Derek de Vreught runs the last video store in Melbourne. He’s sticking around as streaming takes over television and browsing for DVDs becomes a ‘decidedly niche experience’. Culture editor Steph Harmon recommends this story about a stalwart

The last known thylacine died in 1936, but many are still fixated on proving it lives on. Assistant news editor Rosemary Bolger recommends Gary Nunn’s story about why some are still searching for this animal

Australia’s low death rate from the rare syndrome linked to the AstraZeneca shot is in no small part due to a ‘huge collaborative effort’. Evening news editor Julian Drape recommends a good news story that happened in the midst of the challenging vaccine rollout

Small town residents couldn’t do without them, especially now. Rural and regional editor Gabrielle Chan recommends this story about finding shelter among the shelves of a 90-year-old general store

Despite nearly 18 months of lost income due to border closures, some in the Cook Islands say they have enjoyed the peace while the environment recovers. Pacific editor Kate Lyons recommends this piece about crabs reclaiming beaches

After the black summer bushfires it is time for politicians to act on global heating, Greg Mullins says. Assistant news editor Rosemary Bolger recommends Calla Wahlquist’s profile about courage and crisis on the fire front

Farhad Bandesh made wine in Iran before he was forced to flee. He has now brought that ancient tradition to Australia. Lifestyle editor, Alyx Gorman, recommends this story about one of the many ways that asylum seekers and refugees contribute to Australia’s vibrant food and wine culture

The director says his film was sympathetic to Mark Brandon Read and ‘on his side’. It had to be – to understand his violence. Culture editor Steph Harmon recommends this story about the depiction of a notorious Australian criminal

Louie has been in and out of juvenile detention most of his young adult life. He tells of how he’d pretend to be on the phone to family just to stay out of solitary a few minutes longer. Indigenous affairs editor Lorena Allam recommends this story from Guardian Australia’s reporting on childhood in custody

The space cemetery, named for the fictional captain in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, is where the International Space Station is likely to end up. Deputy editor, David Munk, recommends this story about deep and dark spaces