Premier Roger Cook has apologised to Western Australians after a number of elective surgeries were cancelled on Wednesday and Thursday, as the health system buckles under pressure.

It's understood 25 operations scheduled for Thursday were cancelled, on top of the 80 delayed on Wednesday. Premier Cook blamed a "very difficult" flu season for the challenges the health system is facing.

"We apologise for the inconvenience that comes with that, but it’s part and parcel of a health system which is, at the moment, managing one of the most severe winter flu seasons on record," Premier Cook said at a media conference, on Thursday.

He thanked patients "for their patience".

Research, released last week by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, has found 90% of the coral at the Rowley Shoals has died in the wake of this year's record-breaking and unprecedented marine heatwave.

The research has left Broome tour operators nervous about their future, with one tour operator reportedly anticipating losses in the vicinity of $450,000.

Questions asked in Parliament, by Greens MLC Sophie McNeill, has found the State Government hadn't briefed local businesses or the Kimberley Marine Tourism Association, but had provided information to Chevron.

"The bleaching and death of much of WA's coral coast is a record-breaking disaster for WA's tourism industry that needs an urgent and significant response. Members of the community and business owners who rely on the health of our oceans have told me that they feel left in the dark by the lack of engagement and updates from the government," Sophie McNeill MLC said in a statement.

The Kimberley Marine Tourism Association estimates losses for Rowley Shoals operators could run in the millions, with that estimate not including the wider benefits that these kind of cruises bring to the Broome community, with guests often staying in town after visiting the Rowley Shoals.

It was also revealed that the State Government has only injected $65,000 of extra funding for additional monitoring of coral bleaching along the 1,500km of coastline. One casual technical officer has been employed at 0.14 FTE (approximately six hours per week) to monitor the impacts.
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"What will it take for the Labor Government to act on climate and reduce their emissions? How much of the reef will have to die and jobs will have to go before they finally act?" McNeill added.

Meet 15-year-old Eliot Barton, she's one of the 19 young people to complete the Y WA's 'Kokoda Leadership Development Program' which sees participants hike through the Owen Stanley Range in Papua New Guinea.

The Kalamunda local chose to take-on the challenge so she could "travel more" and "experience new things".

"The thing that really made me really wanna do it, at that point, was just it was a really good free opportunity to travel and experience this awesome new thing (sic)," Barton told the Newsflash show.

The trek started on March 26th which was a day of doubt for Barton.

"I didn't know that I was able to do it, but I felt confident enough that I had to try it anyway. I definitely, as I got into it, I felt a lot more settled and confident in the fact that I was prepared. Getting on the plane, it was the most nervous I ever was, as it was a real thing I was doing," she told Isaac Mulcrone.

Despite the nerves Barton says there was "no way (I) was going to turn back".

The hike ran to April 6th with participants, from around Western Australia, and was full of "environmental challenges" including humidity and rain.

Now that Ms Barton is back on home-soil she feels she can take on anything, with the trek giving her a new mentality.

"I am telling you, you do get a lot of that when you come back, like, for me, it's in relation to myself. I feel like I can do hard things now. Now that I've been able to do that suddenly a lot of the challenges that I've been thinking about, upcoming in my life, are a little more small. A little easier to overcome," Barton told listeners.

Hear more about Eliot's journey and some of the physical challenges she had to overcome by clicking play.

"I don't have the words" ❤️

The school music teacher of West Aussie singer Gisella Colletti has described his excitement at the prospect of the 16-year-old winning Australian Idol on Sunday.

Charles Pinkham, the head of music at Corpus Christi College, phoned into Youth Jam's Newsflash podcast and told Isaac he's "so proud".

"I don't have the words. I'm so proud that she has made it here. I think it comes across on camera, she's actually just a genuinely lovely person. Taking that kind of personality into a competition like this, I just think it's absolutely wonderful," Mr Pinkham told Isaac Mulcrone.

The teen singer - who went viral for her performance of 'Defying Gravity' on the show - has the backing of scores of students at the Bateman school with a corner of the library dedicated to Gisella.

"The library has developed a little shrine to Gisella Colletti, so there's all kinds of pinks. It basically reflects her, it's very sparkly, it's very pink, it's right there when you walk in the door," Pinkham said.

A number of students and teachers are also rocking "team Gisella" t-shirts.

Asked how he'd feel if she won, Mr Pinkham said he'd be "elated".

"Excited, elated, wait to see her, see how she's feeling. I honestly don't know yet. This is the first time for me as well, it's all a bit new to be honest with you," the music teacher replied.

Hear more about Gisella's musical journey and how her school is celebrating by clicking play below.

Meet 10-year-old motocross athlete James Marrs, who is vying to be Western Australia's state champion this weekend.

The junior driver first started riding motorbikes when he was four-years-old, inspired by his dad's passion for the sport. By the age of seven he was competing in official races every weekend.

On his fourth birthday James' parents bought him a motorbike. When asked, by Youth Jam's Isaac Mulcrone, how he felt he said he "was so excited he wanted to hide".

Talking to the Newsflash podcast, James said he used to "cheer on" his dad when he was 'one, two and three".

"When I was one, two and three, my dad did motocross, so when we went to watch I used to get into it and I used to cheer him on. When I went on my pushbike, I used to pretend I was on a motorbike. When I turned four, on my birthday, my mum and dad got me a motorbike," he told listeners.

