Tynwald to consider election law changes

Tynwald members will be asked to approve new rules for election candidates, as this year's general election grows ever-closer. When the court sits this month, members will vote on new regulations which would update polling rules. They include publishing candidates’ declarations of interests, government-organised meetings for the public, and pre-verifying postal votes to make them easier to count.

Today on the island

Clear, 12°C (53°F), wind 17 mph

The local news that matters this morning

A tight, deduplicated briefing from the 05:00–05:00 news window. Story titles link straight to the original report.

Manx Radio · Health15:48 OPEL 4 for Noble's Hospital due to 'unprecedented level of demand Highest alert for Island's health system. Noble’s Hospital is under immense pressure’ and is experiencing an unprecedented level of demand. Manx Care has confirmed the medical facility is currently operating at OPEL 4 on the Operational Pressures Escalation Level.

Manx Radio · Health14:00 Manx Care in 'good state of readiness' for TT Work planned to increase in-patient capacity ahead of races. Manx Care says all of its departments are in a good state of readiness ahead of this year’s TT. The healthcare provider has been giving details of its preparations for this year’s racing fortnight in its latest board papers.

Manx Radio · Health06:15 'Lessons need to be learned' from CEO role within Manx Care MHK suggests accountability changes to health body's board. Manx Care says a governance review will be concluded before it starts the recruitment process for a new chief executive. Teresa Cope resigned from her position yesterday after five and a half years at the top.

3FM · Health11:23 Children's hospital pyjama collections set up in south An organisation which collects pyjamas for poorly, disadvantaged children in hospital has set up on the Isle of Man. Childrens Hospital Pyjamas will be collecting the new clothes for Nobles Hospital Children’s Ward. It’s set up three collection points where people can donate PJs for newborns all the way up to adult sizes.

3FM · Politics12:55 Government recruiting civil servant to help new ministers after election The Cabinet Office says it's looking for someone to help the new government settle in from September. On the government’s jobs website, it says it’s looking for someone already working for government to become a Change of Administration Transition Coordinator. The job, which pays up to £54,500 a year with an initial six-month contract, would mean helping the new Council of Ministers after September’s general election.

Manx Radio · Health06:15 "We're trying to keep people alive" says charity running new recovery club People urged to seek support for their mental health. Volunteers at a new weekly ’recovery club’ for people struggling with their mental health say they’re keen for members to shape the service. The initiative, run by charity Preferred Futures, is designed to foster social connection and open conversation.

Manx Radio · Politics11:00 Equine influenza warning issued to Manx horse owners Government urging vigilance as cases rise in the UK, despite no confirmed infection on Isle of Man. Government is urging horse owners on the Isle of Man to remain vigilant as cases of equine influenza continue to rise sharply across the UK. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Amy Beckett says there are currently "no confirmed cases on the Island", but owners should watch for signs of respiratory illness in all horses, whether vaccinated or not.

3FM · Transport11:55 Nobody hurt in Ballabeg incident, say firefighters Fire crews were called to the rescue of a motorist after a crash in the south of the Island yesterday. The Fire and Rescue Service says it was called to Main Road in Ballabeg just after 11am. Firefighters found a car on its side with someone still inside.

3FM · Island News10:35 College suspends lessons after water main burst University College Isle of Man says it's been forced to suspend most of its classes this morning. A burst water main nearby means the William Kennish building and Thie Ushtey exam centre on its Homefield Road campus are without water. The college says all scheduled exams will be going ahead as planned, but most morning classes are suspended and lecturers will contact students.

3FM · Island News08:13 Watch: Late Brake Show features Island's Motor Museum One of YouTube's biggest motoring channels has paid a visit to one of the Island's biggest museums. It describes the private collection as belonging to the ultimate car hoarder and one of the quirkiest collections of vehicles in existence. This is how TV presenter Jonny Smith introduced the facility to his viewers:.

