In this week’s Manx Independent we reveal that the police have been drug testing drivers without having the powers to do so.

The story is on page one.

We also report the latest inflation figures and the squeeze that is putting on people’s disposable income.

It’s been a bad week for the chief minister. We say why inside.

Also inside:

Plans for the Balthane junction in Ballasalla to become a four-arm roundabout will be submitted to the planning committee.

Only between five and 10% of pupils are wearing face coverings in schools, according to a Department of Education survey of headteachers.

Tynwald has approved a review into the island’s 2014 offshore energy strategy report, which explored the financial potential of exploiting resources in Manx territorial waters.

Meanwhile, the Isle of Man Green Party is calling for the government to end the licence to search for oil and gas in Manx territorial waters.

Ramsey Commissioners’ new clerk Tim Cowin talks to reporter Gemma Nettle about his new job.

Drink-driver Michael Curphey Cowin, who crashed into a wall and telegraph pole and was badly injured, has been sentenced.

Parents and guardians of clinically vulnerable children aged between five to 11 are now able to register their child for a Covid vaccine.

Long-serving magistrate Brian Walton has retired from the bench after more than 20 years’ service.

Offender Simon James Cowle has appeared in court after he was arrested while clutching cannabis and a set of false teeth.

The mother of a Long Covid sufferer has said the health minister’s recommendation in Tynwald to search for symptoms on the post-viral illness yourself ’isn’t good enough’.

The Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society is continue its winter programme with a lecture on one of the island’s oldest buildings.

Oliver Chambers will be running the height of Everest (8,848 metres) up and down Cronk-ny-Arrey Laa, a hill in the south of the island.

The first electric zero emission digger has been bought in the island.

A short film, shot on the Isle of Man, that takes just 11 minutes to tell 13 harrowing stories will get its premier screening this weekend. The details are in Island Life, our arts and what’s on section.

International artist and teacher Martin Hearne, who grew up and studied in the Isle of Man, is returning home to open a new exhibition.

On the centre pages, we have a feature about Ian Sanderson’s diverse display of artistic styles and genres, which have been given an extra month on the walls of a southern art gallery.

Returning from the busy streets of London to the quiet of the Isle of Man inspired an album’s worth of music from Rebecca Brahde.

One of the UK’s biggest indie bands of a generation, the Lightning Seeds, are eyeing up a return to the Isle of Man later his year.

The Manx Rams netball team competed in the Wales Quad Series against Gibraltar, the Republic of Ireland and the host nation. See how they got on in our 10 action-packed sports pages.

There is also plenty of community news, a page of your letters, the latest from the Manx Bard, our puzzles pages, the gig guide and a seven-day television guide.

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