As it happened: Brisbane on Tuesday, October 21

Thanks for joining us today, we’ll be back tomorrow with continuing live coverage.

If you are just catching up, here are some of the stories making headlines today:

Thousands of commuters are calling for cash to be reinstated at Queensland Rail ticket offices, and council parking meters.

A town on the South Australia border is expected to break the record for hottest ever October day in Queensland.

An Australian nutritionist and influencer who died shortly after giving birth at home has been remembered as a deeply caring and generous woman.

Logan City Council has called in other local governments to back its plea to the state to extend trading hours for grocery and department stores in city centres beyond 9pm.

In the US, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured a $13 billion critical minerals deal and a strong commitment to the AUKUS defence pact after a high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, where the US president praised Australia as an “amazing ally” and embraced Albanese as a friend.

About the same time, Danger Zone singer Kenny Loggins has slammed Trump for using the classic Top Gun theme song in an AI-generated video depicting the US president as a king flying over protesters and bombing them with a brown sludge.

Homicide police are searching for a motorbike believed to have been ridden by a man the day he disappeared west of Brisbane.

Paul Woods was reportedly last seen on a blue-and-white Yamaha 450 dirt bike between Hampton and Cressbrook Creek on October 5.

A friend reported the 48-year-old missing nine days later.

He and the bike have not been seen since.

“We’ve been unable to establish any proof of life,” Acting Detective Inspector Ryan Harmer said on Tuesday.

“We’ve spoken to witnesses who’ve led us to believe this is a homicide.”

A 45-year-old man from Crows Nest has been charged with murder, and appeared at Southport Magistrates Court this morning.

He was known to Woods, according to police.

Crime scenes have since been set up at properties at Hampton and Cressbrook Creek, with forensic teams and cadaver dogs brought in.

Anyone with CCTV from the area or who believes they’ve seen the motorbike is urged to contact police.

Darling Downs District Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Harmer will provide an update to media regarding the investigation into the suspicious death of a 48-year-old Hampton man.

Homicide police are searching for a motorbike believed to have been ridden by a man the day he disappeared west of Brisbane.

Paul Woods was reportedly last seen on a blue-and-white Yamaha 450 dirt bike between Hampton and Cressbrook Creek on October 5.

A friend reported the 48-year-old missing nine days later.

He and the bike have not been seen since.

“We’ve been unable to establish any proof of life,” Acting Detective Inspector Ryan Harmer said on Tuesday.

“We’ve spoken to witnesses who’ve led us to believe this is a homicide.”

A 45-year-old man from Crows Nest has been charged with murder, and appeared at Southport Magistrates Court this morning.

He was known to Woods, according to police.

Crime scenes have since been set up at properties at Hampton and Cressbrook Creek, with forensic teams and cadaver dogs brought in.

Anyone with CCTV from the area or who believes they’ve seen the motorbike is urged to contact police.

Darling Downs District Detective Acting Inspector Ryan Harmer will provide an update to media regarding the investigation into the suspicious death of a 48-year-old Hampton man.

Cash was “temporarily” banned on public transport in south-east Queensland as a social distancing measure during the pandemic -- but it never returned.

And since the federal government is looking to force shops to accept cash for essential goods and services from next year, there have been calls for cash to come back to public transport too.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg has explained the state government’s position on cash.

Read the full story on our site at noon today.

Police have tracked down several teens who allegedly rode illegal electric motorbikes dangerously, turning up at their homes and seizing their bikes and phones.

As part of Operation Raptor Wheelie, officers went to numerous homes at the beginning of October investigating allegations a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old boy rode electric motorcycles dangerously over several months. The 16-year-old was charged with numerous offences, including dangerous operation of a vehicle.

Maroochydore Police Station Officer in Charge Acting Senior Sergeant Jacob Flaherty said offenders could expect a knock at the door.

Even if police do not intercept you at the time of offending, an investigation to identify you will follow.

“We ask parents to support us in standing against this behaviour and being aware of the differences between a legal e-bike and an illegal e-motorbike.”

A cache of weapons, including 3D-printed, paintball, and replica airsoft guns, have been uncovered by police raiding a Redlands home on Saturday.

Officers said the October 18 search at the Wilmott Street residence in Victoria Point, south-east of Brisbane, was part of an investigation into an alleged gun-manufacturing ring.

They allegedly also found a knuckleduster on-site, as well as gunpowder, fireworks, and drugs and paraphernalia including methylamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis seeds, smoking pipes, and scales.

Police arrested two Victoria Point locals, a 30-year-old man and 31-year-old woman, following the alleged bust.

The man was charged with 13 offences, including six weapons-related charges, while the woman was charged with five drug and stolen property offences.

The pair were expected to appear before Cleveland Magistrates Court in early November.

Here’s the answer to today’s brainteaser: A die 🎲

If you’re in the CBD today, keep your ear out for the City Hall clock bell because it’s back – for now.

In May this year, the bells were switched off by council workers for an upgrade.The ringing resumed Friday, but a council spokesperson said at the time they were just being tested.

Watch reporter Felicity Caldwell’s explainer here. Read William Davis’ update here.