Cocaine, Newcastle and the cat-and-mouse game between cops and cartels

Follow the path cocaine takes from Colombian bush labs to your local suburbs — and the battle to intercept it.

A court hears Cameron Gidley-Baird is "disgusted" with himself and "desperately sorry" as he is sentenced to a maximum of six-and-a-half years' jail.

Regional communities want to know whether powerlines connecting renewables to the grid to power the state's transition can go underground — but the answer may not be so simple.

A petition for mandatory training for all bar and security staff to help them identify drink spiking and sexual violence garnered more than 20,000 signatures.

A court refuses Kirt Field bail after hearing the 37-year-old, who has been charged with more than 20 offences, is a flight risk.

There are calls for compensation for farmers impacted by the number of beehives destroyed in the effort to stop the parasitic varroa mite. Without enough bees to pollinate produce, there are reports of crop losses and, conversely, huge fruit and veggies.

Abuse survivor advocates say it is crucial victims that are no longer living are not forgotten as part of plans to change the name of Hunter Catholic high school St Pius X.

After spending a year converting a shipping container into a home to tow around the country with his truck, Glen Lewis is hitting the road.

The Cambridge farewelled: After more than 50 years Newcastle's iconic music venue the Cambridge Hotel closed for the final time on Sunday night. More than 7,000 people attended the three-day farewell festival. The building will be redeveloped and turned into student accommodation. The hotel helped launch the careers of Silverchair and the Screaming Jets, while also hosting music royalty like Archie Roach and The Presets.

Charges over shooting: A fifth person has been charged in relation to a shooting at Gateshead last month. A 41-year-old man was allegedly shot in the leg when several shots were fired at his home. A 23-year-old man was charged with multiple offences last week after police searched a home at Gateshead and allegedly found a firearm. Another three men and a woman have also been charged and are before the courts.

More bus services: The government is taking steps to boost public transport services in the Hunter's high-growth areas, according to Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jo Haylen. More than 500 new bus routes are being rolled out across the region, including one that connects Minmi, West Wallsend, Cameron Park, Edgeworth and Kotara.

Thousands in mining jobs: More people are working in coal mining jobs in the state compared to 10 years ago, according to the New South Wales Minerals Council. Data released by the council this week shows the Hunter has more than 14,000 people directly employed in coal mining.

Family program expanding: The Sustaining NSW Families Program, which offers vulnerable families with young children free support at home, is being expanded to more areas in the Hunter. The program involves trained child and family health nurses working with families to provide regular assessments, tailored programs and referrals to other support services. It's been available to families in Maitland, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock and is now being expanded to include Lake Macquarie and Newcastle.

Indigenous health research: The federal government will spend $3 million to help establish a First Nations medical research project at the University of Newcastle. The university will partner with the Lowitja Institute to develop a national ethics committee which will focus on improving First Nations health outcomes.

New coach for Jets: Sydney FC assistant coach Rob Stanton has been appointed coach of the men's Newcastle Jets for the next two seasons. His appointment comes a week after the resignation of former coach Arthur Papas. Stanton says bringing local juniors through the ranks to the top grade is one of his priorities.

World Cup flag bearers: Six junior soccer players from the Upper Hunter have been selected to be flag-bearers at a Women's World Cup match next month. The group from Muswellbrook Eagles will carry a FIFA flag onto the field when England takes on Denmark in Sydney.