Mt Arthur coal mine: What should happen when it closes?

There are recovery signs for NSW farmers devastated by QX disease two years ago, but questions remain over the industry's ability to withstand the threat.

The company operating this soon-to-be-closed coal mine says it's bound by outdated rules that hamper plans to leave a diverse and "positive legacy".

A jury has been told a man accused of killing a toddler in the NSW Hunter Valley almost 20 years ago gave the boy a toxic dose of antidepressant medication, a charge the man denies.

Newcastle man Kevin Naismith, who killed two men then burnt their bodies in sand dunes in 1999, has been granted supervised parole.

Latest data show Walgett Shire and Northern Beaches councils among the top five where ratepayers spent the most on general managers.

Police are appealing for information after a suspicious fire at a new tobacco shop in Ettalong, which came just a day after the same business was broken into and vandalised.

Rookie Newcastle flyer Fletcher Sharpe has announced himself to the NRL after claiming a four-try haul in the Knights clash with the Tigers.

Australia is always one of the most well-represented countries at the Olympics, boasting a team of 460 athletes this year in Paris. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of the record-breaking team that has taken the Games by storm.

For half a century, he has been a king of the airwaves with hits such as ‘Love Is In The Air’ and ‘I Hate The Music’.

For National Science Week 2024, the ABC is exploring the amazing night sky and light pollution's impact on science, creatures and culture. Find out more about how we're celebrating.

Cliff diving win: Lake Macquarie's Rhiannan Iffland has won the world series cliff diving event in Norway. Competing in Oslo, she recorded a total score of 337.30. Canada's Molly Carlson came in second, scoring 312.07. It's Iffland's fourth-straight round win and she's chasing her eighth consecutive world series title. She'll next compete in Canada on August 25.

Photo credit: ABC Newcastle/Madeline Lewis

Should these ovals be used for basketball? The Newcastle Basketball Association is concerned the region could miss out on a major opportunity if a new indoor stadium is rejected. The association has lodged an application to develop the Hunter Indoor Sports Centre, which will be home to a range of sports, at New Lambton on the Wallarah and Blackley ovals. About 150 residents rallied at the site on the weekend opposing the use of the ovals for a new basketball stadium, citing concerns around the impact on other sports like cricket. The chair of basketball association's board Erica James says $30 million in state government funding for the centre could be taken away if it isn't approved.

Calls for council to lead Broadmeadow project: The Newcastle Greens say the local council should be the delivery agency for the redevelopment of Broadmeadow. It's been indicated the Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation, a state government agency, will be the project manager, but the Greens oppose this decision. The Greens lord mayoral candidate for the September local government elections Charlotte McCabe says it's the most important project for the city, which can help address the housing crisis, and the community needs to be closely a part of it.

Water quality being investigated: Upper Hunter Council is working with NSW Health and environment officials after drinking water in the village of Merriwa showed radiation levels double the limit for Australian guidelines. The town uses bore water and the council is using bores with the lowest radioactive levels. The council says it can be naturally occurring in bore water. The council says health officials say the water is still safe to drink, but further investigations are needed.

PEP-11 plans in court: Assert Energy, the company behind a plan to explore for gas off the Hunter and Central Coast, is taking new court action in a bid to force a final decision on its contentious PEP-11 project. Last week the company filed an application for judicial review in the Federal Court — claiming the Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority has breached its duty by failing to make a decision on PEP-11. It also wants the Joint Authority to be forced to determine the application within 45 days. The state government has already banned all oil, gas and mineral exploration off the New South Wales coast. Asset Energy is seeking to operate in Commonwealth waters, further out to sea.

Sand quarry extension approved: Construction giant Boral Resources has been granted state approval to extract millions of tonnes of extra sand from a quarry, north of Newcastle. Boral operates the Stockton Sand Quarry at Fullerton Cove, with the 246 hectare site used as a sand mine since the 1970s. Its sand is in demand in the construction sector and to feed that demand it sought approval to extract an extra three million tonnes of sand from above the water table in the area. The Department of Planning has approved the expansion application, but Boral is limited to extracting no more than 750,000 tonnes of sand each year.

Count Us In festival: Former Newcastle Knights' player Alex McKinnon says people should learn how to be more welcoming and accepting of people with disabilities. In 2014 he became a quadriplegic when he suffered a spinal cord injury during an NRL match. The Newcastle local is now a passionate disability advocate and involved in this week's "Count Us In" festival in the city, promoting inclusive sport. McKinnon says it's important people without disabilities also engage with these programs.

NRLW loss for Knights: Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries says his team's loss to the Dragons is a wake-up call. The reigning premiers went down to St George Illawarra on Sunday night 18-10 at Hunter Stadium. It's the Knights' first loss in 11 games. Newcastle played without representative forward Caitlan Johnston-Green who injured her knee before the match and will miss the rest of the season.

Chef Matt Moran's slow-roasted lamb shoulder features plenty of colourful veggie sides and a refreshing mint salsa.