Mildura - 3500

As households with gas heaters fire them up for winter, tradies and firefighters fear many do not understand the safety risks they pose if not properly maintained.

Two people are dead and nine have been injured, two of them critically, in a serious minibus crash that has closed a major highway in Victoria's north-west.

In the semi-arid riverside town of Irymple in Victoria, 70-year-old Pat and 68-year-old Gina Timpano are keeping the traditional spirit of the Mediterranean coastline alive.

A property lecturer says while the changes could lead to a more equitable quality of life, they also may lead to investors choosing to swap from long-term leases to short-term accommodation.

Volunteer firefighters from dozens of brigades in north central Victoria will refuse to fight fires at properties hosting renewable energy plants or transmission lines.

Farmers fear a company that "couldn't do the right thing" when exploring western NSW for rare earth minerals won't be able to manage if its project goes into full production.

Since the imposition of hefty Chinese tariffs on Australian wine in 2020, wine grape growers have barely broken even and the federal government has signalled it will not fund growers to exit the industry.

More than 20 regional Victorian health services have been told their budgets will be slashed by up to 30 per cent in the coming financial year, the ABC understands.

More than 650 runners are competing in Mildura's inaugural marathon this weekend, with some overcoming huge hurdles on their way to the event, like Mark Slade who has MS.

A new industry is selling its services in Australia — weather forecasting using artificial intelligence and offering precise, hour-by-hour forecasts for areas as small as a football field.  

Citrus Australia estimates international orange concentrate imports halved this year as the result of a huge global shortage, and it might see mandarin and even struggling grape growers step up.

The tiny western Victorian town of Minyip could soon host one of the world's largest rare earth mines after a multi-million dollar funding injection from a US uranium giant.

A food bank for animals is providing struggling pet owners with canned food and dry biscuits, as well as flea and worming treatments when available, as cost of living pressures increase.

Once a rare sight in a shearing shed, women are now working alongside men in one of the toughest jobs in the country. Here's why that's very good news for the industry. 

This mother moved an hour to secure work but she cannot relocate her son until she gets a rental property. She's applied for 58. 

A former deputy mayor who killed his elderly mother almost six years ago has been found guilty of her murder after a jury rejected his mental impairment defence.

From a young age, Conor Pall's life was plagued by domestic violence. Now he's using his experience to advocate for other young people in a system that ignores their needs. 

After decades of putting immense pressure on themselves, Kings of Leon just wanted to have a good time when making their new album.

The National Centre for Farmer Health has had its funding confirmed, after earlier being told the funding had been cut in the Victorian budget.

Parents who lost their seven-year-old son just before Christmas when he was hit by a car while walking home with his sisters are urging the NSW government make the Sturt Highway safer.

The incident occurred during a union push for more funding to help firefighters maintain Victoria's aging fleet.

Administrators say up to 20 parties are interested in saving the embattled airline as large debts are revealed at the first creditors' meeting.

With youth refuge beds hundreds of kilometres away, police in Mildura often call on sports coaches and other community members to give kids in crisis a safe place to sleep. The only other option is the police station foyer.

While the state government says its budget is for all Victorians, some critics say regional infrastructure investment is being left behind in favour of major metropolitan projects. 

The Victorian government's budget released today attempts modest cost savings, but the main message appears to be: don't panic.