Fri 21 Feb, 6.00 pm

A series of police raids have been carried out to foil a suspected human trafficking and drugs line linking Dundee and the West Midlands.



Three people have been arrested - a 63-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman in Dundee, while a 26-year-old man was detained in Birmingham.



STV News joined police on an operation to disrupt serious organised crime.

Lynne Rankin

STV News joined police on an operation to disrupt serious organised crime.

Police raid homes in suspected human trafficking and drugs case

For the first time in its 110-year history, the charity Veterans Housing Scotland has launched a public fundraising campaign.



Bosses say that the costs associated with providing affordable rentals to those who have served have spiralled in recent years.

Lewis Michie

Costs to renovate homes have nearly doubled in the past three years, alongside other spiralling bills.


Veterans charity launches first-ever public fundraising campaign

Councillors in Dundee say they want to hold more "community clean-ups" to combat dumped rubbish and fly-tipping.



A three-day clear-up has been taking place in the Stobswell area this week - the 10th in the city since summer 2022.



Through the scheme, council teams are out on the streets, and local residents are urged to participate as well.

Fraser Nicoll

A three-day clear up has been taking place in the Stobswell area this week.

Dundee councillors want more ‘community clean-ups’

It's thirty years since the Disability Discrimination Act was passed, but campaigners say an entire generation of Scots has been failed by a lack of disabled access.



The charity Euan's Guide says a survey of almost 7,000 people found issues such as not being able to get into venues or a lack of suitable toilets.

Nicola McAlley

Disability campaigners say they hope authorities, businesses and service providers can do better.

Entire generation of Scots failed, say disability campaigners

From schools to leisure centres, bin collections to road maintenance, councils are facing tough choices to maintain services amid mounting pressure on their finances.



Local authorities are due to vote on their budgets over the coming weeks, with increases in council tax expected.



The Scottish Government has promised to increase local authority funding by more than £1bn.



But councils say higher costs and increased demand mean they will still need to cut services.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

Local authorities say higher costs and increased demand mean they will still need to cut services despite a £1bn increase in funding.

Council tax expected to rise ahead of local authority budgets

It's seen as the crown of Dunoon, but the Burgh Hall is facing imminent closure if vital funds aren't raised to save the venue.



It comes as arts venues across the country are facing a funding crisis.



Now, acting A-listers Emma Thompson and Greg Wise are backing calls to support the iconic Victorian cultural centre.

Vanessa Taaffe

It comes as arts venues across the country are facing a funding crisis.

A-listers back call to save Dunoon Burgh Hall from closure

The City of Edinburgh Council will set its budget for the next year on Thursday, with proposals including the increase of council tax by 7% to 10%.



But the local authority is also having to make cutbacks to plug a £30m blackhole.



Teachers and parents of children with additional support needs fear they are likely to be some of the biggest losers.

The local authority is also having to make cutbacks to plug a £30m black-hole.

Edinburgh local authority expected to hike council tax by 7%

A new opinion poll shows growing support for the re-introduction of lynx to Scotland.



Twenty organisations have signed an open letter to the First Minister, questioning his refusal to rule out their return.



The issue has been highlighted after four lynx were illegally released into the Cairngorms last month.

The issue has been highlighted after four lynx were illegally released into the Cairngorms.

New poll shows growing support for lynx reintroduction

Families have spoken out over proposed council cuts to health and social care in Aberdeenshire. 



A meeting of the body that oversees the services examined a predicted overspend of more than £26m.



STV News has spoken to families who are concerned about the impact on them and their loved ones.

Grainne NiGhreachain

Aberdeenshire Council will meet next week to discuss their budget for the coming year.



Families concerned for health and social care amid council cuts

Prisoners from Scotland's overcrowded jails are being released early in an attempt to lessen the pressure on the system.



The first of 390 inmates who have served 40% of a four-year sentence walked out of prison gates across the country on Tuesday. 



It's part of a phase of releases happening over the course of six weeks.



It won't include those who've committed the most serious crimes like murder or sexual offences.



Victim support campaigners claim the move is traumatising and are worried about their safety.

Prisoners who have committed the most serious crimes like murder or sexual offences will not be released early.

Hundreds of prisoners released early to tackle overcrowding

Scotland's justice system is still feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to campaigners and lawyers.



As the Scottish Covid Inquiry starts looking at justice, STV News has been told delays in the courts from the lockdown period mean cases are still taking too long to be dealt with.



STV News has been speaking to some of those who'll be giving evidence to the inquiry in the coming days.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

STV News has been speaking to some of those who will be giving evidence to the inquiry.

