Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner LIVE from Telfords in Portlaoise

James Gleeson and Richard Loughnane, founders of Roscrea Narcotics Anonymous, organized a "Sober Social Hike" to support addiction recovery and promote mental well-being. EnergyCloud Ireland highlighted that €2.1 billion worth of renewable energy has been wasted, which could have helped households in energy poverty. The Irish Kidney Association is launching a campaign for early detection and prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease, which affects 1 in 10 people in Ireland.

a family run award-winning midlands-based business is to close its doors at the end of March, would you share your garden with someone else, the Westmeath motorsport official heading to Madrid for a prestigious FIA high perfomance programme, DIY with Brian Cloonan - and more!

Households may face water charges for excessive usage, with allowances based on household size and medical needs. The native Irish honey bee is at risk due to hybridization, prompting calls for legislation to ban non-native imports. Autism diagnoses among schoolchildren have tripled in a decade, increasing demand for special education places.

SIPTU members are protesting the proposed privatization of Ireland’s last publicly owned domestic waste collection service, citing risks to worker conditions, environmental standards, and state involvement in key industries. After two tragic child fatalities, residents have launched a campaign to improve road safety in local estates, demanding traffic calming measures and better infrastructure to prevent further loss of life. The government is reducing post-marking adjustments in 2025, which may disadvantage current students competing for college places against those with inflated grades from previous years.

The Irish Road Haulage Association is pushing for express lanes at tolls to cut emissions and reduce fuel costs. Thousands of people are missing out on water service compensation due to a lack of awareness and poor complaint handling. Female representation in construction remains low due to gender stereotypes, lack of training, and inadequate workplace support.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

Will talks about the midlands doctor suffering from drug addiction who committed forgery and theft, a midlands school flying the flag for sustainability, DIY with Mr Fix It and the real secret to a good night's sleep.

A new co-housing initiative in Ireland aims to provide an alternative housing option for middle-aged and older individuals, offering a community-based living arrangement to free up larger family homes. US President Donald Trump has halted military aid to Ukraine, citing concerns over its effectiveness and a lack of appreciation from Ukraine, sparking political controversy and international concern. Irish photographer James Crombie has won the AIB Press Photographer of the Year award for the third time, recognized for his exceptional sports and wildlife photography.

Carol Nolan, TD, discussed the number of applications made under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 to revoke deportation orders. Data showed a significant number of applications, with some being revoked and others affirmed. Cllr Aisling Moran raised the issue of providing columbarium walls and grave plots in unconsecrated grounds. She questioned whether people should be allowed to pre-purchase plots and whether there should be burial options for non-Catholics. High turnover rates in early childhood education are affecting childcare quality, with some counties experiencing staff turnover rates over 50%.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

A European Commission report links excessive social media use (2+ hours daily) to increased loneliness, with over a third of young users showing signs of addiction. Mental health charity Turn2Me encourages digital detoxes and face-to-face interactions. Opposition parties criticize the Irish Government’s decision to change Dáil speaking time rules, accusing them of manipulating parliamentary procedures for political advantage. Experts advise employees on dealing with narcissistic or controlling bosses, emphasizing boundary-setting, documenting interactions, and seeking mentorship or HR intervention.

A report highlights the dangers of overprescribing benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, and gabapentinoids, leading to increased addiction and drug-related deaths. The family of Col. Pat Quinlan refuses to accept his posthumous medal unless all his soldiers also receive recognition for their bravery. The government is considering further PRSI hikes to address long-term funding issues in the pension system due to an aging population.

Will talks to a woman who was lucky enough to get back her engagement ring diamond, which was lost on a train, a family from Portarlington left homeless after a fire in an apartment complex, and a lady experiencing ongoing difficulty finding appropriate schooling for her son more than 5 months into the new school year

Midlands Today comes live from Laois Shopping Centre, marking the launch of 2 new Transport For Ireland bus routes in Portlaoise. Will also discusses the Mirjana Pap murder case, Irish ministers heading stateside for St Patrick's Day, Enoch Burke, Zach Tuohy's exploits in Ozzie I'm A Celeb and the closure of a Mullingar charity store.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

The days of blanket pay rises for all staff are over, as firms single out people with in-demand skills for the biggest wage hikes, according to a major recruiter. One-third of young adults do not always use contraception when having sex, according to new research. Edenderry Councillor Noel Cribbin is hitting out at the local authority in Offaly over broken street lights.

A man who erected a mobile home at the back of his house without planning will now have to demolish it after An Bord Pleanála (ABP) overruled an inspector’s recommendation to grant retention permission. Laois/Offaly was amongst the worst Garda divisions in the country recording a 137.8% increase in the number of drivers caught driving without insurance between 2023 and 2024. Low, unprofessional, and disgusting. That's how the now former Offaly Ladies Football manager is describing how his departure from the county set-up was handled by the executive.

Midlands Today with Will Faulkner

A couple from Rhode advocates for broader government funding for fertility treatments, as current criteria exclude many couples. People are making small amounts of money through paid surveys, but it's not a sustainable full-time income source. European leaders react to U.S. plans to exclude them from upcoming negotiations to end the Ukraine war.