The news of the decline of the population of the Isle of Man is the lead story in today’s Manx Independent.

Looking deeper into the figures shows some worrying details.

Also this week:

The airport is to cut staff by 22.

A travel agency with a shop in central Douglas is to close.

Details of waiting lists at Noble’s Hospital, which make for disturbing reading.

We report details of a Freedom of Information request asks for attainment results at schools but the Department of Education says any ’league table’ would be skewed.

Dr Alex Allinson is questioned in the Keys about the 6.4 per cent hike in water bills.

Adam Wakeman - Rick’s son - tells Mike Wade about how his gigs in the Isle of Man prepared him for his career in music around the world.

Ramsey Courthouse is up for sale to the dismay of some.

A 31-year-old has been in court for burgling a shop in Pulrose and stealing a car.

The family of a cancer patient from Governor’s Hill are hoping to fund revolutionary treatment for him that’s not available in the British Isles.

An advocate has heavily criticised the planning department’s handling of three plans for historic Lorne House in Castletown - and lodged an appeal against their approval.

Forty bakers took up the challenge to see who would be crowned the World Bonnag champion of 2017 in Dalby and we were there to take photos.

The regeneration project in Port Erin is scheduled to be finished in time for TT - and the station should be ready for the first trains of the season on March 18.

Bolognese dog Otti (kennel name: Champion Little White Wonder Othello Matteo) is setting off from his Castletown home to go to Crufts.

The charity set up by Albert Gubay, the developer based in the Isle of Man who died last year, has given out millions to good causes.

The volunteering work of a Castletown’s Rosa Drown has been recognised by the British charity Epilepsy Action.

The organisers behind Yn Chruinnaght have renamed the festival Celtfest Isle of Man and we have a preview on the front page of Island Life.

Psychedelic rock giants Primal Scream are to play in the Isle of Man in July.

Lots of photos from the World Bonnag Championships and the Braaid Eisteddfod.

Manxman and Team Wiggins professional Jake Kelly could miss the majority of this season after breaking his left leg in a hefty crash in Greece on Sunday.

The Manx Independent also publishes the Isle of Man’s What’s On guide, has 12 action-packed pages of sport, your seven-day television guide and a page of readers’ opinions.

It’s in the shops now.