Minster FM News Reports
GCSE results
Teenagers are celebrating the best GCSE results ever.
The pass rate's leapt up by the biggest amount this century to 2 thirds.
But at the other end of the scale, fewer than a third of students at hundreds of schools are getting at least 5 Cs.
We've been out to Malton School in North Yorkshire to find out how local youngsters have done.
York Racecourse
The entire Ebor festival at York Racecourse has been cancelled because of a waterlogged track.
An inspection was carried out this lunchtime to assess tomorrow's prospects, but it seems the ground is to wet.
The festival was extended to 4 days, to make up for the loss of revenue when the site will close in September and October.
It's because of work on a new multi-million pound drainage system, costing around 2 and a half million, that could have saved this week's event if it had already been done.
Bookies are also estimating they'll lose nearly a hundred million pounds in profits as well.
Sunbeds
Singer Sandi Tom has been artificially aged 30 years to warn teenagers about the dangers of sunbeds. Cancer Research UK's published the image of how the star could look after over-exposure to UV rays. Here in Yorkshire we have higher skin cancer rates than the national average, with 409 cases within 2 years.
Road Pricing
After the idea was scrapped once before the Government may have another go at introducing Road Pricing. It's reported a scheme could be trialed in 2010 here in North Yorkshire. The 'Pay As You Drive' plan would mean motorists are charged depending on how far they travel on some of the busiest routes. It's being seen as a key election issue.
Sewage Floods
Residents in Holgate have been suffering with flooding again, this time SEWAGE.
Every time there's a heavy downpour the drains overflow with excrement leaving residents having to cope.It means children haven't been able to play outside incase they catch illnesses. Problems were reported on Leeman Road, Balfour Street, Salisbury Terrace, Carnot Street and Lincoln Street.
Yorkshire Water is now reassuring residents they are taking action.
Malton Maternity Unit Under Threat!
Bad news for mums-to-be in Malton as an independent report recommends the town's maternity unit should close.
The IRP watchdog claims none of the birthing facilities at Malton, Whitby or Bridlington are sustainable despite the dedication of local staff.
It wants to see a larger consultant-led service developed at Scarborough Hospital that pregnant woman can travel too.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson's due to make a decision on the units' future in the next few weeks.
Fuel Poverty
Nearly 1 in 3 households in North Yorkshire could be plunged into fuel poverty amid warnings domestic prices could rise by nearly 70%.The MD of Centrica, which owns British Gas, says people could be facing bills of up to a thousand pounds a year.
The rising cost of oil's being blamed.
North Yorkshire's Crime Stats Released
The latest crime stats are out - and it doesn't make for pleasant reading.
Nationally - it's emerged knives were used in 22,000 violent offences last year - but in York and North Yorkshire - only 66 were recorded - the 3rd lowest level in the whole of England.
Minster FM's Katie Mack's been looking through the Home Office report.
Council Workers Strike in Pay Row
Striking council workers say today's industrial action is only the beginning, unless their pay dispute is settled.
Around 300,000 staff including dinner ladies, cleaners and bin men have walked out for 2 days.
Services here in Yorkshire and in the and North West of England have been worst affected.
In North Yorkshire, council staff have taken to the picket lines in Northallerton to protest at the 2.5% pay offer.
They want closer to 6% to cover the cost of living.
Boy Racers in Malton
Elderly residents in Malton are complaining to police that boy racers are causing a noise nusiance and flytipping.
The Wentworth Street car park is now the focus of a new crackdown on antisocial behaviour in the town.
Officers are meeting with the alleged offenders at the site this afternoon.
The Healthcare Commission highlights "inadequate services"
Women who've just give birth are being forced to share showers and toilets with other new mums.
The Healthcare Commission's highlighting what it calls "inadequate services" after reviewing 150 NHS trusts in England.
Only 16 percent of delivery rooms checked had private wash facilities available.
And on postnatal wards, some only had 1 bathroom for every 13 beds.
Here in North Yorkshire the shortfall of care is also affecting patients, as officials considered closing Malton Maternity Unit.
Ricky Hatton To Host Charity Luncheon
Ricky Hatton is hosting a charity luncheon at the Knavesmire this afternoon in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness.
He's supported by British Lyon Rugby Internationals Rob Burrow and Keith Senior who've also made the trip to York.
The Hitman's told Minster FM that it's as much as his job to raise money for charity as it is to perform in the ring.
Meanwhile, Ricky's next fight is likely to be across the atlantic in Las Vegas, because it's cheaper for the fans.
The Hitman will take on IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi in November.
And despite the Hitman hoping to top the bill at New York's Madison Square Garden, he says he's putting the fans first.
But many supporters have argued if the match was held in this country tickets would be less pricey.
Smoking Ban Saves Lives
The Government claims the smoking ban has saved the lives of 700 bar workers.
It's because staff exposure to secondhand smoke has fallen by nearly 80% since the ban was introduced a year ago today.
But how has it affected us here in North Yorkshire?
Minster FM's Madeleine Lown's been out and about in York to find out.
Urgent Action Against British Floods
Urgent action's being demanded to protect Britain against flooding.
The call comes in an independent review into the devastation seen last summer.
Author Sir Michael Pitt says there's an ever-increasing threat of the situation being repeated.
It's believed around 3 billion pounds worth of damage was caused.
Thousands of families are still living in temporary accomodation.
Meanwhile residents in Pickering are protesting at the lack of progress at improving flood defences in the town.
Last summers deluge caused around 5 million pounds worth of damage in the town.
To make their point they've been holding a rather unique demonstration today.
Soaring Abortion Rate for North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire and York has the second highest abortion rate for under the age of 18 in the whole region. 236 teenagers chose to have a termination last year, beating city's like Nottingham and Bristol. The news has been revealed as stats show the number of abortions among under 14's has risen nationally. The figure went up 21% last year.
North of England at a Higher Risk of Cancer
People living in the North of England are more likely to develop cancer. Thats according Yorkshire researchers who claim 68 men per 100,000 in the North die every year of lung desease. That figure is just 34 in the South. Health officials say it's cause more people up here smoke or live in deprived areas.
Congestion In York
Measures are being put in place to try and reduce congestion in York that may cause more accidents.
Councillor Dave Merrett is chair of the Traffic Scrutiny Committee that's due to meet this afternoon.
He revealed that despite recent measures to reduce the build up of cars in our city the situation has actually worsened.
He predicting we'll see a 27% rise in traffic by the year 2016.
Climate Campaigners
Climate campaigners have prevented a train taking coal to one of Europe's biggest power stations.
Protesters stopped it reaching the Drax plant in North Yorkshire by using a red flag.
They're demanding it's shut down, claiming it's the largest single greenhouse gas polluter in the UK.
The British Transport Police have told us that they're working to ensure that normal services resume as soon as possible.
They claim that "Obstructing the railway is dangerous and unlawful and they'll be proactively dealing with anyone involved"
No arrests have been made at this stage.
Eco-Town
Members of the Leeds City Region have unanimously voted against plans for an eco-town in the area. Mark Crane who's the leader of Selby District Council asked them to reject all the sites and they did. They're now hoping the government listens to their concerns as well as those of residents across the region. However, they do say they're open to other suggestions as to how they government can meet their housing target.
Piglet - Afraid of the Dirt
A North Yorkshire piglet appears to have an unusual phobia. Cinder's owners think she may be mysophobic, that means she's afraid of dirt! They've resorted to putting her in children's wellies every day as she didn't want to get her trotters dirty. Thirsk farmer Andrew Keeble says she's now as happy as any other pig in mud.
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