8.48am MUSIC NEWS: With a very impressive line-up that includes Faith No More, Slipknot, Soundgarden, Fall-Out Boy and Ministry February's Soundwave festival is shaping up to be something special. As long as none of the big-name acts cancel.

8.43am Finding it hard to locate a public telephone in the Illawarra? That's because most suburbs have just one as mobile phones become more and more prevalent, writes Mercury journalist Emma Spillett.

8.37am Who knew Ikea instructions could provide such useful information for living a better life?

8.27am AD NEWS: If you think some of the ads we see on local TV aren’t that great, then you really need to check out this one to get some perspective. Lord, is it bad. I reckon the people in it cringe every time it comes on TV.

8.23am LOCAL NEWS: The long-running saga of what to name the Illawarra's newest train station continues, with local MP Anna Watson believing Dunmore is a better name than Shellharbour Junction.

8.21am LOCAL SPORT: A 5-0 win wasn't enough to help the Illawarra Stingrays make it into the finals, writes Mercury sports reporter Mitch Cohen.

8.16am Joel Edgerton seems to be in a lot of movies these days. His latest is Felony, which opens next week. He plays a decorated police officer who tries to lie his way out of a very bad situation.

8.11am As a big reader, I can identify with a few of these categories.

8.02am The victim of financial scammers turned to growing cannabis to raise a quick buck. But it was a decision that almost landed him in jail, writes court reporter Shannon Tonkin.  

7.54am It might be too early in the day to be thinking about beer, but keep in mind the Froth and Bubbles festival at WIN Entertainment Centre this weekend. Thirty-five beer and cider makers (plus one or two wineries) will be attending so you cna sample their wares. For more information visit the Froth and Bubbles website.

7.50am Most of us have only ever known her as Queen Elizabeth II. But, once upon a time, she was a princess. And a teenager.

7.46am RAIL UPDATE: Passengers travelling in both directions between Kiama and Bomaderry are advised to allow additional travel time due to urgent signal equipment repairs at Berry. Passengers should also listen to announcements.

7.45am Do you know any of these types of people? Or, perhaps, are you one of them?

7.41am The wet weather over the last few days caused problems for the SES and commuters. And we can expect more rain through to at least Monday, though hopefully not the deluges we've had lately.

7.33am It seems the region is short on shopping centre Santas, so the call has gone out for people who like to wear red and can control flying reindeer.  

7.25am Here's something for the dog and vegetable lovers in our readership.

7.23am Last night was the latest instalment of Three Chimneys' Winter Warmers, which helps feed the less-fortunate. For more information read Josh Butler's story.

7.19am NATIONAL NEWS Prime Minister Tony Abbott is swimming against the tide on world issues like climate change fiscal fairness, according to economist Ross Gittens.

7.15am CELEBRITY NEWS Those rumours that Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence and 13-years-older-than-her Chris Martin have sent the tabloids into a feeding frenzy.

7.09am Musical comedy trio The Kransky Sisters are performing at the IPAC on August 29. Check out Emma Spillett's interview with eldest sister Mourne Kransky here.

7.04am Looking to have an active Saturday? The University Recreation and Aquatic Centre is set to host its seventh annual monster fitness class fundraiser on August 23. The 90-minutes fitness class will be hosted by seven of URAC’s instructors. It’s on from 9.30am to 11am. Gold coin donation. All proceeds go to the Cancer Council.

7.01am Just some friendly advice to have a better day.

6.57am A growing number of people in the Illawarra are living on the edge. Mercury reporter Emma Spillett writes that four people a week in the Illawarra are declaring bankruptcy.

6.54am Are you afraid of heights? Than you'd better not check out this page of photos from people indulging in the new trend of "skywalking". That's clambering to the top of buildings illegally

6.51am Yep, it's that time of the morning.

6.49am In DRAGONS news, recalled centre Peter Mata'uita is aiming to take some inspiration from younger brother and Knights player Sione, whom Wayne Bennett declared a future Knights captain.

Check out the full story from Mercury sports reporter Mitch Jennings here. 

6.45am Hey Rock! Nice skivvy.

6.44am You want to win $500, don't you? Of course you do. Well, the Mercury is launching a new enewsletter - Mercury Morning Rush - this weekend. For a chance to win that $500 all you have to do is sign up here. What could be easier? Entries close September 8.

6.38am LOCAL NEWS: The first sod was turned at the site of the $75 million Port Kembla grain handling facility on Tuesday.

6.30am There are some incredibly powerful images here.

6.25am Hopefully you'll be brushing your teeth this morning before you go to work. You think you know how to brush your teeth properly? It’s doubtful given that dentists can’t seem to agree on the right technique.

6.22am In local sport, A decade-long absence from the national fray will end for the Illawarra on Wednesday night when South Coast Wolves begin their FFA Cup journey.

Mercury sports reporter Mitch Cohen has the story.

6.21am WORLD NEWS Police in St Louis, Missouri have shot dead another suspect, a short distance away from the suburb of Ferguson where protests have been under way for days following the killing of an unarmed black teenager.

6.19am I think they're going to need a bigger boat.

6.13am  And here’s what’s happening elsewhere in our country, courtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald

* Finance Minister Mathais Corman is calling for a ‘‘reality check’’ over the fiscal health of the nation’s economy.

* The federal government is red-faced after it was revealed that law-enforcement agencies have been accessing Australians’ web-browsing histories without a warrant.

* The late-night bus services in Kings Cross, introduced as part of the NSW government’s response to the issue of alcohol-fuelled violence, have been labelled a flop with few passengers choosing to use them.

 * Philanthropist Deanne Weir pledges to give $1 million to women’s charities over the next five years.

6.07am Here are a few of the stories you’ll find in today’s Mercury

* After all the bad news about job cuts in the region, superannuation administrator Pillar is looking to put on 40 workers.

* Gateway Wollongong director Jan Lindrum says the Bass and Flinders development, on the old Quattro site, could be the city’s answer to the Sydney Opera House.

* However, the convenor of a Wollongong’s resident group is happy that an independent assessor labelled the Bass and Flinders development as ‘‘out of context’’.

6.03am To start things off, lets check out what’s happening with the traffic, trains and weather

TRAFFIC: All the roads look okay so far, even the Illawarra Highway, which is open again after a wet few days. Speaking of wet, lets see what we can expect today.

WEATHER: Well the Bureau of Meteorology says we can expect some more rain - mainly showers this morning and this evening. It’s not going to be a warm day either with temperatures predicted between 12 and 17.

If your thoughts are already heading towards the weekend, start thinking ‘‘indoor activity’’. They’re predicting more showers from here right through to Tuesday. Well, at least the gardens will look a whole lot greener.

 TRAINS: For rail commuters heading up to Sydney for work, there’s good service on the South Coast line. It’s the same if you’re catching the train south for work too.

6am Hey there Illawarra. This morning you’ve got me, Glen Humphries guiding you through today’s Morning Rush.