New line has connected the Hills district to other parts of Sydney for the first time - and crime is rising, police say.

Councils across NSW face paying up to twice as much to run their elections this year compared to the last polls, piling financial pressure on communities already feeling the strain from bushfires and drought.

Subsidising private schools with fees of up to $40,000 per year per student raises questions about an educational fair go.

Despite an $88 million government rescue package, lawyers have warned the first wave of changes to Legal Aid rates will "significantly reduce" fees.

It's a blooming miracle.