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When Ann Power found out her mother weighed just 38 kilograms, she was shocked. She asked for time off from her job and went to her mother's aged care home to feed her three times a day.

Andrew moved to Newcastle from Armidale hoping for more opportunities in a bigger city. But a series of events has led to Andrew, his wife and dogs living in their car. Their situation has led to calls for unused residences at the Stockton Centre to be used for crisis accommodation.

Eraring has been powering the state for 40 years, but Origin Energy has announced its early exit from coal-fired power generation in Lake Macquarie.
The feelings in the community are mixed.

From jobs to the environment, decisions made now about coal in the Hunter will affect future generations. Our reporter Bridget Murphy (pictured above, being filmed by Andy Lobb for ABC News Channel) has been sharing the voices of younger Hunter residents about this time of change, and what they want community leaders to know.

The Hunter's place in the national conversation about coal is featured in a new podcast from the ABC's Matt Bevan. The eight-part series will look at the scientific, political and economic forces at play, and the rapid transition to new sources of energy.

Dolphins in Port Stephens have been treated to an opera singer, flutes, piccolos and Indian wooden recorders. Within minutes a pod began swimming alongside the boat. Researchers now want to play music under the water and record the dolphins' responses.

The man behind the thought-provoking church signs has signed off. Father Rod Bower finished up as priest of Gosford Anglican Church and will move to Lake Macquarie to become the Newcastle Diocese's director of mission.

If you get dozens of flies hanging out on your clothesline, your backyard might be a great vantage point for them to keep an eye out for predators.

A group in Cessnock is making local produce cheap and easy to get your hands on. What could be better?

There's nothing like a clap of thunder to make you jump, but for our beloved dogs storms can be a source of major anxiety. Having a plan for storm season can help.

Build it and they will come: Lake Macquarie City Council has approved a new event space that will be able to cater for up to 30,000 people at Morisset. The Cedar Mill development is planned for the former Morisset Country Club golf course site, and could also include a tourist park, playground and splash pad in future stages. The company behind the plans, Winarch Capital, says it's ready to begin building the event space (pictured above), and is hoping international acts will be able to perform there within 12 months. Image supplied by Lake Macquarie City Council.

Fitzgibbon farewells parliament: Longstanding Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon has delivered his valedictory speech as he prepares to stand down from parliament at the federal election. Mr Fitzgibbon was first elected in 1996 and used his speech to reflect on changes in parliamentary standards over the decades, saying people are losing confidence in the system and turning to minor parties and independents. He also acknowledged his father, the former Member for Hunter Eric Fitzgibbon, for steering his interest in politics.

Warnings to lock up in Rutherford: Police patrols have ramped up in Rutherford after an increase in thefts from motor vehicles in recent weeks. Police say valuables, including wallets and garage door remote controls, have been left in unlocked cars.

Defence funding extension: The federal government has announced a $1.5 billion contract extension for BAE Systems to continue maintaining the air force's Hawk fleet at Williamtown. The contract includes money for upgrades and more potential extensions linked to performance.

Welcome back to international tourists: Australia's border has reopened to tourists and the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association is looking forward to overseas visitors returning. It says international tourists make up a big part of the day-trip market from Sydney, as well as longer stays.

Who doesn't like a moody photo of a beach? And who doesn't enjoy a rainbow photo? When they come together, voila, you have this magic shot by @Shannon Hartigan. You're welcome to share photos of your part of the local area via #ABCmyphoto on Instagram or upload your photos online here. 

It's an unsettled outlook for the Hunter. There will be plenty of cloud and showers, and the occasional thunderstorm, each day through to the weekend. Temperatures will be in the mid to high 20s in most towns. And thanks to Jim for this gorgeous shot of Newcastle Beach during the week. He says "life's good"!

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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.