Hope for the future of Grangemouth. The UK Government will invest 125 million pounds in the chemicals plant, securing 500 jobs.

Wed 17 Dec, 6.00 pm

Nicholas Rossi: Fugitive who faked his own death jailed for rape

The UK Government is investing £125m in the chemicals plant at Grangemouth to secure 500 jobs at Ineos and thousands more in the supply chain.



The plant produces ethylene which is crucial for the water industry, plastics and pharmaceuticals.



Rachel Reeves says it is good value for taxpayers' money and the country's security.



The chancellor says she is convinced the plant has a long-term viable future.

Political Editor

Colin Mackay

The chancellor says it is good value for taxpayers' money and the country's security.

UK Government announces £125m investment in Grangemouth

The justice secretary has publicly apologised to a grooming gangs expert after a row over misrepresenting her views in parliament.



Angela Constance said she made a personal call to Professor Alexis Jay to say sorry for involving her in the controversy.



However, Constance faced further questions over whether she had breached the ministerial code after admitting no government official was involved.

Political Correspondent

Ewan Petrie

Angela Constance said she made a personal call to Professor Alexis Jay.

Constance apologises to grooming gangs expert

A gunman branded by a judge as a "paid assassin" has been jailed for at least 26 years for murdering an Edinburgh gangster.



Grant Hunter admitted shooting Marc Webley outside a pub in the capital on Hogmanay two years ago. 



He expected to be paid "a substantial sum".



At the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Mullholland told Hunter his "cowardly actions will haunt you for the rest of your life".

Lewis Michie

Grant Hunter admitted shooting Marc Webley outside a pub in the capital on Hogmanay two years ago. 

‘Paid assassin’ jailed for murdering gangster on Hogmanay

Scotland could have a new, environmentally-friendly alternative to burial or cremation as early as next year.



Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, uses a controlled chemical process that breaks down the body, leaving only the bones.



It's already used in countries like the United States, Canada and Ireland.



If approved, it would be the first new end of life option offered here in more than a century.



STV News has been to Dublin to find out how it works.

Amie Flett

Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, uses a controlled chemical process that breaks down the body.

Alternative to burial or cremation could come to Scotland next year

Children with complex additional support needs in Clackmannanshire are experiencing the joy of riding a bike for the very first time.



The charity FEL Scotland partnered with Clackmannanshire Council to pilot a ground-breaking adaptive cycling project, which has seen pupils speaking and smiling for the first time during sessions.

Rahim Cham

FEL Scotland partnered with Clackmannanshire Council to pilot an adaptive cycling project.

Charity helps children with complex needs ride a bike for the first time

Plans for a controlled parking zone in Portobello have been thrown out by councillors after more than 2,000 residents objected to the move.



A long-running local campaign against the zones argued parking pressures in the area did not justify year-round restrictions and said local businesses would suffer.

Laura Piper

A campaign argued parking pressures in Portobello did not justify year-round restrictions.

Plans for controlled parking zone thrown out after 2,000 objections

SSEN says it will appeal a decision to oppose a new 200-acre substation on Angus farmland.



For a second time in a month, councillors have voted against the power giant's plans.



They also include a 66-mile 'super pylon' route from Aberdeenshire to Tealing.



But the company says it still plans to continue with the proposed site.

Callum Clark

For a second time in a month, councillors have voted against SSEN's plans.

Power company to appeal council decision to reject substation plans

The Royal Children's Hospital in Aberdeen is being recognised for its work in treating brain tumours in children.



Along with a hospital in Glasgow, it's now being regarded as a centre of excellence.



Twelve-year-old Izzy, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, is now telling her story to highlight the hospital's work.

Oliver Wright

The Aberdeen hospital is now being regarded as a centre of excellence.

Royal Children’s Hospital recognised for brain tumour treatment

A charity behind a new project helping to clean and donate mattresses to those most in need says the service is required now more than ever.



Stella's Voice, who are based in Peterhead, are working with Aberdeenshire Council to reduce waste by cleaning beds that would otherwise go to waste.



So far more than 100 have been transformed, but as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, demand is expected to grow.

Reporter

Haley Bouma

Stella's Voice are working to reduce waste by cleaning beds that would otherwise go to waste.

Mattress charity says donations are needed now more than ever

A third of adults are concerned about the cost of their energy bills this winter, according to a new survey.



It showed nearly eight in ten have cut back on expenses due to rising prices.



More than half have used extra layers or blankets instead of central heating.



The charity Citizens Advice Scotland, who carried out the research, is calling on the government and the energy regulator to protect the most vulnerable.

Grainne NiGhreachain

A survey found nearly eight in ten have cut back on expenses due to rising prices.

Third of adults concerned about energy bills this winter

They're man's best friend and, for many, they're simply one of the family. So how would you feel if they were snatched away from you?



Would you go as far as offering a reward of £35,000?



That's the situation one family finds itself in, as they appeal for the safe return of their pet dog, Bear.



They're welcoming a bill to make dog theft a criminal offence.

One family are welcoming the bill as they appeal for the safe return of their pet dog, Bear.

MSPs vote to make stealing a dog a specific offence

A man with terminal lung cancer who underwent 80 rounds of chemotherapy is urging the Scottish Government to introduce a targeted screening programme for the disease.



Graeme Dickie from Johnstone never smoked but says too many people like him are still being diagnosed too late.



Charities argue Scotland is "falling behind" other parts of the UK, but the health secretary says things are moving as fast as possible.

