News Ticker
Bushfire warning
An emergency bushfire warning is in place for Mariginiup, north of Perth. Keep up to date with ABC Emergency
Jesmine Cheong
Jesmine Cheong is a journalist for ABC Pilbara, based in sunny Karratha. In 2022, she finished her degree in journalism and international relations before making making the move up north.
Latest by Jesmine Cheong
Horse's head found dumped on bonnet of 4WD in WA
Pictures of the grim discovery have been circulating on social media and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Updated
Traditional owner hits out at Woodside over consultation for new seismic testing bid
Raelene Cooper has again challenged Woodside's consultation with traditional owners as the mining giant launches a fresh application for seismic testing in the Pilbara.
Updated
Police 'left with no choice' when they fatally shot man who was on stabbing rampage, WA coroner finds
WA's deputy coroner backs police over their conduct in the fatal shooting of Ashley Dean Fildes after he stabbed several people in a South Hedland shopping centre while in the midst of a psychotic episode.
Forget the Melbourne Cup, the annual Diaper Derby brings enough tears and laughs for Exmouth parents
The only qualifying rule for little humans participating in the annual race is that they have to be wearing a nappy, with mood and nap times coming into play for those trying to guess a winner.
Former ocean-front glamour suburb fades under dust buybacks scheme
The West End of Port Hedland was once a glamorous area, but now residents say the introduction of a voluntary buyback scheme has turned it into a ghost town.
Skeletons of three-tonne ancient, wombat-like marsupial excavated in outback WA
Researchers from the WA Museum Boola Bardip are hoping to recover between four and five skeletons of the Diprotodon from a remote mine site in the Pilbara.
Updated
In 1967, a man holding ballot papers approached Brian Champion in the bush. Now he's preparing to vote 'yes' again
It's been 56 years since Australia voted for constitutional change for First Nations people. Elders from Western Australia hope for a similar result in the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Updated
Police investigators access deadly Pilbara chemical truck crash site following explosion risk
A two-kilometre exclusion zone around the crash site of the deadly chemical truck blaze has been lifted, allowing investigators to begin closer inspection.
Authorities start investigating deadly Pilbara chemical truck crash after extinguishing fire
Authorities say a disastrous Beirut blast in 2020 influenced their decision to wait days before investigating the site of this week's fatal collision.
Updated
Chemical explosion risk, radiant heat stop police accessing scene of fatal WA crash two days on
Major crash investigators are yet to examine the scene of a truck and car collision in the Pilbara they fear killed up to three people and started a fire so fierce emergency crews could not get near it.
Updated
Rescue group fears animals will be put down if Qantas sticks to heat rules
A rescue group calls for Qantas to reconsider its animal flight rules, with concerns more could be euthanased in WA's Pilbara.
Updated
Miners, businesses scramble to source alternative flights as QantasLink pilot strike looms
An upcoming pilot strike is causing "disruption" and "turmoil" in the WA resources industry, as FIFO flights are set to be cancelled.
Industry leaders warn of 'big ripple effect' on Australian economy after Woodside defeat
By Jesmine Cheong, Charlie Mills, and Keane Bourke
Australia's reputation among international investors is on the line after the Scarborough gas project suffered a major legal blow, but it could pave the way for better consultation with traditional owners.
Updated
'Unconscionable': WA government slammed over lack of visa warning for overseas police recruits
By Jesmine Cheong, Ashleigh Davis, and Keane Bourke
The WA Police Force needs to recruit more officers from foreign shores, but some highly qualified international applicants are learning too late that they can't get the necessary visa.
Updated
Traditional owner mounts legal challenge on gas giant as scientists say seismic blasting could impact whales
Scientists say seismic blasting in gas exploration can have subtle but critical effects on marine life as concerns rise over Woodside's Scarborough gas project in Western Australia's north.
Updated
Lewis Kew 'China' Ming has a story to tell and thanks to give, after locals rallied to rebuild his fire-razed boxing gym
Lewis Kew Ming, better known as China, started his Port Hedland gym two decades ago to get at-risk kids off the street and into martial arts in Western Australia's north.
Elder says her community has been 'torn apart' by dispute with Andrew Forrest's FMG
As the Federal Court hears testimony from Pilbara elders, lawyers for Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group have continued to deny the iron ore miner is liable for compensation for traditional owners.
Federal Court judge questions value of native title laws that companies can ignore
A remote court sitting has heard competing claims from FMG, traditional owners and the WA government amid a $500m dispute.
Updated
These students are the custodians of their elders' cultural knowledge. And they use dance to keep it alive
A world-class Aboriginal dance company comes to Western Australia's north to tell the stories of elders and keep the youth connected to country.
Sites of interest identified in search for missing Pilbara man
A private canine tracking group engaged by the family of Wesley Lockyer says police have been alerted to multiple sites of interest following a four-day search.
Updated
Teens badly hurt in outback e-scooter crash as police grapple with reckless riding
The 15-year-olds were airlifted to Perth after colliding with a ute in Karratha. Police and doctors fear there will be more incidents to come.
Updated
Indigenous electoral enrolment jumps in WA but opinion on the Voice remains mixed
Aboriginal leaders in the state's north say communities need more information before they cast their vote on the Voice to Parliament, as Indigenous electoral enrolment in WA increases significantly.
Pride of the Pilbara, these BMX siblings are set to take on the world's best
Nate and Lacey Robinson are preparing for the biggest competition of their lives, representing Australia at the BMX World Championships.
Why the footy at this remote festival draws eagle-eyed AFL scouts from 1,800km away
On a red dirt oval in WA's Western Desert, barefoot players battle it out at one of the country's most remote football competitions — as West Coast Eagles scouts take note.
Updated
Children among those most in need as food insecurity rises, report finds
Demand for food relief across Western Australia has substantially increased over the past four years and children in regional areas are among those most in need, a report has found.
Updated