Here's what you need to know this morning.
Crime levels at record lows
New data shows the rate of violent crime involving a weapon in New South Wales remains at its lowest point in two decades.
There has been around a dozen, high-profile gangland murders across Western Sydney in the past two years, prompting police to step-up their response to gang-related violence.
But the latest figures from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reveal there has been no increase in violent crime in the year to March 2022.
The data also shows murders, assaults and robberies involving a knife or firearm were at their lowest level in 20 years.
Property crime — such as breaking and entering, stealing and motor vehicle theft — are all down by around a quarter on pre-pandemic levels.
However, the rate of domestic assaults and sexual offences has returned to normal.
Bakery fire in Punchbowl
Investigations are underway into the cause of a fire at a bakery last night at Punchbowl in Sydney's south-west.
Emergency Services say the fire caused the building's roof to collapse and prevented firefighters from getting inside.
The bakery burned throughout the night, sending smoke around the local area.
Three dead in north-west NSW ute crash
Three men have died in a collision involving two utes in north-west New South Wales.
Emergency services were called to an incident about 20 kilometres east of Wee Waa around 5:30pm on Wednesday to find two cars had collided.
The 73-year-old driver of one ute, and the 64-year-old driver and 16-year-old passenger of the other all died at the scene.
Major illegal gambling site to be blocked
The communications regulator is moving to block a major, illegal, online gambling site where many Australians have lost significant amounts of money.
An Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) investigation found thepokies.net was operating online, casino-style games that are legally prohibited.
ACMA says payments to the site are estimated to run into tens of millions of dollars and data shows there are around 30,000 Australian visitors to the site each month.
Chairwoman Nerida O’Loughlin said ACMA had received more complaints about this site than any other illegal gambling website this year.
“Complaints have ranged from people who have lost significant amounts of money through to the site refusing to honour deposits and winnings," she said.
“By blocking access to sites like this, we are sending a strong message that the ACMA can and will take action to stop illegal operators from targeting Australians.”
Inquiry into Greens' medicinal cannabis bill
Today an inquiry will begin into the NSW Greens bill to protect medical cannabis patients from being charged with drug-driving offences.
A NSW upper house committee will today hold a hearing into Greens MP Cate Faehrmann's proposed bill to make medicinal cannabis users exempt from charges, due to having THC in their system.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the substance that's primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person's mental state.
The committee will hear from witnesses, including a range of medical professionals, NSW Police and the Bar Association.
Transport makes energy request to employees
Transport for NSW employees have been advised to stay home for the rest of the week, or reduce energy use in the office, in a power-saving measure.
In a leaked memo to staff, departmental secretary Rob Sharp said the requests were being made to "ease the current pressure on our electricity supply".
The memo suggests staff who do come into the office "wear suitable clothing to the weather conditions", noting building managers will be asked to "reduce temperatures".
It highlights that staff should not do "anything that will affect health, safety or preservation of critical activities".
"These measures will be in place for the next two days," Mr Sharp wrote.
"As always, you will be kept up to date with any necessary information or any changes to this situation."
New year of play-based education
The NSW government has revealed plans to introduce an additional year of education for four and five-year-olds.
Under the plan, children would attend five days per week in the year before kindergarten.
It would be based in a preschool setting.
NSW and Victorian government figures are working together on the model, which would begin in NSW from 2030.
