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A couple has been pulled from their car after it washed off a flooded causeway at Barrington, near Gloucester, on Tuesday. Their ute became wedged sideways and the rescue was captured on video.

Leisl Smith, 23, was last seen leaving her home in August 2012. Her car was found at Tuggerah Railway Station but her body has never been found. The Supreme Court has been told CCTV captured her getting into a ute owned by her ex-boyfriend, James Scott Church. Mr Church has pleaded not guilty to murder, in a judge-only trial that started this week.

University of Newcastle medical student Jimmy Jan was paralysed from the belly button down in a skiing accident. He's using social media platform TikTok to share details about what it's like living with a new disability.

Joe Woods took photos around his home in Caves Beach 60 years ago. We've walked in his footsteps and taken the same photos, so you can see the images side by side.

A Hunter region horse has died in an outbreak of the mosquito-borne West Nile virus. The virus can also infect humans.

The Bar Reef Boardriders Club now has a special division just for women over 50. They describe themselves as "anything but competitive".

When Geoff Moore switched on the microphone for the first ABC Newcastle Breakfast program 50 years ago, he promised "Moore for Breakfast". Half a century later, we think it's safe to say it was a game changer for local radio.

Ashraf Abdelbaky wanted a way to bring together refugees, migrants and new arrivals to Newcastle. He made it happen through his organisation CALD Connect and he's just won a grant to grow the concept.

No driver likes a detour. For more than 12 months, Merriwa residents who want to get to the New England region have had to drive through Scone. It adds at least an hour to the trip, but the road can't be used because of massive cracks.

We're still talking about that 1997 rugby league premiership win, aren't we? While Andrew Johns is remembered for steering the side to victory, the Knights may not have made it to the grand final if it wasn't for Leo Dynevor.

Surf's up for boardriders: Newcastle Beach hosted the grand final of the Australian Boardriders Battle in challenging conditions, described as a competition between surfer and nature. The event was won by the North Shelly Boardriders Club from the Central Coast. Merewether was knocked out in heat one of the semi-final. Unfortunately, the Redhead Boardriders didn't get past their second-round heat. (Photo: Kobie Enright at the Australian Boardriders Battle grand final. Supplied by Surfing Australia).

Gas plant gets go ahead: The federal government has given final approval for a $600 million gas-fired power plant at Kurri Kurri. Labor has already given its support to the project on the condition the power station be converted to run on green hydrogen fuel as soon as possible.

Uni investigates greener steel: A $10 million partnership between BHP and the University of Newcastle will work towards decarbonising steel making. The researchers think it could lead to a big reduction in carbon emissions from the industry.

Make it Maitland: Maitland is hoping to attract more visitors as people plan holidays after two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions. The council has launched the Make It Maitland tourism campaign with a big focus on local produce and what the region has to offer.

Nurses plan mass strike action: Local nurses have voted to join their colleagues around NSW in strike action next week, but say patients won't be left without care. Among those planning to walk off the job for up to 24 hours are nurses at the new Maitland Hospital. The nurses union says wards are already over capacity, and there's been constant pressure on the emergency department as staff struggle with COVID shortages.

Have you seen the work of @newcastlenicole_photography yet? If not, you're missing out. Nicole has a real eye for capturing the light and subjects in our beautiful region. She started learning so she could take better holiday photos, and just look how far she has come! Above we have an incredible sunset over Warners Bay, and below we have a serene moment in the sand. 

You can show everyone what the world looks like where you live by using the hashtag #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or by uploading your photos online here. 

The good news is we have a couple of days of sunshine and temperatures over 30 degrees to dry things out before showers return on Friday.

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ABC Newcastle acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.