We all have memories of sharing a special moment in our lives with a meal at a restaurant with family or friends. But the people providing that service are having a tough time right now. Dining institutions are shutting their doors and turning off the lights for the last time. And it may get worse before it gets better. Gordon Stewart is the Executive Director of the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia. And he discusses the challenges that are even bigger than what they faced during the height of the pandemic. With staffing issues at the top of the list, he says temporary foreign workers and more immigration can help. But there is a clock running on paying back debt run up during COVID and a hit to the bottom line since. But he does hold out hope for the entrepreneurial spirit.

It was appointment viewing for many Nova Scotia households. The 1st Edition political panel with journalists Harry Fleming and Parker Dunham, moderated by broadcaster Jim Nunn. This past Sunday, Jim Nunn passed away from cancer at the age of 72. Here’s Parker’s look back on the life of his friend, a legendary CBC interviewer with a keen political sense and a cheeky sense of humour.

After a bit of a pivot because of the pandemic, the 7th Annual Halifax Black Film Festival will be back in person and online this year. The event is a chance to celebrate African Heritage Month by amplifying Black voices and uplifting Black talent from February 24 - 28, 2023. It was created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and will present 70 films from 10 countries virtually and in-person at Cineplex Park Lane and events at the Halifax Public Library. And the driving force behind this event is Fabienne Colas.

Do you know the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest? Do you know what to do if someone is experiencing either of those heart ailments? February is Heart Month. And the folks with Emergency Health Services want to talk about what you need to know. Mike Janczyszyn is a paramedic overseeing the Automated External Defibrillator registry. And he wants to help you save lives.

It was a big announcement last week that got very little main stream news coverage. Nova Scotia appointed four new provincial court judges to the bench on one day, which isn’t usual. And the fact they are all women is another part of the story that was something of note. But outside of the provincial government website, there didn’t appear to be any news stories about it. And maybe that’s the way it should be in 2023.

Imagine being at your job where someone is making twice as much money for the same job. And you can’t take vacation because there aren’t enough staff members. That’s what’s happening in our health care system right now with travel nurses and nursing agencies. That has prompted front line Emergency Department nurses to write a letter, pleading for action from the Premier, Health Minister and CEO of Nova Scotia Health. Hugh Gillis is the 1st VP of NSGEU representing health care workers. And although he’s speaking out, he says this is coming from the people on the front lines. The RN’s who are worried about the strain on the system, the safety of patients and the integrity of jeopardy that conditions are placing them and their licenses. Is this just about money?

February is African Nova Scotia History and Heritage Month. And we know the government of Nova Scotia has offered some plans for the Africville Museum. But I really wanted to speak with someone who's directly involved with some of the educational opportunities. She is executive director of the Africville Museum. Juanita Peters is an award-winning writer, playwright, and director of multiple documentaries and TV series including one that will be screened at an event later this month in Digby, Nova Scotia called: Africville - Can't Stop Now.

It's going to get cold, really cold over the next few days. In fact, dangerous wind chills are forecasted as a blast of Arctic air approaches Atlantic Canada. The coldest recorded temperature in Nova Scotia was -41.1 degrees Celsius. On January 31st, 1920 in Upper Stewiacke. And that is -40 no matter what scale you might be looking at. And this had me thinking about a number of things, including our lived environment and the critters that live in. And there's a man I know who is the retired curator of zoology, the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. Andrew Hebda joins the conversation here today.

Imagine trying to survive a night with just a nylon tent between you and a windchill of -45. Emergency shelter staff are working to keep people from being exposed to the dangerously cold temperatures that are coming. Michelle Malette is the Executive Director of the Out of the Cold Community Association. They say we don’t usually have this kind of skin freezing, deadly weather and there are people scrambling to help. But after this weekend, there will still be winter weather and people who are not adequately housed. Malette is asking for compassion and empathy over the days ahead. They say people will be trying to get into warm spaces that may end up making some people uncomfortable. But before calling police or building security to remove people from a warm lobby or vestibule, consider these people’s situation. Police will only evict them if they’re called. Malette also offers her thoughts on the ongoing crisis and the generosity people are showing to the organizations that are there helping on the front lines.

Do you know what federal riding you live in? Do you know what riding you’ll be in for the next federal election? Every ten years, the boundaries are reviewed to take into account changes in population. It’s a way to make sure all MP’s represent around 85,000 Canadians, give or take 25%. This week, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Procedures and House Affairs (PROC) heard objections to proposed changes to three Nova Scotia Ridings. They heard from Halifax West MP Lena Dian, Sydney Victoria’s Jamie Battiste and Central Nova’s Sean Fraser. And a group calling themselves the Concerned Citizens of St. Margaret’s Bay are speaking out. Doug Stout says they’re upset with a plan to draw a boundary line down the middle of their community to accommodate the population growth in Halifax. And they are upset with a process that didn’t seem to give them a say in a proposal that originally wasn’t even on the table.