For more on the response and forest fire prevention, Jim Rudderham, Director for Fleet and Forest Protection was made available. He discusses the critical role of moisture levels, the Burnsafe Map, and how volunteer firefighters are stepping up to safeguard our...

The idea was to talk with him about his upcoming cross-Canada jaunt with singer/songwriter Jann Arden. But I had to find out the origin story of this upcoming adventure called the “Will they or won’t they tour”.  It launches April 27th in Kitchener before coming to Halifax on the 29th, Moncton on the 30th and St. Johns on May 2nd. Rick Mercer shares what it’s like dividing his time between Newfoundland and Toronto and what to expect when he takes the stage with his friend Jann.

Tim German and his 2017 Hyundai Elantra have made a lot of trips around the Maritimes delivering blood products over the last seven years. And he shares his thoughts about his car, his work and how he has kept his car going long enough to "circle the world 19 times" and counting. 

Nova Scotians are already stepping up to help their neighbours in huge ways. There are 6,000 volunteer firefighters and 1,200 ground search and rescuers across the province. And when Premier Tim Houston recently announced the formation of the Nova Scotia Guard, there were a lot of questions about who would be joining this new team and exactly what they would be doing.  Greg Jones is the President of the Fire Services Association of Nova Scotia. Along with discussing the possible roles for the...

Imagine walking into a barn and instead of hearing random clucks and squawks, you're privy to a conversation about likes, dislikes, and even emotional states. This isn't a scene from a children's book; it's the reality that researchers at Dalhousie University are uncovering through the power of artificial intelligence. The idea for this conversation came from a news release titled: Fowl language: Dalhousie University researcher uses AI to crack the code of clucks and unravel chicken chatter...

The Nova Scotia Government has pumped the brakes on a controversial policy affecting the wine industry. This is a look at the back story and the politics involved when doing an about-face amidst wide-spread criticism.

Some people may not remember the 2006 JUNO Awards in Halifax. But the event is gearing up to bring hundreds of performers and hours of music to dozens of venues across the city later this month. Allegra Swanson is  the Chair of the 2024 Halifax JUNO Host Committee and is also the Executive Director of Music Nova Scotia. She takes us through the nomination process, the selection of winners, and the special moments that honour the artists we've lost. There’s more in this conversation about...

Does switching the clock twice a year bug you? If so, you can blame — in part — entomologist George Vernon Hudson. In 1895, the New Zealand scientist presented a paper proposing a two-hour shift forward in the summer, switching it back in the fall. His reasoning? He was frustrated that it got dark so early in the summer that it was interfering with his bug collecting. History has been much more kind to him than the Royal Society that he presented to. They mocked him, some members saying that...

The provincial government has left Nova Scotia property owners to rely on their own instincts and better judgments when it comes to protecting coastal property. Environment Minister Tim Halman introduced the government’s plan for coastal resiliency, The Future of Nova Scotia’s Coastline this week. The Progressive Conservative say the plan will protect people, homes and nature from climate change along Nova Scotia’s 13,000 kilometres of coastline by introducing 15 actions for property owners,...

It wasn’t the first time a provincial politician switched political stripes in Nova Scotia — and it likely won’t be the last. But it was rather surprising when Premier Tim Houston announced Brendan Maguire (Halifax-Atlantic) would also be joining the Executive Council as a member of his cabinet. The former Liberal MLA has been highly critical of the Progressive Conservatives since they took office. And now he says he’ll have a chance to make a difference from the Government side of the house....

Lisa MacIsaac, a Juno-nominated Nova Scotia musician and member of Madison Violet is about to embark on the 'Small of My Heart' songwriter circle tour. This series of shows, spanning from February to May 2024, is more than just a concert—it's a movement celebrating award-winning women and non-binary artists and advancing their place within the Canadian music industry. Lisa shares her experiences in songwriter circles, both as a participant and now as a host. She describes these gatherings as...

Have you ever stopped to think about whether your life's path is carved by destiny or shaped by chance? This is the central question posed by the extraordinary play, 'The Gift', presented by Brookes Diamond Productions and starring Robert Lamar. 'The Gift' is not a typical stage play. It's an interactive experiment that urges the audience to engage, to challenge their preconceived notions, and to participate in a journey of self-discovery. As playwright and director Ron Ulrich explains, the...

Have you ever stumbled upon a dream you didn't know you had? That's exactly what happened to Elaine Knight when her niece sent her a link to a castle for sale in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Elaine shares the remarkable story of how she went from seeking a simple property to own a castle, which she plans to transform into a vibrant community space.

Former talk show host Rick Howe, a well-known voice and personality in Halifax radio broadcasting, has died. He was 69. His death was reported Thursday morning on CityNews 95.7, which Howe retired from in 2021. Howe had been battling cancer, which had forced him to retire just short of marking 50 years behind the microphone. This is a conversation with long-time broadcaster and former colleague JC Douglas about the legacy and impact of Rick Howe....

The stark reality of child poverty in Nova Scotia has been revealed in the latest report card on child and family poverty. With an alarming 20.5% of Nova Scotia's children living below the poverty line in 2021, the conversation with Dr. Christine Saulnier, director of the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives, is both urgent and necessary. https://policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/2023-report-card-child-and-family-poverty-nova-scotia

In a world where political engagement is more critical than ever, one might assume that civic education—our blueprint for understanding democracy—is a foundational pillar in our schools. But what if I told you that a staggering number of Canadians don't recall learning anything about civics during their formative years? How does this affect our democracy and the discourse around it?

EDIT: On several occasions, Carolyn Bolivar-Getson states the 2024 assessments are based on a “January 1, 2022 state date” and “the January 2022 market”. This is incorrect. 2024 property assessments are evidence-based using sales and financial data to reflect a market value as of January 1, 2023, and the physical state of properties as of December 1, 2023, including new construction, renovations, demolitions, and impacts from natural disasters. We regret the error. Let's delve into the...

'Son of a Critch' is not your average sitcom. It's a blend of nostalgia, family dynamics, and the quirky charm that is Newfoundland and Labrador. Critch brings his childhood to the screen with an authenticity that resonates with audiences across the country. From the casting of Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as young Mark to the inclusion of real-life artifacts from Critch's family home, the show is a lovingly crafted time capsule that invites viewers to partake in the universal experiences of...

In a series of interviews, the leaders of all three political parties in Nova Scotia were asked about the state of politics in 2023 and their thoughts on the year ahead. This is Progressive Conservative Premier Tim Houston.

In a series of interviews, the leaders of all three political parties in Nova Scotia were asked about the state of politics in 2023 and their thoughts on the year ahead. This is Liberal Leader Zach Churchill.

In a series of interviews, the leaders of all three political parties in Nova Scotia were asked about the state of politics in 2023 and their thoughts on the year ahead. This is NDP Leader Claudia Chender.

Have you ever heard of a Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP)? It’s a job where you can play a crucial role in helping job seekers navigate the ever-changing workforce while empowering them to achieve their dreams and live purpose-driven lives. Teresa Francis is with the Nova Scotia Career Development Association (NSCDA). As Director of Learning and Professional Practice, she is working to get more CCDP’s certified to help more workers. A study conducted in May 2019 by Halifax...

From playing with his family in the dance halls of Mabou to performing on stages around the world, Jimmy Rankin has had quite the career. And the 59-year old Cape Bretoner is celebrating his eighth solo studio recording since the Rankin Family stopped performing in the late 1990’s. Art and music have always been a touchstone in his life and he weighs in on how the internet has been both a blessing and a curse for the industry. https://jimmyrankin.com