The Maritime provinces are exploring a plan to more closely integrate their electricity grids in hopes of making power more affordable. Premier Tim Houston says a regional system could reduce duplicate infrastructure, improve reliability and lower costs by allowing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to share electricity resources. The provinces will develop a roadmap this fall, with a cost assessment expected next spring before any decisions are made. 

–

Nova Scotia’s Liberal Party is set to elect its first female leader. The leadership race will be between Lunenburg West MLA Becky Druhan and Richmond County Deputy Warden Amanda Mombourquette after the nomination deadline passed Friday. The party has been without a permanent leader since Zach Churchill resigned following the 2024 election. Liberal members will vote November 16th through the 21st, with the winner announced at the party’s convention on November 21st.

–

The Federation of Foster Families Nova Scotia says the province plans to eliminate all of its funding next year after cutting more than half of its budget this year. The organization has trained and advocated for foster families for 50 years and says losing its funding could make it harder to recruit foster parents and leave families without an independent advocate during investigations. The province says it will take over training and support services to ensure caregivers continue receiving help.

–

Researchers are still trying to determine what killed a shark that washed ashore in Caribou. The 580-kilogram male great white shark was discovered Friday, and the Marine Animal Response Society spent the weekend conducting a necropsy. Experts say there was no obvious cause of death found, and more testing is needed. They add that conservation efforts have helped great white populations recover in recent decades.

–

Kids Help Phone is reporting a spike in messages from young people across the Maritimes this summer, especially overnight. The service says texts nationally are up 24 per cent compared to this time last year, with Nova Scotia seeing a 26 per cent increase in nighttime messages. Mental health experts say social media, loneliness, and growing anxiety are contributing factors. They’re reminding young people that support is available 24/7 through Kids Help Phone.