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You know how the poem goes. Prose about a sunburnt country and a land of flooding rains. Well, rain records have been smashed and Scone has recorded its wettest month in more than 25 years.  

You won't be seeing the F/A-18 Classic Hornet flying over our skies anymore. The iconic aircraft was officially retired after serving Australia for nearly four decades. 

Jamie Cust, 22, has been sentenced to six years in jail for the manslaughter of Jesus Bebita. Cust did not deny the killing, but said he had been under extreme provocation. 

It has been a decade-long fight. Generations of women have been calling on local authorities and now the federal government to save and grant access to the Butterly Cave. It's a place that has been used by First Nations women during birthing practices, but currently permission must be granted for women to visit the culturally important site. 

She's a local icon, helping people from all walks of life settle into their new life in Newcastle and the Hunter. But Sister Di says it is time to take a step back from her leadership role at Zara's House. 

Kenneth Wayne Grant has been found guilty of killing Tony Greenfield in a hit-and-run in 2019. Grant used the defence of sleepwalking, with his barrister saying he was involuntarily driving his ute at the time of the crash. 

It might have been the pull of hot chips that lured Natasha Van Eldik to the Raymond Terrace Bowling Club. But it was the sport that led to her staying and becoming one of Australia's best lawn bowlers. As she eyes the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal, Natasha wants all women to feel welcome in the sport. 

It starts with Black Friday and continues on Cyber Monday. The hope is you pull out your bank card and spend big. But this year, small businesses in the Hunter boycotted the global sales. 

If you think about your job in 2019 compared to now, how much has changed? COVID-19 has placed an interesting spotlight on workplaces, and University of Newcastle researchers want to know what makes a good workplace. 

Save the date — 2027 could be the next time Australia hosts the Rugby World Cup. We'll find out in May, but there’s hope Newcastle could host a game or two.

It's our final artist feature for Australian Music month 2021. 😞 We have finished with an absolute Hunter legend, sitting down with Dave Wells to chat about his new music (it's coming, he promises) and his love of Australian music. 

Rental stress: In the past year local welfare groups have reported that people are sleeping in tents and cars as they struggle to secure rental properties, due to increased demand. Nicole Grgas from the Hunter Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service says people are taking out personal loans and paying rent up to a year in advance to secure a lease. 

Stockton death: A second man has been charged with murder over the death of 61-year-old Stacey Klimovitch, who was shot in Stockton almost six months ago. A 46-year-old man was extradited from the ACT and faced Queanbeyan court this week charged with murder. Last week detectives arrested a 29-year-old man at Honeysuckle. He was charged over his alleged involvement in the shooting and remains before the courts. More details here.

Protestor gets bail: A climate activist jailed earlier this week is not allowed to visit the Hunter region as part of his strict bail conditions. Eric Serge Herbert, 22, was granted bail in Newcastle Local Court after lodging an appeal to his 12-month jail sentence. Read more here.

Light rail: The Newcastle light rail service has resumed after being urgently pulled out of action on Thursday. Transport NSW says the light rail service was temporarily suspended as a precaution due to a mechanical issue with the gearbox and repairs were carried out over the weekend. 

Happy birthday Sid: One of Australia's oldest war veterans, Newcastle's Sid Handsaker, has turned 100. Sid joined the Royal Australian Air Force in April 1942 and became a flying officer with No.451 Squadron. He served for two years in Australia and two years in the United Kingdom.  

This stunning sunset in Sandy Hollow a few weeks ago was captured by @anna.rankmore.photos and shared via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram. Remember the sun?? Anna says it really felt like summer, unlike our recent weather.

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. 

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the rain is coming back for the end of the week. Wednesday and Saturday look like the wettest days (plan your washing around that). The rain will hang around into next week when we might get a glimpse of the sun again. 

While the rain falls, let's remember how stunning our sunrises are. Thanks to Mez for this amazing early morning beach shot. 

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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.