MAD magazine has often been imitated but never bettered, however there is sad news for fans with the announcement that after 67 years it will stop publishing new material.

It’s irreverent take on world has inspired generations of comedians such as Jerry Sienfeld and Weird Al Yankovic who tweeted today that “it’s pretty much the reason I turned out weird.”

James Jagic from Comics Etc tells Mark that it will be interesting to see whether the Australian edition of MAD also falls from newsstands.

A survey by the RACQ has found that more than 80 per cent of drivers believe Brisbane’s toll roads charge too much, and 77 per cent would be more likely to use them if they got a better deal.

The city has six toll roads, all owned and operated by Transurban and it points to increased usage figures on several roads.

The RACQ’s head of public policy Dr Rebecca Michael tells Mark that the toll roads were built to ease congestion and more needs to be done to achieve that goal.

Alaska, in large part, remains one of the world’s few remaining wilderness areas and is increasingly becoming a drawcard tourists.

It offers unparalleled wildlife experiences with whales in the seas and bear and moose on land.

Halinka Panzera from Journeys Worldwide and Craig McLaurin from Norwegian Cruise Line joined Mark in the studio.

Craig is just back from his first trip to Alaska and says he was surprised by how green it was.

The full program for the annual Brisbane Festival has been released offering a dizzying array of events covering theatre, music, dance, circus, opera and major public events.

Over 23 days in September there will be more than 83 shows and 454 performances expected to entertain around a million people.

This year’s festival is Artistic Director David Berthold’s last after five years at the helm and he tells Mark it will be his most ambitious program yet.

The Reserve Bank’s second interest rate cut in two months is a mixed blessing depending on whether you are dealing with a mortgage or living off your investments.

Mortgages have never been cheaper, however the interest rates offered on term deposits will continue to head south.

Wayne Matthews from Burrell Stockbroking & Superannuation tells Mark how people respond to the change must depend on their risk profile.

A new musical is about to have its Australian premiere at The Powerhouse as part of the Melt festival which is currently underway in Brisbane.

The musical Yank! is a love story, but unlike many romances set against the backdrop of World War Two this one involves two soldiers who are gay.

Australian theatre star Naomi Price is the only woman in the cast and she tells Mark it is great fun playing nine different women.

A 35 year old Sunshine Coast father of three has been jailed on dog fighting and animal cruelty charges.

Jared Nathan Trenear plead guilty to a dozen charges resulting from a raid on his Brisbane property in April last year.

RSPCA Inspector Daniel Young tells Mark that underground dog fighting rings still operate in southeast Queensland and often involve organised crime.

A whistleblower has claimed things have become so bad at one of southeast Queensland’s busiest hospitals that emergency patients are being treated in corridors.

The whistleblower released photos from inside the Princess Alexandra Hospital emergency department to prove their point.

The Health Department has played down the claims blaming the problem on a surge of patients but State Opposition leader Deb Frecklington tells Mark it’s evidence of a much broader problem.

Scientists at the Queensland Museum have discovered five new species of ‘Brushed Jumping Spider’ in Australia, four of which are found in Queensland.

The spiders get the name because the males of the species do elaborate mating dances, flashing their brilliantly decorated front legs to attract females.

Queensland Museum arachnologist Dr Barbara Baehr tells Mark part of the thrill of discovery is being able to name the spiders.

Loneliness can have very real detrimental impacts on a person’s health, including an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and poor mental health.

A survey conducted last year found 50 per cent of Australians reported feeling lonely, while nearly a third rarely felt they were part of a group of friends.

A new trial, The Ways to Wellness Social Isolation Project, is using what’s known as ‘social prescribing’ as a potential cure.

UQ Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology Dr Genevieve Dingle explains to Mark participants are refered by their doctor to a Link Worker, who then helps them to get out into the world.

Anyone interested can contact:

Link Worker Wendy Blackmon - 0412 679 833

Mt Gravatt Community Centre - 33439833

email: [email protected]