Muswellbrook news, sport and weather | Hunter Valley News | Muswellbrook, NSW

National Cabinet will meet on Friday, with the next phase of the country's response to the pandemic to be the major topic for discussion. Picture: Getty Images

New approaches to virus risks to be discussed by state, territory leaders

1hr ago

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith (top) and Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young.

DIGESTQueensland fears COVID superspreader on the loose

Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. Photo: Sitthixay Ditthavong

DIGESTPowerful words on a day of very many words

The logistics of distributing the COVID vaccine in Australia must run smoothly. Picture: Shutterstock

OPINIONLogistics of COVID-19 vaccine rollout must be perfect

"I would have thought the biggest threat to WA is not tomatoes, it's meth and heroin," said WA Premier Mark McGowan. Photo: file

DIGESTWhat's the difference between tomatoes and meth anyway?

Janine Graham

Marie Janczura of the Therapeutic Goods Administration works on the COVID vaccine to ensure a safe roll out. Picture: Karleen Minney

EXPLAINERIs one vaccine better than the others?

Steve Evans

Imagine more than 7000 mutations of coronavirus. Yes, it's a real thing. There are more COVID mountains to climb yet. Photo: file

DIGESTThe vaccines roll out, new mutations climb

Janine Graham

The first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines arrives in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Strict vaccine advertising rules don't stop doctors from having patient conversations: TGA

Sally Whyte

Alastair Clarkson wants the AFL to expand to Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

OPINIONClarkson AFL expansion proposal is off the mark

Howard Kotton

She's currently ranked second, but Naomi Osaka is the best women's player in the world right now. Photo: TPN/Getty Images

OPINIONWhy Naomi Osaka's on top of world

Howard Kotton

Nathan Buckley is entering the final year of his contract with Colllingwood. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

OPINIONHeat looks set to rise on Buckley

Howard Kotton

Alastair Clarkson wants the AFL to expand to Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

OPINIONClarkson AFL expansion proposal is off the mark

Tiger men's coach Brad McManus (left) and assistant coach Richard Ingram discuss tactics as they prepare for a trial with Newcastle at Dudley on Saturday. Photo by Geoff Newling.

Country Championship continues

The honest truth is that tennis great Serena Williams is nowhere near the threat that she once was. Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

OPINIONSerena's grand slam dream is over

Howard Kotton

Launceston property developer Errorl Stewart wants a solution to the Tamar's mud problem. Picture: Phillip Biggs

LISTENWhy this Australian city is stuck in the mud

Launceston property developer Errorl Stewart wants a solution to the Tamar's mud problem. Picture: Phillip Biggs

LISTENWhy this Australian city is stuck in the mud

ANU student Jozef Meyer points out a dieback affected snow gum in Koscziosko National Park. Picture: Kate Matthews

LISTENWhat's killing our Snow Gums?

ANU student Jozef Meyer points out a dieback affected snow gum in Koscziosko National Park. Picture: Kate Matthews

LISTENWhat's killing our Snow Gums?

Dr Alex Ritchie and his daughter, Shona, at his home in Canberra. PHOTO: Tom Melville

LISTENUncovering Canowindra's forgotten fossils

Dr Alex Ritchie and his daughter, Shona, at his home in Canberra. PHOTO: Tom Melville

LISTENUncovering Canowindra's forgotten fossils

Brewpubs offer creative menus to match the beers, creating a destination for locals and tourists. Pictures: Michael Turtle

Crafty brewers blazing hoppy trails across the country

Michael Turtle

Enjoy a private food and wine tasting experience at Heifer Staton Wines, Orange.

The NSW region that really shines in autumn

Louise Goldsbury

Millions of crabs emerge from the Christmas Island forest and head for the sea.

Cupid hits Christmas Island for annual journey to the sea

Explore Travel

Floriade could still be held at Commonwealth Park this year. Picture: Karleen Minney

Floriade still on the cards for later in the year

Andrew Brown

What's on in the Hunter

What's on in the Hunter

KITTED OUT: The First Team is a fictional look at modern life for young professional footballers.

Inbetweeners creators strike with mixed results

Josh Leeson

Floriade could still be held at Commonwealth Park this year. Picture: Karleen Minney

Floriade still on the cards for later in the year

Joel Arthur and Lloyd Hurrell of the National Gallery hang Vincent Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers in the lead-up to the opening of Botticelli to Van Gogh, the gallery's next blockbuster. Picture: Keegan Carroll

WHAT'S ONHanging out for the real Sunflowers

Sally Pryor

Shonae Hobson, curator of Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion at the National Museum of Australia. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

New show is keeping to the seasons, First Nations-style

Ayla Connolly

Harness the power of word of mouth

Harness the power of word of mouth

Emma Brown

Take a tour: The Haven is one of the range of homes in Clarendon's new Essentials Collection now on display at Waterford County, Thornton.

Compact spaciousness: Welcome to the perfect homes for a smaller block

Melbourne Cup 2020

Melbourne Cup 2020

Harness the power of word of mouth

Harness the power of word of mouth

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS: Joel Fitzgibbon firmly believes Australia's national interest and Australia's trade interest are one and the same thing.

Trade relations must be managed, not damaged

Simon Walker

COMMITMENT: The team at Export Finance Australia offers financial expertise and solutions that will drive sustainable growth to benefit both the nation and its partners. Photo: Export Finance Australia

Finance solutions to help Aussie exporters during COVID-19

End of rental moratorium raises alarm

End of rental moratorium raises alarm

End of rental moratorium raises alarm

End of rental moratorium raises alarm

REGIONAL INTEREST: PIPA Survey respondents showed a sharp uptick in interest in regional areas as well as coastal locations.

