Alleged murder 'cluster' in Newcastle

A former child sex detective tells court of the alleged psychological distress he suffered during his time as a police officer.

The New South Wales Hunter and Central Coast regions were battered by large hail stones last week as wild storms swept across the region.

Over the past two years, the Newcastle LGA has accounted for over 8 per cent of the state's alleged murders, according to NSW crime figures.

NSW Health officials are encouraging people to get COVID boosters as cases spread, with nursing homes copping the brunt of a winter surge.

The family of an Aboriginal man who died in a Cessnock jail cell at 37 years of age in 2021 believe he would still be alive today if he had received correct medical treatment.

Most farming achievements – fat cattle, healthy crops and good returns – are seen above the ground. But by tweaking their soil, the Mackenzie family says they are seeing all those things succeed, but also balancing out their emissions.

Michael Mbaogu has worked as a GP for 15 years but has never seen a worker shortage this bad. He's one of many business owners who are hiring, but struggling to fill roles.

Sam Milton and Michael Wheatley are getting ready to compete in Berlin next month.

Saretta's life, culture and connection with the land is shown in her work.

"It's a shame people don't realise how important it is and that it is a human right ... anytime a person with disability doesn't have the same access whether it's housing or television it's a breach of human rights," says Disability Advocate Cath Mahony

Knights win: The Newcastle Knights scored a much-needed win at home to keep them in touch with the NRL top 8. The Knights scored six tries in the 28-18 win over Manly.

GP Access reopens: The after hours GP service at the Mater Hospital has reopened just in time for what's expected to be another busy winter period. The GP Access clinic closed at the end of 2021 because of funding cuts by Hunter New England Health, but the federal Labor government has provided $5.5 million over the next five years for the service. The clinic will provide 14,000 face-to-face appointments in the next 12 months.

Storm insurance claims: The Insurance Council of Australia expects almost 20,000 claims to be lodged following Friday's hailstorm. The storm hit Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and surrounds, with homes and cars battered by golf-ball sized hail stones. The insurance council says the number of claims reflects the ferocity of the storm.

Petition triggers debate: Newcastle organisation What Were You Wearing has secured enough signatures to trigger a NSW parliamentary debate on changing the Responsible Service of Alcohol training course. More than 20,000 people have signed the petition calling for amendments to the RSA to include drink spiking and sexual violence awareness.

Lots of jobs ads: Job vacancies in the Hunter are showing no signs of slowing down, with the region recording one of the highest numbers of advertisements in the country last month. The latest Internet Vacancy Index report, which is a monthly count of online job advertisements, indicates vacancies in the region jumped by 520 last month based on a three-month moving average. That's only behind Brisbane, Perth and Central Queensland.

Hiring help: A free service boosting business confidence in hiring people with disabilities has officially launched in Newcastle. The Business Inclusion Diversity Service received a federal government grant to expand to the Hunter region. It will be able to work with up to 60 businesses until November 2024.

Baths upgrade on track: The City of Newcastle Council says the city's ocean baths are still on track to open by summer, despite labour and materials challenges. The Newcastle Ocean Baths are a century old and have been closed for more than a year as council works on upgrades. It says construction of stage one is well underway and stage two, the upper promenade and pavilion buildings, is still being planned.

Focus on native bees: A varroa mite expert says native pollinators could become more prominent in places like the Hunter. The region has been under an emergency response for almost a year after the mite was detected at the Port of Newcastle. European honey bees are most vulnerable to the mite and millions of bees have been euthanased to contain the pest. Dr Emily Remnant from the University of Sydney says there may be an over-reliance on European honey bees in Australia. Could this new US research help stop the parasite?

Restaurant company collapses: A company operating 11 eateries, including coastal restaurants in Newcastle, the Central Coast, Port Stephens and the Mid-North Coast, has been placed into liquidation. Port Macquarie-based Cater Group operates the Lime Mexican outlets in NSW and Queensland. The restaurants affected include three in Port Stephens, two in Newcastle, one on the Central Coast and one at Coffs Harbour.

Rare whale sighting: A whale expert says the sighting of a pygmy blue whale heading north from the Central Coast is rare and mysterious. Vision of the 25-metre long whale was captured by a local drone operator off Terrigal Haven last Wednesday. Blue Whale Study director Dr Pete Gill says these mammals are not usually seen along the east coast of Australia.