KentOnline

Hundreds of protesters have staged a demonstration outside a company in Rochester which is accused of developing tech used by the Israeli army.

Police were called to BAE Systems as pro-Palestinian campaigners blocked the entrances to the site.

Also in today’s podcast, an Ashford mum says she is scared to leave the house after she was almost knocked down by a car while walking to school with her son.

Michelle Hills was with nine-year-old Harley when a silver Audi narrowly missed them and crashed through the window of a block of flats in New Street.

The Education Secretary has been in Medway to announce funding for a new training facility at MidKent College.

The campus in Gillingham has been given a share of £165 million to provide hands-on experience retrofitting energy efficient technology.

Bosses at Chatham's Historic Dockyard say government funding has allowed them to bring a Grade I listed building back into use.

Work has been carried out to convert the Fitted Rigging House from a Royal Navy storeroom into offices.

Zara Larsson has been on our sister radio station kmfm to talk about her new song with David Guetta - and her performance on Strictly.

She recently released "On My Love" and is also known for tracks including "Can't Tame Her" and "Lush Life".

And in football, it is a trip to promotion chasing Wrexham for Gillingham this weekend.

Tomorrow will be the first league game in charge for new manager Stephen Clemence.

The body of man who was found on a roundabout in Gillingham has been identified as a rough sleeper who was due in court. 

He was discovered by police after he failed to show up to face charges of arson and harassment.

Also in today's podcast, a teenager has been sent to prison after an argument on social media erupted in gun and knife violence in Faversham.

The frightening scenes were caught on CCTV and some of it was witnessed by an 11-year-old girl from her bedroom window. 

Town centre traders say plans to increase parking charges in Sittingbourne would be "another nail in the coffin" for shops. 

Local bosses are hoping to up the price of parking in bid to boost revenue. 

Hear reaction from local business owners over plans to introduce 20mph speed limits in Sevenoaks. 

A public consultation is underway as council look to reduce the number of serious injuries the roads. 

And Aldi have announced when they plan to open their new £9 million store on Sheppey 

A spokesperson for the discount chain says construction on the building is progressing well and when it's done it will be a third bigger than the previous site. 

The family of a 22-year-old man from Medway who has been missing for more than three months have confirmed he has been found dead.

Liam Graham was last seen on video footage following a car crash on Stoke Road in July.

Also in today's podcast, a Folkestone woman says she's 'furious' after being fined despite repeatedly trying to buy a train ticket.

Kelly Hannah-Rogers wanted to get a Flexi 28-day season pass from the town's Central station - but the office closed. She's been explaining what happened next.

The man in charge of overseeing the police in Kent has welcomed today's ban on laughing gas.

Nitrous Oxide, as it's also known, is now a Class C drug. Hear the thoughts of crime commissioner Matthew Scott.

People living in part of Canterbury have been forced to dig trenches in their gardens after they flooded.

Residents in Cherry Drive have described water cascading from drains and a manhole. Hear from one of those affected.

More than 165,000 food parcels were given out by Trussell Trust foodbanks here in the south east between April and September this year.

That's the highest number ever over that six-month period. The charity say it's a really tough situation for many families.

There are calls for gyms in Kent to bring in measures to restrict people filming themselves while working out.

While some love to post selfies - others think it's an invasion of privacy if they're caught on camera in the background. We've been speaking to people using a gym in Canterbury.

And in sport, hear from the Gillingham boss following his first defeat after taking charge of the side.

They lost to Fulham Under 21s in the EFL Trophy at Priestfield last night.

Our top story today is about the number of children in Kent not going to school.

Since the pandemic, there's been a real issue with young people not turning up to class - and it can lead to parents ending up in court.

Hear from reporter James Pallant who has been looking into this issue in depth, and a mum whose daughter refused to go to class.

Also on today's podcast,  it's been a big day in parliament with the first King's speech in more than 70 years.

King Charles III has set out the government's plans for the next year - we've got analysis from our political editor Paul Francis.

A Medway charity boss has criticised the home secretary for describing rough sleeping as a "lifestyle choice".

Suella Braverman made the controversial comments while defending a policy to restrict the use of tents by homeless people.

We've got reaction to news that tips across Kent won't be shutting.

The county council were looking to close four sites in Maidstone, Richborough, Dartford and Faversham in a bid to balance their budget - but the controversial proposals were voted down.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told the number of students at Ashford college has doubled in just three years.

The Elwick Road site has just had a £10 million extension completed. Hear from the chief exec of EKC Group which runs the campus.

And in sport, it's EFL Trophy action for Gillingham tonight who welcome Fulham's under 21s to Priestfield.

It's the second game in charge for new Gills manager Stephen Clemence and his first experience of the competition.

A woman who keyed cars in Sevenoaks because they were parked on pavements, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Find out what happened when the 62-year-old appeared in court for sentencing after admitting criminal damage.

Also in today's podcast, an NHS worker says he's having to live in his car after being made homeless in Gravesend.

Bogumil Kusiba works for the London Ambulance Service in Bexley and is now having to live in his Volkeswagon Fox. He's been speaking to reporter Alex Langridge.

Several flood alerts are still in force across Kent after all the heavy rain we've had recently.

River levels remain high in areas including Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone and Edenbridge.

A Kent homelessness charity says it won't be able to run it's shelter this winter due to rising costs.

Catching Lives in Canterbury helps rough sleepers, and normally offers a warm and safe place for them to stay during the cold nights from December to February.

It's been ten years since a huge fire destroyed a family run business in Tenterden High Street.

The Webb family were forced to watch as their life's work was reduced to rubble on bonfire night in 2013 - reporter Alex Jee has been speaking to the company director.

