The Signal
By Nicole ApicelliSports Editor The Lions were on the road to face Immaculata University on Tuesday. Still riding high from their victory in the doubleheader ...
The Signal
Stories by journalism students at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Canada
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Anastasia Payne
Anastasia is a fourth-year journalism student covering municipal and social issues. She's had bylines in the Signal, the Coast and the Dalhousie Gazette.
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ESTHER MORALES
I have a passion for all things arts & entertainment and have experience writing news articles, feature stories and blog posts. Check out some of my favorite articles I've written!
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Stephen Wentzell
Anchor/Reporter, News 95.7Backup Producer, The Rick Howe ShowContributor, The Nova Scotia Advocate
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Hannah Daley
I'm a journalist in Moncton, New Brunswick, who's written for The Globe and Mail, JSource, The Northern Light weekly newspaper in Bathurst, New Brunswick, The Signal news site in Halifax, …
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Councillors debate tax hike for climate action
Halifax regional councillor says ‘failure is not an option’ on climate action A three-per-cent tax increase is a small price to pay to address a climate emergency, say environmental advocates. Halifax regional council voted on Friday to draft the preliminary 2022-23 budget to include a three-per-cent tax hike to the …
Councillors debate ‘cringe’-worthy property tax hike
Mayor Mike Savage is hoping to soften the hit to next year’s tax bill as budget discussions begin at Halifax City Hall. Ahead of the budget committee meeting Tuesday, municipal finance staff proposed a 5.9 per cent increase to the average commercial and residential tax bills. Savage introduced an amendment …
Pandemic isolation ‘feeds the disease’ of those struggling with substance use, expert says
Statistics show emergency calls for overdose up 73 per cent across Canada in two years Harm reduction educator Katie Upham says the effects of COVID-19 are driving a rise in overdoses in Nova Scotia. “COVID absolutely exacerbated a problem that already existed,” said Upham, who works with the Substance User …
New Beechville subdivision will surround site of 1800s-era Black homesteads
New Beechville subdivision to be built in area of historic Black homesteads The Lovett Lake subdivision in Beechville got another step closer to reality on Tuesday. The Halifax and West community council passed a motion to consider changes to the development agreement and to schedule a public hearing. The proposed …
‘Dearly Beloved’ review: Daughtry makes explosive return to roots
After a three-year break since the band’s latest album, “Cage To Rattle,” Daughtry finally returns with a new studio album after a slew of singles released throughout the duration of the pandemic: “Dearly Beloved.” This, the band’s sixth record, is also the first record the group has ever released independent …
Jeremy Piven: ‘We’re All Storytellers’
Jeremy Piven, the Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor, was first pulled onto the stage and into the world of acting at a young age, through his parents’ theatre company. “I was very lucky and I was privileged and let me explain that privilege. We were technically — on paper …
‘Sob Rock’ Review: John Mayer’s latest album cements his legend
The great thing about music — and the obnoxious thing about music criticism — is that the true success of a song is not measured in tracks streamed or sold, but in a song or album’s ability to evoke emotion. And the wonderfully difficult thing about reviewing any work of …
Thrillema brings horror for Valentine’s
Love campy horror films? This film screening series is just what you need The Thrillema is bringing back a cult classic film for a screening just in time for Valentine’s Day. Filmed in Sydney Mines in 1981, My Bloody Valentine is the first film lined up for the Thrillema’s 2017 …
Meet the candidates: Dartmouth-Cole Harbour
As voting day approaches, the Signal has profiled the candidates in three Halifax-area ridings. Dartmouth-Cole Harbour consists principally of the old City of Dartmouth and Cole Harbour. According to the 2016 census, it had a population of 92,301, up 1.2 per cent from 2011. The median age of residents was …
College Street emergency shelter proposal moves to next phase
New shelter could reduce the chronically homeless population by 10 per cent A new emergency shelter project just passed its first planning hurdle to green-light a development in Halifax’s south end. Halifax regional council unanimously accepted the first reading of a recommendation Tuesday to amend the Regional Municipal Planning Strategy …
Halifax councillors exploring improvements to demolition permits
The move is a response to an eviction by demolition in Halifax Halifax’s permit process for demolitions of buildings may soon be getting a renovation of its own. After a Halifax man found himself homeless following his North Street apartment’s demolition in December, Halifax regional council is considering adding extra …
Right-wing fringe newspaper is appearing on doorsteps across the Maritimes
'The last thing we need is this landing in Canadians’ mailboxes,' says MP Lenore Zann Sarah Jeffers sat down and cried after opening her mailbox on Tuesday morning. Inside was an unfamiliar newspaper, filled with what she described as racism and hate. The publication, the Epoch Times, featured a front …
Black youth writing workshop coming to Halifax
A virtual workshop for young Black writers is coming to Halifax, just in time for African Heritage Month. Andre Fenton, a Halifax author, filmmaker and spoken-word artist, is gearing up for the sold-out four-week workshop. Black YA (Young Adults) Matters focuses on coming-of-age storytelling and helping young Black writers in …
N.S. Deputy Premier Karen Casey announces retirement
Casey, MLA for Colchester-North and minister of finance and treasury board, will not run in the next provincial election. “My name will not be on the ballot,” she told reporters after cabinet on Thursday. “It’s time for somebody else to represent Colchester-North.” While Casey said she wasn’t one to shy …
Not-criminally responsible hearing begins in Halifax homicide case
Halifax man who tried to bury his mother in his backyard returns to court Editor's Note: Content warning: This story contains details of graphic violence that may be unsettling for some readers. A 26-year old Halifax man accused of killing his mother and attempting to bury her in his backyard …
Three candidates are running for premier in Nova Scotia. Where do they stand?
