Across Australia, Telstra mobile and mobile data customers have been dealing with widespread outages this morning, from cities to the regions, including the Northern Rivers.

We know times are tough right now: the world’s gone tits up, it’s cold, and the forecast has more rain on the way. Well, to get us out of the doldrums, Brunswick Picture House has the perfect tonic to help warm your bits, and cast away the winter doldrums – the return of Bruns Does Winter Burlesque!

The Byron Writers Festival will once again be treated to the delights of author and journalist Trent Dalton, who will be featured at the Jonson Street Stage on Saturday evening, 15 August, as well as throughout the event. Celebrating its 30th year, the Byron Writers Festival will, for the first time, be taking place around the town of Byron Bay from 14 to 16 August, with a mix of free and paid events.

It is a fusion of local and international art, music, performance, food, and thought that will be coming to you in Bagalow as part of the inaugural DINGO Music & Arts Festival across four days from 8 to 11 October.

There is so much happening in the always enthralling intersection of law and politics that it is hard to know where to start. I will stop my head spinning and focus on just five.