Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news that an inquiry is to be launched into UK battery production after the collapse of Britishvolt as hopes of thousands of jobs in Northumberland were dashed when the company went into administration.
Our Business and Agenda Editor Graeme Whitfield reported that Parliament’s business committee has launched an inquiry into UK electric vehicle battery production after the collapse of the Britishvolt project in Northumberland.
The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said its inquiry will look into the supply of batteries for electric vehicle manufacturing in the UK and the viability of production in the UK. The probe was announced just hours after electric car battery firm Britishvolt went into administration and made most of its 300 staff redundant.
The company, which had plans to build a gigafactory to make batteries at Cambois, Northumberland, brought in administrators from accountancyt group EY after failing to raise enough cash to maintain its operations. Administrators said they are considering options which could include the sale of certain assets and intellectual property.
The collapse follows months of trouble as the company struggled to raise enough money to stay afloat. Recent turbulence in the UK electric vehicle sector also saw BMW announce in October that it would be halting production of the electric Mini at its Oxford site.
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Heartbroken family pay tribute to young dad after he takes his own life
We also brought you the heartbreaking tribute paid by the family of Sunderland man Travis Brash who was sadly found dead at his home on January 6 this year.
The heartbroken family of a young dad who took his own life have now called for more mental health support, our reporter Kristy Dawson reported.
Travis Brash was found dead at his home in the Thorney Close area of Sunderland. The 19-year-old's worried family called police after they received messages from him and were unable to gain entry to his address.
Travis was discovered by officers on January 6. He leaves behind his devastated family as well as his fiancée Leonie Cook, 18, and their two-year-old son Kyran.
Leonie had been in a relationship with Travis, who she affectionately called 'Trav', for three-and-a-half years. She said: "It was the worst moment of my life.
"How do you explain to a two-year-old that he's not going to see his dad again? He keeps pointing to the sky, saying 'dad' and blowing kisses.
"Trav was amazing with Kyran, he loved him to bits. He knew how to make him laugh in a way I didn't know how to.
"I have got to manage, with me having Kyran, but it's really hard. I try not to cry in front of him. When he's asleep, that's when I cry."
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One person taken to hospital following crash on A1 during rush hour
We also brought you the news that one person has been taken to hospital following a horrific crash on the A1 near Newcastle during rush hour.
I wrote that emergency services attended the scene on the A1 Southbound before Junction 79 near Seaton Burn following reports of a multi-vehicle collision from approximately 8am this morning (January 18).
The road was subsequently closed on one lane while emergency personnel remained at the scene.
One person was found to be in need of further medical assistance at the scene. They were taken to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) for further treatment.
The road closure on the A1 (Southbound) from to J79 at North Brunton to J80 at Seaton Burn was closed for approximately two and a half hours. The road re-opened after the crash site was cleared at approximately 10.30am this morning.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said at the time: “Just before 8.10am, we received a report of a two-vehicle collision also on the A1 Southbound, before junction 79. Emergency services are in attendance and motorists should expect delays.”
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Steve Nickson back at HQ as Magpies eye final January shortlist
And, finally, we also brought you the latest developments in the transfer window as the Magpies' head of recruitment has returned to Tyneside.
Our Chief Newcastle United Writer Lee Ryder reported that Newcastle United head of recruitment Steve Nickson was an interested spectator in the Milburn Stand during the Magpies' 1-0 win over Fulham on Sunday.
Nickson has been reporting in to board members and updating sporting director Dan Ashworth in recent days as Newcastle head for the final straight of the January window.
United have been in constant dialogue with Real Valladolid on Ivan Fresneda and have asked his agency Epic Sports - headed up by Nicola Lenzoni - to be kept in the loop with Manchester United and Arsenal also lurking for his signature.
Nickson spent time in Spain earlier this month and in South America last year, but his return to base camp at the weekend suggests he - along with head of domestic scouting Andy Howe - are close to whittling down their final shortlist for January.
Of course, Nickson, who has clocked up the air miles under the club's Saudi-backers, remains on standby to jet off around the globe with transfer activity starting to crank up this month.
With agents beginning to put names forward to Newcastle at a rapid rate the club find themselves in the hectic position of preparing for a major trophy semi-final and a chase for a Champions League place.
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That's all from us for now, but check back at 5am tomorrow for your next North East Today update.
In the meantime, keep up-to-date with all the latest and sign up to our newsletters here.
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