Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Mullingar businesswoman Una Leonard shares the story of her late mother Pauline and the vital support her family received from the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing service, which provides free end-of-life care at home.

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Ireland next week, with plans for meetings with President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin before travelling to Doonbeg for the Irish Open.

A strengthening “supersized” El Niño is expected to bring increased risks of extreme heat, drought and flooding around the world, with its effects forecast to continue well into 2027.

Public service unions are warning of potentially widespread industrial action, with Fórsa backing strikes amid demands for measures to protect workers’ pay against rising prices.

TUS has unveiled an ambitious €750 million development masterplan to 2040, including major new research, teaching, student and sporting facilities at its Athlone campus.

The HSE has been fined €645,000 over serious data protection failures involving sensitive medical records, including documents stored in poor and insecure conditions at St Loman’s Hospital in Mullingar.

Ireland’s pub industry continues to decline, with a quarter of pubs closing since 2005. Offaly has lost more than a third of its pubs, while Laois and Westmeath have also seen significant closures.

A new recruitment drive is creating 30 caregiver jobs across Laois and Kildare, as demand grows for home care services that allow people to live more independently.

Parents of young people involved in criminal activity need greater support rather than punishment, according to former prison governor John Lonergan, amid calls for penalties to tackle youth antisocial behaviour.

The Government is considering tougher prison sentences for motorists caught intentionally driving the wrong way on motorways, following a 32% increase in reported incidents this year and the fatal M9 crash.

New research into the historic Stations of the Cross at Multyfarnham Friary has revealed some of its figures were modelled on famous faces, including Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.

A new State-backed savings and investment account is being developed to encourage Irish people to invest more of their savings, with a similar scheme for children also being considered for the future.

Midlands Today LIVE from Electric Picnic

Renewed calls are being made to properly recognise the bravery of the 156 Irish soldiers who fought in the Siege of Jadotville, with 33 soldiers originally recommended for bravery awards never receiving them.

Concerns are growing over illegal HHC vapes and their impact on young people, amid reports of teenagers experiencing serious mental health problems linked to the highly addictive substance.

Offaly has the highest commercial vacancy rate in Leinster, with more than a quarter of commercial properties in Edenderry vacant, while Mountmellick also ranks among the worst affected towns.

Tributes are paid to country music legend Dolly Parton following her death at the age of 80, with Irish country stars sharing memories of her music, career and lasting influence.

Castlepollard residents and businesses are calling for an increased Garda presence following a rise in antisocial behaviour, vandalism and intimidation in the town.

Electric Picnic returns to Stradbally with 80,000 people expected to attend, as organisers unveil new additions to the festival ahead of the gates opening.

Questions are being raised about how society supports young men following the M9 tragedy, with calls for greater focus on early intervention, youth work, mentoring and tackling the factors that can lead to dangerous behaviour.

Leaving Cert students across the Midlands receive their results, as attention turns to CAO offers and the next steps for the Class of 2026.

The Government is facing pressure to postpone upcoming fuel and carbon tax increases amid concerns motorists and households could face further rises in petrol, diesel and home-heating costs.

Questions are being raised about how society supports young men following the M9 tragedy, with calls for greater focus on early intervention, youth work, mentoring and tackling the factors that can lead to dangerous behaviour.

Leaving Cert students across the Midlands receive their results, as attention turns to CAO offers and the next steps for the Class of 2026.

The Government is facing pressure to postpone upcoming fuel and carbon tax increases amid concerns motorists and households could face further rises in petrol, diesel and home-heating costs.

CJ Sheeran Group announces a €6 million expansion at its Mountrath headquarters, creating 15 new jobs and significantly increasing its logistics and pallet production capacity.

A Midlands community is rallying behind Abi Markey, with three local men taking on the gruelling Kerry Way Ultra to help fund specialist treatment for her rare genetic dental condition.

Calls are growing for intentionally driving the wrong way on a motorway to be treated as a serious criminal offence following the fatal M9 crash, as communities continue to support those injured in the tragedy.