Gun debate gagged, motion to disallow buyback fails
A motion to scrap the state’s gun buyback failed after debate was gagged, with the mover accusing government MPs of not understanding firearms and warning the laws will push voters to far-right parties.
Armidale funeral director takes on NSW/ACT leadership role
Armidale funeral director Sam Piddington will help shape the future of the industry across NSW and the ACT after being appointed to a key leadership role with Funerals Australia.
Inverell’s Tahnee Capon turns hardship into hope through education
A Kamilaroi woman who spent a year couch surfing before living in a converted bus has been named a 2026 Adult Learners Week Ambassador, crediting study with turning her life around from homelessness to a career helping others in Inverell.
New group offers support for twin parents in the New England
A new support group has opened in the New England region for local parents of twins to connect through Facebook.
Local News
New England artists take centre stage at Sculptures in the Garden
Three New England artists are set to feature at this year’s Sculptures in the Garden, the popular outdoor exhibition returning to Mudgee for its 16th year.
Jackโs Creek named worldโs best Wagyu for third straight year
Australian beef producer Jackโs Creek has been crowned the worldโs best Wagyu producer for a third consecutive year at the 2026 World Steak Challenge in Amsterdam.
TAFE NSW graduates return to inspire Armidale students
TAFE NSW Armidale graduates have returned to the classroom to inspire English language students with stories of education, resilience and career success.
Man charged and ammunition seized after pursuit near Moree
A 22-year-old man has been charged and ammunition seized following a police pursuit north-west of Moree.
What's On
LONG READ >
A Hillgrove miracle: is this the happiest workplace in the region?
WEEKEND LONG READ: At the re-opened Hillgrove Mine, staff say the culture, not the antimony, is the real story. How did they avoid the Armidale curse?
Events
Stained Glass WorkshopEnds: September 19, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: September 20, 2026
Tamworth Weiner Dog Festival 2026Ends: September 20, 2026
Stained Glass WorkshopEnds: September 20, 2026
Stained Glass Art WorkshopEnds: September 20, 2026
Tenterfield Womens TalkEnds: September 21, 2026
Politics
Screen time caps coming to NSW schools
NSW public schools will cap daily screen time from next year, after new research found teenagers spending up to seven hours a day on devices and literacy results going backwards.
Youth takes the helm at Liverpool Plains
At 38, Charlie Simkin is Liverpool Plains Shire Council’s new mayor. He’s flagged waste, housing and infrastructure as priorities for the next two years, working alongside new Deputy Mayor Jason Allan.
Cotton industry calls for visa clarity
Cotton growers are being warned visa uncertainty could hit the seasonal workforce needed for picking and ginning, as industry leaders demand answers from Canberra.
Free qualifications on offer for tradies
Up to 6,000 experienced tradies could get a free, faster pathway to formal qualifications, as a new national training program launches first in NSW.
Saffin defends regional ministers after confirming administrative error
Janelle Saffin says the numbers back up what she told budget estimates all along, it was never misuse, just a mix-up over which budget line her Sydney travel came from.
Boggabilla agricultural leader Rebecca Fing named 2027 Nuffield Scholar
Boggabillaโs Rebecca Fing will take her farm safety research overseas after being named a 2027 Nuffield Scholar.
New England households to benefit from energy support funding
New England households will get help cutting energy bills, with Southern New England Landcare sharing $4.7 million in state funding.
Energy and Environment
Glen Innes Severn calls for fair REZ funding model
Glen Innes Severn Council is pushing for a fairer funding model to share New England Renewable Energy Zone benefits across communities.
Guyra water treatment upgrades bolster blue-green algae preparations
Guyraโs drinking water supply is better prepared for blue-green algae season following major upgrades to the townโs water treatment plant.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
From open homes to open hearts: Professionals Armidale’s community BBQ making a difference
A real estate agency might not be the first place you’d expect to find a community fundraising program, but Professionals Armidale is quietly becoming as well known for its local giving asโฆ
Is your IT structured? Or just functioning?
Many regional businesses only review their IT support when problems escalate. But more businesses are reassessing how their technology systems are managed, and the story of what happened to Acacia Medical tellsโฆ
BUSINESS
The coolest job in Uralla making everyone’s GPS work better
Did you know Uralla has a space facility, working on a new program making GPS ten times more accurate across Australia and New Zealand? Lockheed Martin is hiring someone to run it, and admits it’s a bit of a unicorn job.
INDIGENOUS
NSW strategy aims to grow Aboriginal businesses and regional opportunities
A new five-year NSW strategy aims to help Aboriginal businesses overcome barriers, access funding and create opportunities across regional communities.
SPORT
Stunning day at Varley Oval for cracker AFL grand finals
Inverell turned the tables on the Tamworth Swans to claim the Regional Australia Bank Cup, while Gunnedah overcame a determined home side in the womenโs decider during the AFL North West grand finals at Varley Oval on Saturday.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Opinion: Breaking through the infloglut: the vicious cycle between information overload and anger
COVID, global warming, conspiracy theorists, natural disasters, financial collapses โ and a sham social media ban. Itโs no wonder young Australians are glum, writes Professor Axel Bruns The post Opinion: Breaking through the infloglut: the vicious cycle between information overload and anger appeared first on New England Times Engage.
> Submit your own opinion, letter or comment to New England Times Engage
Good News
Tamworth ambulance staff honoured for courage and outstanding service
NSW Ambulance staff have been honoured in Tamworth for courage, clinical excellence and dedication while responding to emergencies across the region.
UNE meat scientist receives prestigious beef industry award
UNE meat scientist Professor Peter McGilchrist has received a prestigious beef industry award recognising his decades of research, mentorship and service.
