ABC TassieCast

As politicians report increasing amounts of abuse online a new piece of Tasmanian tech is being used to try to combat it.

Most of us have turned to Doctor Google to self diagnose.

For decades it's been called a national crisis and by any measure the numbers are alarming. 

What do footy and local indigenous culture have in common?

For Heywire Takeover Tamar Valley winner Mason, both have shaped who he is. From learning on country to stepping onto the field, he's discovered where strength comes from and what's truly worth fighting for.

What do boxing and local indigenous culture have in common?

For Heywire Takeover Tamar Valley winner Mason, both have shaped who he is. From learning on country to stepping into the ring, he's discovered where strength comes from and what's truly worth fighting for.

Would you put your hand up for local government?

30 years ago in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre ...  Tasmania's leaders across the political divide stood united to toughen gun laws. 

Three decades on, following calls to again tighten laws post the Bondi shootings, our parliament is divided.

There are more privately owned firearms in Australia now than there were before Port Arthur.

In Tasmania dozens of stolen firearms are yet to be recovered by police.

So why are our Police Commissioner and Minister at odds over what's needed? 

More than nine thousand Tasmanians are waiting for elective surgery ... the state government has just set a target of getting 70 per cent of them done in the time doctors' recommend. Do you have private health insurance? Around half the population do, while the other half rely on the public system.

Local filmmakers are sounding the alarm over job cuts at Screen Tasmania following a recent government restructure that placed the agency under a new administrative umbrella.

Despite an allocation of additional funding for the sector, staffing levels have been reduced by around half, prompting concerns about the agency's ability to support and develop future projects.

Can Tasmania's screen industry continue to grow with its key funding body operating at reduced capacity? And what do we stand to lose if fewer local stories are told on screen?

It's highly contagious and devastating ... Tasmanians have been warned to prepare for more birds to succumb to the deadly strain of H5N1 bird flu.

The virus has devastated wildlife populations globally in recent years ... we're the last state on the last continent to get it. 

So what can we do to prevent the spread of bird flu?, and how will some of our iconic species cope?