👋 Morning York. Thanks for being here. This free newsletter brings you everything happening in York - no fluff, no clickbait, just the news that matters. Today’s edition: York Knights make history, train strikes, marathon road closures, schools going phone-free, and everything else you need to know for the weekend. Share it with a mate if it’s useful.

Weather: Cloudy start but should brighten up this afternoon - 14°C with light winds. Not bad for mid-October.

🏆 York Knights promoted to Super League: York Knights are heading to the Super League for 2026 after beating eight other clubs in yesterday’s unanimous panel decision. First time in the club’s 23-year history, and the first time York’s had top-flight rugby league since 1986. Chairman Clint Goodchild’s already signed former Australia prop Paul Vaughan and the club goes full-time. LNER Community Stadium hosts Super League matches from next year. - YorkMix

🚂 CrossCountry strike today - limited trains: If you’re traveling by train today, check before you go. CrossCountry’s running a skeleton service due to RMT strike action. Trains started late, finish early, and York Station will be packed. Services are scarce with gaps of several hours between trains. Full fee-free refunds available if you’d rather not bother. Next strike: Saturday November 1. - Haydn Lewis - York Press

🚧 University Road closed from 10am - marathon prep: University Road shuts from 10am today between Innovation Way and Green Dykes Lane, staying closed until 11pm tomorrow. More road closures kick in from 6am Sunday as 10,000+ runners tackle the Yorkshire Marathon. Race starts 9:30am from the University, goes through the city center, then out into the countryside. Free shuttle bus from the station. Plan your route. - Rachel Rogers - YorkMix

📱 Six schools going phone-free from Monday: Manor CE in Poppleton and Vale of York in Clifton are among six secondary schools becoming “completely phone-free” from Monday. Heartwood Learning Trust is introducing Yondr pouches - students lock their phones at the start of the day, unlock at home time. The trust says it reduces distractions and improves wellbeing. Other schools: Barlby High, Graham School, George Pindar (Scarborough), and Liberty Academy (Hull). - Haydn Lewis - York Press

💰 York-linked fintech raises £1.5m: Grateful, a Harrogate and London-based tipping platform with York connections, has raised £1.5 million from Calculus Capital. The platform automates tip pooling for hospitality businesses—over 50,000 workers already on it. Funding goes toward AI tools and market expansion. Founded after seeing how proper tip management boosts team morale in the US. - Darren Greenwood, York Press

🍺 Defibrillator installed at Brew York tap room: Brew York’s Old Grey Mare on Clifton Green now has a 24/7 public-access defibrillator outside. Registered with Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Worth knowing where it is. - York Press

“I could not have achieved this without the fantastic support from the local community and my neighbours, Brew York (in particular the GM and staff at the Old Grey Mare), and Cllr Danny Myers, so I extend a heart-felt thank you to all.”

🎃 Halloween half-term fun: Web Adventure Park’s running WEB’OWEEN today, tomorrow, and next weekend (25-26 Oct through Nov 2). Yorkshire Museum and Castle Museum have family activities all week. Yorkshire Halloween Festival hits Parliament Street from 23-31 October. - Visit York

🍽️ Restaurant Week continues until Oct 26: Over 100 eateries offering set menus from £5 to £30. Download free vouchers at yorkrestaurantweek.co.uk. - YO1 Radio

🏗️ Major roadworks starting soon: York’s ring road faces over five weeks of roadworks shortly, and a new bridge is being installed on another key route with closures from today. Check routes before driving. - YorkMix

🍺 Walmgate pub reopens after five years: A Walmgate pub has reopened after sitting empty for five years. YorkMix has photos of the refurbished interior. - YorkMix

⚽ York City vs Wealdstone today: York City take on in-form Wealdstone at home this afternoon. Kick-off at LNER Community Stadium. - York Press

🗳️ Last days to vote for local businesses: YorkMix Choice Awards voting closes Wednesday (21:59). Your vote decides—no judges. Winners announced Thursday at the Milner. - YorkMix

📌 What’s on

• Today: CrossCountry strike. York City vs Wealdstone. University Road closes 10am. Halloween activities.
• Tomorrow: Yorkshire Marathon 9:30am. Road closures from 6am. Shuttle bus from station 7am.
• This week: Restaurant Week until Oct 26. Half-term activities. Roadworks starting.
• Wednesday: YorkMix Awards voting closes (21:59).
• Thursday: Winners announced at Milner Hotel.

That’s your weekend sorted.

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