History made as MSPs vote to make Scotland the first part of the UK to ban smacking
Scotland last night became the first part of the UK to ban smacking when MSPs voted to make it a criminal offence to physically punish a child.
John Finnie
Transport Scotland insists dualling of A9 and A96 will go-ahead
Transport Scotland has insisted the government is committed to dualling the A9 and A96, despite its roads’ director suggesting the projects were “up for debate”.
Caledonian Sleeper staff to take strike action as MSP calls for “disreputable” Serco to lose franchise
Caledonian Sleeper staff will take strike action in protest against operators Serco for putting workers under “intolerable” stress.
Poverty to be the heart of community discussion
Poverty is on the agenda for a north meeting, after it was discovered that more people than ever are approaching the town's foodbank for help.
Green MSP John Finnie announces he will step down from Holyrood at Scottish elections
The Highlands and Islands MSP, who introduced plans for a smacking ban at Holyrood, will retire at the 2021 Scottish election.
Highlands and Islands to be served by electric planes as Transport Secretary backs ‘third revolution’ in aviation
Electric planes could be flown on routes between the Highlands and Islands in what the Scottish Government has hailed as part of the "third revolution" in aviation.
Nicola Sturgeon challenged over multi-million cuts to Highland and Moray councils
Nicola Sturgeon was yesterday challenged over multi-million pound cuts to schools and public services in the north and north-east.
Highland MSP slams ‘vanity scheme’ redevelopment amid funding shortfall for Highland schools
A Highland MSP has slammed the proposed redevelopment of Inverness’ Longman roundabout amid a funding shortfall for the upgrade of 11 Highland schools.
Smacking ban is backed by Holyrood committee despite concerns it will criminalise good parents
Highland MSP John Finnie’s bid to outlaw smacking has been backed by an influential Holyrood committee despite concerns it would criminalise loving parents.
Armed officers deployed to more than 5,000 routine incidents in past year
Armed police officers have attended more than 5,000 routine incidents - including car crashes and missing persons searches - in the past year.
John Finnie claims chief constable could end up in court over `disgraceful’ police stations
John Finnie yesterday claimed the chief constable could end up in court unless urgent action is taken to improve police stations.
A light smack in ‘heat of the moment’ would not be prosecuted, MSPs are told
Giving a child a light smack in the “heat of the moment” would not result in a prosecution under Scotland’s smacking ban, it was claimed yesterday.
Police warn that smacking ban could cost the force
Police Scotland has warned MSPs that a smacking ban could result in increased costs to the force as officers spend more time investigating allegations against parents.
Green MSP John Finnie defends controversial parking tax plans
The Highlands and Islands MSP behind controversial workplace parking charges has claimed the controversial levy is unlikely to be introduced in remote areas.
Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie attacked over parking tax at FMQs
The north MSP behind the parking tax was accused of not having “a clue” about how it will work as parties clashed over the controversial proposal at Holyrood.
Green MSP warns rural areas will suffer unless Derek Mackay’s budget delivers the goods
The Scottish Government and Greens were last night edging closer to striking a deal to get the budget through Holyrood - on the basis that local councils get more support.
Most teachers on government flagship scheme in north and north-east are on temporary contracts
Nearly two thirds of new teachers employed in north and north-east schools under a Scottish Government scheme to close the attainment gap are on temporary contracts.
Accusation A9 campaigners are getting ‘preferential’ treatment to A96 because MSP is Deputy First Minister
Transport Scotland has been accused of giving preferential treatment to A9 campaigners over a group in Moray because they are constituents of the Deputy First Minister.
Michael Matheson declines to give HIAL management vote of confidence
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson yesterday declined to say that he had confidence in Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) management when challenged over its performance yesterday.
Five stories you might have missed this week
From Elton John dropping in on Aberdeen for two nights to a Caley Jags player leaving a woman with ‘significant’ injuries after attacking her – here are five stories you might have missed this week.
Councils across north and north-east failing to fine people for litter
Thousands of litter louts in Aberdeen have been caught in the act - but just a handful of fines have been issued in neighbouring authorities.
Scottish Ministers ‘call in’ controversial Coul Links golf course proposal
Scottish Ministers have “called in” the controversial Coul Links golf course proposal.
Inverness independence march attracts thousands of participants
Thousands of pro-independence supporters took to the streets of Inverness on Saturday.
Council accused of ‘pouring cash down the drain’ with £48k interest costs on scrapped Elgin road scheme
Moray Council has been accused of “pouring cash down the drain” after it emerged it will be charged nearly £50,000 in interest for money it held for 15 years.
Armed officers called to help elderly lady after fall
Armed police have helped out at more than 80 incidents across Scotland in the last week – including giving an elderly lady in Aberdeen first aid after a fall.
Highland Green MSP gets on his bike to campaign for lower speed limits
Inverness Scottish Green MSP John Finnie took to his bike in the Highland capital to highlight calls for safer streets with lower speed limits.
John Finnie: Scotland could teach Spain about how a true liberal democracy works
Whatever side of Scotland’s independence referendum debate you were on, most people will agree it exemplified some of the best principles of democracy.
Deal for laid-off workers criticised by MSP
A leading Highland MSP has welcomed compensation offered to 31 workers made redundant - but criticised the terms of the deal.
MSP’s fury as 31 workers lose jobs
North Green MSP John Finnie yesterday raised with Nicola Sturgeon the plight of 31 recycling plant workers who have lost their jobs due to a Highland Council procurement decision.
Locals attack Green MSPs over golf course protests
A north community has erupted in fury at politicians they say are trying to hijack plans for a major golf course in Sutherland.
MSP wants to tax empty land in Moray to raise £300,000 a year for extra homes
An MSP is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a new levy to generate more than £300,000 for housing projects in Moray.
Damning figures reveal electric car charges in Moray go unused for months at a time
The use of electric cars remains mixed across the north and north-east - with some charging points booming but others barely used for months at a time.