Hi ,

After nearly a decade at the top of politics in Scotland, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP chief Peter Murrell have announced their separation, and after nearly a decade at the top of Scottish Government's to-do list, the much-delayed CalMac ferry, Glen Sannox, has finally started taking passengers.

Perhaps we're into a new chapter of Scottish news. 

Here at The Ferret, we try to offer an alternative to the day-to-day news agenda.

This week we've been examining whether farmers' protests have been hijacked by conspiracy groups, and fact checking misinformation about MPs and grooming gangs. We've also revealed the sites across Scotland breaking environmental rules.

Yours,

Ali

Story of the week

An in-depth look at a Ferret investigation

After major protests across the UK at the end of last year, anger from farmers at tax changes shows no sign of abating.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has planned a nationwide day of action for 25 January. In Scotland this is set to include “coordinated tractor rallies” across the country.

While the protests have focused on tax and other pressures faced by the farming industry, there are concerns that some groups are attempting to capitalise on the farmers’ cause to peddle conspiracy theories and misinformation.

What did we dig up this week?

A round up of our investigations in the last seven days

‘Alarming’ environmental breaches spark calls for tougher action

Nuclear sites, King Charles’ childhood school and a famous battlefield were among nearly 1,000 sites across Scotland which broke environmental rules in the past two years.

Claim list shows MPs who voted against deporting foreign rapists is False

X owner Elon Musk made several posts about grooming gangs, including a claim that UK politicians had shown reluctance to deal with foreign offenders.

Scotland’s first safer consumption space opens its doors

The service is designed to reduce overdoses by providing a safe and clean place for an estimated 400 people who inject drugs in Glasgow’s city centre,

Question of the week

Do you think safe drug consumption spaces are a good idea

We now have a platform exclusive for Ferret Underground subscribers where you can share ideas about future investigations, answer polls and more!

Create an account here to get access.

Best of the rest

Investigations we've enjoyed from around the world

AI nudifier makes a mockery of Meta's moderation

In the first two weeks of this year, Meta ran at least 8,010 ads for an “AI undresser” that turns photos of real women into fake nudes. (Faked Up newsletter)

Farage and Truss attend UK launch of US climate denial group

British arm of Heartland, which has taken oil and Republican funding, to be led by ex-Ukip head Lois Perry. (Guardian)

On a mission from God: Inside the movement to redirect billions of taxpayer dollars to private religious schools

The strategy behind the quest by politicians and church officials to make taxpayer-funded school vouchers available not just to the poor but to the wealthy. (ProPublica)

Any comments? Have you seen something we could include? Email us at contact@theferret.scot.

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