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Renewable energy could force coal power to close early, report says

An analysis of Australia's energy market has found some coal-fired power stations could be financially unviable by 2025 and at least one may be forced to close early. The Liddell power station in the NSW Hunter region is already set to close in 2023, but the report predicts at least one more closure in the state is likely before 2025. 

Allegations of students' sexual assault in online petition 'extremely concerning'

A petition started by former Kambala student Chanel Contos has called for a bigger focus in sexual education on consent and a focus on single-sex private schools. The 22-two-year-old has been overwhelmed by the response to the petition, with 200 young women sharing their stories.

A 17-year-old student from Newcastle Grammar School wrote about an incident in 2019 saying: "He didn't understand that my inability to say 'no' did not mean 'yes'. I didn't want it."

Parkrun back on track after COVID with new course for Newcastle's most popular event

Running enthusiasts in the Hunter have had to wait almost a year for one of the country's most popular events, Newy Parkrun, to obtain council approval for a bigger area to allow better social distancing.

Parkrun is a weekly challenge for runners who show up to push themselves and shave seconds off their best time, or those who enjoy a more leisurely pace. Organisers say Newcastle has more Parkrunners per capita than anywhere else in Australia.

Pacific Highway upgrade complete, but some intersections a 'recipe for major accidents'

Two months after celebrating the completion of the Pacific Highway dual carriageway upgrade, concerns remain about serious accidents, even as improvements of overpasses and interchanges aim to help stem further deaths.

Lyne MP David Gillespie has compiled a list of six areas between the Hunter and Port Macquarie he says still need to be upgraded. One was the location of a fatal crash just days ago in which a 74-year-old died.

Port Stephens koala populations becoming genetically isolated

Tracking dogs Taz and Missy recently searched for koala droppings across Port Stephens as part of a koala population analysis supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia. The fund says habitat loss is creating isolated koala populations and affecting their genetic diversity.

Chickens provide early warning of deadly virus as rain brings mosquitoes

A humble chicken coop in Hay in southern NSW is playing a key role in an early warning system for a rare but deadly virus. Murray Valley encephalitis is spread by mosquitoes, and for the past 40 years sentinel chicken flocks have been used in surveillance. 

Warbird lands in Scone for restoration and display

A vintage Mirage A3-44 has landed in Scone to be restored and displayed at the developing Warbirds Museum, which will be home to a small collection of vintage fighter planes. John Parker is the collection curator setting up the museum, and he told Bridget Murphy more about the history of this Mirage A3-44.

Frogs soaking up the wet summer

After the drought and fires of 2019/2020, the current wet summer has been ideal for frogs. Sightings in the Hunter have increased and researchers are happy to see plenty of baby frogs too. ABC Newcastle's Dan and Jenny spoke to Dr Jodi Rowley, a frog biologist from the Australian Museum, about the good news.

Woman misses out on job because she uses a wheelchair

Emma Myers, our 2020 Regional Storyteller Scholarship winner, sometimes uses a wheelchair, and has told Paul Turton how she missed out on a receptionist job at a large hotel chain because she was unable to access the building. Simon Darcy, a professor of social inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney, says Emma's experience isn't unusual and more work needs to be done on accessibility.

What else made news this week?

Back-to-back A-League: Two A-league games will be played back-to-back for the first time in the competition's history and Newcastle has been chosen as the host. Brisbane Roar will take on Wellington Phoenix before the Jets play Adelaide United at Hunter stadium on March 21. The Jets are in a good run of form and coming off a tight 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory. Coach Craig Deans is hoping for a good turnout for the double-header.

Wallsend robbery: Police are searching for a man who allegedly held up a takeaway food outlet in Wallsend with a gun. They say a man entered the Henny Penny store on Cowper Street at night and threatened staff with the firearm, demanding cash. Police say the man stole cash and an employee's handbag before fleeing. No-one was injured. 

Demotion reversal: Stuart Walsham was demoted from Teralba fire station captain to retained firefighter for alleged misconduct in January 2019. The Industrial Relations Commission heard he called a colleague a liar and yelled profanities at another. It was further alleged he collectively called a group of colleagues "the most hated people in Newcastle". After more than 20 years as Teralba captain he was demoted but appealed, and has now won that appeal against Fire and Rescue NSW. Commissioner John Murphy said he was satisfied Mr Walsham showed genuine remorse and it was his opinion that a permanent demotion was too harsh a penalty. 

