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Scores of people rescued as flooding hits Newcastle

Emergency services were kept busy for hours on Sunday night as torrential rain fell across part of the Hunter region. More than 70mm of rain fell in Newcastle in two hours, while more than 100mm fell in part of Lake Macquarie. Scores of people had to be rescued from flooded cars, with at least 15 stranded in water outside Hunter Stadium at Broadmeadow.

Videos of Gospers Mountain mega blaze shed light on massive bushfire

New videos of the 'mega-blaze' at Gospers Mountain and first-hand accounts from operational commanders have shed light on Australia's biggest-ever bushfire. Firefighting chiefs, some speaking for the first time, describe the blaze as a "continuous beast" that could not be controlled, in this special ABC video investigation.

Drug drop thwarted by prison officials

Plans to drop $100,000 worth of drugs into the Cessnock Correctional Centre using a drone have been foiled. Corrective Services boss Peter Severin says the attempt was a brazen operation, and such attempts to get drugs into prisons have become more common after visitors were banned due to the pandemic.

The jail also made news today after more than 20 inmates were charged over a riot that was sparked by calls for drug withdrawal therapy. 

Hunter Wetlands spring back to life

It has been difficult to see the Hunter Wetlands struggle through drought, but now recent rainfall has delivered life-giving water that is an important boost for the animals that call the estuary home. 

Record sale at Magic Millions

The Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast has lived up to its name with the highest-ever bid for a broodmare in the Southern Hemisphere. 'Sunlight' sold at auction for $4.2 million to the Upper Hunter's Coolmore Stud.

Coach questions team attitude after Knights stunned by Bulldogs

Adam O'Brien says last weekend's performance by the Newcastle Knights was an embarrassment and his worst day as head coach. The Knights lost 18-12 to the Bulldogs and lost hookers Andrew McCullough and Connor Watson to season-ending injuries.

What else made news this week?

Monday:

• Four people were plucked from the ocean off Port Stephens over the weekend in a night-time rescue. Marine Rescue received a call just after 7pm on Saturday about a capsized boat 10km out to sea at an old fish farm.
•  A sixth teenager was charged in connection to a fast food restaurant fire. The fire damaged outside play equipment and seats at the Cessnock eatery.

• A fire gutted a building in Parry Street in Newcastle West (pictured). More than 40 fire officers, using aerial appliances, took several hours to bring the blaze under control.
•  A lobby group for the Hunter's seafood industry says a new mental health program for Newcastle fishers comes at a time when many in the sector are on edge. Newcastle is one of three pilot sites for the program. 

•  Hunter New England Health has confirmed two new cases of coronavirus in Port Stephens. A woman in her 30s and another in her 60s are both linked to the Thai Rock cluster.
•  A boil water alert has been issued for Scone residents until further notice. Upper Hunter Shire Council says it applies to water for drinking and food preparation, and follows heavy rain in the area.  

• The University of Newcastle will undergo a major restructure to cope with revenue loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including reducing the number of faculties and offering early retirement.
• The number of drowning deaths linked to people from multicultural backgrounds has prompted a new Royal Lifesaving cultural campaign at a Lake Macquarie swimming pool. Instructors at Toronto Pool have become the first in the region to support refugees and migrants who are learning to swim.

What people liked on Facebook and on air this week

Special 'bucket' gets kids to school. A massive flow of water down the Hunter River couldn't stop one local woman and her grandson getting to school this week. See the amazing pics on our Facebook page.
Remember when you couldn't get hold of hand sanitiser? Now some Hunter companies are struggling to get rid of bulk quantities of the product (watch our Facebook video for more).
"Like a dam burst and water rushed into the house." That's how one resident described flash flooding at her house after torrential rain.
The Newcastle Knights will wear a special jersey in this week's Indigenous round of the NRL, designed by local Aboriginal artist, Tyler Smith.
Would you think twice about picking up rubbish on the sand at your local beach? Rough seas and heavy rain have washed a lot of litter onto the beach. ABC's Dan and Jenny spoke to local mum Rachel Best, who's picked up a lot of rubbish at Caves Beach. 
Exercise isn't something you might prioritise when you're faced with cancer. But how can it help before, during and after your treatment? The University of Newcastle's Professor Erica James spoke to Kia Handley.
Is it time to rethink Newcastle's shark net system? Shark nets have been used to keep beachgoers safe since the 1930s. But while they do keep sharks away from swimmers, they're also responsible for the deaths of other marine animals. Drive's Paul Turton spoke with senior writer at Coastalwatch Sean Doherty. 

Meet Central Coast journalist Emma Simkin

Emma works out of our Central Coast bureau and loves working on breaking stories, from the chaos of houses crumbling at Wamberal to the euphoria of Australia playing in the FIFA World Cup. Outside of work Emma loves to watch, play and coach sport. As a mum of four children there's no shortage of activities to follow. Emma's favourite food ... she loves some roast pork belly washed down with a glass of champagne.

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