James' aim is to win the title of WA state champion, which he is competing for this weekend, and win national competitions. The pre-teen has been training "on different soils" and preparing for upcoming races.

On raceday, it's all systems go.

"Most of the time there's a lot of people I can beat but I know that I need to get a good start and I know who, by this time, can get really good starts and who doesn't get the most starts consistently so I try and push to the first corner to get that track position," he told Isaac.

His advice for other competitors? "They gotta be aware I'm gonna beat 'em". 

Hear more about James' journey and his dream by clicking play.

Could the Armadale Line be partially re-opening earlier than expected? There's rumours swirling that it could happen.

Transport expert and activist, Heath Indian phoned into the Newsflash podcast - on Monday - telling Isaac there's been rumours about the Gossies re-opening.

"I've heard rumours that it (Armadale Line) might open to Gosnells at an earlier date, because up to Gosnells everything appears to be finished," Mr Indian told listeners.

But could the Gosnells rumour be true? Mr Indian is unsure.

"But they still have gates over the tracks meaning they haven't started test-running trains yet," he said.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, on Sunday, said that services are a "few months" away from re-commencing between Kenwick and Armadale/Byford due to issues with piers along the upgraded length of track.

"I think one of the piers had to be replaced or some beams had to be replaced and that work's now finished... we're now on the home stretch," Minister Saffioti said at a press conference.

Stations on the Armadale/Thornlie lines have been closed since November 2023 as the State Government commenced a program to remove level crossings and build bridges and elevated stations.

Youth Jam has put the rumours to the Public Transport Authority (PTA) and is awaiting further comment.

Hear more by clicking play.

Mark Tracy - the father of the late Levi Tracy and co-founder of DWT (Don't Waste Time) Lifestyle - has told Youth Jam about a major opportunity his family has to take Levi's legacy to the racetrack.

Levi passed away in July 2024 after a fierce battle with cancer. Since the 19-year-old's passing his family has brought to life an organisation that Levi dreamed of whilst undergoing treatment - DWT Lifestyle. The group hopes to advocate for more stem cell donors, as well as an overhaul of the donor system.

In a social media post Mr Tracy announced DWT would feature on JB20 Motorsport's car and apparel this season.

"Excited and proud to announce this news. The Team over at JB20 Motorsport will be wearing our Brand on their car and their team apparel this season. So grateful to Josh and the team to be a part of their journey," Mr Tracy wrote on social media.

Tracy phoned into the Newsflash podcast - on Wednesday - and told Isaac he was "very emotional" when he saw the car's design for the first time.

"I was very emotional. I'm not trying to boast, but we're damn proud of what we've achieved on the back of Levi's passing. It's not been easy for us. To get (DWT) to where it is and to see someone like JB Motorsport come on-board and wanna get behind us. It was a proud moment, it was also an emotional one," he told listeners.

Hear more about how the partnership came about by clicking play.

Congratulations to Aussie cricket superstar Cam Green who has gotten engaged to his long-time partner Emily Redwood in Yallingup.

The 25-year-old all-rounder took to Instagram, on Sunday, posting the loved-up pictures with the caption 'Love this girl!! (forever)'

Whilst the athlete hasn't been playing cricket this season, due to surgery he got in October, he's been batting elsewhere.

EXCLUSIVE: Jacinta Hibbert is someone who defines “strength”. The northern suburbs local is currently caring for children, Hugh and Novella, as well as her husband Graham - who has been given 12-months to live after being diagnosed with Motor neurone disease two years ago.
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Talking to Newsflash - a podcast on the Youth Jam network - Ms Hibbert said “it’s been hard” to watch the deterioration of her partner.

The mother-of-two, who works as a full-time teacher, recently had unpaid time-off to make memories with her family as Graham continued to deteriorate. 
Over a similar period Graham received a redundancy payment, which has been put towards an accessible car - with a wheelchair lift - and a payment towards the couple’s new house, which is Graham’s last wish.

Due to his redundancy, Graham’s disability pension was allegedly cut as the money was classified as an income. Meanwhile Ms Hibbert alleges Services Australia - Centrelink - refused to issue her a carer payment due to the “income” made through her husband’s redundancy.

“I took leave without pay, so I was not getting paid and during that time I did apply for some Centrelink subsidies however I didn’t receive any of it because of different circumstances that happened. Ultimately it came down to the redundancy,” she told listeners.

“Graham’s disability pension has now been cut off as well. As a result of him receiving the redundancy which we’re going to be putting on the mortgage. Unfortunately that’s classed as an income,” she told Isaac.

Ms Hibbert is “devastated” that she has to go back to work.

“I’m devastated that I don’t get to spend time with him (Graham). I shouldn’t be at work, I should be spending time with him, the kids and living our best life that we can under the circumstances,” she told listeners.

In a statement, Services Australia pledged to investigate Jacinta's case and have provided full details on redundancies and access to carer/disability pensions. 

"We’ll make arrangements to ensure someone talks to Jacinta and steps her through the situation," a spokesperson said.

"We don’t comment on individual customer cases due to privacy reasons. 

Based on the information you’ve provided, the information we have on income maintenance periods is probably highly relevant: Income maintenance period - Disability Support Pension - Services Australia," they added.

Hear the full details by clicking play.