3FM · Culture07:36 Ballaugh TT Cafe needs you! An iconic TT venue in the north of the Island is asking for volunteers for this year's festival. The Ballaugh TT Café sets up each year in the village hall, serving food and drink to visitors and locals. It’s appealing for people to come and help between Saturday, May 30 and Friday, June 5.

Manx Radio · Business15:30 No repayments made yet on £2.2m KWC loan The FoI also asked for details on the sale of the Buchan site; however, these were not revealed. No repayments have yet been made on a £2.2 million taxpayer backed loan given to King Williams College. The funds were paid to the college on 10 September last year from the Department for Enterprise to assist with construction costs as part of the school’s ’long-term sustainability strategy’ According to a Freedom of Information response, the facility must repay the loan in full by January 2029.

Manx Radio · Island News10:50 Joanna Simpson's killer denied parole Her estranged husband is serving 24 years after killing her with a claw hammer. A man convicted of killing his estranged wife, who grew up on the Isle of Man, has been denied parole. Joanna Simpson died in October 2010 aged 46.

Manx Radio · Island News11:00 Burst water main sees classes suspended at UCM All scheduled exams are still going ahead as planned. Most classes have been suspended at UCM’s Homefield Road campus this morning (13 May). A burst water main in the area is affecting supplies to the campus, the William Kennish building and Thie Ushtey exam centre.

Manx Radio · Island News06:30 Hannah Mackenzie and Barbara Guy to continue leading Port Erin Commissioners Pair says the last year was 'challenging' for the local authority. The reappointed chair of Port Erin Commissioners says she’s ’honoured and proud’ to be leading the authority for another 12 months. Hannah Mackenzie was elected unanimously by the board, with Barbara Guy also chosen to continue as vice chair for the next year.

Manx Radio · Island News06:16 New community ranger excited to get people out and about in nature Mathilda Whittle brings experience from further afield. The Manx Wildlife Trust’s new community ranger says she’s excited to get people out and about into the Island’s nature. Mathilda Whittle has taken over the role from Hannah Phillips, who was first to take on the position four years ago.

3FM · Culture16:25 Oar you ready? Viking longboat entries open! Think you can row like a Viking? The World Championship Viking Longboat Races says it’ll be sending out entry forms for teams in the near future. If you’d like to take part, or have changed your address since taking part last year, organisers are asking you to get in touch as soon as possible via email.

3FM · Transport15:25 Small dip in newest bus route numbers over winter The Department of Infrastructure says the number of passengers using its newest bus service dipped by seven per cent over winter. A Freedom of Information request asked for passenger figures for the 8S service between Peel and The Sound since it launched last august. The DOI says 14,094 people got on during the tourist season, while 10,756 used it between November and February.

3FM · Island News13:25 Commissioners urge "well-meaning" volunteers to stop working on its land Stop working on our land! That’s the message from a local authority in the south of the Island, which says it’s a health and safety and insurance risk. Port St Mary Commissioners took to Facebook to issue the plea, saying recently there’d been well-meaning people working around the village.

3FM · Politics12:25 Minister denies Crossag Farm development "going backwards" Plans for a new housing estate won't be released by the Department of Infrastructure because the project's still in its early stages. In the House of Keys this week Minister Tim Crookall was asked by Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Jason Moorhouse about the Crossag Farm development in Ballasalla. Mr Crookall said his department had met the Department of Education, Sport and Culture, which hopes to build a new school there.

3FM · Island News09:44 Southern 100 launches new online shop With around eight weeks to go until the start of the races, a new online shop has been launched for the Southern 100. Organisers say the website’s improved modern layout will give fans a better shopping experience. Among the merchandise is the new official t-shirt for 2026, and a number of accessories.

3FM · Politics07:55 Prisoner sues government over inmate's jail attack A prisoner who sustained serious injuries when he was attacked with so-called "prison napalm" in 2019 has had his case against the government dismissed. Paul Akinmurele sued the Department of Home Affairs following the attack by another inmate - the court heard there’d been bad blood between the two of them but Akinmurele had turned down a move to another wing.

