Lisa Young

South West Water says reservoirs in Devon and Cornwall are currently about 56% full, roughly 15% to 20% higher than during the August 2022 drought, despite heatwaves and below-average rainfall since March. January rainfall and three named storms significantly replenished supplies, with Roadford, Wimbleball and Colliford reservoirs reaching high capacities earlier in the year. The company does not expect further drought-measure escalation this summer but is preparing for the winter and exploring additional resilience options, including quarry-based water storage and a possible desalination plant near Par, although environmental permissions remain unresolved.

Births at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple were suspended from 11 August because the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said staffing levels made the service clinically unsafe. Devon councillors and local representatives condemned the decision as a management failure and warned that travel to Exeter could create serious safety and equality problems for women, particularly those without cars or the means to pay for travel or accommodation. The trust's chief executive, Sam Higginson, said the closure was temporary and that recruitment efforts were being intensified. A council scrutiny committee called for a restoration plan, impact assessment, lessons-learned review and stronger oversight. Hundreds protested, while mother Phoebe Hawkins said Barnstaple staff provided life-saving care to her premature twins before their transfer to Bath.

Families in Jersey have until 31 July to apply for the Back to School Bonus, which provides up to £150 per child toward uniforms, stationery and other school essentials. The payment is £100 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils, with funds due to reach eligible applicants’ bank accounts in August. Families receiving Income Support will receive the payment automatically.

Warming waters in South West England are drawing more Mediterranean fish species into local seas while a surge in octopus numbers is reducing stocks of native shellfish such as crab, lobster and cuttlefish. Fishers report sharp declines in historically common species like mackerel and cod and warn that major adaptations in fishing methods and equipment may be needed. Some have already shifted to species such as tuna, while chefs are adjusting menus to incorporate more octopus and Mediterranean fish. The rapid ecological changes are creating uncertainty and financial strain across the regional fishing industry.

Athena Learning Trust will be dissolved following parental complaints about strict disciplinary practices affecting students’ wellbeing and education. Trustees plan to transfer the trust’s nine Devon and Cornwall schools to new operators in coordination with the Department for Education. Local MPs reported extensive concerns regarding SEND provision and high levels of suspensions and exclusions. No immediate operational changes will occur while the transition process is underway.

Testimony at Winchester Crown Court described how James Desborough allegedly threatened Daniel Coleman during disputes involving alcohol and a relationship with Coleman’s wife. Witness Craig Cudmore told police that Desborough made comments about burying bodies and had become hostile toward Coleman. Cudmore also recounted Coleman’s distress shortly before his disappearance. Desborough denies murdering Coleman and Claudio Aquilino between April and July 2025, and the trial is ongoing.

Torbay Council secured magistrates' approval to demolish deteriorated former hotel buildings on Victoria Street in Paignton due to safety risks. Contractors have been appointed and demolition is expected to begin within two weeks and take roughly six weeks, with costs to be recovered from the property owners. Council leader David Thomas emphasized public safety and the need to reopen the area. The buildings, once part of Bailey's Hotel and later home to various businesses, have remained vacant since last year over safety concerns.

An international research team estimates there are between 14 and 30 million insect species on Earth, far exceeding previous assumptions. Analysis of 1.6 million DNA‑barcoded insects from Costa Rica revealed large numbers of cryptic species, suggesting most insect diversity remains undocumented. Researchers link biodiversity loss to factors such as climate change and deforestation and argue that understanding species richness is essential for conservation. Techniques used in the study can be applied globally, aiding efforts to identify, protect and manage ecosystems.

Researchers estimate between 14 and 30 million insect species exist globally, far more than previous counts of six million. The findings, based on DNA barcoding of over 1.6 million specimens from Costa Rica’s Área de Conservación Guanacaste, reveal that most insect species remain unidentified, with up to 97% unnamed. The study highlights the challenge of quantifying biodiversity and stresses the need for comprehensive species identification to guide conservation efforts amid threats such as climate change and deforestation.