Good morning, Canberra and welcome to another working week.
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There's some frost on the lawn and a bit of cloud in the sky today as we head for a top of 13 degrees.
While the Thai rescue mission is underway and you can read more on that here, here's what's making headlines locally this morning:
Lifting smoking age, ban cigarettes in jail?
At what age do you think people should be allowed to smoke?
The ACT government is considering lifting the smoking age for the territory as part of its new drug strategy. Also on the cards is an initiative that would see smoking banned in some prisons. And perhaps a minimum price for a standard drink.
The plan is now open to community feedback and Steven Trask has all the details here.
Groovin the Moo wanted pill testing tried small first
The landmark pill testing trial held during the Canberra leg of Groovin the Moo this year almost didn't happen.
Documents released under FOI reveal the organisers of the music festival wanted the free service to be tried at a smaller event first and feared damage to their reputation if punters were arrested.
Katie Burgess has the story.
Baby quolls only as big as baked beans
Well, they might be small but they are far from insignificant. You're looking at the first eastern quoll babies born on the mainland in 50 years.
They'll stay safe in their mother's pouch for eight weeks before venturing out onto her back.
Blake Foden has all the details from Booderee National Park, where the endangered species is fighting to make a comeback.
Can art improve the lives of people with dementia?
Canberra PHD candidate Nathan D'Cunha suspects it can.
To find the answer, he and other University of Canberra researchers will study the salvia of dementia patients visiting the National Gallery of Australia.
Our health reporter Daniella White took a closer look at the project here.
Where's Blake going?
Just after his starring role for the Canberra Raiders off the bench on the weekend, off contract five-eight Blake Austin is getting ready to reveal where he's playing next season.
He has been linked to the Parramatta Eels, as well as English Super League clubs Leeds, St Helens and Warrington. It's unlikely he'll remain with the Raiders having turned down two contract offers from the Green Machine already.
"Decisions have been made on my end, it'll just be announcements now, so that should happen this week and I'm very excited for what's ahead," he said.
David Polkinghorne has more here.
Today's cartoon