Hamilton playground demolition: Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says a playground in Hamilton South should be repaired or replaced, while the Government says there are others nearby. The playground in Neill Terrace in the social housing estate has been deemed unsafe and will be demolished and replaced with grass. A NSW Land and Housing Corporation spokesperson says its decision was also informed by the fact there are options for residents to access other local playgrounds and sporting fields within close proximity to the complex.  

Mental health grant: A group of Hunter academics is creating a digital treatment program for people with anxiety, depression, and alcohol issues. A $400,000 State Government grant will be used to develop ECLIPSE, a program that can be used across multiple devices and will include a range of self-help tools. Dr Milena Heinsch from the University of Newcastle says the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the need for better mental health support. 

Police punched: A 25-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly punching a police officer in the head at Lake Macquarie. The senior constable was responding to reports of a domestic incident at a home in Windale. Police say the man hit the constable on the side of his face and continued to resist arrest after more officers arrived, also spitting on an acting sergeant. He's been charged with assault, resisting arrest, destroying property and intimidation. 

Wallsend water worries: Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has called on Hunter Water to commit to widening a stormwater channel in the town centre to address years of flooding issues. The City of Newcastle has announced plans to demolish a vacant building on Nelson Street, which will create room to expand the channel by 21 metres. Ms Hornery says it's a positive step forward, but Hunter Water won't commit to pay for widening the channel. She says Water Minister Melinda Pavey also seems unwilling to help. 

Licence lost: A Lake Macquarie man has lost his licence for high range drink driving after he was allegedly caught by police driving with almost six times the legal blood alcohol limit. Highway patrol officers spotted the unregistered car on Nelson Bay Road at Fern Bay. The 50-year-old driver allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.282. The Belmont man's licence was suspended and he is due to face court in March. 

The listeners' library

A new addition to the newsletter this week is books! Each week subscribers will receive recommendations on books that ABC Newcastle presenters and producers have been reading. This week's recommendation comes from Mornings presenter Kia Handley. 

The Survivors by Jane Harper: I am a huge fan of Jane Harper. The Dry – loved it. Force of Nature – couldn't put it down. So I went into her latest novel with high expectations. It’s set in rural Tasmania and as it happened I read most of the book on my flight to and from Hobart, so it felt like it was meant to be. 

It’s what you have come to expect from Harper. Set in a small town, characters that are all interlinked, lots of town secrets unleashed as a murder is being solved. But I was a little disappointed (please don’t come for me!). I think I’ve become used to Harper’s writing style so it didn’t feel as fresh, new, interesting or engaging as the two books I had read before.

It was still good, and to her credit I didn’t pick the killer (no spoilers I promise!) and I’m not upset that I read it. Wasn’t a waste of time but not as life changing as her earlier works. 

Recipes for our readers

Another new addition to the newsletter this week is recipes. Each week subscribers will receive recipe recommendations from ABC Newcastle presenters and producers. This week's recipe is a favourite of Emma Myers, ABC's 2020 Regional Storyteller Scholarship winner.

Nutty Chocolate Slice

Ingredients
200g Tim Tams (2pkts)
280g equal mix of coarsely chopped unsalted macadamias, pistachios, slivered almonds
95g (1/2 cup) dried cranberries
395g can sweetened condensed milk
200g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
100g butter
cocoa powder, for dusting

Method
Step 1: Lightly grease the base and sides of an 11x21cm (base measurement) loaf pan. Line with plastic wrap, allowing sides to overhang.
Step 2: Coarsely chop 1 packet of Tim Tams. Combine the chopped Tim Tams, macadamias, pistachios and cranberries in a bowl.
Step 3: Place condensed milk, chocolate and butter in glass jug for 1 minute in microwave.
Step 4: Stir chocolate until smooth and well combined, then pour into dry mix and mix until combined. Pour into lined tray, press down, fold cling wrap and press down. Place in fridge overnight.
Step 5: Cut into 2cm slices and cut in half again.

If you make it, send us a pic, or if you have a recipe you'd like to share, send us an email. Enjoy!  

The best photos from around the country

How great is this photo of a gorgeous sunrise over Newcastle? Darren Hannaford (aka @huntervalleyphotographer) took the photo and shared it via #ABCmyphoto. 

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?

The forecast suggest possible showers over the weekend before warming up on Monday with a top of 29 degrees.

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