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Laura Placella is the city reporter for the Herald Sun. She was previously a court reporter for the masthead. She graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts.

@lauraplacella

Laura Placella

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Police & Courts

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos June 1, 2023: Prison van arrivals at the Supreme Court via Laneway: Rebecca Payne, 43, was found guilty of murdering Noel Payne, 68, after a three-week trial in the Victorian Supreme Court. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Poison biscuit killer wife wins major court battle

A Victorian mum who murdered her husband with a poison-laced biscuit after he physically, sexually and emotionally abused her has had her sentence slashed on appeal.

ExclusiveVictoria

Lord Mayor Nick Reece at the Treasury Gardens for a feature about his first 100 days in office. One of his plans is to make Melbourne the garden city. Picture: David Caird

Melbourne’s new Lord Mayor reveals top priorities to take city forward

Nick Reece has revealed his plans for his first 100 days in office after he is sworn in as lord mayor on Tuesday — for the second time in six months — and he says Melbourne’s “best days are ahead of us”.

Victoria

Local Cairns author Jilinda Lee interviews prominent feminist and author Clementine Ford at the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival, held at Crystalbrook Flynn. Picture: Brendan Radke

Clementine Ford sued by councillor over social media post

A newly-elected councillor in Melbourne’s southeast is suing for defamation after the controversial author described her as a “racist, transphobic cooker”.

Victoria

Socialists art herald sun Picture: Supplied

Victorian Socialist council candidates hit with serious charges

Three Victorian Socialist candidates who ran at the recent council elections are facing serious charges related to the chaotic Land Forces protests, including allegedly performing a Nazi salute.

UpdatedVictoria

Nicholas Reece to be sworn in as the 105th Lord Mayor of Melbourne. He will be presented with the mayoral robes and chains in the council chamber. Picture: David Caird

‘Honour of my life’: Nick Reece wins Melbourne’s lord mayoral race

Nick Reece has retained his position as Melbourne Lord Mayor. Here’s what he promised and what Melbourne will miss out on after his rivals failed to claim the top job from him.

VideoVictoria

Peter Meuleman at the crash site on the corner of Melbourne Road and Ridley Street in Blairgowrie where his son Ryan who was a teenager in 2013, was involved in a collision on his bike with the car of then opposition leader Dan Andrews which was being driven by his wife Cath Andrews. Picture: Ian Currie

‘Be honest’: Father’s plea to Dan after triple-0 bombshell

The father of a cyclist injured in a car crash involving Daniel Andrews has urged the former premier to do the right thing and “be honest” after the release of his “chilling” triple-0 call.

UpdatedVictoria

City of Yarra Deputy mayor Cr Edward Crossland (centre) with former mayor Sophie Wade (right) and Cr Herschel Landes (left). , Pic: Facebook

Greens’ hopes improve in Yarra council election

The Greens may still retain two places on Yarra council with the latest voting showing improved results for the party, which was facing a wipe-out at the ballot box.

UpdatedVictoria

Queens street. City of Melbourne parking inspectors in the CBD. Picture: Jason Edwards

Beware, parking inspectors back on the beat in Melbourne’s CBD

Parking inspectors have returned to work in Melbourne’s CBD and the surrounding suburbs after an eight-day strike that led some lucky motorists to dodge a parking fine.

Victoria

Nick Reece on course to win lord mayor race

Lord Mayor Nick Reece is on course to retain the city’s top job after a rollercoaster four-month campaign, according to fresh analysis.

UpdatedVictoria

Arron Wood and Erin Deering. Pic: Kit Edwards

‘Really devastated’: Wood, Deering bow out of lord mayor race

Lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood has conceded defeat in the race for the city’s top job, as Lord Mayor Nick Reece pulls ahead — but Carlton great Anthony Koutoufides is hot on his heels.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/laura-placella