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Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has accepted a challenge from her Parramatta counterpart ahead of the NRLW Grand Final clash on Sunday.

A man's facing a number of charges after police allegedly found large amounts of drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop in Mayfield East on Sunday evening.

Newcastle Council is set to discuss the possibility of a ban on fossil fuel advertising across the city at its meeting on Tuesday night.

The wearing of masks is no longer mandatory on public transport, taxis, and rideshare cars across the Hunter and New South Wales from Wednesday.

The Fort Scratchley Historical Society will fire a seven-gun salute on Thursday as a part of the National Day of Mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

An Upper House inquiry into the privatisation of Newcastle's bus services has recommended the move be reversed, over concern the quality of services has declined, passengers now pay more, and drivers face worse pay and conditions.

The first in a new Blue Plaques program, to commemorate notable figures and events in the history of New South Wales, has been installed at East Maitland.

The latest Bureau of Health Information data has revealed, almost a quarter of patients are leaving the Emergency Department at Maitland Hospital early.

A rate rise could be on the cards for Port Stephens residents, as part of efforts to ease the financial pressure on Council.

Giacomo Arnott has been elected as Port Stephens' new Deputy Mayor.