Japan, Fiji flights from Newcastle?

Harry Mcwilliam died when he was struck by a load of reinforced steel last week. The community has described him as a "charming young man" who was involved in the local Central Coast theatre and football.

The New South Wales Building Commissioner has strongly criticised the safety standards at two Newcastle build sites after attending five locations in a blitz on Thursday.

Residents, including a couple that had a baby at the same time, relive the day one year ago when the towns of Bulga, Broke and Wollombi were devastated by major flooding.

Lightning strikes in a split second. Those who survive being struck can be left with lifelong consequences, including cognitive disability, relationship breakdowns and a dark shadow over their mental health.

The GP single-employer model is called a success after a southern NSW trial and is now being expanded across the state.

The federal government has pitched in $55 million for the Newcastle Airport International Terminal, but its success will depend on the airlines that sign up.

First Nations elders around the country were celebrated during NAIDOC Week. But what makes an elder? We follow three Indigenous leaders in regional NSW as they do something they love in their communities.

A youth podcast called Mob Pod aims to elevate the voices of young Indigenous people ahead of the Voice referendum.

The NSW government calls for tenders to install shark nets at dozens of beaches between Newcastle and Wollongong, despite calls for them to be permanently removed.

In the 1970s, Stanley Clark wanted to stop his little girl's suffering. So, he built the world's first portable blood glucose monitoring machine in a New South Wales suburban backyard.

It's echidna breeding season, and one scientist likens it to a reality TV show, saying females will be followed by a male "train" of suitors for several weeks.

Zac Barnes inquest: Nearly seven years after he vanished, a date has been set for the beginning of an inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Hunter man Zac Barnes (pictured above). The 18-year-old went missing in November 2016. Police say he'd asked a friend to take him to the Thornton train station, but before arriving he jumped out of the car and ran into nearby bushland. Mr Barnes was wearing a faded blue singlet, dark blue board shorts and workboots. The first hearing has been set for July 17 before Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes.

Charges after woman hit by two cars: A man will face court next week following the death of a woman after she was struck by two vehicles on the Central Coast. Police were called to Ocean Beach Road at Woy Woy just before 8pm on Saturday where they found a woman critically injured. The 68-year-old was treated by paramedics but died at the scene. Officers believe she was hit by two different cars after she got off a bus and crossed the road. It's alleged only the driver of the second vehicle stopped to help her. A 20-year-old man was charged with failure to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death.

Body found: A bushwalker has found human remains believed to be those of a man missing from Lake Macquarie since November last year. John Davidson, 72, who had advanced dementia, was last seen at a Mount Hutton home and several multi-agency and community searches were launched. A bushwalker in the Belmont Wetlands found human remains and personal belongings. A family member of Mr Davidson shared on social media that they're relieved to be able to lay him to rest.

Could Liddell go nuclear? The federal opposition leader says AGL's Liddell power station in the Upper Hunter is an ideal place to set up nuclear energy generation. The coal-fired power station retired in April and the company plans to convert it into a renewable energy hub. Peter Dutton has called on the government to end Australia's nuclear energy ban, which has been in place since 1998. He says a small modular reactor should be considered for Liddell.

Dangerous grass fire: The Rural Fire Service says a grass fire came dangerously close to homes at Heddon Greta. About 80 firefighters battled the blaze on Saturday, with help from water bombing aircraft and PolAir, to ensure it didn't reach homes on Young Street. The fire was contained by the afternoon after burning through about four hectares of land, but firefighters remained at the scene for some time because of strong wind conditions.

Koala hospital funding: A$3 million federal Labor commitment has begun rolling out to the Port Stephens Koala Hospital. The money is being spent on expanding the hospital's clinical area, including bigger and better surgical theatres and CT facilities. It will also go towards vet wages and a fire rescue vehicle, enabling badly burnt animals to be retrieved from fire zones.

Legacy torch: A torch relay passed through Maitland this week marking 100 years of Legacy. Legacy provides social and financial support to the families of veterans. The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay began in France in April and has been to Belgium and London before coming to Australia. It will soon make its way to Gosford on the Central Coast in the coming days.

Knight to a Wolf: The Newcastle Knights have confirmed forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon will leave the club at the end of this season to play in the English Super League. Fitzgibbon signed a three-year deal with the Warrington Wolves after debuting for the Knights in 2015 and playing 112 games for the club. Knights football director Peter Parr says Fitzgibbon has been a champion for the club and wished him the best going forward.

U18s call-up: Aberdeen's Evie Jones has been named in the Australian Under 18s Schoolgirls rugby league team. The St Joseph's High School student is among 18 to be selected, following the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League 18 Years National Championships. Logan Aoake from St Francis Xavier's College at Hamilton and Cody Hopwood from All Saints College Maitland were both named in the Australian Under 18s schoolboys team. All three Hunter players will feature in their respective national teams when they play in a test later this year.