Watch: Albanese interrupted by climate activists in Lake Haven

Anthony Albanese spoke with the protesters after the event on the NSW Central Coast and told them that the government needed to be strategic in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Father of four Blake Tisdell died after he collapsed during training. He was the second Aberglasslyn Ants player to die in eight months.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death, while a Central Coast homelessness charity says "everyone needs to foster more empathy" for those who need support.

Crime data extracted by the ABC shows big spikes in arson offences across New South Wales, with some regional areas reporting rates up to eight times the state average.

A new coronial inquest has been scheduled into the disappearance of the young Sydney woman who failed to meet her mother at Newcastle Railway Station in 1994.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire that sent a cloud of toxic smoke over homes and took about 40 firefighters to contain.

Up to 35,000 homes across NSW are used as short-term rental accommodation throughout the year, according to a discussion paper released by the NSW government today.

Producers say ideal conditions have led to a 50 per cent increase in yields this season amid hopes the tariffs on Australian wine to China could be lifted as early as March.

The Australian company's construction arm went into voluntary administration this month, with work on 21 development projects grinding to a halt and no guarantee they would resume.

Rhiannan Iffland, one of the unsung treasures of Australian sport, continues her dominance of high diving by winning a record-extending fourth consecutive world championship gold medal in Doha.

Fifteen young people and a team of supporters climb Mount Kosciuszko to defy stereotypes about disability, while raising funds for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Groovin the Moo is a key event on Newcastle's social calendar, but the announcement that this year's event will be cancelled has disappointed local music fans and businesses alike.

Schools get new buses: Children's charity Variety has donated two buses to Hunter Valley schools in a bid to increase attendance and improve community involvement. The Sunshine Coaches are worth more than $150,000 each and the keys were handed to the Raymond Terrace Public School and Toronto's Biraban Public School this week. The buses can be used for school drop-offs and pick-ups as well as excursions.

Pictured: Raymond Terrace students pose with their new bus.

Nursing home to close: Staff and residents were notified last week that the Wallsend Aged Care Facility will close. Hunter New England Health chief executive Tracey McCosker says the old hospital site had remained unchanged for more than 30 years and updating it to meet contemporary standards for residential aged care posed significant challenges. She says there has been a steady decline in occupancy in recent years and once all 25 residents have been settled into new homes the facility will be repurposed to deliver expanded children's health services. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she opposes the closure and wants those affected to write to the Health Minister Ryan Park about their concerns.

Swifties warned to be prepared: Transport for New South Wales says Taylor Swift fans heading to Sydney from Newcastle this weekend need to plan ahead and allow extra travel time because track work is affecting trains. More than 320,000 people are expected to attend Swift's four Sydney shows starting on Friday night. Because of pre-planned track works buses will replace trains on the Central Coast and Newcastle line from 1.20pm on Friday until early Tuesday morning. Additional buses will operate between Newcastle and Wyong, along with limited-stop trains to Sydney and express trains to Olympic Park.

No new preschools for Upper Hunter: Locations selected for new public preschools have been based on data analysis, according to Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley. The state government is spending almost $770 million to build 100 new public preschools across New South Wales, including 12 in the Hunter. But no new preschools have been announced for the Upper Hunter. Ms Catley says there were a range of factors considered when selecting sites including census data, growth areas, and socio-economic background.

Workshopping ideas to Close the Gap: The peak body representing Aboriginal organisations in New South Wales says the state government needs to do more to Close the Gap in key areas like education and incarceration. The Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations is holding community yarning workshops to allow local First Nations people to have their ideas heard on how issues should be addressed by the government. A workshop will be held in Newcastle next month.

Local government Labor preselection: Newcastle's Nuatali Nelmes has won Labor's lord mayoral preselection ahead of the local government elections later this year, while incumbent councillor Carol Duncan has lost preselection to a newcomer in Ward 2. Cr Nelmes beat lord mayor aspirant Ross Kerridge, securing 161 votes to 104. The weekend vote by rank-and-file Labor members also has Paige Johnson ahead of Carol Duncan. Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen was pre-selected in Ward 1, Cr Peta Winney Baartz and Cr Margaret Wood in Ward 3, and Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk and Deahnna Richardson in Ward 4. But Cr Clausen says formal confirmation in the wards remains to be determined, pending the outcome of some "challenge votes".

Knights extend coach's contract: Newcastle Knights men's coach Adam O'Brien has re-signed with the club for another three years. Under the deal he'll be at the helm until the end of the 2027 season, which will make him the Knights' longest-serving coach.

Newcastle players in Young Matildas Squad: Two Newcastle Jets players have been selected in the Young Matildas Squad for the Under 20 Women's Asian Cup. Forward Lara Gooch and defender Claudia Cicco will be a part of a team that will travel to Uzbekistan next month. The Young Matildas will play in three matches in the group stage — against Uzbekistan, Korea, and Chinese Taipei.