Manx Newscast

The House of Keys is meeting again today (1 July) and one of the items for consideration is whether there should be a referendum for the assisted dying legislation. Ayre and Michael MHK Alfred Cannan is calling for one. He joined Sian Cowper on this morning's Manx Radio Breakfast programme to explain why.

You may remember us talking about Cody Atzori in the past here on Manx Radio. A bright musical talent, he died suddenly a couple of years ago, aged just 17. Last year, a public piano was installed in his memory at the Sea Terminal, and now, with the help of charity SoundCheck Isle of Man, his family have installed a second. This one is at the new Roundhouse facility in Braddan. It's to be off...

A leading organist is set to perform in the Villa Marina Arcade this evening (27 June). Phil Kelsall MBE will be playing the Wurlitzer organ there from 7:30pm. Tickets are £12 and are available at the VillaGaiety Box Office, on their website, and at the Welcome Centre in the Sea Terminal. Phil has been the principal organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom for nearly 50 years. Chair...

Residents from across the Isle of Man are being invited to find out more about sustainability this evening (26 June). The Energy and Sustainability Centre is hosting a drop-in event as part of its mission to promote the transition from fossil fuels to green energy. It's being held at Ballafesson Church Hall, which is on Honna Road in Port Erin, from 4pm to 8pm, with a special presentatio...

What barriers are there stopping people with disabilities getting involved in Manx politics? That was the topic of conversation at a workshop hoping to make Tynwald more accessible. Amy Griffiths has been finding out more:

* A warning that this story contains references of suicide and information which some readers may find upsetting. Is there enough support for children with high functioning additional needs on the Island? According to one parent, the answer is no. She's calling for more help to be given to children like hers who struggle in a mainstream school environment. Amy Griffiths has been finding out more.

In this edition of Newscast, we catch up with Jason McKee who took part in the Parish Walk to help raise money for Motiv8 Addiction Services. Jason himself struggled with addiction for thirty years and has now marked five years in recovery. As well as raising money, Jason wanted to help break down the stigma around addiction. He's been speaking to Manx Radio's Lewis Foster about how far he made it...

"Freedom to Flourish isn't happening, we're not getting that chance." That's how local producers have reacted to the news that this year's Food and Drink Festival has been cancelled. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says it's focus will now be on the Royal and Southern Agricultural Shows and 'new initiatives'. Amy Griffiths has been speaking to two producers on the Island:

Manx Radio is turning 60 years old, and to celebrate its making some changes. The public service broadcaster is launching a new schedule on FM, as well as a brand new station, Manx Radio Gold, playing the greatest hits online and on smart speakers. Alex Brindley is the Director of Programming, News and Content and has been telling Amy Griffiths more:

Police say they will ‘relentlessly pursue’ organised crime groups who are trying to exploit the Island. But they’ve warned that the Isle of Man’s borders are ‘porous’ and say it’s still too easy for people to traffic drugs here. This month 11 people were jailed for their involvement in supplying cocaine, brought in by others, to undercover police officers. News Editor Tessa Hawley has this Newscas...

The Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival has been cancelled for 2024. The need to offer a greater variety of support to food producers and the risk of weather-related cancellations are among the reasons given for the decision. Manx Radio's Sian Cowper asked Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber about the decision, and about plans for a new 'Meet The Buyers' event.

Four siblings are returning to the Isle of Man from Ireland to take on the Parish Walk in memory of their late father. Accountant Jim McDonald, and his wife Mary, moved to the Isle of Man with their young family in 1987 and lived here until 2004. Last year, in May, he died after battling progressive supranuclear palsy. Now, his four children - Elaine, Paul, Eoin and Fiona - are returning to t...

A public meeting was held last night which saw a hefty turnout, with residents eager to hear the views of Paul Burgess to present why he thinks "net-zero will be a disaster for the Isle of Man". Mr Burgess describes himself as a climatologist who's spent his career looking at the extremes of weather, and claims the Isle of Man's attempts to reach net-zero and tackle climate change is 'rubbish'. Ma...

The Cooil brothers from Ballagawne Farm have scooped the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group's Silver Lapwing Award

One of over 1,200 people taking on the Parish Walk this weekend is Manx resident Iain Wrigley. Whilst attending a funeral in Wales in February 2023, he suffered a catastrophic stroke which left him unable to walk or talk. He spent twelve weeks in hospital, undergoing months of intense physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Seventeen months on he's back on the Island and is hoping to get to Peel in...

The chief executive of Manx Care has reacted to the Chief Minister's pledge in Tynwald this week to take a magnifying glass to a number of areas with a view to 'streamlining and driving efficiencies'.

If so, you'll want to listen to this - top tips for the days before the race as well as the event itself, to make sure you reach your destination goal feeling fit.

"Do you see me?" is the theme of this year's Learning Disability Awareness Week. Manx Mencap has been hosting a series of events to help raise awareness of the work they do. It's thought around 1,700 people on the Island have a learning disability. Amy Griffiths has been along to meet some of the people who use the charity:

In the June 2024 sitting of Tynwald, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan made a series of announcements, which he said came with the ultimate aim of understanding where efficiencies lie across the public sector. But what does that actually mean? Mr Cannan has been talking to Manx Radio's Political Correspondent Phil Gawne.

An independent report has been released this week which reviews the current education funding system on the Island. You can find a detailed summary of its findings here. Manx Radio's Political Correspondent has been talking to Education Minister Daphne Caine but first former minister Julie Edge was asked why we didn't see this report during her time:

A bus station for Douglas should be the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure according to one MHK. The Planning Committee is currently considering plans by a private developer which include an indoor bus information centre on Lord Street. The last facilities there were demolished in 2002. Last year, Douglas East member Joney Faragher put forward a motion that was unanimously supporte...

Owners of empty and dilapidated properties in the Island's capital will now be made to pay rates. Douglas City Council is introducing the new policy to incentivise renovation and says it hopes it will help with the current housing crisis. These properties were previously 'zero-rated' but now owners will be charged unless their building is demolished. Council Leader Claire Wells says it's not fair...

Towards the end of this month, the Isle of Man will be represented at one of the world's most famous music festivals. Mae Challis has been invited to perform a two-hour set each day of Glastonbury at 'The Tap House'. Worthy Farm in Somerset is home to some of the most iconic music acts, with some independent artists being scouted by major record labels along the way. Christian Jones caught up with...

Government workers are being offered a 2-percent pay increase for the current financial year, which a trade union has already labelled 'totally unacceptable'. The Isle of Man's Public Services Commission has set out pay awards for the next three financial years which would see public and civil servants' salaries rise by the same percentile for the following two years as well. Despite inflation bei...

Isle of Man Meats says it is 'really disappointed' to see a post from a local butcher criticising stock availability on Island. Lee Mayers took to Facebook this week, saying stock has been 'missing on a regular basis'; adding that as a result, he will be looking into getting meat from the UK instead. He told customers he put an order in last week to be delivered today but found 'most of the order...