Investors look to the regions

REGIONAL INTEREST: PIPA Survey respondents showed a sharp uptick in interest in regional areas as well as coastal locations.

Investors look to the regions

ON THE MOVE: The value of owner occupier home loan commitments rose across most states and territories, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. Photo - Shutterstock.

Record housing loan commitments continues to climb

Property scarcity pushes prices up

Property scarcity pushes prices up

KEY DRIVER: HomeBuilder has been the star in the Government's economic recovery plan, according to Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia. Photo - Shutterstock.

HomeBuilder plays starring role

What's on in the Hunter

What's on in the Hunter

Scamwatch: Scammers target tax file numbers

Scamwatch: Scammers target tax file numbers

2020 Babies of the Hunter

2020 Babies of the Hunter

What's on in the Hunter

What's on in the Hunter

GIVING BACK: Paul Tuckerman says his work in the community is an integral part of his life. Picture: Adam McLean

'We have a responsibility to act': Thirroul resident reflects on decades of contribution

Natalie Croxon

Scamwatch: Banks won't ask you to click on the link

Scamwatch: Banks won't ask you to click on the link

Dolly Parton gets a dose of her own medicine. Photo: Twitter via @Dolly Parton

WATCHDolly Parton gets a dose of her own medicine

Powerful Owl. Photo: Johanning, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

A powerful owl could be sleeping in your backyard after surveying kilometres of territory

Frank Grillo and Serena Lo do battle in this enjoyable take on gaming culture. Picture: Icon

Action replays make for lots of fun

A demon hand in Demon Slayer The Movie: Mugen Train. Picture: Koyoharu Gotoge /Shueisha

This demon battle is a wild ride

Frank Grillo, left and Mel Gibson in Boss Level. Picture: Icon

When stars jockey for top billing

Ron Cerabona

Xiao Yang in Endgame. Picture: Supplied

REVIEWIdentity swap is complicated fun

Ron Cerabona

Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet in Blackbird. Picture: Supplied

REVIEWSensitive drama with a fine cast

Jane Freebury

Katherine River over the weekend (left) and how it normally looks (right). Main photo: Roxanne Fitzgerald.

Top End river becomes a wet season torrent

Chris McLennan

RAW DEAL: The French clearly have no intention of delivering what was originally promised. Picture: Shutterstock

OPINIONHewson's View | Scott Morrison's chance to fix Australian submarine program

John Hewson

IVF will never be quite as simple as ABC

OPINIONIVF will never be quite as simple as ABC

Marie Low

Australia's regional towns need action on climate to survive

OPINIONAustralia's regional towns need action on climate to survive

Ken Keith

ALONE AND VULNERABLE: Single older women without children face unique challenges. Image: Pixabay

The single woman, no kids paradox

Eileen Wood

SHOW GOES ON: The fundraising event will be the first time Maria Venuti will sing publicly since her stroke five years ago.

Maria Venuti to return to stage for 80th birthday

Geraldine Cardozo

IN THEIR ELEMENT: Silver Salties having a swell time at Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast.

You don't need gills to be in the water

John Piggott

ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith (top) and Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeanette Young.

DIGESTQueensland fears COVID superspreader on the loose

National Cabinet will meet on Friday, with the next phase of the country's response to the pandemic to be the major topic for discussion. Picture: Getty Images

New approaches to virus risks to be discussed by state, territory leaders

1hr ago

Two people have died after a light plane has crashed near the popular tourist town of Exmouth in WA.

Two killed in plane crash in Exmouth, WA

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds is under fire for calling ex-staffer Brittany Higgins a "lying cow".

Minister labelled ex-staffer 'lying cow'

Kathleen Folbigg was jailed after the deaths of her children Patrick, Sarah, Laura and Caleb.

Petition offers Folbigg hope, says friend

A Tasmanian police officer charged with assault will appear in court in May.

Tasmanian cop on assault, justice charges

South Australia and Western Australia will be the first states to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Latest snapshot of the coronavirus impact

Former silica milling worker Dianne Adams plans to sue following a landmark compensation claim.

Woman's landmark silica dust compo claim

Georgie Moore

From digestive efficiencies in kangaroos to main eat producing domestic livestock.

ProAgni a top 10 finalist in first ever US Beef Alliance 'Startup Challenge'

Mark Griggs

Member for Barwon Roy Butler presents the ribbon for champion scones to Ruth Pound with steward Valma McWhirter and show president Harry Powell.

Bumper Show for Binnaway

Mark Griggs

Hilltops Free Range's Anthony Jude de Silva, with Maremma dog, Jack, who is one of 13 Maremmas that guard the chickens from predators.

Ewes flock to hen house in mixed grazing system

Hannah Powe

The big question for many parents is when "to use or not to use that cotton wool?"

OPINIONHow much cotton wool is too much?

Mumma Jak

Perennial edible plants like pepinos are great for creating a low maintenance, productive garden that results in better soil health, high yields and less input. Pictures: Hannah Moloney.

An easy-to-grow alternative to melons | Backyard Bliss

Hannah Moloney

AIM: Intermittment fasters pack healthy foods into a daily window. Picture: Shutterstock

OPINIONAppetites growing for intermittent fasting | Wellness

Amy Cooper