You can let us know what you think of this newsletter by offering feedback here. And do you have friends or family who might enjoy it too? 

Fresh NSW Health data shows more than half the state's COVID-19 cases in November were in regional NSW, with the Newcastle local government area recording the 8th highest number of cases so far this month. But as the state ticks over the 90 percent double-dosed target, how many vaccines are in arms around our community?

Soaring house prices are driving more cases of elder abuse in regional areas and the Hunter has recorded the most instances of it. In response, Legal Aid NSW is expanding its Elder Abuse Service into our region.

Convicted former politician Eddie Obeid and one of his sons are currently jailed for conspiracy and corruption, but the ABC's Four Corners has uncovered that business is still booming for the Obeid family.

A 26-year-old Aboriginal man was found unresponsive in his cell at Shortland Correctional Centre on Sunday. His was the 482nd First Nations death in custody in the past 30 years. It happened the day before Cessnock Correctional Centre unveiled its new wing, which focuses on employment skills.

The NSW Coroner heard this week that 20-year-old Wiradjuri man Bailey Mackander was treated with contempt by correctional officers prior to his death at Kariong Correctional Centre on the Central Coast in 2019. He was the 459th First Nations inmate to die in custody since the royal commission.

What do you know about endometriosis? It's a debilitating condition affecting so many women here in the Hunter and right across Australia. And unfortunately, the pathway to diagnosis is long.

The HSC is stressful enough for students (and parents), right? Meg Southcombe from St Joseph's at Aberdeen is tackling her exams while also advocating for homelessness and mental health awareness in her community. Her work has been recognised by the NSW Governor with a Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award.

If you've missed it, November is Aus Music Month. We're blessed with a multitude of amazingly talented musicians in the Hunter, and throughout the month we'll be showcasing some of our best. This week, we kicked off with Newcastle singer-songwriter Ben Leece.

Absolutely huge news for football fans. For the first time in over two decades, the Matildas will take on the United States Women's National Team on home soil. If that wasn't exciting enough, the match will be played in Newcastle later this month!

A new baby coming into the family is amazing and stressful at the same time. It can be especially tough, though, for parents of new babies who are sick or have special needs. That's where occupational therapists come in … and for new mum Kate Green, that help was life-changing.

Grandparents as parents: Experts estimate there are at least 100,000 children living in 'informal kinship care' in Australia. What does that mean? For Jill from Newcastle, it means she is raising her six grandchildren. Social advocates say that more support for non-parent carers is desperately needed.

Orica to slash emissions: Orica will pump $37 million into reducing the emissions output from its Kooragang Island ammonium nitrate plant. The company is one of the state's largest industrial polluters but plans to cut emissions by 48%, which is equal to the emissions generated by around 50,000 homes.

Rural crime blitz: The NSW Police Force's Rural Crime Prevention team has wrapped up a three-day blitz, targeting trespassing and illegal hunting. 'Operation Fleece' handed out infringements and fines across Merriwa, Murrurundi, Scone, Willow Tree and Cassilis.

Housing deal for Newcastle: The Lord Mayor of Newcastle has praised the state government's housing minister for setting up a memorandum of understanding to improve and build social housing. It is expected there will be 59 properties delivered in the next two years. But there are nearly 1,200 households on the wait list in Newcastle for social housing, with 98 listed as urgent.

International stories return to UoN: The University of Newcastle has prioritised medical students for a pilot program that will see the return of a small number of international students. Around 250 overseas students will fly into Sydney next month and 14 are bound for Newcastle.

"How good is Bar Beach???" posits local photographer Simon Hunt. Pretty good, we reckon. It's hard to not love it after seeing a glorious photo like this! Simon has a real talent for capturing the sunlight in our local region. You can see the rest of his work here.

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

It's going to be a wet finish to the week! The Bureau of Meteorology expects heavy falls across the Upper Hunter on Wednesday and Thursday, and rain expected in every corner of the Greater Hunter. It'll remain a bit cooler as well, with temperatures likely staying under 30 degrees for the rest of the week.

Thanks to Scone amateur photographer Coral Hagan for sharing this pic of her little ones playing in the puddles!

We love receiving your feedback on our local newsletter. Are we offering the stories you want to read? Is there something more we could include? Send us your thoughts. 

Visit our local website. Listen live to our local programs or download the ABC Listen app to take us with you.

Catch the daily news bulletin via ABC Listen or on our website.

Visit us on Facebook, or contact us via email.

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.