A Week in the News - The Black Friday isn't real edition

Welcome to A Week in the News, a new podcast from The Chronicle & The Journal talking about the major news stories from the paper.

This week our host, Chris Scott - The Social Media Editor for both papers, is joined by Sophie Doughty - senior crime reporter for both papers, Rhian Lubin - The Daily Mirror, Mikey Reynolds - The Daily Record and Sophie Biddell - The Eastern Daily Press.

Topics discussed this week: After the tragic death of Darren Robson, we ask should anyone be homeless in 2014? The tragic downward spiral that ended with Darren Robson dying on the streets - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tragic-downward-spiral-ended-darren-8160795 Newcastle City centre beggars are making up to £200 a day, it is claimed - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-city-centre-beggars-making-8181558

Casual sexism - Northumberland FA vice president John Cummings who was banned by the national FA in October over comments he allegedly made to Premier League referee Michael Oliver's fiancee. Why do we still put up with this type of abuse? Northumberland FA cuts ties with vice president John Cummings in sexism row - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-fa-cuts-ties-vice-8183962

East Coast mainline rail route has been privatised - is this a good thing? Virgin Trains and Stagecoach win East Coast mainline rail franchise - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/virgin-trains-stagecoach-win-east-8182834

Black Friday - Is it even a thing or is it just one Americanism too far? Black Friday 2014: Everything you need to know about the big sales day - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/black-friday-2014-everything-you-8176059 Babbling on: The Serial podcast - Serial unfolds one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. https://audioboom.com/channel/serial War of the Worlds musical - http://www.metroradioarena.co.uk/events/5181/jeff-wayne-s-musical-version-of-the-war-of-the-worlds-the-final-arena-tour/