Welcome to your daily look at news in the North East.
Each morning and afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest news from the region - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
This morning, we have news of levelling up funding for Blyth, a man jailed for murdering his wife, a Government pledge to stave off "catastrophic" bus services, a primary school defrauded out of £119,000, and a couple who have cut short a dream holiday to watch their beloved NUFC in the Carabao Cup Final. This is your morning North East Today update.
Michael Gove insists Blyth "finally getting attention it deserves" as £20.7m levelling up cash announced
A £20.7 million package to "level up" Blyth has been announced, with Michael Gove giving a speech in the Northumberland town later today.
The funding aims to help regenerate run-down housing, reduce health disparities, improve access to local jobs, increase skills training and keep young people off the street.
The majority of the funding comes in an £18 million "boost" for housing, with the intention of repurposing run-down and empty homes into affordable housing - while some funding will go towards making social housing more energy-efficient.
Durham postman who stabbed wife 78 times found guilty of murder
A man has been found guilty of murdering his wife after stabbing her 78 times.
Harry Turner, 54, was facing trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with the murder of his wife, Sally Turner - which he denied.
He admitted manslaughter on the grounds of loss of control - which the Crown did not accept.
North East relief at £80m Government pledge to stave off 'catastrophic' cuts to bus services
North East transport chiefs have expressed their relief after a devastating bonfire of the region’s bus services was averted.
It had been feared that the region’s bus network would be slashed by up to 20% in a matter of weeks, as leaders warned of “catastrophic” consequences for passengers if a Government relief grant was allowed to expire at the end of March.
But ministers have announced a critical reprieve that will protect services for another three months at least.
Trusted business manager defrauded Sunderland primary school out of £119,000
A corrupt business manager defrauded a primary school out of nearly £120,000 during an appalling breach of trust.
Joanne Anderson had worked at Fulwell Junior School, in Sunderland, for around 20 years and was responsible for managing the financial budget.
However, between 2017 and 2021, the 51-year-old forged the signatures of the head teacher, deputy head and assistant head on at least 409 cheques, which were made payable to herself, prosecutors said.
NUFC mad couple cut short holiday in Jamaica to watch Carabao Cup Final at Wembley
A Newcastle United mad couple are cutting short their Caribbean holiday so they can watch Eddie Howe's Magpies take to the field against Manchester United this Sunday.
Jim Cruddas and Linda Wright, both 50, from Washington, flew out to the Couple's Negril resort in Jamaica on Monday February 13, for a two-week holiday at the all inclusive resort.
However, when they booked "around six months ago," it wasn't even on their radar that Newcastle would have their biggest game so far this century as they lounged by the pool in the Caribbean sunshine.
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