A fishing crew says it can't believe not one, but three, great white sharks approached its boat during a game fishing competition in waters north of Newcastle.

Seven people, including the 18-year-old alleged driver, were taken to hospital after the incident in the Hunter Valley in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A man remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after an incident in the NSW Hunter region when officers were responding to a report of domestic violence.

Kepco bought up large swathes of the New South Wales Bylong Valley with plans to build a coal mine. The mine was knocked back years ago, but the company still isn't saying what comes next.

There have been nearly 20,000 storm-related calls in NSW since the start of October and the season isn't over yet.

A proposed shake-up of NSW abortion law would make it compulsory for most of the state's hospitals to offer the medical service.

A wildlife park owner in New South Wales faced losing a much-loved goat called Gonkey or paying $3,000 for antivenom after it was bitten by a red-bellied black snake.

Clarke wanted to be the first person in almost 40 years to achieve a double crossing of New Zealand's Cook Strait but the brutal conditions had other plans for him.

More than 10 million lightning strikes have been recorded across Australia so far this year, some causing widespread damage. So how is lightning detected and counted? 

Paul Collins has converted his suburban yard into a tropical paradise. Throughout his lush garden are bromeliads, and there are so many, Paul has lost count. 

A visit to Maitland Show: Thousands turned out for the annual Maitland Show at the weekend to enjoy the agricultural and horticultural exhibits, rides and food. ABC Newcastle Drive presenter Jenny Marchant broadcast live from the show on Friday. Jenny (pictured above right) caught up with the show's chief steward Christine Berry (left) and Maximus the donkey (front). Also spotted at the show was former prime minister John Howard. He was campaigning with the Liberal candidate for Paterson Laurence Antcliff.
 

Image credit: ABC Newcastle/Nicky Elliot
 

Maitland mayor joins election race: Maitland City Council Mayor Philip Penfold has announced he'll contest the seat of Paterson in this year's federal election as an independent. The seat has been held by Labor's Meryl Swanson since 2016. Mr Penfold says his campaign will focus on cost-of-living relief, healthcare spending, infrastructure and industry growth, and an energy policy that works. Paterson currently has a margin of 2.6 per cent, the narrowest of any federal seat in the Hunter region. The election hasn't been called yet, but it must take place on or before May 17.
 

Legal action over gas licence rejection: Asset Energy has applied for a judicial review in the federal court over a cancelled gas exploration licence off the Hunter and Central Coast. Asset Energy's bid to both renew and alter the PEP11 licence was rejected by the federal government in January. The company says it's seeking an order to quash or set aside the decision and wants its renewal bid be reconsidered by the Commonwealth-New South Wales Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority.
 

More people seeking help: The Anglican church's welfare arm, the Samaritans, says it's had a 30 per cent increase in demand for emergency relief in the Hunter since this time last year. Samaritans provides food vouchers and food parcels, electricity and gas vouchers, pharmaceutical help and clothing and financial support from its centres in the Hunter and Central Coast. 
 

Aged care closure looms: The closure of a prominent Singleton aged care facility is on track for the end of March. Mercy Services announced in October last year it would close the facility as a result of long-term financial problems, which shocked residents, staff and the local community. It was hoped a new provider could be found to take over but that hasn't eventuated and most residents have found alternative accommodation. Mercy Services says there are still 14 residents who need to find somewhere to live.
 

Shifting sands cause headaches: The state government needs to step up to help deliver a long-term solution for sand erosion at Stockton, the Newcastle City Council says. More than 130,000 cubic metres of sand was deposited on the southern end of the beach in October and November of 2023. However, council says a mass sand nourishment program will need to be carried out across the remainder of the beach, including the northern end, as a long-term solution. Council's environment and sustainability executive manager Marnie Kikken says council will need financial support to undertake the work.
 

Success for Hunter Invictus Games athlete: A Newcastle athlete will bring home three medals from the 2025 Invictus Games. Callan McLean won gold in the 50-metre backstroke and 50-metre breaststroke, and a silver in the 50-metre freestyle. He also competed in the biathlon, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.
 

Mixed results for Jets: The men's team defeated home team Adelaide United 2-1 on Saturday. It will be chasing a third straight win against Brisbane Roar on Friday. Meanwhile, the women went down 4-1 to Western Sydney Wanderers in Parramatta. They now have an almost two-week break to prepare for their clash with Perth Glory on March 1.

With tender pearl couscous, fresh greens and a tangy dressing, this salad is easy to prepare and full of wholesome ingredients.