Glen Innes Aboriginal community helps close gap in cancer research
Cancer treatment guided by DNA is less precise for Aboriginal people, because their genetic data is missing. Glen Innes is helping change that, but there’s only until Friday to take part.
Armidale joins coast councils to put high country on the road trip map
From the beaches to Armidale’s high country, five councils have joined forces to keep visitors in the region for longer. Here’s how The Ways plans to do it.
Lane closures on Goonoo Goonoo Road
Heading through South Tamworth this week? Goonoo Goonoo Road will have lane closures and a 40 km/h limit while crews clean out large drains near Barnes Gully.
Uralla’s Bolt Inn adds Best Steak in a Pub NSW to awards haul
Uralla’s Bolt Inn has had a big week in Sydney, winning two national awards and then sharing the title of Best Steak in a Pub NSW.
Local News
A rare chance to live in one of Armidale’s most iconic buildings
A hilltop landmark with 1.3 hectares of gardens, a tennis court and an internal lift has come on the market in Armidale.
SBM26: Better health, getting the job done and traditional know-how
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three New England businesses making a practical difference in their communities: an Inverell physiotherapy practice bringing personalised healthcare closer to home, an Armidale excavation business tackling the smaller…
Flowers laid as man charged with murder of Armidale woman
Flowers now sit at the edge of the police tape on Rockvale Road, where a 48-year-old woman was stabbed to death overnight in apparent domestic violence incident.
Billboard at Tamworth’s entrance targets Baiada’s new plant as Joyce joins debate
A billboard aimed at Baiada’s new chicken processing plant has gone up at the entrance to Tamworth, and Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce has weighed in online.
What's On
LONG READ >
The cost of civility: how do we learn to disagree again?
WEEKEND LONG READ: Regular abuse online. Targeted campaigns of lies. Threats of violence, rape and even death. As Australia asks how it treats its politicians after the alleged attack on Helen Haines, local female politicians say they have been living the challenge, and agree we need to hold social media accountable – and find a way to disagree with civility.
Events
From Fire and Ash – The Ceramic ExhibitionEnds: October 30, 2026
Holy Trinity Anglican Church Fete, Floral & Craft DisplayEnds: October 31, 2026
Spooky Halloween SkateEnds: October 31, 2026
Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 1, 2026
Twilight Tales at Calala Cottage Museum – Garden Picnic and Museum ToursEnds: November 7, 2026- Sapphire City MarketsEnds: November 15, 2026
Politics
Chaffey urges kindness after Haines attack
Parkes MP Jamie Chaffey says words can hurt and words can heal, as parliament pays tribute to Dr Helen Haines. His message to Australians after the attack: “Let’s continue with kindness.”
Gun buyback starts before rules are set
The NSW gun buyback starts next week, but the rules on who can keep extra firearms aren’t final. In Armidale, Tamworth, Moree and Inverell, you can’t hand anything in until January.
Minister threatens to suspend Moree council, dodges safety questions
The Minister for Local Government is asking Moree Plains Shire Council why he shouldn’t put them into administration, but has not answered questions about why he failed to act to keep councillors and staff safe.
Fears for regional prostate cancer care
Regional men with prostate cancer could lose specialist nursing support when federal funding ends in June 2027. Jamie Chaffey wants a guarantee no community is left worse off.
Plastic phase-outs passed in NSW
Bread tags, balloon sticks and lollipop sticks are on the way out in NSW. Coffee cups are not banned, but cafes will have to offer mugs and accept keep cups from 2028.
Vegetable supplier admits price fixing
Australia’s second-largest fresh vegetable supplier has admitted fixing prices on broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce sold to ALDI. A $12 million penalty is proposed, but a judge has the final say.
Murrami rice farmer is new NFF vice president
A Murrami rice, sheep, and walnut farmer with an environmental law degree is the National Farmers’ Federation’s new vice president, as four new committee chairs are also named.
Coalition water taskforce targets Basin buybacks
Water buybacks are in the Coalition’s sights. A new taskforce will tour the Basin to hear from irrigators and push for dams and a ban on more buybacks.
Energy and Environment
Copeton Dam turns 50: the water behind Inverell’s economy
Copeton Dam marked 50 years since its official opening yesterday, Friday, 23 October, and Inverell Mayor Kate Dight says many people do not realise how much the community relies on it.
Why can’t we get this done? Oven Mountain latest renewable project to falter
The latest announcement of a renewable project to fail is the one that no one expected. Questions are being asked about whether the NSW Government is to blame, or if there is a bigger problem about how we do large infrastructure in this country.
Free field day to explore Racecourse Lagoon
Spend a day at Racecourse Lagoon learning to spot wetland plants, birds, and bugs. The free field day on Tuesday, 17 November includes morning tea and lunch.
BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT >
Primary Health Network continues to support and invest in the Glen Innes community
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to Glen Innes through continued investment in local healthcare services, community programs and innovative models of…
Have your say on the future name of Killean
New owners of McLean Care want your help in naming the main home, and have put up $5000 to make it worth your while to have your say. Vote now!
BUSINESS
Armidale regulator accused of $6.1m fee blunder
A $6.1 million error and $6.2 million in unexplained costs. CropLife says the Armidale-based APVMA’s fee overhaul is riddled with mistakes and wants the numbers redone before it reaches the Minister.
INDIGENOUS
First Nations culture to take centre stage at Black Gully Festival
Armidale Community Radio 2ARM will honour its long-time musical patron, Uncle Cyril Green Senior, and bring First Nations culture to the 15th Black Gully Festival on Saturday, 7 November.
SPORT
Gunnedah brothers claim bull riding glory in Tamworth
Two Gunnedah brothers, a Barraba rider, and a Walcha cowboy all got their moment in Tamworth. Then the Open final came down to just 0.10 of a point.
On engage now
Engage is our hub for opinion, letters, comments and ideas.
- Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election
RK Crosby writes that the threat to put Moree Plains Shire Council into administration provides a how-to-guide for the destruction of local government, and if Minns doesn't deal with Hoenig, it may cost him the election. The post Begin Rant: Hoenig is going to lose Minns the election appeared first on New England Times Engage.
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Good News
SBM26: Rustic style, craft beer and finance made simpler
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three businesses bringing their own kind of personal touch to the region: a Deepwater family business specialising in distinctive cowhide and leather goods, a Coffs Harbour brewery pairing craft beer with European-inspired food and a welcoming community atmosphere, and a finance consultant helping New England clients navigate borrowing…
SBM26: Garden romance, regional connections and community spirit
Today for Small Business Month, we’re celebrating three places bringing people together in different ways: a Tenterfield garden escape offering boutique stays and romantic celebrations, a regional transport service connecting communities across the North Coast and New England, and a Mullumbimby showground that brings locals and visitors together for markets, events and outdoor adventures.