Garry and Chelsea from the breakfast show on our sister radio station kmfm have officially launched the Give a Gift campaign for 2023.

Last year's appeal collected more than 10,000 toys to give to children in hospitals, care facilities and in less fortunate situations.

Gillingham are through to the second round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 win over Hereford.

It was a great start for new manager Stephen Clemence who has only been in the role since last Wednesday. Hear what he had to say after the game.

There is anger over plans to build 300 homes on farmland next to Howletts Wild Animal near Canterbury.

The proposals have been unveiled just two years after a much smaller scheme was rejected and residents are not happy.

Also in today’s episode, we have an update as Kent continues to deal with the aftermath of Storm Ciaran.

Flood alerts are still in force and there are delays due to Operation Brock on the M20 as lorries queue to cross the Channel.

Security minister and Tonbridge & Malling MP Tom Tugendhat says the government is working tirelessly to get British citizens out of Gaza.

Palestinian authorities say 92 UK nationals will be allowed to cross into Egypt today.

Firefighters have been giving advice to anyone who is planning to cut costs by putting on their own fireworks at home this year.

We also have a roundup of Bonfire Night events and other activities happening across Kent this weekend.

And in football, it is our first time hearing from the new Gillingham manager Stephen Clemence.

He is getting ready for his first game in charge as the Gills travel to take on Hereford in the FA Cup.

Storm Ciaran has been causing major disruption in Kent with strong winds and heavy rain battering the county.

Flood alerts are in force, trees have fallen down and two buses have been evacuated after the front windows were blown out.

Also in today’s episode, a Rochester man has been left living on the streets after being victim of an arson attack.

Footage from his doorbell camera shows someone in a balaclava dousing cars in a flammable liquid and lighting it before running off.

The family of a woman from Herne Bay have been telling us why they decided to hold a DIY funeral after she passed away.

Retired English lecturer Faith Chantler died in a care home at the age of 74.

A list has been put together of the 10 best areas to live in Kent.

According to lifestyle magazine Muddy Stilettos Folkestone is the number one place

And in football, excitement is building ahead of Sheppey United's FA Cup game tomorrow.

It is the first time they have ever qualified for the first round proper, and they will host league two Walsall.

The head teacher of a school in Gillingham has been told he has just months to live after being diagnosed with cancer.

There has been a huge response from the community to help Alex Moir from Parkwood Primary.

Also in today’s episode, we are being urged to take extra care as Kent starts to feel the effects of Storm Ciaran.

Yellow weather warnings come into force this evening, with an amber alert for strong wind tomorrow.

The person at the centre of this year's Edenbridge Bonfire has been revealed as Sadiq Khan.

The 11-metre tall effigy was unveiled today and shows the London Mayor as a ULEZ camera in reference to the controverisal expansion of the scheme.

The MP for Tunbridge Wells is calling for a summit on Artificial Intelligence to focus more on day-to-day issues, instead of threats to humanity.

Tech bosses and world leaders are gathering for talks at Bletchley Park over the next couple of days.

A former drug addict from Deal has launched a men's mental health support group.

Blake Murray has spent eight months in rehab and now wants to help others.

And in football, Gillingham have appointed Stephen Clemence as their new manager.

He will take over from interim boss Keith Millen, after Neil Harris was sacked last month.

Residents and businesses have raised concerns as parking charges in Whitstable are set to rise by up to £2.10 an hour.

Drivers using the town's busiest car parks currently pay an hourly rate as low as £1.60 - but that could soar to £3.70 under controversial new proposals.

Also in today’s episode, a vigil has been held at Canterbury Cathedral to show solidarity with victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Dozens of people gathered for a service with representatives from the local Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities.

Staff have been forced to leave their offices at Medway Council’s headquarters after potentially dangerous concrete was found in the roof.

The site at Gun Wharf is expected to be closed for at least the rest of this week while further investigations are carried out.

A Canterbury woman says she is being forced to wash out of a bowl and sleep on her sofa after delays with accessible housing.

Jane Roberts claims to have been waiting nine months for a new home with a wet room, after having a knee operation in February.

A special panel looking at what we can do to help tackle the climate emergency will take place in Kent this evening.

The discussion, which is part of the Canterbury Festival, will include topics like renewable energy and protecting ecosystems.

The scariest day of the year has finally arrived and we have been finding out what Halloween means to people in Kent.

Hear from a shop owner, pumpkin farm boss and a man who decorates the front of his house to raise money for charity.

And in football, Gillingham chairman Brad Galinson is getting ready to announce their new manager.

Neil Harris was sacked earlier this month and the club’s owner has explained why it has taken so long to find a replacement.

A Maidstone man who had to prove his car was compliant with ULEZ regulations is questioning how many other people have been wrongly charged.

Edward Paul went onto the TfL website, and was told he'd have to pay an emissions charge to drive his 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan to Heathrow Airport.

Also in today’s episode, several flood alerts are in force across Kent after heavy rain over the weekend.

More weather warnings for strong wind and torrential downpours have also been issued as Storm Ciaran approaches.

A young woman from Herne Bay who went missing more than 50 times as a teenager is sharing her story in a bid to help others.

Jade Knight was struggling with her physical and mental health and says she was “addicted” to running away from home.

A photographer from Folkestone who only has one arm says she's never let her disability stop her from succeeding.

27 year-old Jen Read started started taking pictures of her pets, before moving on to wildlife photography during lockdown.

In football, the Gillingham Supporters' Club say they're at Priestfield this season.

A man was arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence during the game against Newport on Saturday.

And, we've been hearing more about plans for a former Premiership rugby club to make a 'once in a generation' move to Kent.

Wasps are in talks to relocate to Sevenoaks, and are considering building a new stadium in the area.