The Liberal Democrats want to place an emphasis on attainment in schools amid flagging results for north youngsters.
Scotland reaches target for the first time as wellbeing minister and far north MSP Maree Todd hails ‘encouraging’ figures.
NHS Highland says it is routine to test for the Legionella bacteria in water contamination cases.
Council leader Raymond Bremner says the move sparked by ‘eye-watering’ £70m in unclaimed benefits.
A further £8m will be invested in renewable energy projects that have been touted for years.
The idea is to create a sixth form college accessible online to all pupils in the Highlands to ramp-up learning and attainment.
Top councillors recognise ‘people are under severe financial pressure’ but say taxpayers will see their money’s worth
The £818m draft budget will be debated - and likely agreed - at a full meeting of the local authority next week.
Councillor Michael Gregson warns when ‘Highland figures are so poor’ then ‘we need more transparency and openness’.
The local authority admits that it ‘has an impact on service delivery including at school level’.
MSP Edward Mountain is demanding an inquiry into what he says is a ‘fiasco’ after ‘nearly six years of incompetence.
MP Angus MacDonald hails ‘very positive step’ as Labour energy minister Michael Shanks says region is ‘doing a favour for the rest of the country’.
So is the party about to shoot itself in the foot and make Inverness and Nairn competitive over the outspoken Highland MSP?
The administration argues the rise is needed to fund maintenance, repairs, and debt.
In its formal response councillors backed the view of officials the road network in the north is too big.
The response cites ‘significant length of national speed limit road network and remoteness’ of the area.
The project aims to build two dams to hold 40 million cubic litres of water with a move forward on planning application.
She was last seen around 8.25am on Saturday February 1 in the Academy Street area of the city.
Lanes at those locations are ‘restricted in both directions due to continuous essential roadworks’.
The ‘significant burden’ of loan charges consumes 43% of the budget while 31% goes on repairs and maintenance.