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Treasurer Matt Kean released the state budget this week, with local projects earmarked for a boost. Some of the highlights include $25 million for Williamtown aerospace precinct, $16 million for the Newcastle Education Precinct, incentives to improve regional health, and a boost to rail and roads in the Hunter.

Local rider Jason Poole (pictured, front) was cycling at Mount Royal between East Gresford and Lostock Dam when a pack of dogs set upon him. Authorities have been investigating, and believe the dogs may be pets of someone nearby.

Muswellbrook's Mount Arthur coal mine is due to close in 2026, but owner BHP says it wants to run the site up until the end of 2030. After that, it'll close for good after BHP couldn't find a buyer to take over the mine.

Hundreds of bass, some estimated to be about 20 years old, are littering the shoreline of Glenbawn Dam in the Upper Hunter. One angler says she thinks the death toll could be over a thousand.

Former state mining minister Ian Macdonald (pictured, left) and ex-union boss John Maitland will face a judge-alone retrial in Sydney over a mine licence in Jerry's Plains. Both were acquitted on appeal and released in 2019, after being convicted over misconduct offences.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is seeking a 7.5 per cent pay increase for Newcastle bus drivers. This week's industrial action halted more than 100 bus routes and the private operator of Newcastle buses, Keolis Downer, described the strike as 'frustrating'.

Can you believe Star Struck is 30 years old?! This week, the event took to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre to celebrate — and of course show off — oodles of talent.

Local sergeant and Scone resident Todd Hobson has been a career blood donor, giving his 126th donation during last week's Red Cross Lifeblood Blood Donor Week. His donations are all to give back for a special gift he received in his childhood. 

Let's all give a humongous congratulations to Jack Ladmore from New Lambton, who is a finalist in this year's Young Archies! Each year, the prestigious competition showcases the best young artists in Australia. 

A brewery in our neck of the woods, thousands of kilometres away from war-torn Ukraine, is making a brew to raise funds to help. Spoiler alert … beetroot is one of the key ingredients. 

Referees in one Newcastle sporting league are fed up with the heckling and the nastiness ... and they’re taking swift action to get it under control. 
Hear what they have to say on the Newcastle Hunter Catch Up (and subscribe while you’re there!)

HNE split: The NSW Nationals have unanimously voted to explore splitting the Hunter New England Health District. Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall says the current district is too Newcastle-focused. Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says Hunter towns would be largely unaffected if a split occurred.

Truck driver charged: A truck driver has been charged after a pedestrian was hit and killed near Maitland on Tuesday. Emergency Services were called to Cessnock Road after a man who had just got out of a ute opposite a coffee cart was struck by a truck and trailer headed towards Maitland in heavy fog.

Another strike: The Hunter's Catholic and public school teachers are set to strike next Thursday over conditions and pay, saying they're teaching up to 60 students at a time because of a shortage of teachers.

School revamp: Gillieston Heights Public School will undergo a major redevelopment, with $1.7 million in the budget to get the process underway. Parents have been calling for upgrades because of the number of demountable buildings and the need to connect the school to the sewer system.

Slow down for koalas: The speed limit could be lowered along a popular Port Stephens road as part of efforts to protect koalas. The government will provide $850,000 to help prevent koalas being struck by cars. Dozens have been killed or injured along Port Stephens Drive and the council hopes new fences will reduce the number of koalas making it onto the road.

Coal powers on standby: New South Wales Energy Minister Matt Kean has been granted emergency powers to direct coal companies to provide fuel for electricity generators. If the powers are used, the minister could force local coal mines to supply coal to NSW power stations, instead of exporting their product.

C'arn lads: The Newcastle Knights' chances of making the NRL finals are slipping away after another loss. Newcastle fought its way back after being down 14-0 to Canberra at the weekend, but was beaten in the dying minutes. Newcastle has now lost 10 of its 14 games this season.

With those menacing clouds, this pic of a double rainbow over the beach at Newcastle is quite dramatic isn't it? It's by Terry Punch, who shared it via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram. Thanks Terry!

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

It's so lovely to see blue skies and lush paddocks! Our very own ABC Upper Hunter reporter, Bridget Murphy, took this one on a farm near Gundy this week.

Meanwhile, it's 'chill-your-fingers-to-the-bone' levels of crisp around the Hunter at the moment! It should be a mostly sunny remainder of the week though, with little chance of any rainfall around our region. This weekend we'll only get to 20 degrees at the warmest. That'll be in places like Maitland and Cessnock, and it will be down to almost zero in the Upper Hunter at night.

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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.