Thinking Out Loud with Sheldon MacLeod

The RCMP say a young person from Wolfville died during flooding caused by heavy rains in the Annapolis Valley on Thursday, July 11th. Police didn’t release their name or gender, but they are believed to be a young teenager. RCMP were called at 7:40 p.m. by someone reporting that the teen was pulled into a water-filled ditch at a community park on Highland Avenue and disappeared under the rushing w...

He has more than 20 companies and has been a fixture in the home renovation genre of television production over the years. Bryan Baeumler was recently in Halifax to meet with fans and to talk about balancing non-scripted television, personal relationships and a career in the trades. He took some time to discuss how it's happened, why blue collar work is so important and what it means to be a succe...

Chris Kelades is 99.99 percent it will be his last professional fight. The 43-year old holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and will be entering the ring one last time this coming Saturday night in Dartmouth. For the last few years, the Greek Assassin (as he’s known) has been working as a commentator for Fight League Atlantic — a mixed martial arts promotional league based in Halifax. Ten yea...

In this episode, Sheldon MacLeod from SaltWire sits down with Troy Greencorn, Executive Director, and Steve McIntyre, Artistic Director, of the Stan Rogers Folk Festival . They delve into the festival's rich history, the introduction of the new roadshow, and the special celebration planned for Bruce Guthro. Explore the magic of Stanfest and its impact on the community of Canso, Nova Scotia July 25...

Does it have to be all or nothing when it comes to cell phone uss in the classroom? Dr. Simon Sherry is a clinical psychologist, a professor and a dad. And he takes on the pressing issue of cell phone and social media usage in schools. We delve into the pervasive impact of mobile devices on children's sleep, social relationships, and classroom learning. Dr. Sherry advocates for a ban in Atlantic p...

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 wa...

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 moi...

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 Newfo...

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...

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:...

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...

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 ki...

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 a...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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/...

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,...

'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 lo...

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.