Justice system still feeling Covid impact, say campaigners

It was once home to Scotland’s steelworks before its closure in the early 1990s.



Now, Ravenscraig is at the heart of a major housing regeneration initiative.



The Scottish Government's housing minister visited to see see first-hand what is being done to transform one of Europe’s largest brownfield projects.

Rahim Cham

Ravenscraig is at the heart of a major housing regeneration initiative.

Former steel works at heart of housing regeneration plans

A highly accurate laser is being used to help protect and restore some of Scotland's historic sites.



The National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland have been using the technology to create scans of Kellie Castle in Fife.



It'll enable teams to monitor and repair any damage to the heritage areas.

Felicity Clifford

The technology has been used to create scans of Kellie Castle in Fife, which will help teams monitor and repair damage going forward. 

High tech laser helping to protect and restore historical sites

Farming leaders have emerged "frustrated and angry" following talks with the UK Government about plans for a new inheritance tax.



Meeting Treasury officials at Westminster, they maintained that a 20% tax would destroy family businesses and threaten food security.



But there was no sign of a U-turn by ministers.

Iain Ramage

Farming leaders have maintained that a 20% tax would destroy businesses and threaten food security in the UK. 

‘Frustration’ as farming talks with ministers no further forward

Sophia Smith was just 11 days old when she died at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in 2017.



She had contracted a toxic strain of the MRSA bug.



A Fatal Accident Inquiry into her death began on Monday. Her parents say they felt “stonewalled” by the health board following their daughter’s death.



They said: "We hope that by the end of this process, we will know the truth about why our daughter's life was so tragically and heartbreakingly short."

Caitlin Hutchison

Sophia Smith was only 11 days old when she died at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Fatal accident inquiry begins into death of baby girl

Millions of children in Ukraine are now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.



Since the beginning of the war, one mother and daughter have been trying to combat the lasting effects of the conflict through art.



Now they're exhibiting children's paintings across the world and plan to bring the display to Scotland later this year.

Amie Flett

Next week will mark three years since the war in Ukraine began. 

Ukrainian mother and daughter helping combat PTSD with art

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow have been learning English thanks to £500,000 of Scottish Government funding. 



The classes can be key to gaining employment for those settling in Scotland.



But many face years on waiting lists due to rising demand and education leaders say they need longer term commitment from ministers.

Journalist

Tara Fitzpatrick

The classes can key to gaining employment for those settling in the country.

Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers benefit from English lesson funding

Perth Theatre is celebrating 125 years of entertaining audiences.



It is home to Scotland's longest running youth theatre and has helped launch the careers of stars such as Ewan McGregor and Colin McCredie.



STV News has been for a look behind the scenes.

STV News has been for a look behind the scenes.

Perth Theatre celebrates 125 years of entertaining audiences

Electricity customers have now spent £2bn to compensate windfarm owners ordered to switch off their turbines.



The regular shutdowns are essential to avoid overloading the national grid, which frequently can't cope with the input from renewable energy projects.



Industry watchers say the cost is obscene.

Industry watchers say the cost is obscene.

Electricity customers spend £2bn to compensate windfarm owners

For many, the hope of buying their own home has remained a pipe dream for years but new figures may signal hope on the house-buying horizon.



The number of first-time house buyers in Scotland has risen by more than a fifth since 2023, according to the latest analysis by the Bank of Scotland - but only if you've amassed a savings pot.



The amount required for a deposit has also gone up, with people now having to save an average of £43,500 to secure their first home.

Laura Piper

Buyers now need to fork out an average £43,500 for their deposit.

Number of first time homebuyers rises by more than 20%

From next week, hundreds of prisoners will be released early under the latest move to reduce overcrowding in jails.



Behind bars, significant pressures remain. A major challenge is drugs - cutting the supply and tackling addiction.



To prioritise rehabilitation and recovery, the Scottish Prison Service has launched a new ten-year strategy.



Part of this includes prisoners being trusted to lead their own support groups.

Sharon Frew

STV News has been to HMP Low Moss to see the new approach in action.

Peer-to-peer support group trials under way in Scottish prisons

Families are appealing for a change in immigration rules which are keeping them separated from loved ones.



They are asking the UK Government to reform the minimum income requirement for family visas.



Currently people living here need to earn at least £29,000 to bring an immediate family member to live with them.



The Scottish Government wants the rule reduced or removed altogether.

They are asking the UK Government to reform the minimum income requirement.

Families call for visa rule change to be reunited with loved ones

An exhibition telling the story of the global effort to develop a Covid-19 vaccine has opened at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.



