A new species of bacteria is found to be behind mystery lung infections in pigs, resulting in economic and animal health benefit.

Wide Bay macadamia grower Kate Rose is crediting 'Korean natural farming', which she says improves the microbiology in the soil using indigenous microorganisms, for a large increase in crop yield.

Welfare recipients in three states will remain on the controversial cashless debit card for another six months after the Federal Government extended the trial.

Genre jumping jive with a deep acoustic/roots heart

ABC North Coast resident arts reviewer, Jeanti St Clair looks at the latest music and theatre to hit the region.

I may be still flushed with enthusiasm after seeing Neil Diamond at Perth Oval last night but I saw what, in the cold light of day, still feels like the best concert I've ever been to.

It is almost impossible to sit still when listening to The Jungle Giants.

Sam Neill says he's in the "cheering-up" business. Acting is his profession, winemaking is his passion and now in times of COVID-19, the 72-year-old is delighting the masses on social media.

NSW has recorded two new coronavirus infections with 4,400 tests conducted. It is the lowest number of new cases recorded in the state since March 8.

Melbourne Storm winger Josh Addo-Carr and the South Sydney Rabbitoh's fullback Latrell Mitchell post an apology on their social media accounts after footage emerged of the NRL players on a camping holiday with around 10 other men. The trip prompted a NSW Police investigation.

Forty experts from the Asia-Pacific will train animal workers to spot virus outbreaks before they even begin, in a new government-funded scheme to reduce the risk of another virus crisis.

There have been five new cases from over 4,112 people tested in the last 24 hours in NSW.

Victoria has recorded two new coronavirus cases overnight as of April 28, 2020, as Premier Daniel Andrews says the state is aiming to conduct 100,000 tests over the next two weeks.

Tributes flow from across the political divide after Ian Causley, one of the NSW North Coast's longest serving members of Parliament, dies aged 79.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant and Transport Minister Andrew Constance provide an update on the coronavirus outbreak on April 29, 2020. NSW Health has confirmed 11 new cases after 5,400 tests were done overnight.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

A NSW Health official breaks down in tears while apologising for the government department's failures in dealing with the Ruby Princess coronavirus outbreak, an inquiry hears.

MORNING BRIEFING: The multi-arts venue hosts Vivid, Sydney Writers' Festival and Fashion Week, but a new proposal would see the Sydney Opera House take control.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Dr Kerry Chant provided an updated on coronavirus for May 6. NSW has confirmed nine new cases of COVID-19 overnight.

A court hears the NSW Rural Fire Service may ask the state's Attorney-General to relax restrictions so it can distribute the $51.3 million raised by comedian Celeste Barber to help victims of the Black Summer bushfires.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is grilled over the behaviour of ministers Andrew Constance and John Barilaro at an awkward press conference on May 7, 2020. Mr Constance and Mr Barilaro had been engaged in a public spat amid pre-selection for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro, in which there will be a by-election.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 overnight with 9,400 tests conducted for May 8.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard urges people to continue to observe social distancing measures on Mother's Day.

Two Perth Festival light artists take us far beyond the incandescent glow of digitised art, says 720 cultural correspondent Victoria Laurie.

This big screen treatment of the life of the late princess manages to be both melodramatic and dull, and adds nothing to Diana's legacy or legend.

The horses were without a doubt the star of the show at Cavalia. The elegance of the horse is consistently displayed throughout the show, and despite some improvisation, the horses were every inch the perfect performers.

Lismore's big chill last weekend did not stop Jeanti St Clair from catching NORPA's Food and Lloyd Cole, a most unassuming eighties pop star on a freezing Saturday night.Food is good for the soul

Those who find opera difficult to get their head around may be pleasantly surprised by WA Opera's latest offering.

'The Importance of Being Earnest' rightfully sits in the list of classic plays, and a near full-house at Wollongong's Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on opening night of this touring production shows it's still one of our most loved.

Relaxed and resplendent in mid-pregnancy as my friend described her - and she was.

TaikOz

Australian consumers are slowly opening up to the idea of eating a different kind of poultry the black-skinned chicken.

The water watchdog says it is investigating claims that irrigators in the Namoi Valley pumped water out of the river system during a recent embargo.

Australia's first liquid natural gas import terminal will be built at Port Kembla, south of Sydney, with hopes it will secure thousands of jobs and meet the bulk of the state's gas needs.

Swimming in icy water is not something everyone aspires to do but it should be, according to an outdoor swimming enthusiast.

Near a small town in northern New South Wales horse blood is being harvested to aid researchers and diagnostics.

A Tamworth teacher has developed the first Australian curriculum exploring regenerative agriculture.

Smoking rates have dropped massively since the 70s down from 40 per cent to only 14 per cent but some areas of the country are not getting the message.

Margaret Fulton, who inspired generations of Australians to think beyond bangers and mash, leaves a legacy of culinary flair.

A lack of detox beds in large regional centres is preventing people from getting rehab, a special commission of inquiry into ice hears.

Australia's largest agricultural field day may not exactly be a spending spree this year, but it does provide farmers with a reprieve from drought.

A decision to prioritise a controversial coal project over the protection of Indigenous sacred sites has landed the Federal Environment Minister at the centre of a fierce legal battle.

The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses has collated data from official stewards' documents and found 122 horses died in the past year.