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What were these lights in the sky over eastern Australia?   

Several people called in to ABC Radio early Tuesday morning after spotting lights moving across the night sky. They were described by one Newcastle man as appearing "like a string of fairy lights". 

Council hopes by-election will lead to bypass fix  

Anyone stuck on the New England Highway between Muswellbrook and Singleton at shift change knows what a headache it can be. With work on a bypass expected to start in 2023, it's no secret the community is unhappy with the final plans. But it's hoped the Upper Hunter by-election will give candidates a chance to take a closer look.

Jeff Drayton named Labor’s candidate for Upper Hunter by-election 

Labor's candidate in the Upper Hunter state by-election, Jeff Drayton, has vowed to work "bloody hard" to stop people criticising coal miners. The CFMEU official from Muswellbrook will contest the seat at next month's crucial by-election, where Labor will attempt to defeat the Nationals, who have held the seat for 90 years. 

NSW Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party selects Sue Gilroy as candidate  

Singleton Business Chamber president Sue Gilroy was introduced as the candidate for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers at the launch of the minority party's campaign to take the Upper Hunter seat from the Nationals this week. Ms Gilroy runs her own business and is a registered nurse who has worked in the coal mining industry. Meanwhile, mining and agriculture are shaping up as big issues in the by-election. Here's what the candidates are saying.  

Hunter schools are bursting at the seams

A Newcastle MP is calling for more schools to be built in the Hunter region, with data on this year's enrolments revealing schools in growing areas are already over capacity. Branxton Public School, for example, has nearly 400 students enrolled this year but is only meant to take 231, meaning it's 65 per cent above capacity.

Gold Coast posts massive NRL wins over Knights

The return of Kalyn Ponga was not enough to stop a David Fifita-inspired Gold Coast win over a depleted Newcastle in Robina. But the hosts did not emerge unscathed, losing winger Phillip Sami to concussion in a seventh-minute tackle that resulted in Tyson Frizell being placed on report. Plenty of eyes were on Knights star Ponga in his first match of 2021, after the ex-Queensland fullback was welcomed back from off-season shoulder surgery.  

Surfing world champions Carissa Moore, Italo Ferreira win Newcastle Cup 

The reigning women's and men's surfing world champions, Hawaii's Carissa Moore and Brazil's Italo Ferreira, have won the first World Surf League event of the year in Newcastle. Moore put on a dominant performance in the final, scoring a 9.5 and a 6 to defeat Australian tour rookie Isabella Nichols, who struggled to find a decent wave.

How Mahsa found a less stressful life in the Hunter 

In the Who Are You? series on ABC Newcastle Breakfast, we share stories of diversity and identity. This week’s episode focuses on Mahsa Soloki, who moved with her family from Iran to Newcastle. 

Newcastle Airport chief discusses possible return of Auckland route  

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last week announced the opening of a travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand. Newcastle Airport chief executive Peter Cock spoke to ABC Newcastle’s Craig Hamilton about the return of overseas travel.

Will the Newcastle Cup world surfing event return? 

Not only did Newcastle host the opening event of the World Surf League's Aussie tour, it also was the first time in nearly 30 years that surfers competed in an elite level competition in our city. General manager of the World Surf League for the Asia Pacific region, Andrew Stark, spoke to ABC Newcastle's Paul Turton about the event.

Behind the scenes of Mornings with Kia Handley

With road trips all the rage these school holidays, Mornings jumped in the car and took listeners on the road around NSW. One stop was the house some say is the most haunted in NSW. Take a look inside the Monte Cristo homestead in Junee... if you dare.

What else made news this week?

Prince Philip memorial service: Newcastle's Christ Church Cathedral held a remembrance service for Prince Philip on Wednesday night. The Duke of Edinburgh died at Windsor Castle late last week at the age of 99. The Dean of Newcastle Katherine Bowyer said the service gave the community a chance to offer thanks for Prince Philip's tireless service, as well as offering sympathy and prayers for the Queen and members of the royal family. 

Redhead robbery: A man faced court in Newcastle on Tuesday charged over the armed robbery of a grocery shop in Redhead last week. The man allegedly threatened an employee at the shop in Cowlishaw Street with a knife, before stealing cigarettes. On Monday, police arrested an 18-year-old man at a home at Windale. He was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon. 

Ambulance shortage: The Australian Paramedics Association says chronic under-staffing in the Hunter led to the Hamilton station in Newcastle only having one ambulance crew to cover an overnight shift last week. Association president Chris Kastelan says the station was already short staffed last Thursday when paramedics were sent to cover other areas, leaving one solitary crew to cover the Newcastle CBD and surrounds. He says the situation is dangerous and must be addressed. 

Body found: Police have recovered a body near Gloucester , believed to be that of a woman who went missing during last month's flood emergency. The 78-year-old left her home at Port Macquarie on March 16 to drive to Gloucester and family members reported her missing the following day. Police later found her car on Barrington East Road partially submerged in floodwater. On Saturday a landowner found the body of a woman on the riverbank of his property at Barrington. The body is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be that of the missing woman. The death is not being treated as suspicious. 

Jesmond stabbing: Police have questioned a man who was arrested over the stabbing of a woman in Newcastle on Friday night. The 34-year-old woman was found by police at a unit in William Street, Jesmond. She'd suffered a serious stab wound to her neck and was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition. Police arrested a 38-year-old man who is known to the woman and investigations into the incident are continuing. 

Elderly man attacked: Police are investigating an incident in the Hunter in which an elderly man was attacked during an attempted robbery. Officers were called to Lawson Avenue in Woodberry just before 5pm on Friday and found a 78-year-old man with cuts to his face. He had been walking on the footpath when two young boys allegedly demanded money and his mobile phone. When he refused to hand them over, one of the boys allegedly swung a large stick at the man, causing him to fall. The boys are both described as Caucasian, aged between 12 and 14. One was riding a black pushbike, the other a dark-coloured scooter. 

Teenager dies in car accident: A 17-year-old boy has died after being thrown from the front passenger seat of a vehicle that crashed near Cessnock on Friday. Emergency services were called to a private road at Pelaw Main just after 11pm and found the car had hit a barrier. The 17-year-old passenger suffered critical injuries and died at the scene, while the driver, also aged 17, was taken to John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries. Police established a crime scene and have started an investigation into the crash.  

East End development: The second stage of Newcastle's East End Village development is well underway as the first stage officially opens. Nearly 300 apartments across three residential towers, as well as ground floor retail space, have opened in the CBD with about 100 people already moved in. Another 117 apartments and five terrace homes are now under construction next door and are expected to be completed at the end of next year. Iris Capital chief executive Sam Arnaout says the QT Hotel, which is in the former David Jones building, should open this time next year. 

Winner winner chicken dinner

Our friends at ABC Everyday have put together a collection of 12 delicious chicken dinner recipes. Whether you're in the mood for pasta, salad or a chicken and rice bowl, here are some ideas to help get dinner underway. 

The best photos from around the country

Starting to think about the weekend? Us too. Take some of this energy into the weekend with you! The photo of perfect waves at Avoca Beach was taken by @shotzbybruce and shared via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram. 

The #ABCmyphoto team is always on the lookout for the best photos from around Australia. You can show us what the world looks like where you are by using the hashtag on Instagram, or by uploading your photos online here. Let's make sure more photos from the Hunter are featured across the ABC! 

How's the weekend weather looking?

A high chance of showers around the Hunter this weekend with temperatures reaching a top of 23 degrees. 

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