Injecting Hope looks at the UK-wide, behind-the-scenes work that helped deliver the life-saving vaccine.

Exhibition detailing global struggle against Covid opens in Edinburgh

It's one of the largest-ever infrastructure projects in Perth and Kinross at a cost of £150m.



The Cross-Tay Link Road opens next month and aims to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.



Members of the public have had a rare opportunity to get inside its main structure, the Destiny Bridge.

Callum Clark

The Cross-Tay Link Road aims to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

£150m Perth and Kinross bridge set to open next month

Two farmers in Aberdeenshire have urged pet owners to keep their dogs on a lead after their flock of sheep were attacked. 



Two pregnant ewes have since died following the incident. 



They say the message is particularly important as the lambing season approaches for livestock farmers. 



Viewers may some of the images in this report distressing.

Reporter

Haley Bouma

It comes as farmers prepare for the upcoming lambing season. 

Farmers call for dogs to be kept under control after sheep deaths

It was the first of its kind in Scotland when it was set up 40 years ago, with the aim of using art to promote health and wellbeing in hospitals.



Four decades on, Grampian Hospitals Art Trust continues to support thousands of patients across the north east.



As the charity prepares to celebrate its birthday, STV News has been meeting one Aberdeen woman to hear how painting and drawing has helped her recover from a brain tumour.

Anne Smith

The Trust was the first of its kind when it was set up in the north east of Scotland four decades ago. 

Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust to celebrate 40 years of helping patients

They are a common sight at beauty spots across the Highlands but there's a call to charge motorhome owners a tourism tax to help pay for the upkeep of roads and protect beauty spots.



A local MSP has said the proposed charge could follow the example of the Scottish Government's Visitor Levy, which aims to use funds raised to improve local areas.

Local MSP Emma Roddick says a charge should be imposed to offset the strain on beauty spots.

Call to charge motorhomes tourist tax in the Highlands

Young people with learning disabilities aren't getting the same medical care for common and treatable illnesses - like epilepsy or pneumonia - as everyone else.



In fact, they're nine times more likely to die from a "treatable cause", according to Glasgow University research.



It also found death certificates for people with Down Syndrome often misrepresent the cause of death.

Vidushi Tiwari

The research also found they're nine times more likely to die from a 'treatable cause'.

Young disabled people not receiving equal care, finds report

Scotland's first trans and non-binary football team say the club is a safe space for those who need it, in what they describe as 'dark times' for their community.



With trans rights continuing to be a contentious issue, the team is hopeful they can send a message that they belong in the sport.



Marking LGBTQ+ history month, STV News went along to meet them.

Ronnie Charters

Marking LGBTQ+ history month, STV News went along to meet the team.

Football team providing safe space for trans and non-binary community

The hills are alive on the Isle of Cumbrae on The Clyde.



Adults are getting free music lessons, and they say it's having a “life-changing” impact.



While it's often difficult to find local music teachers in rural areas, after the success of Cumbrae, Auchtermuchty and Glencoe will be the next communities to come together through the power of music.

The main aim of local charity the Cumbrae Forum is to tackle social isolation.

Music lessons ‘life-changing’ say adults on Scottish island

A mum from Fife is set to be the shortest and the lightest person to ever row across the Atlantic.



At just five feet tall, Milli Abrams will travel 3,000 miles completely solo at the end of this year as part of the World's Toughest Row event.

At just five foot tall, Milli Abrams will travel 3,000 miles completely solo.

Fife mum set to be shortest and lightest person to row the Atlantic

Three lynx illegally released in the Cairngorms are now searching for a permanent home after completing their 30-day quarantine at Edinburgh Zoo.



The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland says the cats are now ‘doing well’ since they were rescued in early January in the Drumguish area near Kingussie.

When the lynx were found they needed a huge amount of care.


Illegally released lynx searching for permanent home

A dog in Dundee has died after ingesting a pipe cleaner used in a design by local primary school pupils for a birdfeeder project.



A number of the fibre-covered wires, wrapped with food, have been spotted on the grounds of Baxter Park.



The council says it's working with schools to prevent it from happening again.

The council says it's working with schools to prevent it from happening again.

Dog dies after ingesting pipe cleaner used in school project

Scottish Salmon exports reached a record high last year, increasing by more than 40% on the year before.



Salmon makes up the largest proportion of food sent overseas from the UK and is now worth more than £800m.



The sector has welcomed the growth but says challenges remain in meeting worldwide demand.

Exports are now worth more than £800m.

