Victorian government has announced a $16.8 million survival package to provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals to sustain employment, develop new works and provide opportunities for creative community participation.

Ten Australian composers are the recipients of the latest grants from APRA AMCOS and Australian Music Centre's Art Music Fund, taking the all-time funding total to more than $500,000 over five years. This year's $100,000 allocation will support a range of new projects as they come to life, including urban art installations, video and sound works and an a cappella collaboration. The 2020 Art Music Fund recipients are: Kristin Berardi, Leah Blankendaal, Olivia Davies, Aviva Endean, Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey, Thomas Meadowcroft, Maria Moles, Jodi Rose and Jon Rose.

Sydney-based composer Ian Whitney has won the 2020-2021 Layton Emerging Composer Fellowship, valued at $10,000 for one year. Whitney will write two chamber music works over a 12-month period as part of the Australia Ensemble NSW's outreach program, with a public workshop organised in 2021. He will also receive mentoring sessions with a Composition staff member from the UNSW School of the Arts & Media, members of the Australia Ensemble UNSW, and an external composition mentor.

The FBI reports that hate crimes in Connecticut and on Long Island went down last year.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says Connecticut ranks first in the country in insurance claims filed for metal theft.

Connecticut officials have announced a $50,000 reward for information to help solve the killing of an Air Force veteran. Governor Ned Lamont approved the maximum reward allowed by state law in the case of Dominic Marino. The 30-year-old veteran was found shot to death with his wrists and ankles bound with tape in his East Hartford home in 2018. Police say the suspect or suspects appeared to have forced their way into the home. Marino’s father said his son served in Guam, South Korea and Kuwait. The reward is for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers.

The leader of an MS-13 clique on Long Island pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy charges this week. The gang member was charged with ordering the murder of a 15-year old, which was then carried out. He was also charged with planning the murder of an alleged fellow MS-13 gang member for being disloyal to the group. The defendant admitted that he reported to gang leadership in El Salvador and the United States. He is expected to be sentenced to 24 years to life in prison in 2020.

A federal judge has delayed the sentencing of former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife for their corruption convictions.

A federal jury has found former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota guilty on all charges in the latest corruption trial that has brought down some of Long Island’s most powerful public officials. Spota’s ex-aide, Christopher McPartland, was also found guilty.

Police say a member of the school board in Connecticut's largest city posed as a police officer and attempted to kidnap a man at gunpoint.

A former Stony Brook University professor has pleaded guilty to stealing over $200,000 of government cancer research money to pay personal bills.

Connecticut State Police will work with the city of Bridgeport to “de-escalate and prevent retaliation” after a shooting outside a local courthouse Monday. Police have made several arrests in the case.

A Florida man has been arrested for the harassment of the family of a Sandy Hook shooting victim. Police allege Wolfgang Halbig emailed hundreds of people the Social Security number of Leonard Pozner, whose 6-year-old son Noah died in the 2012 shooting. Halbig is a contributor to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones Infowars website. Halbig claims the shooting was a hoax. Halbig was charged with unlawful possession of personal identification and held on $5,000 bond.

A Connecticut judge has dropped the murder and kidnapping case against the late Fotis Dulos. He died in January, two days after an apparent suicide attempt.

A panel of appeals court judges has ordered Suffolk County Police to release the 911 call that led authorities to discover 11 bodies near Gilgo Beach a decade ago.

All-round family fun in Bromsgrove.

Perilous state of city landmark recognised.

Public invited to attend event at threatened building.

Finance boost to threatened landmark.

Celebrations planned for local landmark.

Two Sandwell community swimming pools to close to help fund Commonwealth Games Aquatics Centre, reports Steve Beauchampe.

Tudor Grange date for visually impaired swimmers.

Top vet gains international honours as he seeks world title.

Young swimmers compete and learn at Tudor Grange.

Inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Duchess of Cornwall unveils stunning new Roald Dahl installation.

International sports legacy experts will convene at the University of Birmingham this week to discuss the rationale behind hosting global mega-events and their lasting impact.

Olympians Geraint Thomas and Steven Burke attended the Black Country University Technical College’s ‘Accelerate Live’ event last weekend, inspiring students to learn about science and engineering.

The University of Birmingham has signed a sports science based agreement with the Brazilian Government this month.

Olympic hockey star Sally Walton took a festive step forward to help Solihull School’s Parents Association achieve a new fundraising goal.

Swimming sensation Ellie Simmonds OBE was guest of honour when she went back to her old school in Aldridge to meet marathon readers.

Mittwoch Aus Licht by Stockhausen, a commission for the London 2012 Festival, produced by Birmingham Opera Company last August in a disused Digbeth factory has been shortlisted for the two top awards in the world of opera.

Solihull School has paved the way to sporting excellence for female pupils after expanding its Physical Education Department.

Steve Beauchampé takes issue with government and corporate hypocrisy, tazered with a dose of racist malignancy within the private sector.

Three workshops will be taking place in Stirchley Park over next month for local people interested in discussing the park's future.

Celebrating the life of a once vibrant lane, soon to be lost due to development.

The Midlands Racing Club are holding their Grand National Preview on Tuesday

A festival of art, commerce and love celebrating Stirchley, Birmingham

An alternative Valentine’s experience celebrating Stirchley

Police are also appealing for anyone who saw the attack in Stirchley to come forward.

Suspect hands himself in to police.

Terry Wills gives the Albion perspective on Monday night's clash.

Terry Wills on Albion's misfortunes.

M3 announces record year as it looks to push the West Midlands’ creative talent.

"Very special student" honoured at Birmingham City University.

Funding available to help local residents.

Dr Howard Elston reports on clear-cut advice from Bojo's circus of fun.

West Midlands Police football unit signs up for Great Birmingham Run.

Campaign to raise awareness of fraud among voters in the West Midlands launched.

Initiative follows upsurge in violent incidents.