Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Get out your fascinators and place your bets: it's Melbourne Cup Day.  The 164th running of the Melbourne Cup begins about 5pm.  Donna Demaio is Newstalk ZB's Melbourne Cup correspondent at Flemington.  She told Ryan Bridge there are 24 horses in the final field for this year's big race.  They include three trained in New Zealand: 'Trusting You', 'Positivity' and 'Sharp and Smart'.  In addition, she said, this year there are also four women jockeys for the second time ever.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America is heading to the polls as a nation deeply divided down partisan lines.  Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are making their final pitch to voters on the eve of election day, with latest polling showing the pair remain locked in a tight race.  Harris has strong support from women voters, while Trump has been gaining ground with Hispanic voters, especially men.  Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan told Ryan Bridge opinions are different everywhere you look.  He says parts of each battleground state show clear preferences for either candidate.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Youth Court is a good idea because it tries to steer kids away from adult prisons and a life of crime. But when it fails, it fails spectacularly, and we all pay the price for leniency.  Take teenager Dontae Eden. When he was 16, he bashed a 78-year-old man nearly to death while the old guy slept in his bed.  A Youth Court judge gave him a warning and told him to keep out of trouble.  If that's not lenient, I don't know what is. Did he stay out of trouble? No.  Stuff reports that three months later he robbed a bloke in Wellington, stole from a petrol station, and resisted arrest by the cops.  He's now 18 and will be dealt with by the same judge in the District, not Youth Court.  I'm all for second chances, and the youth court in some cases, but surely if you beat someone nearly to death in such a brutal fashion, there's nothing particularly youthful about your actions.  You're not acting like a youth whose made a wee mistake and needs a hand turning things around. You've

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 5th of November, it's Election Eve in the United States, so what's happening in the critical swing states, and has a new poll put Iowa back in play? Herald Deputy Political Editor Thomas Coughlan joined live from the swing state of North Carolina.   New government maths tutoring is on the way for students falling behind – how will it work and are schools expecting to see positive results? Remuera Intermediate School Principal Kyle Brewerton gives his thoughts.  Kiwis are open to alternative paths to home ownership, according to a new Kiwibank report. Sam Stubbs talks through the options.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of course, Donald Trump is going to win the US election, of course he is. I've been saying that since July on this programme, not that anyone will listen to me. He would have also whipped Biden like a bottle of cream. Too many Americans are hurting with the cost of living, and that's all the motivation you need really to get out and vote, isn't it? Republicans are doing it early in record numbers, which they don't normally do, including in the swing states. In Georgia, half of the 8 million eligible voters there went early, which is astonishing. They also included 700,000 people who never voted in 2020. Now, why would they be voting this time around? You could say it might be the fact it's a, you know, a female or woman of colour that they're wanting to elect, but the polls show the more likely motivation is financial. You feel poor pissed off and you vote the current lot out, be it Biden or Harris. Plus, Harris hasn't helped herself swearing black and blue that Bidenomics is working when people know in their

