Good morning, Canberra.
Happy hump day! We've got a medium chance of showers this morning and a slight chance of a thunderstorm until tonight, with a top of 16 degrees on the way. Not the best start for Floriade's Nightfest, but the next few days promise tops of 22 and 23 degrees, which is leaving me a little more optimistic.
Now let's have a look at what's making news today:
New National Portrait Gallery director a risk taker with a big vision
Bendigo isn't necessarily a city one would necessarily associate with art, but under the leadership of Karen Quinlan, the Bendigo Art Gallery made the city a destination for art lovers to make the trek.
So there's a lot of buzz now that she is has been named as the new director at the National Portrait Gallery, after current director Angus Trumble announced he wouldn't seek another term in the role after his term ends next year.
Ms Quinlan said she was excited to make the move from one of the country's oldest art galleries to one of its youngest.
Sally Pryor has all the details of Ms Quinlan's vision here.
Love wins all over again: Yes!Fest is coming to Lonsdale Street
I wasn't in Canberra last year when the result of the marriage equality postal survey was announced, but I'm told by more seasoned locals that it was one of the best nights they have ever experienced in the city, with the street party in Lonsdale Street the absolute highlight.
So I'm pretty pleased to hear we are going to be doing it all over again, with plans for a Yes!Fest to celebrate the one year anniversary of the postal survey announcement.
Braddon's main drag is set to be filled with glitter and rainbows once again on November 17, and event organiser Jacob White said it was going to be less of a political occasion, but more about the community.
Serena Coady has all the details here.
Cycle group concerned about Tuggeranong wire traps
A cycling group has labelled a wire trap set up along dirt tracks in the Tuggeranong Nature Reserve as "reprehensible".
Locals believe the wire traps have been set up to catch motorcyclists and cyclists using the trail at the back of the reserve.
A Theodore resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said motorcyclists were joyriding along the walking track, with walkers and motorcyclists often trading threats.
Canberra Off-Road Cyclists vice-president Darren Stewart said that was no excuse to put people's lives at risk.
"That's not an overstatement with this sort of thing," Mr Stewart said.
Finbar O'Mallon has the story here.
Up to 12 new beds in $6 million expansion of Clare Holland House
Clare Holland House will get up to 12 extra beds in a $6 million expansion that could allow the hospice to care for patients longer.
The hospice will receive a $4 million injection from the federal government and a $2 million donation from the Snow Foundation, ACT senator Zed Seselja and ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris announced on Tuesday.
It comes after an inquiry into end-of-life choices in Canberra heard stories of bed shortages, bottlenecks in referrals and staff stretched beyond capacity at the hospice and in the hospitals.
Katie Burgess has the latest here.
Bradley Street dining to get $21 million investment from Westfield Woden
We're always looking for new places to eat and drink and Westfield Woden is going have six new venues come next year.
The plan is to transform Bradley Street into a vibrant dining precinct and Westfield Woden's owners, Scentre Group are stumping up $21 million to make it happen.
As part of the redevelopment, the ground floor of the current multi-storey carpark facing the cinema will become a strip of six coffee and dining spaces, complementing existing eateries Rashays, Grill'd and San Churro.
Bree Winchester reports here.
Today's cartoon:
