Bird flu spreads; pilot dies in crash; prison proposal

Mine worker jailed for stealing $400k in gold

A mine worker at a Karora Resources gold fields site stole 4.3 kilograms of gold valued at nearly $400,000 over 18 months, selling it to gold retailers in Perth shopping centres for more than $225,000. Harley-David Charlton was caught when attempting to cash in $37,000 worth of gold in one transaction, triggering a bank alert. He was sentenced to almost three years in jail with 17 months to serve before parole eligibility. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Perth rental crisis traps residents in poverty

Perth's social housing income eligibility limits of just over $500 per week are forcing residents to refuse work or additional hours for fear of losing their place on waiting lists that stretch beyond three years. A Shelter WA survey of 180 renters found 78% are concerned employment would jeopardise their housing status, while average Perth rents of $750 per week remain unaffordable for those on minimum wage. Western Australia maintains the lowest income eligibility thresholds in the country, trapping social housing tenants in a cycle of poverty as they cannot risk homelessness by earning more. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Lancelin fights desperate battle against coastal erosion

The coastal town of Lancelin, north of Perth, is experiencing severe beach erosion, with nearly 20 metres of shoreline lost in a single month and up to 50 metres over the past year. The Lancelin Sands Hotel now sits less than 5 metres from the eroding shoreline, prompting desperate locals to begin sandbagging and launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise $150,000 for an emergency seawall. The community is frustrated by the lack of state government intervention and funding for a larger town-wide seawall to protect the coastal town. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Police hunt 'Scorpio' letter writer

A Sydney man in his 60s has been sending hundreds of disturbing letters to politicians, religious groups and high-profile figures since 2015, calling himself 'Scorpio' after the fictional serial killer from the 1971 film Dirty Harry. The letters contain racist, threatening and harassing material. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Billionaire rescues tourists; poodle owner threatened; controversial activist charged

A father and son from Melbourne were rescued by helicopter after being stranded for over 12 hours in South Australia's remote far north when their Toyota became hopelessly bogged in mud near Lake Eyre. Billionaire businessman Tim Roberts, who had stopped at the William Creek Hotel, flew his helicopter with local Trevor Wright to pluck the tourists to safety. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.