Whether you're sailing into the weekend with a smile or dragging yourself bleary-eyed over the finish line, we're almost there. Today we're in for a relatively balmy 17 degrees, but it's likely to sink down to minus two before then. And there's also some rain on the way tomorrow which could stick around until Sunday.

Grab a coffee - here's today's headlines:

Officially, the drought is over the border, but farmers in the ACT are being forced to fork out thousands of dollars trucking in feed from as far afield as South Australia to keep their livestock alive in punishing conditions.

While NSW farmers can apply for a 50 per cent subsidy on transport costs, the ACT government won't commit to financial support.

Blake Foden has more from farmers on the ground.

This is a sad one.

Former Canberra woman Barbara Mary Eckersley has been charged with the murder of her 92-year-old mother who was in a Bundanoon nursing home.

The victim, Mary White, worked for the Bureau of Mineral Resources in Canberra and had travelled around the world for her research on plant life.

David Cole and Sally Pryor have the story here.

Fancy a career change?

This Canberra teacher of 21 years will leave the classroom in the rear view mirror of his light rail cab when the new rail network comes online.

“Driving vehicles and being on trains, it’s a combination of two things I enjoy doing so I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring and give it a go," Mr Reid said.

Katie Burgess caught up with him ahead of the new gig.

Labor will scrap the remaining efficiency dividend to be imposed on federal agencies, grow staffing at the department overseeing Centrelink and cut government travel spending if it wins the next election.

That's according to the opposition's finance spokesman Jim Chalmers, who has laid out the party's plans for the public service in a new speech.

Doug Dingwall took some notes.

And in sport, Greater Western Sydney officials have outlined their desire to bring more AFL powerhouses to Canberra as the club moves to shore up its future in the capital.

The Giants are edging closer to the end of a 10-year, $23 million partnership with the ACT government, but it looks set to continue for more years yet.

Caden Helmers caught up with the club.