Lobster fishery won't be hurt by new Eastern Shore protection zone

by Paul Palmeter

Lobster fishermen on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore say they are relieved to learn the federal government's plan to establish a marine-protection area in the waters along their coast won't hurt the local fishery.

New Police officer charged with running red light at busy Halifax intersection

The Serious Incident Response Team has charged a Halifax Regional Police officer with failing to stop at a red light after a collision in May at the intersection of Robie Street and Quinpool Road.

New Health minister will consider recommendations by Doctors Nova Scotia, but says problems are complex

by Joan Weeks

A province-wide survey by Doctors Nova Scotia concluded physicians are overworked, and many feel they are not able to care for patients the way they should. The province's minister of health says there are no simple solutions but some changes are already underway.

Rare flower in decline a 'bellwether' for Brier Island's ecology

by Cassie Williams

An endangered plant you've likely never heard of is a harbinger that something is seriously wrong with Brier Island's ecology, says the man who is working to restore the island's Big Meadow Bog.

Abortion pill to be made available to Nova Scotia women for free

The province announced Friday that women will soon be able to book an abortion directly at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. The government will also cover the cost of the abortion pill for women who want to terminate early pregnancies.

These are all the hurricanes that hit Canada since 1900

by Roberto Rocha

This year's hurricane season has wrought destruction on the Caribbean and the United States, but Canada has experienced almost nothing like its southern neighbours. Here's a look at hurricanes in Canada over the last century.

DEEP TROUBLE Snow crab fishery's 'sustainable' label in question after right whale deaths

by Brett Ruskin

The world's leading "ecolabel" is set to once again certify as sustainable the Gulf of St. Lawrence snow crab fishery, even though North Atlantic right whales are being killed by fishing gear.

Why unseasonably warm weather could endanger fall's brilliant colours

by David Burke

An unseasonably warm fall could keep leaves from reaching their normal brilliance this year, according to a retired biology professor.

'No justification': Ex-Halifax mayor Peter Kelly staying on as CAO of Charlottetown

by Kevin Yarr

Peter Kelly will continue in his role as CAO of Charlottetown, says Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee. The decision comes after a report from Alberta concluded that Kelly acted outside his authority while working for a municipality there.

Officer who made his mark in Uniacke Square rises through ranks to inspector

by Preston Mulligan

Dean Simmonds, who will be sworn in today, says he hopes the promotion shows youth 'that this is possible.'

Her baby died without explanation the day before Mother's Day

by Kayla Hounsell

Dana Rennie of Berwick, N.S., is raising awareness about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and money for research after her healthy baby suddenly stopped breathing in her sleep.

NFL streaming company makes peace offering to frustrated Canadians

by Richard Woodbury

A streaming service that's been under fire from its NFL-loving subscribers over performance problems is offering up another month of free service as a peace offering while it works to overcome technical issues.

Suspect in Tatamagouche homicide remains in hospital as court process begins

by Blair Rhodes

Ernie (Junior) Ross Duggan, 49, has been in hospital since he was shot by police early Monday morning at a cemetery several hours after Susie Butlin's body was discovered.

RCMP release new sketch 25 years after Cape Breton man disappeared

by Wendy Martin

Twenty-five years after Kenley Matheson disappeared, RCMP are once again appealing to the public for information.

Judge finds Halifax cabbie not guilty of sexually assaulting passenger

Judge Gregory Lenehan said Thursday the Crown did not come anywhere near proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and did a "disservice" to the complainant and to the community.

DEEP TROUBLE Citizen scientists track humpback health 1 photo at a time

by Jane Adey

Save your photos of whale tails. You could be a citizen scientist!

Mooseheads open season with 4-1 win against Sea Dogs

by Paul Palmeter

After more than a month of training camp, tryouts and exhibition games the Halifax Mooseheads opened their season with a 4-1 win against the Saint John Sea Dogs.

Sobey family donates $6.5M to NSCC

by Pam Berman

Three separate Sobey foundations are donating a total of $6.5 million to the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) system.

Halifax police launch investigation in wake of IWK expense scandal

by Shaina Luck

Halifax police say they will launch an investigation into financial practices at the IWK Health Centre, after former hospital CEO Tracy Kitch was found to have expensed thousands of dollars in personal charges to the hospital.

Duo face attempted murder charges after 71-year-old flees gunfire

Two Digby County men face attempted murder charges after RCMP say a 71-year-old man fled into the woods while being shot at near Clemensport, N.S.

N.S. judge apologizes to trans woman for calling her 'sir'

by Elizabeth Chiu

A Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge has written a letter of apology to a trans woman for referring to her twice as "sir" as she was arguing her discrimination case.

Forgotten settlement for escaped slaves, a piece of Nova Scotia heritage

by Sherri Borden Colley

Black Beechville, N.S., residents who are descendants of the War of 1812 Black Refugees are meeting with the provincial government to discuss protecting and preserving lands that once housed the refugees.

'State of decline': Demolition permits outnumber building permits in CBRM

by Wendy Martin

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality plans to demolish nearly 30 derelict properties this fall that it says are unsightly, a fire hazard and a target for vandals.

DEEP TROUBLE Creatures great and small: forecasting the future of the North Atlantic right whale

by Shane Fowler

The fate of one of the world's largest living animals depends on one of the smallest. Scientists are studying a northward shift of the North Atlantic right whales and their speck-sized prey that could push the whales closer to extinction.

Teen killer remains in adult jail in 'shocking' case of segregation

by Blair Rhodes

A judge has urged Nova Scotia corrections officials to move an 18-year-old convicted murderer out of an adult jail where he’s been held in virtual isolation for a year after he attacked guards at his youth facility.

