Local stories, community first — Melbourne and beyond.
Albury councillors have voted to defer a proposed 29.96 per cent rate rise, citing concerns that the council has not exhausted all options to reduce expenditure and improve efficiencies. The decision follows community backlash against the proposed special rate variation.
A 47-year-old man alleged to have stalked a young female chess professional has begun a hunger strike in prison, vowing to continue until he suffers significant health issues. The man, who denies the allegations, claims he was assaulted by two inmates while on remand in Melbourne's west.
A one-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car in Smythesdale, a small town in central Victoria. The incident occurred on Vermont Road, and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
A small Victorian town is set to become a hub for electric vehicle owners, with plans to nearly double the number of Tesla Superchargers in the area. The expansion is expected to boost tourism and the local economy in Kaniva, a town of around 800 people.
Western Bulldogs recruit Zak Butters has suggested changes to the AFL's player movement rules could be beneficial for the league. Butters joined the Bulldogs on a nine-year deal worth $2 million a season after leaving Port Adelaide.
The AFL trade period has reached its crucial final days, with North Melbourne's opening offer to Sydney for star player Nick Blakey being knocked back. The Kangaroos' chase for Blakey is expected to intensify, but the Swans remain firm in their valuation of the player.
North Melbourne has defeated Fremantle by 28 points in a thrilling AFLW match, with Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner leading the charge. The Kangaroos' win sees them sit atop the ladder, while other results saw Carlton and Hawthorn claim victories.
One Nation's Victorian deputy leader has defended an AI-generated campaign video featuring a suicide bomber and a home invader, denying it was racist. The video sparked controversy and a row between a Tasmanian cafe owner and Pauline Hanson's daughter.
The Victorian state election is shaping up to be a three-way contest between Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation, with polls suggesting a tight race and both major parties facing challenges within their own ranks. Voters are increasingly turning to AI chatbots to inform them about political issues, which could have significant implications for the election outcome.
A total of 12,357 machetes and other knives, including butter knives, were surrendered to special bins in Victoria as part of a government-led amnesty program. The program, which cost $6.55 million to implement, was launched in September 2025, following a ban on machetes.
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