A former police officer thought she would have the edge in dealing with scammers. She was shocked when she found out she had fallen prey to a sophisticated bank fraud scheme.

The federal government's star rating system for aged care facilities was supposed to provide transparency, but a former compliance officer says the ratings aren't telling the whole story about the state of aged care.

Cecil Patrick Kennedy is on trial for manslaughter, accused of giving 21-month-old Jordan Thompson a dose of antidepressant in the 24 hours before his death.

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS), considered unsafe in drinking water by the US, have been detected at water filtration plants across Sydney.

In Australia, there are more than twice as many children as childcare places, according to a world-first study analysing childcare access down to the street level in nine developed countries.

Over the last three decades, legionnaires' disease has grown in Australia, particularly in NSW where cases have increased by over 600 per cent. Scientists aren't certain why, but they have theories.

The veterinary sector is feeling the brunt of an IV fluid shortage, with animals at risk of missing out on life-saving operations. The dwindling supply has also seen prices skyrocket.

The ABC's Scott Bevan joins renowned quilter Jenny Rofe in her Bolwarra Heights garden to see what she grows can turn into inspiration for her art. 

An irate Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien has hit out at veteran official Gerard Sutton over a series of controversial calls that took place in his side's heartbreaking loss to the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday.

Champion racehorse Black Caviar dies a day before her 18th birthday from a painful disease of the foot, as tributes start to flow for the Australian mare.

Road to Paris: The 2024 Paralympics kicks off next week and there are several Hunter athletes to look out for. Lauren Parker (pictured) is competing in the Para-triathlon and fellow wheelchair athletes Rheed McCracken and Luke Bailey are competing in several track events, including the 800m. Scone's Lisa Martin is part of the Australian equestrian team.
 

Photo supplied: AAP/Dean Lewins
 

Election nominations bungle: A number of candidates in the Hunter have been impacted by the Liberal Party's bungling of council nominations for next month's Local Government elections. There will be no Liberal candidates on Cessnock ballot papers. In statement, incumbent councillors Paul Dunn, John Moores, Karen Jackson and Paul Paynter say it's a challenging time after they've worked hard as councillors and were hoping to be re-elected. Several Liberal candidates in Maitland are also not listed on the ballot, along with at least one in Newcastle. Incumbent Maitland councillor Ben Mitchell says he's disappointed and frustrated after he was assured by the Liberal party his nomination would be submitted.
 

Youth crime rise: Lake Macquarie Council says the state government's decision to wind back early intervention youth programs has contributed to worsening crime. In 2017 the Department of Crime and Justice shifted its focus to child protection, while youth-focused police officer positions in Lake Macquarie were reduced from six to two. NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics show juvenile vehicle theft is up by 750 per cent and break and enter offences are up 385 per cent, in the four year period to December 2022. The council says youth engagement s a critical step in crime prevention.
 

Jump in whooping cough cases: More than 800 cases of whooping cough have been recorded in the Hunter New England Health region so far this year. It's a big jump from the 10 cases recorded last year and the prepandemic statistic of 121 cases recorded in 2020. Hunter New England Public Health says it's part of a nationwide surge in the potentially deadly infection.
 

Dredging work complete: Boaties say they're relieved Swansea waterways are now safer after battling more than a decade of sand build up. More than 30,000 cubic metres of sand has been removed from the Swansea Channel over the past year to create a 30 metre channel. The dredging was an election promise from the Labor government. A review is now underway by New South Wales Maritime, as the state government investigates long-term solutions. Lake Macquarie Yacht Club's Geoff Edman says there's already been an increase in boat activity since the channel opened.
 

Calls for new road into busy tourist destination: A Port Stephens community group is calling on the state and local government to build a new access road to Shoal Bay. The Tomaree Headland Heritage Group says the area attracts more than 200,000 people each year, with tourism foot traffic expected to increase. President Peter Clough says extreme weather has eroded the only road to the Bay. Port Stephens Council says it's working closely with the state government to investigate the feasibility of an alternative access to Shoal Bay, including potential locations and funding.
 

Back-to-back losses for defending premiers in NRLW: The Knights went down to the Cronulla Sharks 14-12 at the weekend. It's the first time Newcastle have been defeated in back-to-back games since 2022. The Knights lost halfback Jesse Southwell in the second half after she suffered a head knock. It was classified as a "category 1" head injury, meaning Southwell will miss this weekend's game against the Eels.

This warming meal is a great one for stocking the freezer. It's a simple and filling meal with chicken thighs, spices and plenty of veggies. Serve it over rice or your favourite grain.