NEWS

L-R: Declan McAleer MLA, Deputy Chair of the AERA Committee; Robbie Butler, MLA, Chair of the AERA Committee; Kathleen McBride, CEO of Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co‑Operative Society; Michelle McIlveen MLA, AERA Committee member and Dr Janice Thompson, Committee Clerk. The scale of the crisis engulfing Lough Neagh was laid bare this week as Stormont committee members heard stark warnings from local fishers who say their industry is “dying” amid environmental decline, collapsing

A pioneering, youth-led programme giving Ballymena pupils real power over funding decisions has scooped a major all-Ireland award — and in doing so, showcased a new model of democracy in action. The Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme was named winner of the Community Champions Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing All-Ireland Housing Awards in Belfast on Friday evening, recognising its transformative impact on young people and local communities. A

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with Winnie Mellet, President of Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, alongside representatives from Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network), Lislagan Farm and FUSE FM at the launch of the 2026 Ballymoney Spring Fair. Ballymoney is preparing to burst into life this April as a colourful carnival, live music, and a packed programme of family-friendly events transform the town for a three-d

Murder victim: 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis A man who died following a late-night altercation in Portadown has been named by police as 49-year-old Rolandas Kvederis, as detectives continue a murder investigation into his death. Emergency services were called to a property in the Ranfurley Road area shortly after 11pm on Thursday 26 March, where Mr Kvederis was found injured. Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Police Service of Norther

An action plan is set to be implemented by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust at Whiteabbey Hospital by the end of next month in a bid to improve theatre efficiency. Trust board members were presented with a report on theatre performance at the end of February, which showed that performance in the Trust’s “peripheral” hospitals — Whiteabbey and Mid Ulster — is below target in terms of both operating and run times. Operating times refer to the time spent on each patient

A Ballymena resident has been left shaken after suspected petrol bombs were thrown at their home in a dangerous early morning attack that police say could have had devastating consequences. Detectives have launched an urgent investigation following the incident in the Drumtara area in the early hours of Saturday, 28 March, which is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. Terrifying early morning attack Police received a report at approximately 3.05am that two sus

Alderman Stewart McDonald visiting the site of the works. Repeated flooding that left a Ballymena road vulnerable during heavy rainfall has now been addressed, following months of concern from local residents. TUV Bannside Alderman Stewart McDonald has welcomed the completion of works on Cardonaghy Road, describing the issue as a long-standing problem that caused “real disruption” for those living nearby and for motorists using the route. Long-running issue during heavy rain

Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA Summer schemes for children with special educational needs will now go ahead — a dramatic turnaround following days of uncertainty that left families fearing vital support had been lost. The confirmation, welcomed by Ulster Unionist Party leader and education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA , follows intense political pressure and urgent engagement between the Departments of Education and Health. For familie

Northern Ireland’s Education Minister Paul Givan, and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt Families of children with special educational needs have been handed renewed hope after Stormont ministers stepped in over the controversial cancellation of summer schemes. Education Minister Paul Givan has called for urgent engagement to restore provision, while Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has now voiced “extreme concern” — ordering officials to explore how schemes could still go ahead. The

Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA   Fresh pressure is mounting on the Education Authority after the Ulster Unionist Party warned the cancellation of special school summer schemes raises “serious questions” — including whether the decision was justified at all. Ulster Unionist Party Leader and Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has criticised the move by the Education Authority (EA), describing it as “deeply alarming” for children a

A man in his 40s has died following an altercation at a property in Portadown, prompting a murder investigation and the arrest of two suspects. Police were called to the incident in the Ranfurley Road area late on Thursday night, where emergency services attended the scene. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead. Detectives say the investigation is now underway as they work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Two men arrested as police la

Alliance Deputy Leader Eóin Tennyson And North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston The sudden cancellation of special school summer schemes has sparked a political backlash, with calls to urgently recall the Northern Ireland Assembly as families face losing what many describe as a “lifeline” service. The Alliance Party has formally tabled a recall petition, aiming to force ministers back into the chamber during Easter recess to answer for a decision that has left parents scramblin

The UK Government has issued its first national guidance on screen use for children under five — as mounting evidence suggests early childhood is being reshaped by digital habits long before many children reach school. The scale of change is striking — and accelerating. Children are now typically introduced to screens by around nine months old. By age two, daily use has surged to an average of 127 minutes — more than double the recommended maximum of one hour. And the consequ

Families planning Easter getaways are being urged to plan ahead as Translink confirms timetable changes — alongside special seaside trains and discounted travel offers across Northern Ireland. With thousands expected to take advantage of the holiday break, the public transport provider says it is gearing up to offer “comfortable, affordable and hassle-free” journeys for both local trips and longer days out. Holiday timetable changes confirmed Passengers should expect changes

Current Harper Ireland Chairman Liam McKenna (left) with the evening's speaker, the President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster – and Harper Adams University alumnus – Richard Beattie, A young farmer from Dunloy has delivered a powerful message to the next generation of agricultural leaders — telling students they are not just entering the industry, but shaping its future. Richard Beattie, President of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) , returned to Harper Adams U

“Outrageous” and “a failure” — political anger is mounting after the cancellation of special school summer schemes across Northern Ireland, as a sharp divide between departments raises new questions over what really drove the decision. While the Education Authority insists the schemes could not safely proceed without on-site nursing cover, the Department of Health has publicly challenged that position — saying such provision is not required in every case. The clash has left

Summer schemes for children attending special schools across Northern Ireland have been cancelled this year, in a decision described by the Education Authority (EA) as “deeply regrettable” but necessary to protect vulnerable young people. EA confirmed on Thursday (March 26) that the schemes will not go ahead due to the absence of adequate healthcare provision — specifically, the lack of on-site nursing cover required to safely support children with complex medical needs. Fo

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department (ED) Body-worn cameras will now become a permanent feature in the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital, following what health officials have described as a “meaningful and constructive” pilot scheme. The decision, approved today (Thursday, March 26) by the Board of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, also paves the way for the technology to be introduced at Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department in the near future.

Drivers in Northern Ireland could soon be banned from overtaking stopped buses — and may even be required to slow dramatically or stop — under new proposals aimed at protecting children during one of the most dangerous moments of their school journey. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins  has launched a public consultation exploring sweeping changes to how motorists behave when passengers, particularly schoolchildren, are getting on or off buses. The proposals come in response

Local residents in Ballymena are being urged to stay vigilant after a series of suspected distraction burglaries led to three arrests this week. Detectives say the incidents, which involved men offering bogus cleaning services before taking money from householders, have sparked concern in the local community. How the incidents unfolded According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), officers received a report at around 4pm on Monday, March 23, that a number of men