3FM · Island News06:27 Capital to get new mayor later Douglas will officially get a new mayor this afternoon. The city’s local authority - the largest on the Island - will meet at City Hall on Ridgeway Street later. The annual meeting will see a new mayor elected and invested, and a deputy mayor appointed.

Manx Radio · Business06:14 Horse tram business case delayed until June 'We are doing our best' says Crookall after DoI misses deadline. Tynwald will not be discussing the business case for relaying the horse tram tracks along the full length of Douglas Promenade later this month. The Department of Infrastructure has missed the deadline to bring it to the May sitting of the court.

Tides · Douglas

Live tide API unavailable; using the latest cached Douglas tide table. Times shown local to the Isle of Man.

What's on: next 14 days

Island events, Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre shows, and listings gathered from the main public What's On sources. Showing the first 16 of 111; check the source listings for late changes and tickets.

Today · the Children's Centre Isle of ManAdults Workshop: Make Your Own Needle Felted Sauna Hat

Today · Barbary Coast Grill and BarComedy Night (thursday 14th May 2026)

Today · St Catherine’s ChurchConcert By the Manx Children’s Choir and Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey

Today · Activate Ai Centre (hillary House)Learnai: "why Your Ai Forgets (and What To Do About It)" - Thurs 14 May

Today · Victoria Square, Im9 6ld Port Erin, Isle of Man, Isle of ManRushen Players Present Visitors (3 Nights)

Today · 09 - 15 May · Villa Marina ArcadeFollican - University College Isle of Man Exhibition

Today · 12 Apr 2026–25 Oct 2026 · Duke Travel / Isle of Man Experiences Shop, Isle of Man Sea Terminal, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM12RFIsle of Man TT Course & Motor Museum Tour

Today · 14 Feb 2026–17 May 2026 · House Of Manannan, Mill Road, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 1TAArt Adventures For Beginners

Today · 14 May · Broadway CinemaGlenrothan

Today · 2 Apr 2026–31 Oct 2026 · Douglas Railway Station, Bank Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 5PTIsle of Man Railways Dining Car

Today · 3 May 2026–18 Oct 2026 · Groudle Glen Railway, Onchan, Isle of Man, IM32HAFamily Trainspotting Challenge

Today · 3 May 2026–18 Oct 2026 · Groudle Glen Railway, Onchan, Isle of Man, IM32HASteam Teas

Tomorrow · Peel Cathedral2026 Gala Dinner | Platinum Anniversary

Tomorrow · Isle of ManCoffee Morning

Tomorrow · Launchpad (hillary House)Learnai: "vibe Coding: Ideas Into Ai-built Prototypes" - Fri 15 May

Public tenders & procurement

A compact supplier watch: deadlines first, then newly posted In-Tend opportunities. Use the portal for registration, documents and final deadlines.

Closing in the next week

Newly posted

Source: Isle of Man Government In-Tendhttps://in-tendhost.co.uk/iomg/aspx/Tenders/Current

Resident pulse

Questions from today’s Tynwald updates and next-meeting calendar, with enough context to make each vote useful. Pick the answer you most want followed up in plain English.

Three Island Amazon finds

Rotating Isle of Man and Manx book/product searches.

Island Amazon pick 1

Isle of Man railways book

Railway heritage reading for Island transport fans.

View on Amazon UK →

Island Amazon pick 2

Isle of Man railway book

Steam railway and transport heritage picks.

View on Amazon UK →

Island Amazon pick 3

Isle of Man guide book

Visitor-friendly guidebooks for guests and family trips.

View on Amazon UK →

From the Manx oral tradition

A small Manx fact

Ballaugh: The bridge is famous to TT fans and part of the northern plain’s character. It carries a layer of Viking, Gaelic, Victorian or maritime influence.

The shape of the day ahead

Clear, 12°C (53°F), wind 17 mph. Highs of 12°C. Check A18 Mountain Road status before travelling.