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Local MP resigns as coal and climate change cause split in Labor ranks | |
| Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon has resigned from the shadow cabinet, a move some analysts say came after he nearly lost his seat at last year's federal election. Mr Fitzgibbon has supported controversial new mining projects, views that were "incompatible with Labor policy". You can listen to our interview with him here. | |
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 Photo supplied: Fire and Rescue NSW |
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Dog rescued from burning house | |
| Firefighters pulled out all the stops to rescue a pet dog from the upper floor of a burning house in the Hunter Valley this week. The fire broke out just before 5am, and the six people inside woke to the sound of popping. | |
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 Photo supplied: Digging Australia |
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Young fossickers dig up history using metal detectors | |
| What started as a quirky hobby when he was 13 has morphed into a passion now shared around the world for a Newcastle student. Jacob Ure, 19, is passionate about metal detecting and has more than 250,000 followers on the app Tik Tok, as well as tens of thousands of fans across other social media channels. You can listen to our interview with him here. | |
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Renewable energy plan expected to boost steel industry | |
| The New South Wales Government is looking to increase steel production in the state as part of a transition to renewable energy infrastructure. The move stems from a $32 billion renewable energy plan to transition away from coal-fired power to hydro, wind and solar. The plan is expected to generate 6,300 construction jobs and 2,800 ongoing jobs, while providing cheaper and cleaner power for households and industry. | |
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Boy's drawing inspires community to take action on ocean plastics | |
| A crumpled drawing at the bottom of a bag was almost destined for the recycling bin before Newcastle mum Laure de Vaugelas smoothed it out and took a second look. The drawing, by her seven-year-old son Hugo, now features on a range of merchandise that is raising funds for Take 3, an organisation that encourages communities to take three items of plastic home from the beach and dispose of it responsibly. | |
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 | | Photo supplied: ABC Open/David White |
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An exciting bird discovery in the Hunter | |
| A breeding pair of black-necked storks have made a home in Hexham Swamp, exciting local bird observers. The big birds are endangered and usually breed in the Northern Territory. | |
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 Photo supplied: Newcastle Region Library's Hunter Photobank, Ralph Snowball Collection |
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Hamilton once had elaborate Turkish baths | |
| Did you know Newcastle once had Turkish baths? They included an area where patrons undressed, a shampooing room, and a drying room. Breakfast's Dan and Jenny spoke to local history co-ordinator Sue Ryan to find out all about it. | |
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Newcastle bus timetables will change next month | |
| Newcastle's local bus timetable will look a little different from December 13, with changes being made to get users around town faster and more easily. Paul Turton spoke to Keolis Downer Hunter general manager Mark Dunlop to find out more. | |
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Pull out the ear muffs: Cicadas are going to get loud! | |
| Cicadas are noisy at the best of times, but this summer they're about the bring the noise in a big way. Mornings' Kia Handley spoke with cicada researcher Lindsay Popple to find out why. | |
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 Photo supplied: ABC Open/Lee Piggott |
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What else made news this week? | |
| Surfest cancelled: Newcastle's Surfest competition has been cancelled next year due to coronavirus. Organisers say after careful consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, they've reluctantly determined the competition will not run in February and March. The competition attracts surfers from around Australia and the world, along with thousands of spectators.
Council woes: The interim administrator of the Central Coast Council says $7 million has been recovered since the council's dire financial situation came to light last month. However, Dick Persson, in his second week on the job, says the financial crisis is worse than initially thought. Read the full story here. Creek concerns: Also on the Central Coast, a concrete manufacturer has been told it has until the end of the month to provide evidence it is not polluting a local creek. Residents say Kincumber Creek, a popular recreation spot, has been contaminated with toxic concrete waste. Read more here. Man charged over road fatality: A man has been granted bail after being charged over a fatal crash in which his passenger was killed at Rutherford. Police say the 33-year-old was behind the wheel of a ute when it left the road and crashed into a guard rail on Saturday night. The 29-year-old passenger was thrown from the ute and died at the scene. The driver has been charged with a number of offences, including dangerous driving occasioning death. He was granted conditional bail and is due in court next month. Koala survey: A community survey is being launched to help a research team take stock of the koala population in Port Stephens. Researchers from the University of Newcastle have been surveying public land in the area for the past 12 months. Now they're asking the community to help by reporting sightings or sounds of koalas, those that are sick or deceased, as well as threats and pests in the area. The online survey will be open until April. Hospital building in jeopardy: A historic Murrurundi hospital building may soon be destroyed after Upper Hunter Shire Council voted not to seek an interim heritage order to pause demolition. The Murrurundi community has been fighting to save the building, arguing it has heritage significance, but it is due to be knocked down to make way for a new hospital. Staff reimbursed: The University of Newcastle says current staff who were underpaid over the past six years will be reimbursed today. The payroll issue will see the university pay out almost $6.3 million. Good news for bees: Farmers are reaping the rewards of a recovery in the state's commercial bee population in areas like the Hunter. The New South Wales Apiarists' Association says all the hives that were lost in the drought and bushfires have been restored due to the spring conditions. About 90,000 hives sustained damage, with tens of thousands of bees being killed by the heat, smoke and fire. Association president Stephen Targett says bumper winter crops have been great for both industries. | |
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How's the weekend weather looking? | |
| The weekend is looking close to perfect with mostly sunny days and tops in the high 20s. It will be warmer again on Monday before cooling down later in the week.
And did you catch the breathtaking sunrise across the Hunter this morning? The photo above, contributed by a listener, is the view from Scone. | |
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