Snake in a ute: Newcastle woman's elusive stowaway

The engines of the Beechcraft Super King Air appeared to power down as it approached the runway at Newcastle airport, landing at 12:18pm and sliding to a stop to the loud cheers of onlookers who had lined the perimeter fence.

Lisa Kournelis says she was shocked when she first saw the slithery stowaway last month and was forced to wear protective gear to stay safe while driving.

An ABC investigation uncovers a series of allegations by former workers blowing the whistle on mistreatment, neglect and excessive use of force against people with disabilities being cared for by NDIS provider Evolution Support Services.

A father who lost his son in a fatal bus crash in the NSW Hunter Valley says he is disgusted manslaughter charges were dismissed against driver Brett Button.

A Hunter woman has been banned from holding a liquor licence for two years after a patron was served the equivalent of 35 standard drinks at a Stockton pub, according to Liquor & Gaming New South Wales.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has handed down the government's third budget. Have a look at what's new — and what's in it for you.

Administrators say up to 20 parties are interested in saving the embattled airline as large debts are revealed at the first creditors' meeting.

Newcastle's most quintessential sights don't just include the beautiful beaches — the gigantic bulk carriers that come into dock in the Port of Newcastle every single day of the year are unmissable.

She is already a Dally M Medal winner and a four-time premier, but Queensland fullback Tamika Upton says she is still improving as a player heading into this year's historic three-game Women's State of Origin series.

What's your job at ABC Newcastle?

I am one of the producers on the Brekky show with Dan and Jenny.

Where have you come from?

Originally from Sydney, I blew in here about seven years ago while on maternity leave from Channel 7. I picked up a few shifts on Brekky at ABC Newcastle and have basically never left!

What's the most interesting thing you've done or the most interesting place you've been and why?

I have travelled all over for work and play. My highlights? Seeing a Broadway show in New York, eating the best falafel of my life in Le Marais in Paris (loads of Lebanese people call Paris home!), snorkelling with green turtles in Waimea Bay in Hawaii, watching Arcade Fire side of stage in Sydney for a show I worked on, and I lived in London for a bit too! I've had too many wonderful experiences to pick one.

What do you love about Newcastle/the Hunter Valley?

I love the small-town vibe with the big city heart – the food, the lack of traffic, the gorgeous beaches, the incredible walks and the Novocastrian's passion for all things Newy. When do I get to call myself one?

When America promised to build a space base in outback Australia in the middle of the 1960s space race, few suspected it would put Australia in the nuclear crosshairs in decades to come. That space base, just 18km from Alice Springs, would come to be known as Pine Gap — possibly the most secretive place in Australia.

Mural to remember missing teen: The family of a Newcastle girl abducted three decades ago says it's are still waiting for answers and hope a mural could help. Gordana Kotevski, 16, (pictured above) was walking to her aunt's home in Charlestown in November 1994 when several men bundled her into a car. She's never been found and no-one has been charged in relation to her disappearance. A fundraiser has been launched to have a mural of her painted.

Image: Facebook/Gordana Kotevski

Transmission corridor revised: The New south Wales government authority behind the Hunter Transmission Project says it's revised the corridor so fewer private landowners are affected. EnergyCo's project involves constructing new overhead 500 kilovolt transmission infrastructure between the Bayswater and Eraring power stations. It will transport electricity from renewable energy zones to homes in the Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra. Following community feedback the corridor has been revised, with the number of affected landowners dropping from 78 to less than 25.

Search for second diver continues: Police have re-appealed for information two years after the death of a Brazilian diver in Newcastle, as the search for a second diver continues. In May 2022 emergency services were called to the Port of Newcastle after a male diver was found unresponsive in the water with 54 kilograms of cocaine nearby. He was identified as Brazilian national Bruno Borges Martins, 31. Fellow diver 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva has never been found. Police have released images of a truck and car they believe could be connected to the incident.

$10m to fill mining voids: More than five Lake Macquarie suburbs will have disused mining voids beneath commercial real estate filled with thousands of tonnes of cement grout to ensure future growth and development in the region. The federal government has committed $10 million to the Lake Macquarie Mines Grouting Fund to help cover the cost of filling the sometimes-cavernous voids left behind by historic coal mines across the region. Suburbs expected to benefit most include Charlestown, Cardiff, Morisset, Glendale and West Wallsend, all of which are extensively undermined.

Doorknock appeal launched: The Salvation Army says fundraising this year is critical to help people bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis. The organisation has launched its 60th annual Red Shield Appeal and is hoping to raise more than $180,000 for the Hunter and Central Coast. The organisation says it's had a substantial increase in people accessing the service.

Hunter cowboy named NSW captain: A Hunter cowboy has been named New South Wales captain for the 2024 Professional Bull Riders state of origin series. Lachlan Richardson from Gresford will lead the Blues against Queensland for the three-event series in Brisbane, Newcastle and Cairns. Richardson, 31, has been living in Queensland for a decade but says he loves representing his home state.

Knights named in Blues squad: Three Newcastle Knights players will represent the Sky Blues in the Women's State of Origin, but Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell has missed out. Newcastle's Olivia Higgins is one of four debutants named in the 20-player squad. Fellow Knights teammates Yasmin Clydsdale and Caitlan Johnston have also been named. Game one against Queensland will be held in Brisbane on Thursday. Find out who else is on the squad here.

Three in a row for Knights: The Newcastle Knights secured a 20-14 win over the West Tigers in Tamworth in wet conditions at the weekend. It's the club's third consecutive win, all without captain and star player Kalyn Ponga who's out injured for an extended period of time. Centre Bradman Best put in a strong performance in the second half with several line breaks and a try.