Scottish salmon exports hit record high, rising 40%

Aberdeenshire Council has scaled back it's decision to close 13 libraries across the region.



Most libraries will be saved - with changes to working arrangements - while others will be community-led.



It follows a widespread campaign to save the services.

It follows a widespread campaign to save the services.

Council scales back decision to close 13 libraries

"We're invisible in society". These are the words of a mother whose family is facing significant cuts to their social care budget.



East Renfrewshire Council voted to means-test non-residential care, which means they'll now charge £20 an hour for some elements of support.



19-year-old Romi Loffler is severely disabled and will be among those hardest hit by the decision.



She told STV News she wants decision-makers to spend the day with her to see how devastating the cuts will be to her quality of life.

There will now be another vote on the issue again at the end of the month.


Families feel ‘invisible’ as council to cut social care support

Ahead of Valentines' Day, cyber security experts are warning of the rise in romance scams using artificial intelligence as the technology becomes more prolific.



One Edinburgh woman lost thousands of pounds after being duped by digitally altered videos.



She wants to ensure others don't suffer the same fate.

One Edinburgh woman lost thousands of pounds after being duped by digitally altered videos.

Cyber security experts warn against AI romance scams

Ambitious £4m plans are in the works to revive a former Glasgow Southside hotspot that has been vacant for almost a decade.



Local businessman Sam Amdjadi wants to rescue the former Tusk nightclub in Shawlands.



His vision includes restoring the building into a vibrant cinema, cafe, and community space.

A businessman wants to rescue the former Tusk nightclub in Shawlands.

Multi-million pound plans proposed to revive Southside hotspot

One of Scotland’s most iconic and historic churches, Dunfermline Abbey, is facing a staggering £8m repair bill.



Founded in the 11th century by Queen Margaret, the ancient monastery has stood the test of time as a revered place of worship and has welcomed Monarchs from across the globe.

Dunfermline Abbey is the final resting place of King Robert the Bruce. 


One of Scotland’s most historic churches facing £8m repair bill

When a young Val McDermid went to take out books from her local library in Kirkcaldy, she never could have dreamt that years later, she would be one of Scotland's most celebrated authors.



But it's that hope and imagination that she says is at risk as libraries across the country are threatened with closure.



She's fronting a campaign encouraging people to love their local libraries.

She just hopes people see how libraries can transform lives.


Val McDermid fronting campaign to help save local libraries

A campaign to restore full maternity services in Caithness has reached the United Nations.



Caithness General was downgraded almost ten years ago, leaving most mums-to-be with hundred-mile journeys to the hospital in Inverness to give birth.



Campaigners have put their case to a human rights committee in Geneva.

Campaigners have put their case to a human rights committee in Geneva.

Campaign to restore Caithness maternity services reaches the UN

The health secretary has apologised to NHS Grampian patients as the health board struggles to cope with increasing demand.



Neil Gray MSP says the Scottish Government is committed to supporting the board after a record yearly spending high, which was expected to amount to almost £70m over budget.



It comes after a critical incident was declared at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in November which saw ambulances diverted to other hospitals.

It comes after a critical incident at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary which saw ambulances diverted to other hospitals.

Health secretary apologises to NHS Grampian patients

A group in East Dunbartonshire is looking to bring a 197-year-old derelict church back into community ownership.



Friends of Campsie High Kirk in Lennoxtown will acquire the abandoned church for just £1 in May.



The group is hoping to turn the old place of worship into an events space for theatre performances, meetings, and concerts.



The group are now on the hunt for funding to bring the big project to life.

Iona Brownlie

Friends of Campsie High Kirk in Lennoxtown will acquire the abandoned church for just £1 in May.

Group hoping to bring abandoned church into community ownership

The man tasked with reviewing the care of potentially hundreds of patients harmed by a neurosurgeon in Dundee has said the scale is "worrying".



Sam Eljamel carried out more than 4,000 operations during the 18 years he was employed by NHS Tayside before he was suspended in 2013.



Professor Stephen Wigmore, who is leading the independent clinical reviews, says there's an issue with incomplete and missing patient records.

Sam Eljamel carried out more than 4,000 operations over 18 years.

Head of Eljamel review says scale of harm ‘worrying’

Two fishermen have been praised for rescuing a humpback whale entangled in a fishing rope off the north-east coast of Skye.



It's the fourth incident of its kind since December, when experts recorded a stark increase in whale populations in the area.



Now, the fishing community are working to help reduce the risk of entanglements.

The fishing community are working to help reduce the risk of entanglements.

