Watch: 'Gangster' takes servo workers hostage at Motto Farm

Kathleen Folbigg was released from prison in June after being pardoned over the deaths of her four children. A final report after an inquiry into her convictions was released on Wednesday.

Vision a defence lawyer fought to keep secret is released, showing two service station attendants being taken hostage near Newcastle, and one faking pregnancy in order to be freed.

Police have taken a 24-year-old man into custody over the death of Zachery Davies-Scott in a Hunter Valley, NSW, home in 2022, after charging another man with murder.

The editor of a prominent scientific journal has described online claims about a study linking whale deaths to offshore wind farms as a "classic example" of misinformation as concerns grow about fake news distorting the debate.

Almost 150 years ago, three miners headed into a swamp for an evening of wild duck hunting. They discovered a terrifying creature with a roar "like that of a lion" in the darkness.

Experts say the "confronting" sights that greeted NSW beachgoers was likely caused by bad weather, though other factors could also have been at play.

There are calls for better education about Aboriginal cultural heritage sites after rock carvings dating back thousand of years were vandalised at separate sacred sites in NSW.

Coleen and Rick Kehoe met while mountain bike riding 20 years ago.

"Chosen family" is the overarching theme of the acclaimed musical Rent, set to make its way around Australia next year. Stars Thndo and Nick Afoa shed light on how they will bring this iconic story to life.

A shipwrecked crew, left for dead in Australia’s southernmost waters — only some of them lived to tell the tale. The Expanse podcast features regional storytelling at its finest, and returns for a new season with the story of the Blythe Star’s ill-fated voyage in the Southern Ocean.

Working like a dog: Four labradors graduated guide dog training and received their official harnesses at a ceremony in Swansea last week. The pups — Saskia, Questa, Treacle, and Unix – have completed five months of complex training to ensure they are fit to guide their handlers through life. Soon they'll be paired with blind or vision-impaired people across the Hunter. Watch these cute dogs on our Facebook page.

Photo supplied: Guide Dogs Australia

More people on the move to regional areas: The Regional Australia Institute says the growing number of people relocating from metropolitan areas to the Hunter continues to worsen the region's housing crisis. The latest Regional Movers Index report shows regional New South Wales has claimed the title for the most desirable location to move to, overtaking regional Queensland. Cessnock and Lake Macquarie were listed as "increasingly popular" local government areas for city movers. Chief economist Dr Kim Houghton says he expects high rental prices and low housing availability to remain for some time.

Calls for more DV community education: More domestic violence community education roles need to be funded, according to Upper Hunter Homeless Support. It's calling for the New South Wales government to permanently fund a community education engagement worker. The Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Jodie Harrison told budget estimates last week it won't happen under its National Partnership Agreement, which supports domestic violence initiatives. Upper Hunter Homeless Support general manager Mary Spora says that's disappointing, as there's a clear need for an ongoing position.

Calls for help after rain: The State Emergency Service says the Hunter and Central Coast were among the worst affected regions during heavy rain and storms on the weekend. SES volunteers were called to 400 jobs across New South Wales in the 24 hours to 5pm on Sunday, with parts of Newcastle receiving more than 100 millimetres of rain. There were 50 call-outs between Gosford and Wyong, 30 in Newcastle and 25 in Swansea. Most jobs related to roof damage, leaking roofs and fallen trees.

Another hay run coming for farmers: Aussie Hay Runners says its struggling to get hay to all farmers in need across the Upper Hunter. The group will soon return to the region for the second time in a month because of high demand, bringing almost 40 trucks of hay to farmers struggling with the drought. Applications for hay are now open.

Sand and surf returns: A Stockton Surf Life Saving Club spokesperson says the shape of the local beach has begun to change for the better because of sand replenishment. The dredging of 100,000 cubic metres of sand from the Newcastle Harbour to top up Stockton Beach has been underway for three weeks. Life saving club chief training officer Willow Forsyth, who's also a member of the Stockton Community Liaison Group, says surfers and bodyboarders have been enjoying waves for the first time in years.

Geriatrician's award nomination: Newcastle geriatrician and Hunter Ageing Alliance co-founder John Ward has been nominated for the New South Wales 2024 Senior Australian of the Year. It's for his lifetime of work providing medical care for disadvantaged and ageing Australians. The 79-year-old Georgetown resident says the goal of the Hunter Ageing Alliance is convert Newcastle and Lake Macquarie into age-friendly cities and communities as part of the United Nations network of age friendly cities.

New coaching role for Ron Griffiths: Two-time NRLW premiership-winning coach Ron Griffiths is taking on the role as coach of the Newcastle Knights men's NSW Cup side. The club says Griffiths has done an outstanding job as NRLW coach and the club feels the NSW Cup is the next phase in his coaching career. Griffiths says it has been a tough decision but it means he can coach full time.

Jets share points: The Newcastle Jets men's and women's A-League teams secured draws in the club's double-header at Hunter Stadium at the weekend. The men came out charging and had gained a 2-0 lead by the end of the first half, but Western Sydney Wanders fought its way back after the break, equalising by the 81st minute. For the women, Jets captain Cass Davis levelled the scores in the 92nd minute for a 1-1 draw.