Plans are progressing for a new sheltered housing building and commissioner's office space in Laxey.

Garff Commissioners is hoping to take over the former Princes Motors site to build new accommodation for residents and is due to submit a planning application soon.

The local authority wants to fund the site partly from the housing deficiency fund from government and from the sale of its current building - which it's hoped will mean rates won't be as affected.

Julie Mattin, who runs the local authority's Cooil Roi property, says it 'breaks her heart' to tell people there's a two year wait for accommodation in the area.

She's been speaking to Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper.

Treasury is trying to engage with about 600 MiCard users who haven't contacted the department yet.

At the end of the year the cards, which have been used since 2009, are 'hardwired' to stop working.

On Wednesday, a drop-in session will be held with four of the Island's banks at Markwell House to assist people who haven't been able to open a bank account yet.

The education minister says her department is listening to feedback and actively tweaking menus for school meals.

It as figures show a decline in the uptake since a new menu was introduced in September, which cut the amount of ultra-processed foods, increased the amount of Manx produce, and swapped desserts for fruit and milk.

Data provided in response to a Tynwald Question for Written Answer shows a trend towards pupils bringing their own packed lunch.

In this edition of Newscast, Education Minister Daphne Caine brings Lewis Foster up to speed with how the menu is being received.

A Ramsey Commissioner says residents of the town must make their voices heard about the Department of Infrastructures plans for new flood defences.

Next Monday (24 November) the DoI is holding drop-in sessions for people to look at the plans and provide feedback - this is taking place at the town hall during its usual opening hours.

The department previously submitted plans in 2021 which could've seen the removal of 50 parking spaces as well as a concrete wall and new pavements.

Juan McGuinness says the town is under 'threat' of tidal flooding and believes that the defences need to be in place to protect homes and businesses on the quayside.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him.

"Every child deserves the right to an education."

Those are the words of a Manx mum, after politicians backed her Tynwald Day petition to implement neurodiversity training across all the Island's schools.

Last month, Tynwald unanimously supported a motion committing to making adaptive and inclusive practice a core part of teacher training.

The Department of Education must now return to the court with a phased timeline for implementation by February next year.

Nichola Whitlam-Beckett, whose petition was the basis of the motion, has been sharing her reaction with Amy Griffiths:

A Douglas Central MHK is calling on his fellow Tynwald members to back his call for a new select committee to be formed.

Chris Thomas wants a review of the suitability of frameworks for the Island's financial services and eGaming sectors.

A Manx farmer says the sector 'needs to come together and find a solution' following the announcement that Milan Vets will no longer carry out farm veterinary services.

The practice says it will no longer be able to treat livestock from the end of the month, citing a long-term decline in the number of farm clients.

Milan Vets is owned by Independent Vetcare Limited, a large veterinary group that operates many practices across the British Isles, and it's been suggested that the decision to withdraw these services has been made off-Island.

In this edition of Newscast with Lewis Foster, Manx Radio Countryside presenter Kirree Kermode - from Orrisdale Farm in Ballasalla - says it's a worrying time for the sector.

Students on their way to becoming qualified counsellors have spoken of the benefits of being able to complete their studies on-Island.

The organisation Brighter Teaching brought its training services to the Isle of Man in 2023, allowing people to achieve their Level 5 diplomas without having to leave and study in the UK.

It offers a range of Ofqual-registered specialist courses for therapies such as; trauma, couples, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and children and adolescence.

In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to Elisha Gilbertson and Susie Lyons who are part of the first cohort of students who have been working hard to gain their qualifications.