Updated June 26, 2026 — 6:32pm,first published June 26, 2026 — 9:33am6.32pm on Jun 26, 2026Today’s headlinesBy Thanks for joining us.Here’s a reminder of today’s top headlines:Australia have secured second spot in their group despite a nerve-racking finish to their final group game in the FIFA World Cup.A West Australian teenager who threatened to kill Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns has avoided jail. Will James King, 19, had previously pleaded guilty to making threats to kill the politicians via direct Instagram messages in January.Deputy WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam investigated sexual harassment and abuse in mining camps in 2022. She is demanding answers over fresh allegations against resources giant Fortescue.Authorities have identified a new suspected positive case of bird flu in a dead giant petrel found about 30 kilometres west of Esperance.Fremantle have axed Mason Cox in favour of Sean Darcy for Sunday’s AFL clash with Gold Coast in Perth, while Carlton will be without star defender Jacob Weitering for a third straight match.A 31-year-old Perth woman has been charged and is set to appear in court today after she was allegedly caught attempting to import drugs inside a bottle of body wash.Six children have been removed from harm in the Philippines following an investigation into a WA man accused of child abuse.See you back here next week.5.30pm on Jun 26, 2026Bayswater plans new home for Perth Glory women’s teamBy Michael PhilippsThe City of Bayswater has announced plans to develop a new state-of-the-art sporting facility set to become the home of the Perth Glory A-league women’s team and football academy.The plan includes the construction of a new 1000-seat stadium and replacement of ageing infrastructure at Wotton Reserve, with playing fields remaining available for the community when not in use by Perth Glory.The area was earmarked for higher density under the city’s Morley Train Station Precinct Plan and was also recently announced as one of the state government’s 10 station precincts identified for future residential and mixed-use development.The city plans to advertise its intent to dispose of the land surrounding the pitches at Wotton Reserve to Pelligra Group to develop the sporting facility.5.01pm on Jun 26, 2026Police investigate string of storage facility break-insBy Police are investigating a series of break-ins at storage facilities in Joondalup.Police say the burglaries happened over five days, between Thursday, June 11, and Monday June 15.Two thieves initially broke into five storage units at the Winton Road location between 6am and 7am on the Thursday, before fleeing.They came back again in following days, and broke in to a further six units.The thieves are alleged to have stolen a Nikon digital camera, an iMac computer, two e-scooters, a Sonos soundbar and a tea set.Police say anyone from around the Shenton Avenue near Pontiac Way or Winton Road area on the relevant days to contact them.“Detectives believe several people driving in the area at the time of the incident may be able to assist with the investigation,” a WA police spokesperson said.4.10pm on Jun 26, 2026Perth’s coast gets Beach Boy’s backingBy Perth’s coastline has friends in high places, with the co-founder of famed US rock band the Beach Boys donating signed memorabilia to support fundraising efforts for coastal protection when he was in town for a show this week.Al Jardine performed with The Pet Sounds Band at the Regal Theatre on Thursday, but took a moment out of his schedule to discuss ocean conservation with Perth-based platform Talking Foreign Affairs with Adil Cader.Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine.Alamy Stock Photo“Western Australia’s coastline is truly special. I loved spending time at Perth’s beautiful beaches while I’ve toured here,” Jardine said.“Having grown up by the California coast, I know how precious places like these are.4.00pm on Jun 26, 2026WA Libs ‘can’t keep their team together’: minister weighs in on Nedlands MP’s exitBy Holly ThompsonEducation Minister Sabine Winton has become the latest politician to weigh in on Nedlands MP Jonathan Huston’s exit from the Liberals, after being asked for her response during a press conference on Friday.Winton was out spruiking the state government’s $10 million Supporting School Canteens Program.“I’m a bit gobsmacked, really to be honest, just more than a year after being elected, the Liberals can’t keep their team together – their team of seven,” she said.WA Education Minister Sabine Winton.Holly Thompson“It’s pretty chaotic and makes you want to ask the question, how on earth they could form a stable government if they can’t keep a team of seven together?3.02pm on Jun 26, 2026New suspected case of bird flu in WA’s southBy Authorities have identified a new suspected positive case of bird flu in a dead giant petrel found about 30 kilometres west of Esperance.An update from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on Friday said five samples from dead petrels were submitted to the department’s lab for testing, with one returning a suspected positive result for H5 avian influenza. Samples have gone to a CSIRO lab to confirm the result.The five dead birds were found by a member of the public on Roses Beach.The department is still waiting on the results of an earlier suspected positive case from another giant petrel found further up the coast at Quindalup, near Dunsborough.2.09pm on Jun 26, 2026WA man who threatened prime minister learns his fateBy A West Australian teenager who threatened to kill Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns has avoided jail. Will James King, 19, had previously pleaded guilty to making threats to kill the politicians via direct Instagram messages in January.Will James King, 19, was arrested by police after he sent messages to the Prime Minister and NSW Premier Chris Minns threatening to kill them.9News PerthPolice traced his online activity to an address in Meadow Springs, about 70 kilometres south of Perth, and arrested him.He was charged by officers from the state security investigations group after an anti-Semitic message was sent to Minns’ Instagram on January 14, which a previous court hearing was told came as a result of King “seeing the news and getting annoyed”.1.15pm on Jun 26, 2026BHP shakes up executive leadership teamBy Michael PhilippsMining giant BHP has announced a raft of changes to its executive leadership team including former WA Nickel Asset President Jessica Farrell being named as the company’s new North America president.Farrell will also act in the position of President South America while recruitment is completed for the role.According to a company statement, Farrell brings 20 years of experience across a range of commodities and jurisdictions after holding several senior roles at BHP.“She has a proven track record of navigating complex transitions while prioritising safety, employee and community outcomes,” the statement read.12.18pm on Jun 26, 2026Dockers make big ruck call, Weitering still not readyBy Justin ChadwickFremantle have axed Mason Cox in favour of Sean Darcy for Sunday’s AFL clash with Gold Coast in Perth, while Carlton will be without star defender Jacob Weitering for a third straight match.In other big round-16 selection news, the Eagles have lost Tim Kelly to a hamstring injury, Port have dropped Todd Marshall again, while Andrew McGrath and Darcy Parish are among the reinforcements at Essendon.Mason Cox has been axed from Freo’s lineup. Janelle St Pierre/AFL PhotosDarcy started the season as the Dockers’ preferred ruck partner to Luke Jackson, before being grounded by concussion and calf issues.Cox, a premiership winner at Collingwood who moved to Fremantle at the end of last year, has played the past nine games of the Dockers’ current 13-match winning streak.10.54am on Jun 26, 2026‘Toxic’: Fortescue harassment lawsuit sparks demand for answersBy Alex Mitchell and Duncan MurrayA WA politician who investigated sexual harassment and abuse in Australia’s mining camps is demanding answers over fresh allegations against a resources giant.Liberal MP Libby Mettam.Ross SwanboroughFortescue has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging decades of widespread sexual harassment across its remote worksites and accommodation village.According to the suit filed in the Federal Court on Thursday, a woman was pulled into a dark alley by a man who forcibly tried to kiss her and another found a random man in her room when she came home one night.Others claimed they were subjected to vile language, including “you sl**s report us and then we get the sack”, and “why don’t you f--- the crew, you will make yourself feel better”.1 of 2