From today, Police are dialling back the number of mental health callouts they will attend. Phase One of the reduced service will see Police complete faster handovers in the Emergency Department. Transport requests and attendance at mental health facilities will need to meet a higher threshold. Four phases are set to be implemented by September next year. Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing at University of Waikato Anthony O’Brien tells Ryan Bridge police will now negotiate with health services whether they feel their presence is required on callouts where they are requested. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Angry crowds of people have confronted Spanish King Felipe VI in Valencia, a town that has been severely affected by flash floods. A hostile crowd threw mud at him and shouted “murderer”, in response to what they say has been a woeful response to the tragedy that has killed at least 210. UK & Europe correspondent Gavin Grey tells Ryan Bridge many are angry that weather warnings came too late. Meanwhile, details about the UK Royal Family’s finances have been revealed – including rent received from the NHS, schools and the armed forces. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Caps took out an unprecedented clean sweep in India, Liam Lawson races in the Sao Paulo F1 and the All Blacks scraped by with a tight result in Twickenham. Newstalk ZB Sportsreader Andrew Alderson joins Ryan Bridge to recap the weekend’s packed sporting schedule. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report shows the eye-watering social, economic and fiscal costs of the current approach to dental healthcare in New Zealand. Current dental policy settings cost $2.5 billion in lost productivity. Further costs are incurred through sick days, inpatient care, and cardiovascular disease, prompting calls for universal dental care. ActionStation campaigner Max Harris tells Ryan Bridge lost productivity includes many not attending job interviews because of shame and stigma. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Monday the 4th of November. Phase one of police reducing their presence at mental health callouts starts today - is the healthcare system ready? Associate Professor in Mental Health nursing Anthony O'Brien joins the show. A new report says our current dental system is costing us more than universal dental care would - so do we need to make a change? ActionStation's Max Harris speaks to Ryan. Another busy weekend of sport - The All Blacks win against England, Black Caps make history in India and F1 is on after qualifying delays. Andrew Alderson has your weekend sport wrap. Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The All Blacks are switching it up this weekend as they face England.  The squad named to play at Twickenham is largely different to the one that played Japan, with only three players keeping their role.  Beauden Barrett will start at first five-eighth against England, taking over from Damian McKenzie who’s previously worn the number 10 jersey.   Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson told Ryan Bridge that McKenzie’s been given a fairly long leash this year, and he’s just been a bit to erratic.  He said that Barrett’s experience will be invaluable, and perhaps a little more consistent.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another treatment to help people to manage the symptoms of menopause is available from today.    Estrogel will now be available for those requiring oestrogen to meet rising demand for hormone replacement therapy. The other funded patch option is in global short supply.   Menopause specialist Dr Linda Dear says Estrogel will make a massive difference for patients, doctors and pharmacists.   She says having another option out there means we're not so dependent on patches anymore, which is good news for a lot of people.   Pharmac funding's also taking effect for a suite of new treatments, for various cancers and other medical conditions.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communities in Eastern Spain have been devastated by flooding that's killed at least 158 people.   Rescuers are now searching for bodies.   The Valencia region has been the hardest hit, with widespread destruction to roads and railways.   Europe correspondent Vincent McAviney told Ryan Bridge there were some warnings about strong rainfall.   But, he says, people are saying there should've been more of a response when the rain fell, to alert people to get off the roads and get to higher ground.  McAviney says the region had been experiencing a severe drought for months, and water was unable to seep into the hard, dry earth.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A free trade deal with the Middle East countries belonging to the Gulf Cooperation Council has come at the right time for exporters.  The FTA's expected to provide a sizable boost to the annual $3 billion of two-way trade.  If treated as one country, all six countries —including Saudi Arabia and the UAE— would be New Zealand's seventh-largest export destination by value.  Former trade negotiator Charles Finny told Ryan Bridge the timing couldn't be better.  He says the demand for exports into China is slowing down and there's uncertainty ahead of the US election.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can't say you care about and want to hear from people with so-called 'lived experience' and then dismiss them when you don't like what they say.  Everyone knows he doesn't have a PHD in mental health studies. Settle down, Sally.  He looked to me to simply be riffing his opinion. So what?  Props to the Mental Health Foundation and the Minister who've both handled their responses well. Giving kudos to Mike for his incredible work for Kiwi kids while also pointing out the fact there's research out there which doesn't support his view of the world.  Is there really a big deal here outside of Labour trying to score a hit job 'cause they're pissed King bashed them at the last election?  Also, what's worse for mental health in this country? Mike King going on a booze rant or Labour spending $1.8 billion on mental health and delivering not a single new acute mental health bed in five years?  What's, to use terms they love, more 'dangerous' for our 'vulnerable Tamariki'?  It's no

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast for Friday 1st of November, a new trade deal has been struck between New Zealand and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council - what does it mean for our exporters, and how hard would negotiations have been? Former NZ trade negotiator Charles Finny speaks to Ryan.  A new look All Blacks team are set to face England over the weekend - how are the All Blacks expected to go? Rugby Commentator Tony Johnson joins the show.  Pharmac is funding new hormone replacement therapy medication from today - what sort of difference will it make for those going through menopause? Dr Linda Dear from Menodoctor speaks to Ryan.  Get the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another season of sport, another season of sideline abuse.  Police are investigating a serious assault made on a female football coach in September.  The Ellerslie FC volunteer was attacked by a male supporter of the opposing team following an under-10s game.   Northern Region Football CEO Laura Menzies told Ryan Bridge a sideline attack is an absolute extreme.  She said in most cases this type of behaviour is perpetrated by those on the sideline, and while it’s not always the parents, they can take action against them if they behave inappropriately.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could have been a win for the Democrats has become a bit of a storm in a teacup.  The Trump campaign received a huge amount of backlash after a comedian suggested that Puerto Rico is a floating island of garbage.   Joe Biden responded to the comments on a Zoom, saying that Puerto Ricans are good, decent, honourable people, and the only garbage he sees floating out there are Trump’s supporters.  US correspondent Mitch McCann told Ryan Bridge the White House says Biden was calling the racist language garbage, not Trump supporters.  However, he says that even Kamala Harris has distanced herself from the comments, saying she disagrees with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest estimate from the Social Development Ministry shows the average time people spend on a main benefit is around 13 years and four months.   For people under the age of 25, that figure jumps to more than 20 years.  Time spent on main benefits is 26% higher than in 2016, following a sustained period of increases under Labour.   Labour's Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni told Ryan Bridge any government needs to focus on risk factors that lead to people going on welfare.  She says that Minister Louise Upston continues to make out that it's going on the benefit itself that is problematic and should be punished, but the reality is that there are other factors involved.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sustainable method of producing jet-fuel could be on the horizon for New Zealand air carriers.   A study commissioned by Air New Zealand found it's possible to create jet fuel out of forestry industry waste like sawdust, slash, and offcuts.   Through chemical processes, the waste is turned into ethanol and then kerosene.   Air New Zealand's Kiri Hannifin told Ryan Bridge that it’s a global phenomenon moving at great pace.  She said that at the moment there’s about 30 manufacturers in the world, and they’ll need around 5000 to 7000 by 2050 to ensure sufficient supply.   Hannifin says it’s taken a while to get off the ground since the process is so technical, but it will start to move pretty quickly from here.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.