A proposal to extract gas from the Manx seabed could see a bonanza for the island but environmentalists are worried.

The Manx Independent reports why in this week’s paper.

Also this week:

Douglas Council’s executive committee says there should be no compulsory DNA testing scheme to monitor dog fouling in the near future

The police are to be given extra funding to fight financial crime

Manx Utilities Authority chairman Dr Alex Allinson MHK rejects claims the authority does not know what it is doing when estimating costs

A road rage incident ended with two men trading punches in the middle of the main road in Kirk Michael

Chief Minister Howard Quayle has confirmed his plan to let Tynwald debate the implications of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union

He also says politicians should be held accountable for delivering results in government

Any future contract with a ferry operator serving the Isle of Man would be made public, Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer pledges

A married care home cleaner from Ramsey has admitted indecently assaulting a teenage work colleague

Education Minister Graham Cregeen has renewed hostilities with teaching union the NASUWT, in the row over pupil behaviour

Tesco has issued a statement after it withdrew plans for an express store in the Strand Shopping Centre

Cycling superstar Mark Cavendish has been taken ill

The Lymphoma Association is launching a new group on the island next week. We feature the inspirational story of one woman who is living with the disease.

A new display about the First World War at the Aviation and Military Museum is sure to provoke tears and tissues are placed at strategic points, the organiser tells us

Motorists are being urged to take extra care in areas where work is being carried out on the island’s roads after a number of recent near misses involving highways workers

Tynwald Mills was packed with youngsters as the new children’s play park was launched with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party event. Our photographer was there and we have two pages of pictures

A fascinating talk focusing on the domestic side of life for Naval wives during the Napoleonic wars will be given on April 27 in Arbory parish church as the spring Quilliam lecture. We preview it

Previews of the big leisure and entertainment events in Island Life, our 20-page pullout

Plus a page of charity cheque presentations, your letters, a look forward to the weekend’s sport and the Isle of Man’s what’s on guide.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.