Concerns remain over country intersection where crash claimed five lives Two years ago this intersection claimed the lives of five people in one of Victoria's deadliest crashes. Residents say not enough is being done to prevent the next tragedy.

Strathmerton locals still concerned about 2023 crash site where five people died

$35m worth of illegal tobacco up in smoke after huge crop seized Police say the destruction of a 5.2ha tobacco crop in Victoria will significantly impact the booming black market.

Authorities seize $35m worth of illegal tobacco in northern Victoria.

Thousands of car lovers to descend on Shepparton for Ford Falcon GT event Ford Falcon GTs from across the country will be on display at the national car show in Shepparton.

Car enthusiasts expected to flock to Shepparton for national Ford Falcon GT event

Second Victorian case of Japanese encephalitis recorded in Riverina visitor Authorities confirm a second human case of Japanese encephalitis in a person from northern Victoria, likely exposed in the Riverina region of NSW along the Murray River.

‘ Second Victorian case of Japanese encephalitis recorded in Murray River visitor.’ Story by @charmainemanuel26.bsky.social

Victorians face weekend of wild weather as storm risk adds to fire danger Total fire bans are in place across five regions with high temperatures and strong winds expected to be followed by thunderstorms.

Victorians urged to prepare for wild weather and potential fires this weekend.

Inquest into death of 18yo hears he feared he did not have long to live A coronial inquest will examine the death of Jodus Murphy, who was missing for a month before his body was found near the Goulburn River in Seymour in June 2023.

‘Inquest examines death of 18yo Jodus Murphy in Seymour.’

Multicultural soccer comp 'a beautiful thing' for Afghans in Victoria Afghans in northern Victoria say Shepparton's Nations Cup soccer tournament provides a sense of connection to locals and a reason to celebrate during difficult times for their country.

‘Afghans in Shepparton, Melbourne praise Nations Cup soccer competition’

Fire bans for much of Victoria on Monday amid scorching forecasts Total fire bans will be in place for the Mallee, Wimmera, Central, North Central and South West districts, with temperatures tipped to soar to about 45 degrees Celsius in parts of the state.

Total fire bans in place for five Victorian regions on Monday amid scorching forecasts statewide.

Cultural diversity on full display in Shepparton tonight as the grand final of the Shepparton Nations Cup soccer tournament takes place with the Afghanistan and Nepal teams going up against each other. Organiser expecting about 1500 people tonight. It’s just the comp’s 2nd year!

First Nations communities slam 'uninformed' Australia Day backflips Two Victorian councils' decision to reverse a funding-stop on Australia Day events has frustrated traditional owners who feel ignored.

‘Victorian councils criticised for reversing Australia Day celebrations without consultation.’

Persistence helps home owner avoid insurance 'loyalty tax' The motto "persistence pays" has come true for Henri van Riet who shaved off more than $2,500 by refusing to take no for an answer.

‘Australians urged to shop around to avoid insurance premium 'loyalty tax.’ Story by me and @charmainemanuel26.bsky.social

Japanese encephalitis warning in Victoria's north as virus detected in mosquitoes Authorities in Victoria are urging travellers and residents in the state's north to be vigilant against mosquitoes, following recent detections of Japanese encephalitis virus.

‘Japanese encephalitis warning in Victoria's north as virus detected in mosquitoes.’ Story by me and @doctornic.bsky.social www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...

Couple who ditched contents insurance after shock bill lose house in fire Stuart and Vikki Guy say they had recently cancelled contents insurance after their home and contents bill went from $1,800 to $6,000.

Couple who lost home in fire had cancelled contents insurance

Manslaughter charge laid over woman's death in regional Victoria Forty-year-old John Torney fronts Shepparton Magistrates' Court on a fresh charge, following the death of Cobram woman Emma Bates in April.

‘Man faces court charged with manslaughter over the death of Cobram woman Emma Bates. Story by Ashlee Aldridge

Family says 'inquisitive' boy who died in car boot was playing 'hide and seek' Heartbroken relatives are paying tribute to an "inquisitive, car-loving" 10-year-old Victorian boy who died in a car boot during a game of hide-and-seek on Sunday.

‘Mooroopna boy dies in car boot after hot weather hide-and-seek tragedy.’ Story by Jason Katsaras

'Irresponsible' driver jailed over hit-and-run that killed teenager A judge labels Victorian driver Dylan Norman a "menace on the roads" for his behaviour that led to the death of a 16-year-old pedestrian.

Driver jailed over Benalla hit-and-run that killed teenager Caleb Puttyfoot

Have we dehumanised our workplaces? - ABC listen In this episode, The Conversation Hour takes a closer at the standards we set at work.

www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
An episode of the Conversation Hour I'm really proud of, looking at how we devalue and dehumanise workers. And sadly my last episode co-hosting. It's been a genuine honour to work on this show each week.

Brumby activists racially vilified former head of Yorta Yorta corporation, VCAT finds The state's civil and administrative tribunal has found that a pro-brumby group racially vilified the former chief executive of an Aboriginal corporation through social media posts and posters.

‘VCAT orders pro-brumby group to apologise to Indigenous head in racial vilification case.’ Story by @charmainemanuel26.bsky.social, Jonathon Kendall and myself

'It can mean life or death': Dialysis patients angry over new transport arrangements Country Victorians say Ambulance Victoria's new approach to non-emergency patient transport is making it harder to get to and from their dialysis appointments.

Regional residents are calling for the return of previous arrangements for non-emergency patient transport (NEPT) in Victoria.

Truck driver tells court he's haunted by the five deaths in Strathmerton crash he did not cause A man has told court of the incredible guilt he felt after five people died when his truck collided with a ute in northern Victoria in a crash he did not cause.

‘Truck driver tells court he's haunted by the five deaths in Strathmerton crash he did not cause.’

Tongala sports club pays tribute to local brothers and cousin who died in plane crash The northern Victorian town of Tongala has paid tribute to two local sporting brothers and their cousin who died in a light plane crash in Tinamba West on Saturday.

‘Tongala sports club pays tribute to local brothers and cousin who died in plane crash.’

New regional residents warned bushfire plans 'critical' in high-risk areas As summer approaches, a regional Victorian community is running workshops to help educate its newer residents about risks they may not have faced before.

‘Bushfire preparation workshops educate new residents on risk in regional Victoria.’

Alright giving this Bluesky thing a go. Will it be like Threads though and drop off my radar in about a day or two?