Today is World Meningitis Day - a day marked the world over to raise awareness about the condition.

One charity working year-round to raise awareness is Meningitis Now - an organisation based in the UK.

Siobhán Fletcher spoke to Chief Executive of the charity Dr. Tom Nutt, to talk signs and symptoms.

Island resident Lucas Martin was just 21 when he died suddenly in September after contracting meningitis.

His family has launched a website, LookyMartin.com, which tells readers a bit more about Lucas, and has links to charities including Meningitis Now, and Organ Donation IOM.

Lucas was a donor with his organs going on to help people across the UK.

The family are ultimately going to set up a charity in Lucas' name, to help young people across the Isle of Man.

They're asking people to "give it LOADS" in his memory - to move through life with more Love, Optimism, Ambition, Determination and Selflessness - saying that's how Lucas conducted himself through his 21 years.

Cardiology patients who had their appointments cancelled at short notice will have them reinstated.

That’s the pledge from Manx Care which has apologised after an administration error saw people told they’d have to wait until this time next year to see a doctor.

The health body initially blamed ‘capacity issues’ for having to cancel a number of clinics. These issues were caused by the departure of a doctor who was assisting in cardiology and who was overseeing two clinics a week.

However Chief Executive Teresa Cope says an administration error meant appointments for the rest of 2023 were cancelled by accident: 

A bid to extend boundaries in the north of the Island got underway at a pre-inquiry hearing on Monday.  

Ramsey Commissioners believe the town needs to grow to encourage development – it wants to adjust the boundaries between Ramsey, Lezayre and Garff.  

It’s something which will be challenged by Lezayre and Garff Commissioners.  

The meeting, which set out the process that will be followed at a public enquiry, was attended by residents, commissioners and MHK’s Daphne Caine and Tim Johnston. 

It wasn't attended by Ramsey commissioners or MHKs. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper was at the hearing:

Government's decision to spend funds approved for work on the horse tramway elsewhere is 'a slap in the face to Tynwald'.

That's from the chair of the Public Accounts Committee, after its annual report criticised the Council of Minister's decision to descope the horse trams without seeking a vote in the Island's parliament.

The scrutiny body is calling for such a vote to be mandatory in similar situations in the future.

The PAC has also raised concerns over government's decision to stop publishing is unaudited accounts, as Juan Watterson explains to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper:

How confident would you feel travelling between the Isle of Man and Gatwick in the evening?

A campaigner says public confidence in the route is really low because of how often the service is delayed or cancelled, and is calling for government to do more to tackle the issue.

It's led to fears the disruption could be putting of future visitors and even potential new residents.

Tony Quine submitted a Freedom of Information request in a bid to increase transparency on the disruption, but didn't get all the data he was hoping for.

In this episode of the Manx Newscast, tells Manx Radio more about his FoI:

The Steam Packet says it will not agree to ‘preferential treatment’ for members of staff represented by a union which has floated industrial action over live onboard arrangements.

Nautilus claims its members have been threatened with ‘fire and rehire’ if they do not accept changes to their working conditions.

It’s led to what’s been described as an ‘impasse’ between the two sides

Introducing a housing association on the Isle of Man could cut people off from their local communities.

That’s the view of a Peel commissioner after government confirmed it was looking at creating a single body to manage the Department of Infrastructure’s housing stock.

Alan Jones says the idea has been floated previously and Peel Commissioners offered to look after housing in the west but nothing was done. 

Tynwald will be asked to receive the Housing Stock Options Report by the David Tolson Partnership Limited next month.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

The Isle of Man government is set to ask for Tynwald approval to scrap work permits for three years as part of efforts to remove 'perceived barriers' and entice skilled workers to the Island.

The Department of Enterprise says the jobs market is highly competitive and leaving said 'barriers' will put the Island at a significant disadvantage.

But there are rumblings from politicians ahead of the debate with some in favour but others against.

Onchan MHK Rob Callister intends to vote against the move.

A consultation on changes to Isle of Man Energy's finances won't impact customers' bills.

That clarification has come from the Communications and Utilities Regulatory Authority as it seeks feedback on proposed changes to the cost of debt and working capital allowances for the Island's gas supplier.

One factor would mean a small increase to the tariff, but the other would mean a reduction, with the two offsetting any impact on the cost to Manx residents.

In this episode of the Manx Newscast, CURA chief executive Ivan Kiely explains more to Manx Radio's Sian Cowper: