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Hunter valley man Jordan Brodie Miller been found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, 18-year-old Emerald Wardle, at their home in Metford, near Maitland, in June 2020. Miller claimed he strangled "a demon" during a psychotic episode, but the prosecution argued he knew what he was doing.

Repurposing defunct mining land for use by the renewable energy, agriculture, manufacturing and conservation sectors could create more than 13,000 jobs in the Hunter Valley, according to a new report.

Are the Hunter's heaters and lights going to stay on? There are concerns New South Wales could face some reserve electricity shortages, following similar fears in Queensland. Now, the Australian Energy Market Operator has taken the extraordinary step of suspending the spot market for wholesale electricity.

For the second time in months, the Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club has had some of its assets damaged by big waves. This time, the ramp which helps people with disabilities access the beach has had its footings exposed and moved by a powerful swell.

Craig Clarke has spent the past seven years of his life training for the Mount Everest of swimming: the English Channel. He finally set off this week to make his dream a reality. Good luck, Craig!

The Newy parkrun celebrated its 10-year anniversary this week! It doesn't matter where you finish or if you run or walk, it's about getting active and meeting new people.

A volunteer group in Belmont has been busy putting together warm blankets for those in need. As temperatures drop across the Hunter, the group needs donations of fabric and wool to help meet demand.

Many 18-year-olds taking a gap year after finishing school may have celebrated their newfound freedom with Schoolies Week or by partying with friends. Tea Gardens local Libby Wylie is doing things a little differently, embarking on her dream of completing the Bicentennial National Trail on horseback.

The Port of Newcastle has lodged a development application with state planning officials to repair the interior of the 144-year-old Carrington Pump House, with hopes it might eventually be used as a function or exhibition centre.

Parking around Newcastle is not the best part of living here. So, will a plan to replace parking spots with public spaces in Cardiff make you rethink the way you move around the city?

The Story Stream — on the ABC listen app — is filled with bite-sized audio experiences, like this story of a very wonderful and very surprising arrival. Get the ABC listen app and get hooked on our Story Stream for more human stories, yarns about unusual places, interesting things, and unexpected joys from right across the country.

Beach erosion: The chair of the Stockton Community Liaison Group says she's alarmed at the level of erosion now occurring at the southern end of the beach near the breakwater. Stockton Beach Taskforce will meet with the Deputy Premier, Paul Toole, next week to discuss an application for federal funding, but the taskforce will also be urging more action to repair erosion near the King Street breakwater.

Carrington fire: About 20 workers were evacuated from the Lovells Springs factory in Parker Street, Carrington, on Tuesday night, after a fire broke out in a workshop containing highly flammable powder coating paint. A dozen fire crews fought the flames for about an hour.

Fast rail funding: Rail travel between Newcastle and Sydney is a step closer to being reduced to about an hour, under funding was pledged by the New South Wales and Commonwealth governments. At the weekend NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced $500 million for a fast rail upgrade to the Sydney-Central Coast train line would be part of this month's state budget.

How did HNE handle Omicron? Hunter New England Health says the Omicron wave that hit the region at the beginning of the year resulted in complex presentations and admissions to hospitals. The latest hospital data shows the number of people presenting to emergency departments across the Hunter dropped during a time when the region had a high number of COVID cases.

Queen's birthday honours: Almost 1,000 Australians have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday honours this year. Local emergency responders from the SES, marine rescue, and Rural Fire Service who've helped with fires and floods were among the dozens of Hunter people who received recognition.

Concussion concerns for Ponga: The men's Newcastle Knights skipper, Kalyn Ponga, has been named for this week's game against Canberra, with club officials expecting him to pass mandatory assessments. Ponga's head knock, which forced him from the field against the Panthers last weekend, was his ninth in four years.

Socceroos secure place in World Cup: Reserve goalkeeper and Gosford man Andrew Redmayne has become the hero for the Socceroos after a match-winning save in a penalty shootout victory over Peru. Coach Graham Arnold took the gamble of replacing captain Mat Ryan with Redmayne for the spot kicks late in extra time. The internet reacted loudly, and this is what it said.

There's something so magical about this photo. Photographer @wiltliving called it "golden layers" and that about sums it up. Such wonderful light! 

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'll be sunny for the remainder of the working week! Hooray! A couple showers could develop across the weekend, but there'll be nothing significant. Daytime temperatures along the coast will reach a top of 20 degrees, with overnight temperatures reaching 9 degrees (a little colder up the valley, with temps as low as 4 degrees).

Look at this stunning shot of a sunrise over Newcastle. Our surf reporter Dave Anderson captured it just before going live on Breakfast with Dan and Jenny!

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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.