James Paras person profile
James Paras is a reporter with ABC New England North West. He works hard to bring the latest and compelling news to the audience and you may recognise his work from earlier work with ABC Newcastle. Away from the microphone and computer screen, James will likely be found at the local watering hole spinning a few stories.
Latest by James Paras person profile
'Incredibly humbling': Moree solicitor retains seat for NSW Nationals after by-election win
Moree solicitor Brendan Moylan is New South Wales' newest MP, in a week where two senior Coalition members announced their resignations from politics.
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Eleanor graduates with first-class honours as she pursues dream career in palaeontology
Eleanor Beidatsch is used to overcoming the odds, but even she thought a career in palaeontology would be a bridge too far.
Why these cute, fluffy dogs are creating a Maremma dilemma and being surrendered by unsuspecting families
An animal sanctuary is receiving up to five phone calls a day from dog owners asking, "Can you take my Maremma?" as they find the bundles of fluff become large dogs needing lots of room and discipline.
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Former teacher found guilty of historic sexual abuse at The Armidale School in retrial
Leonard Gardiner, now in his 80s, has been taken into custody after a jury returned two guilty verdicts on Monday afternoon.
Feral pigs attacking humans, killing livestock and destroying crops as numbers explode in NSW
A $13m control program has led to more than 69,000 feral pigs being culled in the state, but landowners say there is plenty more to be done.
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Possible new evidence postpones Mark Haines inquest, family 'disappointed' in further delay
Gomeroi teenager Mark Haines was found dead on train tracks south of Tamworth 36 years ago. Now the second inquest into the circumstances surrounding his death has been adjourned after possible new evidence emerges.
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Former Armidale School teacher, 87, faces court over historical child sex charges
Leonard Gardiner has denied all charges from his time as a teacher at The Armidale School in the 1960s.
Woman carjacked at knifepoint in regional New South Wales as police arrest four teenagers
Police say a woman was thrown from her car in Gunnedah by youths before they sped off and later collided with another car that had also been reported stolen.
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Agency probed over Christmas party urination claims will not move back to Canberra
Barnaby Joyce's 2016 decision to move Australia's pesticides regulator to regional NSW "caused massive chaos and disruption", according to Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, who has decided to ignore calls to move it back to Canberra.
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Mark Haines inquest hears friend told another man 'I think I killed him' on morning body found
An inquest into the 1988 death of Mark Anthony Haines hears that on the morning the Gomeroi teenager's body was discovered, one of his friends spoke of being in an accident and said that Mark was dead.
'Someone knows something' about the cold case death of Mark Haines, Coroner tells fresh inquest
Mystery still surrounds the 1988 death of Gomeroi teen Mark Haines, whose body was found on train tracks just outside of Tamworth. His loved ones hope the new probe will deliver the answers they have sought for so many years.
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Machete, batons, ammo, body armour, capsicum spray allegedly stolen by NSW police officer
Police allege a country officer had 19 cans of capsicum spray, four police-issued batons and almost 500 rounds of live pistol and simulation ammunition at his northern NSW home.
Police officer injured, powerlines brought down in cross-border truck chase
Police allege a truck driver left a path of mayhem between south-east Queensland and northern NSW, hitting two of their vehicles.
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Traditional owners celebrate Federal Court win in fight against $3.6 billion Santos gas development
Gomeroi people who have successfully appealed against the Narrabri Gas Project say the ruling is groundbreaking and could set a precedent for other major fossil fuel projects.
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How turning a shipping container into a recording studio is changing young lives in a remote town
A music box is not only a boredom buster, it's changing lives for young people in a remote NSW town.
Tiny endangered turtle twins hatch from same egg in 1-in-3000 event amid efforts to save the species
When scientists discovered seven baby Bell's turtles in a batch of six incubated eggs in the NSW Northern Tablelands recently, they were initially stumped.
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For these Ezidi women, this swim club is so much more than just a dip in the pool
The migrant and refugee women learning to swim in this pool in regional New South Wales say attending the Armidale swim club is the highlight of their week. Here's why
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Thunderstorms over NSW bushfire spark spot fires as firefighters wait for rain
The Pilliga bushfire has burnt through 112,000 hectares and, while storms are making firefighting efforts difficult, predicted rain is expected to help contain the main fire front.
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Residents told to seek shelter as NSW bushfire spanning 81,000 hectares upgraded to emergency level
A bushfire in the Pilliga State Forest near Narrabri is threatening lives and properties in Bohena Creek between McCanns Road, Perimeter Road, Tomlinson Lane and the Newell Highway.
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Man dies after being hit by truck at outback NSW worksite
A major outback highway is closed as police investigate a crash involving a truck and pedestrian east of Walgett in northern NSW.
Young artists take centre stage as 2024 Golden Guitar finalists are announced in Tamworth
The Golden Guitar Awards received 762 entries for country music's flagship event, as artists new and old look to make their mark.
Two teenagers dead, three hospitalised after single-vehicle crash in north-east NSW
Police say two teenagers have died and three have been taken to hospital after a car hit a tree in Tabulam, west of Casino, NSW.
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Rare white platypus named Bloop stuns researchers as genetic abnormality found
A scientist was scouring the waterways of the Northern Tablelands for turtles when she instead made what is believed to be only the 13th sighting of a white platypus in 187 years.
'Scariest thing we ever experienced': Multiple fire fronts converge in border town as homes confirmed lost
As multiple blazes threaten Tenterfield region and beyond, farmer firefighters, neighbours and councillors have rallied together to support each other.
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How a German coach discovered Australia's latest soccer export at an obscure regional tournament
Legion Walker, who grew up hunting for food on a small island off the Queensland coast, is using a rural football tournament as a stepping stone to play in Europe.
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