Hunter MP apologises for expletive-laden text messages

Taylor Martin's apology comes as the Liberal Party sets up an independent investigation into a formal complaint lodged against the NSW MP by a woman in the party.

Felicity Fraser, 43, last year pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug over a four-year period between 2017 and 2021.

A Supreme Court jury has been asked by the Crown to put illegal drug use aside as it deliberates over the fate of Danielle Easey's accused killer.

John Simpson went missing before his body was found in a shallow grave in May. A man has now been charged with his alleged murder and extradited to face court today.

The 51-year-old Stanhope man stands accused of encouraging two women in the Philippines to produce child abuse material involving two children in their care.

NSW fire crews have already responded to more than 800 grass, scrub and bushfires this month. And communities like Susan Alexander's are turning their attention to preparing their properties for the coming summer.

There are new questions over the viability of closing Australia's biggest coal-fired power plant, Eraring, after the energy market regulator said a lack of cheap coal energy had impacted electricity prices.

As an El Niño looms and fears of drought creep in, farmers and hay suppliers in the Hunter and New England are struggling to find local stock feed.

NSW DPI chief veterinary officer Jo Coombe says the horse was "depressed, uncoordinated, had a nasal discharge and high temperatures".

The state government has almost doubled its funding to tackle varroa mite but there are calls for more transparency on what the money is going towards.

Clarence Town bridge update: Transport for NSW says it won't know how long it'll take to repair a key bridge at Clarence Town until the end of next week. A repairs report for the damaged Brig O'Johnston heritage bridge will be finalised by August 4, which will identify the sort of work needed to re-open it.

Light rail action: The lawyer who led a successful class action for businesses affected by Sydney's light rail construction says the case for similar legal action in Newcastle is gaining momentum. Lawyer Richard Mitry says he has been contacted by some Newcastle business owners since the successful Sydney case.

Entertainment forum: The state's Music Minister John Graham met this week with artists, venue owners and residents about Newcastle's live entertainment scene. Adamstown Bowling Club announced this week it will have to stop live performances in its beer garden because of noise complaints from "one neighbour".

Record frost: Aberdeen Nursery director Phillip Luck says he's expecting significant plant losses because of frost burn. Record-breaking minimum temperatures were experienced in Scone and Merriwa on Friday morning.

Soft plastics a problem: The company behind Newcastle's kerbside soft plastics recycling scheme believes Australia can manage its recycled plastics, but a co-ordinated industry approach is needed. CurbCycle director Gordon Ewart says he's optimistic but warns there's no "silver bullet" solution to the mountain of soft plastic in Australia.

Bus fundraiser: A mini music festival held at Huntlee raised more than $30,000 for the victims of June's Hunter Valley bus crash. Bands performed at Rock for a Cause at the weekend, with proceeds going towards Rotary's fund for people affected by the crash.

This That festival is back: The line-up has been released for November's This That Music Festival to be held at Wickham Park. Want to see who is playing? See triple j's wrap up here.

Double trouble: It's hoped the Newcastle Knights NRL and NRLW sides can both back up the wins they secured at last weekend's home ground double-header. The men's side will need to continue a winning streak to make the top eight, and the women are hoping to set up their season to defend last year's premiership.