Voting began Monday to determine who will be the next premier of Nova Scotia. Stephen McNeil is stepping down as Liberal leader after more than seven years as premier and 17 years in politics. Three candidates are vying for the leadership. Iain Rankin, MLA for Timberlea-Prospect, was first elected in …
Halifax man who tried to bury his mother in his backyard found not criminally responsible in her death
Halifax man who tried to bury his mother in his backyard found not criminally responsible in her death Editor's Note: Content warning: This story contains details of graphic violence that may be unsettling for some readers. A Halifax man has been found not criminally responsible by way of mental disorder …
Brave new world
Recovering from a substance use disorder is an achievement. This is why Julie Melanson of Halifax is celebrating today. Christmas is Julie Melanson’s favourite holiday. She has a small family who always look forward to this time of year. No matter what personal troubles and turmoil they’re facing, Julie’s family …
When crime reporting does no justice
Journalists need to consider their relationship with police. Dr. Yusef Salaam knows firsthand how dangerous irresponsible news coverage can be. He served more than six years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Salaam is one of the Central Park Five, now also known as the Exonerated Five. The …
#StopAsianHate supports AAPI community
“Being an ally cannot stop with a simple post. White Americans especially must recognize their privilege and take action or change will never happen."
A Q&A with David Cook: ‘this record is about hope’
David Cook rose to stardom as a contestant on the seventh season of “American Idol,” a singer with incredible range and compelling versatility that was clear from his initial audition with “Livin’ on a Prayer,” by Bon Jovi to his finale performance of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking …
Student YouTubers promote creativity and self-help
After a full year of remote learning and quarantine, many students have found comfort in reignited passions and continue to work towards positive changes in lifestyle, health and academia.
Q&A with The Imaginaries: ‘music called us’
As a culmination of independent solo music careers filled with three studio albums apiece, tours, gigs and song placements all over television and film comes The Imaginaries, a husband-wife duo that combines the talents of Maggie McClure and Shane Henry in a bluesy, dramatic debut album. Though the pair have …
A Q&A with Five For Fighting: ‘I haven’t written my best song yet’
Everyone may not be familiar with the name Five For Fighting, but the song “100 Years,” one of the band’s biggest hits, has been a familiar staple since its release in 2004. John Ondrasik, also known as Five For Fighting, released his first album “Message For Albert” in 1997, followed …
Change is coming to Nova Scotia's welfare system
Case workers currently have jurisdiction over those in need of financial assistance Nova Scotia MLAs met on January 10 to discuss the province’s Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) policy. They discussed upcoming changes meant to streamline ESIA’s services. Deputy Minister of the ESIA, Lynn Hartwell, said she wants to …
Student-run sports TikTok account is a hit among users
When Covid-19 struck and quarantine was at its peak this summer, sophomore marketing major Adam Yu and hometown friend Robert Schweitzer took to TikTok to pass the time. Today, over 1.4 million followers and 62.1 million likes later, the pair have managed to mold their account @CS99TV into a hub …
‘OK Orchestra’ Review: AJR has never been this strong
The exuberance, vitality and storied lyrics of Broadway. The layers, jazz and funk of a 1930s big-band orchestra. Enormous sounds and themes so specific that they are automatically personalized. All melded together and wrapped up with drum pads, synthesizers and driving beats to make AJR’s latest creation: “OK Orchestra.” Stumbling …
Theatre presents Little Women, classic feminist tale
“I think of Little Women as one of the first coming-of-age stories in modern literature," Price said.
A test of faith: Virtual worship in a COVID world
How religious groups in Nova Scotia are meeting the challenges of the ‘new normal’ The rock band warms up as masked worshippers trickle into the spaced-out seating at Halifax Christian Church. It’s Sunday morning and the lights overhead are twinkling as announcements flash across a huge screen at the front …