NT Independent

Little girl missing for five days found dead: Police

The five-year-old girl who went missing early Sunday morning has been found dead after days of search efforts by NT Police and Alice Springs community members, with the hunt for alleged abductor and now suspected child rapist and murderer Jefferson Lewis the police’s sole focus.

Mass layoffs loom as NT Government works contracts slow to a trickle

EXCLUSIVE: The crucial ‘pipeline’ of NT Government infrastructure works that keep businesses operating in the Northern Territory has slowed to a trickle, industry and government sources have confirmed, with the slowdown leading to uncertainty and fear of impending “mass layoffs” while construction and civil works companies currently consider their options in an unprecedented situation.

Darwin rates to rise 5.5 per cent as council unveils $23.5m works plan

Darwin ratepayers will pay 5.5 per cent more next financial year, while $23.5 million will be spent on capital works including $4.5 million for stormwater upgrades and reconstruction and $3.5 million for roads resurfacing and renewal, Darwin Council’s newly released Municipal Plan shows.

Teen allegedly assaults restaurant worker

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly punching a female restaurant worker in the face in Alice Springs before chasing and assaulting two adult male delivery drivers, NT Police said.

Red Dirt Poetry Festival expands

The Red Dirt Poetry Festival will return to Alice Springs, bringing together poets from across the Northern Territory and around Australia for a program centred on spoken word in a desert setting, organisers say.

Search for missing girl enters day four, as police reveal man’s shirt and child’s underwear found

NT Police are continuing their search for missing five-year-old Sharon Granites four days after she went missing from Old Timers town camp outside of Alice Springs, with Police Commissioner Martin Dole calling for those with knowledge of the whereabouts of Jefferson Lewis, the man police believe abducted the girl, to come forward.

10-year-old arrested over alleged group robbery of senior in shopping centre carpark

A 10-year-old boy is in custody for his alleged involvement in the aggravated robbery of a 72-year-old woman who was driving out of a Casuarina shopping centre carpark on Tuesday evening when several people jumped on her car, opened the door and ripped glasses off her face before allegedly stealing the victim’s purse, police said.

Mindil Beach Sunset Markets return on Thursday with a bang

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets will launch its 2026 season this Thursday April 30 featuring a variety of new stalls and a massive fireworks display to mark the occasion, organisers said.

Boothby led NT delegation to China to attract tourists

Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby has returned from a previously unannounced “China tourism mission” to the city of Guangzhou, which she said was necessary to build relationships in person and attract more Chinese tourists to the Northern Territory.

More cases of diphtheria reported in the NT

The NT has recorded 84 cases of diphtheria since January 1 last year, NT Health said on Tuesday, with 66 of those cases involving skin sores, as incidents of the uncommon bacterial infection that can cause severe illness in unvaccinated individuals continues to grow.