The Big Story

A midlands woman says she's really enjoying her new role as as executive director of the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Garden in Sydney. 

Westmeath's Ciara Timlin says her role is about driving revenue and support for the garden. 

The Mullingar woman has been living down under for nearly 15 years. 

She has been speaking with Will Faulkner on Midlands Today about her new job:

The Rose of Tralee says she's loving every second of Dancing With the Stars.

Katelyn Cummins, who was the 2025 Laois Rose, says she's giving it a 100%.

Offaly singer songwriter Tolu Makay is also representing the midlands in this year's series.

The Laois Rose has been speaking with Midlands 103's Sinead Hubble and says every dance is different and it's challenging:

A Laois mum says she's angry that her daughter can't go to a local school because of red tape.

Hanna's two-year-old spent the first 12 months of her life in hospital after being born with Charge Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder that affects several parts of the body.

She has a package from the HSE that provides the family with a nurse for 18 hours a day Monday to Friday and 20 hours over the weekend.

Hanna wants to send her child to Kolbe Special School but as they are not under the Early Childhood scheme, the HSE won't provide the nurse but they will however give the support if she goes to a school in Kilkenny or Roscrea.

Hanna has been speaking to Midlands 103's Sinéad Hubble and says it doesn't make sense:

A mum is warning airline passengers eating nuts on flights could be fatal to others.

Lisa Nolan from Carlow Town was left terrified when her 16-year-old daughter suffered anaphylaxis on a flight after a passenger ignored warnings and ate nuts.

Hallie started to feel unwell during their flight back to Ireland from Poland after the packet of nuts were opened.

Lisa quickly administered an Anapen, similar to an EpiPen which delivers a single dose of adrenaline to treat anaphylaxis.

Lisa has been speaking with David Hollywood on Midlands 103 and says it was a scary experience for her daughter:

A children’s charity wants Government funding to expand its 'Roots of Empathy' programme.

The Barnardos initiative brings babies into classrooms to help pupils understand emotions and runs in 110 schools across 21 counties.

Every three weeks during the school year a baby and parent visit each class to improve kindness and inclusion, while reducing aggressive behaviour.

Barnardos says demand has risen sharply, but it can no longer take on new schools without €100,000 a year in State funding.

Holly Howell, Project Manager of the 'The Roots of Empathy' Programme, at Barnardos and Hannah Marriott, Principal of Taghmon National School in Westmeath have been speaking with Midlands 103's David Hollywood: