A planning officer has made his recommendation ahead of the committee’s decision on the proposed KFC/Starbucks development in Douglas.

Today’s Manx Independent reports what it is.

Also this week:

Police are investigating what’s believed to be a knife attack.

An MHK changes her name.

The fugitive red panda is back at the Wildlife Park. We catch up with him.

After the Examiner’s revelation that there was no contract to run the horse trams - in spite of what had been said by government officials - we ask MHKs whether heads should roll.

A prison officer who’s accused of helping to smuggle a mobile phone into jail has made another appearance in court.

Simultaneous roadworks are causing headaches for drivers.

We catch up with television presenter Julia Bradbury ahead of her appearance on the stage at Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

Danielle Margaret Elaine Thomason, of Mona Street, Douglas, who used a work mate’s bank card to buy ferry travel and make up has been punished by a court.

The island’s population is up. But the full picture is a bit more complicated.

A well-known police officer is to have his mutton chops chopped for charity.

MHKs and MLCs are at loggerheads over one law. MHKs say the upper house risks a constitutional crisis.

Isle of Man Railways’ troubled diesel engine has limped back to Douglas for repairs after it broke down. We sent a photographer to capture it.

A van driver from Ballasalla who was seen holding his phone at the wheel and driving without insurance has been punished.

Social Care Minister David Ashford has been forced to give assurances that Tynwald pledges made just weeks ago have not been forgotten.

A bookseller is to appear on an ITV quiz show. We find out more.

Our Island Life section includes news about entertainment and leisure around the Isle of Man.

The lead is about the Service Players’ production of Blackadder.

Orran Smith produced a cracking run to finish 87th in the New York Marathon out of a total field of 53,000 competitors. Our sports pages have more in 11 packed pages.

The Independent also includes your letters, the Isle of Man’s What’s On guide, a page of puzzles, a page of pictures from the past and a seven-day television guide and lots of community news.

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.

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.

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