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Jean Laroche

@nsnewsh0und.bsky.social

660 followers 140 following 63 posts

Retired after almost 40 years chasing news. Equal parts passionate, despondent about politics today and the state of our democracy. Like Bruce Cockburn, I believe you've "got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight."

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 2d

Remember this Tim Houston from just 6 years ago? His current Chief of Staff Nicole LaFosse was also incensed the Liberal government of the day was witholding information. How times change. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Nova Scotia PCs to take Liberal government to court over ferry cost information | CBC News

The Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative caucus has announced it is planning to challenge in court the provincial Liberal government's refusal to release information related to the cost of the Yarmout...

www.cbc.ca

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 2d

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... Great analysis piece by my former colleague Michael Gorman on what politicians say on one side of the House and what they say when they sit on the government side. Happens with increasing regularity.

ANALYSIS | The advantages and disadvantages of a short sitting at Province House | CBC News

On Friday, Premier Tim Houston and his team wrapped up the second-shortest sitting of the Nova Scotia legislature since he became premier in 2021.

www.cbc.ca

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 5d

Former reporters (except Jennifer Henderson who’s still at it) gather at Province House to help celebrate the storied career of CP reporter Keith Doucette. It’s his last legislative sitting. Retirement awaits at the end of the month. Welcome to the club mon ami.

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Reposted by Jean Laroche

The Independent @the-independent.com · 8d

ANALYSIS | Great news — Trump and Hegseth have finally gotten rid of the woke, pronoun-loving military men with beards!

Trump and Hegseth finally get rid of woke, pronoun-loving military men with beards!

www.independent.co.uk

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 9d

Why are the provinces and the Feds still using X/twitter as one of their main comms platforms? If we’re serious about bringing people together rather than fuelling an algorithm that tears people apart, should we continue to support that platform? Seems illogical at best.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 13d

Humbled to be awarded a lifetime achievement award from @rtdna.bsky.social Glad to share the spotlight with my former CBC colleagues showing off the haul from CBC in NB, PEI and NS.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 13d

I'll be moderating a panel on aging and ageism on October 6th at the Halifax Central Library. I hope you can join me and a very knowledgeable group of women. Here are the details.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 16d

Well done Darty. Well done.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 23d

This is a lovely and thoughtful goodbye.

Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 23d

Breaking — FEMA Acting Chief Counsel Colt Hagmaier just resigned in an email to staff. He's worked at the agency for more than a decade.

Hagmaier's resignation comes immediately after two FEMA employees were placed on leave for comments about Charlie Kirk.

Text of his email shared with me:

Pursuing A More Perfect Union
Hagmaier, Colt
Mon 9/15/2025 1:06 PM

Friends,

This nation was once no more than idea. Courageous whispers of dangerous thinking; a wild experiment to organize and preserve government not by despotism or dynasty, but through the continued consent of the governed. Like a hardy willow, our Republic endures upon a trunk of federalism that is both fixed and flexible.

Unity, not unanimity, is our strength - we are not stymied by our differences, we are made resilient by channeling those differences into public good. Our words matter. We ought to choose them carefully, stand behind them, and offer them with empathy and kindness. My faith in our nation, like our liberties, is secured by strong, prudent, and principled democratic institutions. Institutions administered by public servants sworn to place that public good above their own. We persevere not because our Union is perfect, rather because we never stop pursuing a more perfect one - together.

That is what I see here at FEMA every day. Each of you sustaining the integrity and function of our federal government. You bring hope to the hopeless and relief to the suffering. Your work is never easy, rarely appreciated, and often misunderstood or mischaracterized, but it is essential. Not only to those benefiting from it, but to the fabric of who we are as a people and a reflection of the humanity that unites us. Your effort is purposeful, noble, and compassionate. It has been my life's honor to serve alongside you in this virtuous mission of helping our communities and neighbors in their times of need.

Now, it is time for me to start a new path away from federal service. This has been an incredibly difficult decision over which I have reflected, prayed, and temporized. I care immensely about FEMA's mission and for you who deliver it every day. I am blessed to have worked alongside so many passionate, hardworking, and talented people throughout my FEMA career.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 24d

Film-maker Reid Davenport has delivered an important and thought provoking examination of Canada’s medical assistance in dying law. Must view for anyone seeking or in public office, as well as anyone who develops policy.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 25d

The story behind it is fascinating.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 25d

Köln 75 is a lovely, fast-paced film that tells the story behind Keith Jarrett’s 1975 Köln Concert, the best-selling solo jazz recording and piano album of all time. It’s great entertainment and you can catch it at the Atlantic International Film Festival. If you can, you should.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 26d

Cape Breton celebrity sighting at the Atlantic International Film Festival. Star struck!

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 26d

Don’t you pine for the good old days when people had the courage to say it to your face and then stick around to debate the issue?

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · 27d

Just saw this wonderful film at the Atlantic film fest. Well written, superbly acted piece of cinema with a lot to say about love and the power of writing. Highly recommend it.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Sep 7

Happy 34th Anniversaire to this lovely human. Travel companion, hiking buddy and amazing partner in crime. I can’t imagine anyone putting up with me as long as you have.

Reposted by Jean Laroche

Cory Booker @corybooker.com · Aug 29

Love thy neighbor.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Aug 14

Not so much breathtaking but I’m partial to small town elevators and the love this towns and villages have for them. This one is in a Saskatchewan town of 120.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Aug 7

Yes. Seen a few during our travels. They are timeless beauties.

Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Jul 22

Not sure why but I’ve always been fascinated by this elevator and always hoped I’d see it first hand.

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Reposted by Jean Laroche

Suzanne Rent @suzannerent.bsky.social · Jul 22

To future journalists: Journalism schools will teach you a lot of skills but I always say they won't teach you curiosity. They also won't teach you courage, which reporters must have to tell a lot of stories.

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Reposted by Jean Laroche

Rae Radford @raeradford.bsky.social · Jul 20

#BookSky

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Jul 17

Thanks so much for the heads up. You saved us from a time consuming mistake. We had to juggle plans but avoided a major backtrack if we had stayed on the 17 which remains closed.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Jul 17

Vacationing in Canada and lovin’ it. Tonight it’s Algonquin Park for a third night. Tomorrow we stay at a campground on Lake Superior.

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Jean Laroche @nsnewsh0und.bsky.social · Jun 29

I’ve not wasted my youth.