Fishermen praised after rescue of tangled humpback whale

Could the next extension to Edinburgh's tram network already be running through communities such as Gorgie, Morningside and Craigmillar?



A group of engineering students in the Capital certainly think so.



Their proposals to put trams on the south suburban railway have been received warmly by locals and the Council.

Their proposals have been received warmly by locals and the Council.

Engineering students propose new Edinburgh tram link

Here's a cow who is truly outstanding in her field.



Julie the Highland Cow is Scotland's latest super moo-del.



She's the 'face' of a new campaign to encourage tourists to visit Scotland during the winter months.



And she's been dressing the part - wearing a hand-knitted cardigan and bunnet, to showcase some 'cow couture'.

Susan Nicholson

Julie the Highland Cow is Scotland's latest super moo-del.

Highland cow new face of Scotland’s tourist campaign

Farmers are calling for serious penalties to be imposed on those responsible for releasing feral pigs into the Cairngorms amid fears for other species in the area.



A drone has been brought in to locate the animals, and it's hoped they can be trapped as soon as possible.

 It's hoped they can be trapped as soon as possible.

Famers calling for serious penalty after feral pigs released into the Highlands

Family and friends of the murdered schoolgirl Hope Gordon have gathered for her funeral in Livingston.



Outside the private service, people lined the street to show their support.



The six-year-old was found dead alongside her father last month at his house in West Calder - detectives believe he took his own life after killing her.

The community lined the street to pay their respects to Hope Gordon.

Family and friends gather for funeral of murdered schoolgirl

At the age of 21, Ross Edwards was a promising young footballer but in 1980, a devastating car crash would change his life forever.



Now 65, he's fronting a campaign for a new community hub in Perth that will offer specialist-supported living for people like him.

Ross Edwards was injured in a car crash in 1980.

Football clubs join forces to support new disability community hub

Farmers from across the country have descended on Westminster again as they continue their fight against inheritance tax changes.



The sector has warned that the proposals, which will see the introduction of a 20% tax rate on farms worth more than £1m, will put some farms out of business.



Around 150,000 people have now signed a petition calling for the plans to be scrapped.

Westminster Correspondent

Paris Gourtsoyannis

Around 150,000 people, have now signed a petition calling for the plans to be scrapped.

Farmers protest in Westminster over inheritance tax changes

Businesses are warning that delays to the dualling of the A96 are stalling growth in the North East and demanding progress.



The Scottish Government says it’s committed to fully dualling the road between Aberdeen and Inverness—despite admitting it won’t meet its 2030 target.

The Scottish Government says it’s committed to fully dualling the road.

Businesses warn A96 dualling delay will hit growth

Concerns are being voiced over what appears to be the illegal release of wild boar in the Cairngorms National Park area.



A number of the semi-tame animals were spotted over the weekend in the Insh and Glenfeshie areas.



Tonight, the Government agency NatureScot said plans are being made to trap the animals.

NatureScot said plans are being made to trap the animals.

Concerns raised over apparent illegal wild boar release

A pioneering project pairing Clown Doctors with young children with vision impairments has been welcomed by families.



Launched by Sight Scotland and the Hearts and Minds charity, the play sessions aim to help youngsters form early friendships.



Experts say this could be vital in supporting child development, laying the foundation for their future education and well-being.

The play sessions aim to help youngsters form early friendships.

Clown doctors healing children with vision impairments

The number of children living in temporary accommodation in Scotland has reached its highest levels in over 20 years.



The number of people sleeping rough is also on the rise, with more and more people not offered temporary accommodation or suitable homes.



Charities say it shows the housing system in Scotland is broken.



STV News joined one team in Edinburgh to support those who were sleeping rough every night.

Charities say it shows the housing system in Scotland is broken.

Children in temporary accommodation highest level in 20 years

A man who tried to kill his estranged wife after subjecting her to years of domestic abuse has been jailed for more than seven years and four months.



William Budge drove a car straight at Sandra in Edinburgh's Muirhouse Parkway before doing a U-turn and driving over her again.



Today, a judge told the 62-year-old, who admitted attempted murder, that the "callousness and cruelty" of his actions are astonishing.

William Budge drove a car straight at Sandra in Edinburgh's Muirhouse Parkway.

Man jailed for seven years after attempting to kill estranged wife

A report criticising the Scottish government and local authorities says significant changes that should improve the lives of young people who go through the care system aren't happening fast enough.



It's been five years since a commitment was made to "The Promise," but despite criticism, ministers say they remain committed to announcing additional support for families.

STV News - Edinburgh