Political Reporter

Laura Alderman

Graeme Dickie never smoked but says too many people like him are still being diagnosed too late.

‘Don’t be like me, get tested if you have lung cancer symptoms’

Residents in North Lanarkshire say they are increasingly worried about a smouldering, underground fire near their homes.



The fire, believed to have started in July, is at a colliery in Coatbridge, and is leaving back gardens coated in soot - raising fears about respiratory health. The local council says it could take some time to put out the fire.



STV News has been speaking to local residents about their growing concerns.

STV News has been speaking to local residents about their growing concerns.

Underground coal fire covering homes in layers of soot

With Christmas fast approaching, a North East charity is making sure thousands of children will have a gift to open.



The Giving Tree Appeal was set up by Instant Neighbour over 30 years ago.



Presents donated by the public are now being handed out to those in need.

Reem Satar

Presents donated by the public are now being handed out to those in need.

Charity making sure kids have presents to open this Christmas

The NHS is coming under additional pressure because of flu, with a higher number of people attending A&amp;E.



That's according to the health secretary, as latest figures show more than two-fifths of patients in Accident and Emergency waited longer than the target time.



Leading health experts warn we've failed to apply lessons learnt from the Covid pandemic, as flu cases surge.

Steven Brown

Leading health experts warn we've failed to apply lessons learnt from the Covid pandemic.

NHS facing additional pressure from rising flu cases

The funding crisis facing Scotland's colleges is an "'attack on working class people' according to industry leaders. 



Further education facilities say they've faced 20% cut in real terms over the last five years. Forth Valley college is considering closing its Alloa campus due to the pressures. 



Lewis Michie has speaking to staff and students who know all about the importance of the institutions.

The funding crisis facing Scotland&#8217;s colleges is an &#8220;&#8216;attack on working class people&#8217; according to industry...

College funding crisis ‘an attack on working class people’

The planned closure of a Lanarkshire bank has prompted protest from local residents who have branded it “one of the worst decisions” made in the town.



The Bank of Scotland in Larkhall’s Union Street, which has served the community for over 50 years, is set to shut its doors on January 8.



Hundreds are calling for an independent review into the decision, raising concerns over transport and digital access.



Larkhall Plan Partnership chairperson Nancy Barr said the move will hit older and vulnerable people.

Journalist

Tara Fitzpatrick

The Bank of Scotland in Larkhall, which has served the community over 50 years, is set to shut its doors in January.

Closure of Larkhall’s last bank ‘will hit vulnerable hardest’

Concerns have been raised about the structural maintenance of a historic viaduct in Moray, after it partially collapsed over the weekend



One of the spans of the popular Spey Viaduct twisted and fell into the river on Sunday.



Moray Council says an initial inspection confirmed fast flowing water resulted in erosion around the foundations.



No one was on the bridge at the time of the incident while a police cordon remains in place as the investigation continues.

Concerns have been raised about the structural maintenance of a historic viaduct in Moray, after it...

Historic rail bridge collapses into River Spey

A Kinross-based charity is urging families with children living with life-shortening conditions to seek financial help at what can be one of the most expensive time of the year.



Children's Hospices Across Scotland, known as CHAS, says families they support are often hit hardest by the ongoing cost of living crisis. as the children they care for rely on vital costly equipment.

Vanessa Kennedy

Children's Hospices Across Scotland warn that families with children living with additional needs can struggle.

CHAS call for more support for families at Christmas

Leaders of Scotland's Jewish community say they fear being victims of an attack like the one in Australia. 



Fifteen people are now confirmed dead after the shootings at Bondi Beach in Sydney at the weekend. 



Those who were killed had been at an event celebrating the start of Hanuka.

Senior Reporter

Gordon Chree

First Minister John Swinney called the attack an 'unspeakable act of hatred and violence'.

Scotland’s Jewish community ‘very afraid’ after Bondi Beach attack

The First Minister has agreed to meet the families of children with dementia after coverage of a damning report into the state of care and support on STV News last night.



We heard the heartbreaking stories of families having to watch helplessly as their children suffer from the incurable condition, which has similar death rates to childhood cancer.

It comes after coverage of a damning report into the state of care and support on STV News last night.

Swinney agrees to meet families of children with dementia

It's been two years since it became illegal to park on the pavement in Scotland, and Edinburgh City Council, which became the first local authority to enforce the legislation, have handed out almost 9,000 fines since.



However, some council areas have still not initiated enforcement - a change campaigners say is necessary.

Some council areas have still not started enforcement - something campaigners say needs to change.

City council hands outs almost 9,000 pavement parking fines

Designs to heighten Brechin's flood defences have gone on display today as public engagement sessions take place.



The town's defences on River Street were overwhelmed during Storm Babet two years ago.



The scheme remains in good condition, but reports indicate its protection level has reduced

Saul Sievwright

Brechin's defences on River Street were overwhelmed during Storm Babet two years ago.

Plans for town’s flood defences to be heightened go on display

As flu cases continue to rise across Scotland, a record number of children are in hospital in Aberdeen with the virus.



One in six beds at Aberdeen's Children's Hospital is occupied by youngsters with flu, more than three times the number at the same point last year.



The number of people with the virus in Scotland has increased by nearly a quarter. Experts warn that it could still get worse.



This afternoon, the Scottish Government chaired a resilience meeting to discuss the rising numbers and the continued pressure on services.

One in six beds at Aberdeen's Children's hospital are occupied by youngsters with flu.

Record number of children in hospital as flu cases spread

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