In this week’s Manx Independent, the penalties for drug smugglers are going to rise significantly.

The paper explains why and what the new sentences will be.

Inside, there’s a report on one drug smuggler whose sentence has been cut.

The coroner of inquests has made several recommendations about police procedures after a suicide highlighted shortcomings. We reveal more in our long story inside.

Also this week: Chief Minister Howard Quayle has admitted he is nervous as the island prepares for the next phase of border re-opening next week.

He’s also in the news after he complained about Manx Radio’s coverage of his appearance at the official reopening of the hospice.

In today’s Manx Independent there is a page feature about the changes there.

Seafood businesses and fishing vessel owners in the Isle of Man are to get more money from the government to help them cope after they lost business after the pandemic led to a big drop in demand for seafood.

Pubs and restaurants are getting more help too.

Tynwald has supported a call for government to report how it can improve what the island offers its youth.

A special event is being held to showcase how easy it can be for cyber criminals to gain access to companies’ data.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Geoffrey Boot has come under renewed fire for his handling of the ditched Animal Welfare Bill.

A campaign has been set up to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming elections.

Teenager William Barnes who injured two passengers when he crashed his car has been sentenced.

Ten rare Isle of Man 10p pieces, thought to be the only mint examples left in existence, will go on auction next month and are expecting to fetch up to £500.

Policy and Reform ministers past and present have locked horns over the speed of implementing a new programme to help the homeless in the island.

A 55-year-old nurse who groped a 17-year-old schoolboy during an indecent assault has been sentenced.

A reception was held at Government House for Karen Badgerow the outgoing chief executive of the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. We were there for our Face in the Crowd feature.

A petition lobbying against the new border policy proposed by the government has gained more than 500 signatures.

Lots of photographs from the island’s first umbrella festival, Bring Out The Brollies, in Castletown.

Contemporary dance routines, stories portrayed through graceful sequences and classical ballet, performed with a distinctly modern twist will all feature in an up-coming concert next weekend.

Our Island Life section, which is your guide to leisure and pleasure in the Isle of Man, has more.

We also report on the first visiting musician to entertain in the Isle of Man since the pandemic began.

In the centre pages art, design, media and music students have been displaying the fruits of their creativity at an end-of-year exhibition. We find out what they’ve been up to.

There’s also a look forward to this weekend’s Laxey Fair.

Our sports team has been very busy covering the Parish Walk.

In today’s Manx Independent we list every result from Marown to the end.

We also meet the man who dressed up as a dog and walked all 85 miles.

The sports section also has more on Mark Cavendish’s return to the Tour de France and a preview of all the big events.

There is also plenty of community news, a page of your letters, our puzzles pages Pullyman’s column and a seven-day television guide.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

But you don’t have to go to a shop to buy a copy.

You can also read it online if you buy the digital edition. It should be uploaded by 7.30am.

To find out how to buy it, go to the ’Digital Editions’ section of the website on the grey line near the top of this site or watch the video below.

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