KentOnline

Figures show pupils are being temporarily excluded from secondary schools in Kent and Medway more times than anywhere else in the south east…According to data released in Ofsted’s annual report, there were almost 10-and-a-half thousand fixed period exclusions last year – but in terms of percentage it was around average for the region.Also in today’s episode: there are calls for more carriages on high speed trains to tackle overcrowding, vehicle are still underwater almost a month after an underwater car park flooded, and there are calls for more funding for sitting volleyball.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

This week KentOnline’s political podcasters look at the headlines dominating the news across the county. 
 
Political editor Paul Francis and Oliver Kemp discusses delays in the Manston airport talks, Jess Phillips’ ‘awful’ hustings performance and a lack of lorry parks in Kent.
The duo also reflect on whether Big Ben might be bonged for Brexit. 

Schools and colleges in Kent are being offered sanitary products in a bid to reduce the number of girls missing classes because of period poverty.Almost half of teenage girls in the country think not being able to afford pads or tampons is holding girls back.Also in today’s episode: calls for Big Ben to chime to mark Brexit have been branded a waste of money, thousands of people have signed a petition against new homes, Fatboy Slim and Madness are headlining a Kent festival this summer, and the Gillingham manager gives us his thoughts on the weekend’s result.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman in Gillingham.Police and paramedics were called to a property on Richmond Road just before 5 yesterday evening and a 39-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.Also in today’s episode: more than half of senior doctor jobs in the county are currently unfilled, we’re getting the chance to have our say on new plans for a £160m regeneration of Gravesend town centre, a Park Run for cancer patients is happening in west Kent, and the Gillingham manager looks ahead to this weekend’s game against Oxford United.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A Herne Bay mum who suffered three heart attacks in a week at the age of just 30 has spoken out to try and raise awareness of the rare condition that caused it.At one stage, Rose Murphy was given just a 10% chance or survival after it happened in November 2018.Also in today’s episode: Babies are being taught sign language before they learn to speak, and a teenager has quit college to make videos on TikTok full time.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A union has vowed to try and prevent the closure of a car parts factory in Sittingbourne, which could lead to the loss of around 300 jobs.Bosses at Antolin Interiors have announced they plan to shut the site in Hartlip – blaming a slump in global car sales.Also in today’s episode: Four men are starting a total of more than 80 years in prison for a fatal stabbing, a former football coach has opened up about his gambling addiction, and it’s feared there’s going to be a shortfall of sixth form places over the next five years.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Online bookmakers’ share prices have fallen after it was announced they soon won’t be able to take payments on credit cards.The Gambling Commission says it wants to stop people spending money they don’t have.Also in today’s episode: a mum is speaking out after waiting two years for her son to be diagnosed as autistic, and a former footballer is urging parents to think about their behaviour at children’s matches.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

Eleven months after it was installed on the M20, work to remove the barrier between Ashford and Maidstone is starting today.The contraflow system is part of Operation Brock, which is designed to ease congestion if there are delays at Dover in the event of a no deal Brexit.Also in today’s episode: air pollution is putting thousands of lives at risk in Kent, a disabled music group is looking for more members, and the Gillingham and Ebbsfleet managers reflect on their games at the weekend.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

It’s 2020 and the podcasting duo are back to break down the big things happening in politics over the next few months.
Political editor Paul Francis and Oliver Kemp discuss the looming Brexit deadline, the Labour leadership contest and why Operation Brock is now being removed.
Paul also reveals his jargon of the week – what on earth does ‘uplifting the charge’ mean?

This week we were joined by Sarah Mann, director for the Music Man Project in Kent.
Sarah discusses the importance of group music projects for people with disabilities, and how they can empower people who might not always get the same opportunities as others.
Music has been described as a powerful therapeutic tool by scientists and medical professionals. It can improve people’s mental wellbeing and improve the communication skills for people with disabilities.