How's the local live music scene post-pandemic?

The stepsister of murdered woman Danielle Easy tells a court during the sentencing of Justin Dilosa that she hopes he "rots", as he becomes eligible for parole due to time already served.

A former union boss says he lost everything after he was accused of dodgy conduct in Hunter Valley coal mining. With his name cleared, he's on a new mission for "mum and dad" investors.

The hotly anticipated but unfinished document was mistakenly posted on the Department of Planning website on Tuesday, but deleted shortly after.

The Heritage Council of New South Wales recommends the Hunter's Ravensworth homestead be placed on the state heritage register, which would give it significant protection from coal mining and proposals to move it to another town.

A jury has been told alleged hit man Jason Hawkins had the weapon and the financial incentive to "assassinate" Stacey Klimovitch, shot dead when she answered a knock at the front door of her Stockton home in 2021.

The border collie is one of a precious few canny canines whose elite sense of smell can pinpoint a single specimen of the smothering, scrambling Chinese violet across a large area with minimal impact on the environment.

The latest blockade of the Port of Newcastle is the crest of a wave that started building back in 2005 for the climate group behind the protest, Rising Tide.

From Perth to Albury, we take a look at Australia's live music scene and how it's faring after a pandemic and during a cost of living crisis.

There are many benefits to be gained from eating with friends and loved ones — and these people have turned the practice into delightful traditions.

New South Wales batter Jason Sangha provides one of the highlights of the Sheffield Shield season so far with an incredible diving slips catch.

Saifiti signs extended Knights deal: Newcastle Knights prop Jacob Saifiti says his new three-year contact puts him well on the way to becoming a one-team player. The 27-year-old has signed a contract extension, keeping him at the NRL club until the end of the 2027 season. He debuted for the club in 2016 and has gone on to play 142 top-grade games. Since his debut he's been part of three wooden spoon years, but Saifiti says the best years for the club are ahead and he wants to be part of it.

Photo supplied: Darren Pateman, AAP

Origin takeover bid fails: The takeover bid from Brookfield and EIG for Origin Energy has failed, despite receiving support from a large majority of shareholders. While about 69 per cent of votes were cast in favour, the takeover scheme needed at least 75 per cent support to be approved. The bid included a plan to invest in renewable energy and won the approval of the ACCC for its potential to accelerate the rollout of renewable energy projects. Origin's largest shareholder AustralianSuper voted its almost 17 per cent holding against the offer, saying the proposed deal undervalued Origin. Origin owns the Eraring Power Station in Lake Macquarie.

DV victims to benefit from unused phones: Old mobile phones will be collected in Lake Macquarie to help people experiencing domestic violence. Councillors this week voted in favour of a 12-month trial of the DV Safe Phones Program. As part of the program, the community can donate old phones which are then cleared, reset, and given to domestic violence services to provide to people in need. Council will set up drop-off boxes at three locations: Cameron Park, Morisset and Charlestown. Read about the program's success on the Sunshine Coast here. People needing confidential information, counselling or support around domestic family and sexual violence issues can visit the 1800RESPECT website or phone 1800 737 732.

More Swansea Channel dredging planned: Swansea MP Yasmin Catley says the channel leading into Lake Macquarie will continue to be dredged until a long-term plan is finalised. Dredging of the first section of the Swansea Channel has finished, with a hydrographic survey taking place this week to inform boaters if they'll be able to get their vessels in and out. The state government is seeking approval of a 10-year plan to carry out maintenance dredging.

Drought plan: Hunter Water says although storage levels are good heading into summer it's planning for continued variable conditions. In partnership with the state government it's released a drought response plan for the Lower Hunter. It includes the use of the Belmont desalination plant, outlines when different levels of water restrictions will be rolled out, and details when it will begin to use alternative water sources like the Tomago Sandbeds aquifer and the inter-regional water transfers system with the Central Coast Council. Water storage for the region is just below 83 per cent and despite recent rain it's still slowly falling.

Grapes looking good for harvest: A Hunter Valley winemaker says he's excited about the coming vintage, with weather conditions this year set to produce a high quality crop. Too much rain in 2021 and 2022 affected grape growing and picking, while bushfires three years ago caused smoke damage to many grapes. Chris Tyrell says it's been a mostly dry winter and spring, but rain in recent weeks came at the right time. He says the crops aren't huge this year, but small crops invariably mean high quality.

Art gallery reopening still awhile off: The next phase of the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion is underway, but it may not reopen until at least December 2024. The gallery has been closed for renovations for almost two years, closing in January 2022 for a $40 million upgrade. The work includes more than doubling the exhibition space.

Push to get Supercars to Cessnock: The Cessnock City Council has written to the Supercars Championship to express its interest in hosting a Wine Country 500 event. The Newcastle City Council has officially ended its relationship with Supercars after pulling out of the 2024 event and announcing restoration works for Newcastle East. At a meeting last week Cessnock councillors voted to back the city's bid. Mayor Jay Suvaal says the event should stay in the Hunter and he's hoping to have discussions with the state government, Destination NSW, and Supercars.