We have some great stories from the Illawarra team this week.
 

Students from Bowral High School have created an app prototype that scans product barcodes to detect PFAS. There is a death cap mushroom warning out for the state after some were found growing in Sydney, the Southern Highlands and southern NSW. Plus, have a listen to Justin Huntsdale's chat with Albion Park Historical Aircraft Restoration Society president Bob De La Hunty as John Travolta's plane begins arriving in pieces from the United States.
 

StoryFest is back this weekend! Held across four days in Milton and Ulladulla, the biennial storytelling event boasts a packed program featuring Australian authors, musicians, broadcasters, cooks, poets, playwrights and thinkers. I captured this photo of ABC Illawarra's Lindsay McDougall, who is broadcasting ABC Illawarra Drive live today (Thursday) from the Ulladulla Civic Centre to celebrate the opening day of the festival.
 

Have a great week, and remember, if you have a story idea drop an email to 973@your.abc.net.au.

Rory Macdonald,
ABC Illawarra editor.

Full embalming is required by law in NSW if the deceased is being put into an above-ground burial or to be sent overseas on a repatriation. Here's what the process actually looks like.

A man who accused former NSW government minister Gareth Ward of sexual assault told a friend he was afraid to report the allegations because of the MP's political influence, a court has heard.

A group of high school students is pushing for change by creating an app prototype that can detect so-called forever chemicals in everyday items. 

Tweed Regional Gallery's acquisition of Ben Quilty's Archibald Prize-winning portrait of beloved Australian artist Margaret Olley brings with it a sense of homecoming.

The average home in Australia has surpassed $1 million for the first time, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Towns in the Snowy Mountains rely on tourist dollars during winter, but as the cost of living bites, Aussies are looking for ways to enjoy snow holidays on a budget.