Fresh from victory in the recent North East mayoral election, Kim McGuinness has her sights set on delivering a new economic and social era for the north of the region. Here, she tells Steven Hugill about her blueprint, which includes commitments to reducing child poverty, improving public transport and preparing more workers for the jobs of tomorrow, how she is harnessing childhood experiences to action change and why a Labour ruling party will create more opportunity.

Having secured a third term as Tees Valley mayor, Ben Houchen is now rolling out a refreshed blueprint for the south of the region. Here, he tells Steven Hugill about the headline elements of his plan, which include a new hospital, an investment zone earmarked to create more than 2000 jobs and further development of Teesside International Airport.

Very few manage to blend traditional and digital art techniques quite like Jimmy Turrell. A graphic artist and video director, his work is a vibrant collision of past and present, his vision stemming from the inserts of a geography textbook to the music of AC/DC. Here, Kate Hewison meets Jimmy to discuss his extraordinary career, what his art means to him and his new exhibition at The Baltic, in Gateshead.