Sales for ticketed sessions at Newcastle Writers Festival were up 40 per cent compared to 2015.
Local News
Man wanted after armed robberies
Police are looking for a man they allege was involved in two armed robberies within an hour.
Call for bat policy rethink
Corridor shut for interchange work
TRAINSPOTTING: 200 people at work on the Hamilton to Wickham stretch over the weekend.
IPART ruling on flats ‘unfair’
Man allegedly threatens staff with syringe while shoplifting
Police allege a Karuah man used the weapon to threaten staff at a Medowie supermarket.
NewRun Festival of Running 2016 | photos
Herald photographer Max Mason-Hubers' view of the Hill to Harbour.
Jennifer Hawkins celebrates world class tequila
Boogaard sees red as Jets go down to Roar
Gunshot wounds to both legs at Corlette
UPDATED: A man shot in both legs near Nelson Bay on Saturday night is not assisting police investigating ...
Latest News
Hunters’ hot form the ideal derby warm-up
Sporting Declaration: Five years, few cheers
Sharrock stands firm to keep Souths in control
Hunter pair earn shot at Wentworth Park decider
Hunter dogs Explosive Range and Sandave Sapphire have earned starts in the group 3 Gold Cup final.
TV Guide
Coal faces the future
NIB digs fetch $46m as ‘Newie story’ sells
NIB to remain in its Honeysuckle Drive building under a 15-year leaseback deal.
diary
Mall stall’s new beans
New owners Georgia Fisher and Jason Yeeles plan on serving take-away coffee.
Batten to head charity at the Perm
Big plan must address housing
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Your weekend planner
Events, markets, music, movies and more
Regional Focus
Doctors urge radical reduction in blood-alcohol limits, increasing drinking age
Royal Australasian College of Physicians recommends a dramatic crackdown on alcohol to a Senate inquiry.
Wagga Wagga City Council animal shelter under fire, cats allegedly left in a freezer to die
Cats have allegedly been dumped in freezers and left to die and dozens of other animals have disappeared ...
Hay and happiness handed out
Telstra's free data day to make up for network failures - with delays
The telco giant's attempt to appease its customers is weighing on its network.
National
Lingering questions over freedom for detention centre children
The federal government has celebrated the release of the last children from Australia's mainland immigration detention centres, despite ...
Decision on coal mine 'defies reason'
The decision on Sunday to approve mining leases for Queensland's Carmichael coal mine is akin to "evil", according to one ...
NSW considers strengthening laws after embryo donors allegedly deceived
The NSW government will consider strengthening assisted reproduction laws after a Sydney woman allegedly misled a fertility clinic ...
Clover Moore wants exemptions for live-music venues, top bars from lockout laws
City of Sydney wants live-music venues and well-managed bars and pubs to be excused from the controversial lockout ...
The Dame, the filmmaker, the property developer and PNG's most sought-after piece of land
The proposed venue for the 2018 APEC leader's summit - a bulldozed former shanty town in Port Moresby ...
Priest alleged to have not reported abuser was on board of church's insurance company
The Catholic Church's insurance company, which is keeping secret an archive of clergy child abuse records, had a ...
Top Stories
Opinion
Sleater-Kinney tour fans the fire
Raising the bar to new heights
Great dishes and matching beverages make for memorable experience
Joanne McCarthy: Just blame it on Tay
Telephones have never been Joanne McCarthy's strong point. No wonder glitches don't bother her.
Examinations of life at the writers festival
EDITORIAL: "Newcastle Writers Festival!" Read all about it!
Short Takes
Taxation reform must be fair for everyone
Entertainment
Lee Lin Chin, Waleed Aly among Gold Logie nominees
She is a social media star with a cutting Twitter feed and a Facebook page devoted to her ...
Gregory Peck's brand of strength and goodness was special
The acting great who reflected ''the best of us''.
Batman v Superman set for spectacular crash in second weekend
It set a record on its US opening weekend, but the bad reviews may be about to catch ...
When couples have movie-inspired weddings
Some couples take inspiration from films for their big day.
Life & Style
Parenting
Rebooted and ready to bolt
With his rugged Ned Kelly appearance, a golden voice and songs that make you dance and cry, William ...
Big bank 'dividend trade' far from over, analysts say
Increasing bad debt provisions, dividends under threat and falling share prices are giving long-term big-bank shareholders pause to ...
Obesity. It's time to tax soft drinks
One of the worst myths ever promoted by an industry association is that all we need is self-control.
Shares Race: consistency pays for loyal stock picker
New month, new shares race. This week's leader is putting to the test the benefits of sticking to ...
Your weekend planner
Events, markets, music, movies and more
Travel
Is travel the source of lifelong friendship?
I envisage days lazing by the beach and nights partying with my new pal. But things turn ugly.
Steel city appeal: Are Newcastle and the Hunter Valley cooler than Canberra?
The former home of Australia's boganaire has transformed.
The Great Australian holiday: The experts' guide
We're turning away from big overseas trips for the delights in our own backyards. Ute Junker looks at ...
French language holiday: Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa
New Caledonia is practically on our doorstep and can be both family friendly and a cultural experience.