Western Australian farmers have welcomed the State Government's announcement to relax the controversial laws on land clearing.

Consumer Protection is urging people to look beyond the price tag when shopping online this Christmas.

A former West Australian Football League player, charged with assaulting another player during a country match, has had the charge against him dropped in a Narrogin court.

Western Australia's peak farm lobby group says having the Minister of Agriculture and Food take up a second portfolio may mean agricultural issues actually get more attention.

Did you know that the native Christmas Tree that is in prolific flower in Western Australia this month can produce a mildly alcoholic Christmas potion?

The plan to set out bait for large sharks near popular WA beaches has been criticised over concerns it could attract them into swimming areas, but others back the move.

The state Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has labelled as "out of control" fee increases for TAFE courses from next year. The Government flagged the increases months ago but the new fees were only published yesterday. Mr McGowan says the cost of a Diploma of Nursing will rise 390 per cent next year. He says the increases will result in fewer people enrolling and lead to skills shortages.

The Royal Life Saving Society says WA's latest drowning figures, which reveal a 50 per cent increase on the previous year, should serve as a warning ahead of the festive season. A new report shows 31 people drowned in the state in 2012. Children under the age of four were the highest risk group for drowning and near drowning. Older people over the age of 55 were also at risk.

The charity food provider, Foodbank, says there has been a big increase in middle class people seeking help in regional WA this holiday period.

The latest survey of the cost of living in regional WA has shown a significant drop in living costs in the state's north. The State Government assesses the cost of 500 goods and services in 27 regional centres as part of the Regional Price Index every second year.

Travel back through time with us and take a look at 2013 in the South Coast and Great Southern.

A bobcat was used to ram an ATM at an Albany shopping centre.

Nationals MP Wendy Duncan says the State Government is paying the price for the shortage of doctors in regional Western Australia. She says the Commonwealth should fund efforts to attract doctors to regional areas.

Authorities are warning the Great Southern and lower Wheatbelt need to be on alert over the next few days, with sweltering conditions expected to create a serious fire danger.

The Denmark Shire is proposing a plan to replace the leases at a popular holiday spot with more traditional ownership rights.

New modelling shows a proposal to create a national body for research and innovation in the forestry sector would create hundreds of jobs in Western Australia's south.

WA's District Court has confirmed Collingwood defender Marley Williams will face trial next month, accused of causing grievous bodily harm.

The Maritime Union says it has made concessions and lowered a pay claim to try to forge a new wages deal for support staff in the offshore oil and gas industry. The union is now seeking pay rises of 22 per cent over four years from marine contractor, Tidewater, down from its original claim of 24 per cent over the life of the agreement.

Leaseholders in the Western Australian south coast holiday community of Peaceful Bay have expressed concerns over a proposal to transfer their property leases to more conventional ownership titles.

Wheatbelt nickel miner Western Areas says it is pleased with its quarterly results, despite seeing small drops in production and sales and higher costs.

The Local Government Advisory Board says its decision to terminate the proposed merger of four Western Australian Wheatbelt shires was driven in part by financial concerns, a lack of common goals and the community's reaction.

An elderly woman has been indecently assaulted while walking her dogs at an Albany school.

Farmers are gathering in Merredin this weekend to give thanks for what they believe was 'divine intervention' in the last cropping season.

The State Government says it's sent a serious threat to the owners of one of Albany's prime vacant lots, by signing off on a plan that would allow it to reclaim the site. But the Opposition maintains it's a hollow threat.

The passionfruit vine is a typical grievance for those with a green thumb, a temperamental plant that just won't do what it's told.

New draft regulations which pave the way for the start of commercial shale gas fracking have been released in Western Australia.

Aboriginal teaching assistants whose jobs have been axed, have appealed directly to the Education Minister for their jobs to be reinstated.

Authorities say fire brigades have had to deal with a busier than usual fire season around Albany.

A reward of $50,000 is re-offered after firefighters battle more than 700 suspicious fires this season.

Lawyers representing a West Australian farmer who is suing his neighbour over genetically modified canola which allegedly contaminated his property, say the court case will hinge on the principle of negligence. The landmark case has been taken by Kojonup organic farmer Steve Marsh. They say the neighbour Michael Baxter had a duty to contain his own crop of GM canola.

The Member for O'Connor says he will be urging the Federal Government to remember struggling parts of Western Australia's grain belt in talks over drought assistance.

Police have seized a Taser, disguised as a torch, and drugs during a raid of an Albany house.

A man has been charged with possessing methylamphetamine and MDMA with intent to sell or supply, after a police search in Albany last night.