Liberals will wait for IWK report before considering changes to expense reporting

by Michael Gorman

Finance Minister Karen Casey says she will wait for the results of an auditor general's investigation of the IWK Health Centre before deciding if changes need to come to the way government agencies report CEO expenses.

Liberal budget, NDP leader return to legislature with promise to fix health 'challenges'

by Jean Laroche

The Nova Scotia Legislature is back, featuring NDP Leader Gary Burrill's return to the House, a bolstered opposition, a tweaked Liberal budget and more union protests.

Halifax Transit seeks feedback on 'dated' Mumford bus terminal

by Allison Devereaux

Officials considering expanding the existing site or relocating the terminal.

DFO says 'clear indications' of abuse in First Nations lobster fishery

by Paul Withers

Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans says there are "clear indications" of abuse in the First Nations food, social and ceremonial lobster fishery underway this summer in St. Marys Bay, N.S.

Mulroney breaks ground on new St. F.X. institute for study of government

The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government will be dedicated to the study of government, Canada-U.S. relations, and global affairs for undergraduate students.

Halifax's $1.3M deficit blamed on inflated fire budget

by Pam Berman

Halifax is facing a $1.3-million overall deficit — and municipal officials are blaming the city's fire service for going $2.9 million over its budget as it seeks to meet new standards set by the Regional Council.

Pet a dead shark and climb aboard an icebreaker at BIO's open house

by Cassie Williams

Aspiring ocean scientists and members of the public will get a rare opportunity to tour Canada's largest ocean science research centre this weekend in Dartmouth, N.S.

N.S. Mountie killed in New Brunswick was 'one of the golden ones,' funeral told

by Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

Nova Scotia RCMP Const. Francis (Frank) Deschê​nes, who was killed helping motorists change a tire last week near Memramcook, was "one of the golden ones," his friend Sgt. Dave Connors said in an emotional regimental funeral in Moncton on Wednesday.

Get to class: Province rolls out tougher school attendance policy

A quarter of Nova Scotia public school students miss at least 16 days of school a year, a problem the province called a growing concern Wednesday as it announced a tougher policy related to absenteeism.

Fortress of Louisbourg prepares to defend itself against floodwaters

by Hal Higgins

The greatest threat to the Fortress of Louisbourg was once invasion by the English, but nowadays the former military site in Cape Breton must defend itself against the forces of nature.

'K.d. lang is not worth $300': Fan duped by website selling tickets at high markup

by Wendy Martin

It pays to carefully check your source and final amount when purchasing items online, a man discovered after buying two tickets to a recent k.d. lang concert in Sydney, N.S.

$697 air pollution fine levied — then withdrawn — against Northern Pulp last year

by Paul Withers

Nova Scotia Environment imposed — and then retracted — a $697 fine on Northern Pulp last year for violating air pollution limits. The ticket was withdrawn after tests in June and August of 2016 experienced 'some technical difficulties.'

Deep Trouble What's killing right whales? Wildlife pathologists spend summer searching for answers

by Nancy Russell

Solving the mystery of what's killing North Atlantic right whales is the goal of a team of scientists and volunteers from the Atlantic Veterinary College, work that also involves pathologists from the University of Montreal. Solving the "unprecedented" deaths in the Gulf of St. Lawrence sometimes amounts to a race against time.

Robberies with guns down in Halifax, but police unconvinced it's a trend

by David Burke

Being robbed at gunpoint can be terrifying for victims. The good news is the number of such robberies in Halifax has dropped since 2015, according to data obtained through freedom of information laws.

Do Canadian cities have a shot at Amazon's HQ2? And should they want one?

by Robert Parker

Canadian cities are vying to play host to Amazon's second headquarters — but not everyone agrees they should be.

Pollution control study at Dartmouth lakes considered by council

by Pam Berman

Coun. Sam Austin called for a staff report because of a spike in high bacterial counts at Birch Cove Beach.

Victim 'felt threatened,' sought peace bond against Tatamagouche murder suspect

Susie Butlin, who was killed Sunday, alleged last month in court documents that her neighbour had sexually assaulted her and vandalized her property.

Order up! Two triple-triples and a wedding: Couple gets married at Tim Hortons

by Emma Smith

Meranda and Tom Robicheau of Belleville, N.S., shared their first date at a Tim Hortons, so it only made sense to tie the knot there too.

IWK handing expense scandal info to police; auditor general 'gravely concerned'

by Michael Gorman

Nova Scotia Auditor General Michael Pickup announced Tuesday his office will audit the IWK Health Centre's books and practices, and said the hospital is turning over to police information related to former CEO Tracy Kitch's expenses.

Motorized bikes closer to being banned from Halifax trails

by Pam Berman

On Tuesday, municipal councillors asked staff to amend the parks bylaw so that electric bicycles are permitted in parks and trails, but other motorized bikes are not.

FedEx ordered to pay woman $740 after horse semen delivery delay

by Blair Rhodes

N.S. woman's horse failed to get pregnant after "priority overnight" package arrived late.

Families struggling with brain injuries demand long-promised help

by Jean Laroche

A husband and wife struggling with his brain injury are pleading for help, but a strategy designed three years ago to do that hasn't advanced beyond a report, and it has yet to be even read by Health Minister Randy Delorey.

Human rights probe launched into police officer's pay cut after PTSD diagnosis

by Brett Ruskin

An officer's allegation he was discriminated against by Halifax Regional Police after he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder is being investigated by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

Deep Trouble The story of whale rescuer Joe Howlett's death

by Karissa Donkin, Lauren Bird

On July 10, Joe Howlett and the rest of the Shelagh crew were racing toward North Atlantic right whale No. 4123, hoping to save it. It would be Howlett's final voyage.

No foul play suspected in man's death at Sydney overpass

by Susan Bradley

The province's Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the incident in which a man fell to his death after police responded to a call at the Highway 125 overpass.