MORNING BRIEFING: NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro is considering a switch to federal politics, after the resignation of Labor backbencher Mike Kelly triggers a by-election in the seat of Eden-Monaro.

A New South Wales Rural Fire Service shed that was destroyed last year, while firies battled to save homes in their community, is set to be rebuilt.

For Muriel Halsted, being part of the world of social media isn't something she's ever given much thought to.

As bushfire victims work to rebuild their lives after the devastating Australian summer, a group of quilters is stitching together beautiful handmade squares from around the world to offer a gift that is like a "nice warm hug".

NSW's total number of new COVID-19 cases increases by only two people, one day before some social-distancing restrictions in Australia's worst-affected virus state are eased.

Transport NSW says the Metro West line take 20 minutes to travel from Parramatta to Sydney CBD.

People are being urged to batten down the hatches as the cold weather hits, including sheep graziers who could lose animals to the potentially deadly chill.

As zoos are closed to visitors due to coronavirus, zookeepers trying to exercise animals by talking them for walks around the zoo.

Police find NRL player Nathan Cleary committed no offence after videos emerged of a group of women at his home, but the five women have been slugged with $1,000 fines.

The Government's stimulus packages have been set up to get people through the COVID-19 pandemic, but how will unemployed Australians fare as we come out the other side?

On March 31, the Premier enacted stricter social-distancing measures "for our own good" — here's how people in Australia's worst-affected coronavirus state survived, and thrived amid the lockdown.

Historians often argue about the nature and extent of Aboriginal resistance to European settlement but one person who is clearly linked to that resistance is Pemulwuy.

The number of coronavirus fatalities at the Newmarch House aged care home in Western Sydney continues to climb, as the NSW Premier asks the Federal Government to intervene in the "horrific" situation.

MORNING BRIEFING: People in NSW are warned they should still practice social-distancing as coronavirus restrictions are eased from today, while two men are shot in Merrylands in what is believed to be a targeted attack.

There's no fuss, no entourage and no star ego, writes producer Vanessa Gorman, on filming with Sam Neill.

Ms Berejiklian says there needs to be better communication between aged care facilities and relatives after a 13th person has died from coronavirus at the Newmarch House.

After a frustrating wait, the bushfire clean-up effort is set to ramp up in South East NSW with around 300 properties to be cleared each week.

A judge says the attack on Pakistani national Zeeshan Akbar, who was stabbed to death at a Caltex outlet in Queanbeyan in 2017 during a robbery, was an act of "unmitigated cowardice".

Gold Coasters are warned that eased restrictions on travel in Queensland may not apply in NSW, with stiff fines for non-essential travel south of the border a possibility.

The Illawarra union movement pays tribute to a Dapto man who has not missed a May Day march in 88 years.

Police search for woman missing from Mooball in northern New South Wales.

Gail Baker's dying wish has been granted, with her sister allowed a travel exemption to fly to Australia from New Zealand to care for her in her final days.

As temperatures plunge it is possible you are reviewing your home's heating and thinking 'could I be snugger?'"

The Eastern Creek man was arrested on alleged abuse charges of adults and children at a disability care home

Health authorities in NSW carried out more than 8,800 tests yesterday, and they're delighted that only five came back positive.

The number of positive coronavirus diagnoses have fallen dramatically since the end of March.

The New Zealand Warriors will fly into Tamworth tomorrow, in an exemption from current travel rules.

While no Australian state or territory has made the call to release inmates early because of the coronavirus, COVID-19 is being considered in bail applications, including in the case of Chantelle Baker.

The Australian Red Cross and Salvation Army have so far paid out fewer than half the donations they received to help Black Summer bushfire victims — with one charity claiming it's had to sift through more than 1,000 fraudulent claims.

Newmarch House records another death as cases there continue to climb, while more than 7,200 people were tested in NSW yesterday, the highest testing on a Saturday so far.

If you're thinking of sending flowers for Mother's Day next week, order early because some growers are predicting a sell-out of supply.

Elizabeth Lane says her mother, a Newmarch House resident, is a 'sitting duck' as the new COVID-19 cases continue to rise at the Western Sydney aged care home.

The native desert rice flower plant that appeared on New South Wales properties after widespread rainfall has caused death and serious illness in cattle

A 76-year-old woman died in Nepean hospital yesterday after contracting the virus.

The only unburnt area of bushland around the Conjola National Park, on the South Coast, is set to be cleared this week for a new housing development.

MORNING BRIEFING: The aged care facility in Sydney's west is stepping up measures to address an outbreak of coronavirus after a staff member worked six shifts with mild symptoms.

A Sydney school is shut after a student tests positive for COVID-19 but Gladys Berejiklian says all children could be back in classrooms full-time by the end of May.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance is expected to announce he will contest the federal seat of Eden-Monaro after NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro decided not to run.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has announced he will not run for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro

Coronavirus deaths decrease in New York but rise everywhere else in the country.

A major redevelopment in Sydney's north west is given the go-ahead days after the announcement of an expedited approvals program — prompting criticism that the process seemed "predetermined".

Three girls accused of attacking another teen near Wollongong face a maximum 25 years behind bars if found guilty of the shopping centre assault.

Sydney arts centre Carriageworks says the coronavirus pandemic has caused an "irreparable loss of income" after six months of events were cancelled or postponed.

Solar-powered vibrators, vegan condoms and organic lubricants: Sex therapists share tips for going green between the sheets.

A mental health initiative that became a national success story is forced to innovate in the coronavirus era with Zoom walks and online check-ins.

Sick of isolation? It might be time to explore the slow TV genre. From the comfort of your lounge room you can cruise down the Manning River as video producers live stream their tranquil journey.

Sam Davis and Spencer Austad getting ready to motor down the Manning River.

MORNING BRIEFING: An aged care operator at the centre of Australia's second biggest coronavirus cluster has requested a worker be stood down after alleged breaches of infection control.

Another resident dies from coronavirus at Newmarch House in Western Sydney, bringing the aged care facility's death toll to 16.

A rampant outbreak of COVID-19 is sweeping the western Sydney aged care facility, and has so far killed 15 of it's residents.