Your daily local news briefing // Wednesday 14 June 2017

WEATHER FORECAST
Cairns: 21-27C max, 5% chance of rain
Port Douglas: 21-25C max, 5% chance of rain
Mareeba: 13-25C max, 5% chance of rain
Innisfail: 15-25C max, 5% rain


TODAY'S TOP STORIES

MIXED REACTION TO STATE BUDGET
Some are celebrating, others are condemning. Which is pretty standard for the reaction to any State Budget. Local Labor MPs and organsiations like Advance Cairns have praised Treasurer Curtis Pitt's 2017-18 Budget, mostly due to its big spending on the Cairns Convention Centre and dredging of Trinity Inlet.
But others are upset that funding went to those projects instead of a Smithfield highway bypass, which frustrated motorists say is desperately needed.
Cairns MP Rob Pyne says he'll try to block the Budget because it favoured South-East Queensland over the North.

EISTEDDFOD STARTS TODAY
There'll be some nervously excited kids - and parents - this morning as they prepare to take the stage for the 2017 Cairns Eisteddfod.
Hundreds of students from across the region will take part in the event, which is now in its 62nd year, in categories such as dance, drama, music and speech. You can grab tickets to the event, being held at the Cairns and District Junior Eisteddfod Hall on Greenslopes St, via Ticketlink

CHEAP AIRFARE BATTLE
Budget airlines Tigerair and Jetstar are offering a range of bargain flights across Australia, including to and from Cairns.
Tigerair is spruiking $24 flights to celebrate its 24 millionth passenger in a three-day sale starting today, while Jetstar is offering cheap flights in an end of financial year sale, including a $119 flight from Cairns to Bali one way special.

NATE HEADS SOUTH
Far North product and Origin prop Nate Myles has signed with the Melbourne Storm. The 31-year-old said he wanted to enjoy his footy again, and being able to play under super coach Craig Bellamy was a huge factor in his decision to leave Manly. 
But he'll have to wait until he recovers from an elbow injury before hitting the field for the Storm.