Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
That's it for live updates today. We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country.
Latest updates for Friday 4 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday
Stephanie Barnard
That's it for live updates today. We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country.
It will be windy overnight but it will stay dry with lows of 9C (48F).
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The Business Secretary Sajid Javid has unveiled what's been called the Midlands Engine for Growth with talk of around 300,000 new jobs over 15 years.
Mr Javid said businesses and government must work closely to promote the region.
However, the announcement came as the government announced it was scrapping the Manufacturing Advisory Service which helps small businesses invest, and create jobs.
Some business leaders in the West Midlands have expressed their shock and dismay at the move.
A man who carjacked a Mormon bishop with his own car in a "brutal" attack has been jailed for six years.
David Charmbury (pictured) was dragged underneath the car and left with broken legs and ribs and a punctured lung, outside his Birmingham church.
At the city's crown court, Harley Davidson Hayes admitted robbery outside the Church of the Latter Day Saint.
Hayes already had 121 convictions and there was no doubt in the judge's mind that he was a "career criminal".
BBC Sport
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis says Saido Berahino is not fulfilling his potential and must raise his game.
A £15,000 reward is being offered to help find the killer of a man who died after being stabbed outside a Wolverhampton nightclub.
Tom Kirwan, 23, (pictured) was stabbed near theUberra Club on 8 July 2012 after a fight broke out.
Tom's family are offering £10,000 for more information, external, with a further £5,000 being offered by the charity Crimestoppers.
Tom’s mum Emer Kirwan said she hoped somebody would come forward with "that missing piece of the jigsaw".
"Over three years on and we are still looking for answers. We will never give up hope that Tom’s killer will be found," she said.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top story in the newsroom right now includes:
- Man found not guilty of racist act after admitting dumping four pigs' heads outside a community centre in Solihull
- Arise Sir Lenny: The Dudley-born comedian receives his knighthood from the Queen for his services to drama and charity
- A major nursery retailer based in Walsall which ceased trading a fortnight ago owes its customers in the region of £500,000
Ian Winter
BBC Midlands Today Sport
The writing's on the wall at Stourbridge as they prepare for the second round of the FA Cup.
The Glassboys take on fellow non-league side Eastleigh - it's a sell-out at the War Memorial ground as they aim to reach the third round in the club's history.
They've already knocked out two national league teams on their run to this stage.
The Dudley-born comedian and actor, Lenny Henry is knighted by the Queen in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Watch the moment he was knighted.
ITV News has apologised for showing a news item about Sir Lenny Henry receiving a knighthood that briefly featured footage of TV cook Ainsley Harriott.
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today
A Sheldon man has been found not guilty of a racially aggravated offence after four pigs heads were found outside a community centre hosting an Islamic event in Solihull.
Carl Stephens, 35, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court but was cleared by the jury in the last few minutes.
ITV News has apologised after mixing up Dudley comedian Lenny Henry with TV chef Ainsley Harriot in its broadcast at lunchtime.
The mistake was blamed on "an error in the production process".
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ITV has apologised for showing a news item about Sir Lenny Henry receiving a knighthood that briefly featured footage of TV cook Ainsley Harriott.
The gaffe was picked up by a number of viewers, among them Sanjeev Bhaskar, who suggested the broadcaster had "misunderstood diversity issues, external".
ITV News blamed the mistake on "an error in the production process".
Sir Lenny said he was "very thankful" to receive a knighthood from the Queen for services to drama and charity.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the newsroom include:
- The defence has started in the case of a man accused of putting four pigs heads outside a Muslim community centre in Solihull
- A mum speaks of her heartache and offers a £15,000 reward after her son was fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton three years ago
- The Met Police says it would be inappropriate to comment on claims one of the gunmen involved in the Paris terror attacks called a number in Birmingham several times beforehand
Dan Pallett
BBC Midlands Today Sport
Petrov is under no illusions just how hard it’ll be for Villa and blames years of decline for their current position.
And he says the Jack Grealish situation, who's been dropped for going out drinking, is symptomatic of Villa’s problems.
Petrov says Grealish must respond as the club needs him.
Petrov says the players’ motivation to avoid being part of a relegated squad could still fire them enough to make the most dramatic of escapes.
BBC WM Sport
Villa's injury troubles have worsened ahead of tomorrow's trip to Southampton. Captain Micah Richards hasn't trained all week and Gabby Agbonlahor could also miss out again.
Jack Grealish won't be included after his off-the-field issues.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
Thousands of pounds worth of power tools were stolen, externalfrom a work van in Sutton Coldfield during an overnight raid.
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today
The defence acting for Carl Stephens, from Sheldon, told Birmingham Crown Court he was "duped into a racist provocative act" by a man called Darren.
They admitted he didn't know the man's surname or car registration.
The trial continues
A man has admitted dumping four pigs' heads outside a community centre hired for an Islamic event but denies it was a racist act.
The heads were found outside the centre in Solihull, on 12 April.
Birmingham Crown Court heard Carl Stephenson, 34, accepted he can be seen in CCTV dumping the heads and spitting, but said he was unaware a Muslim group was using the centre.
Mr Stephenson denies causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress.
The trial continues.
Steve Hermon
BBC WM newsreader
Bosses of the Midland Metro are promising to invest billions of pounds over the next decade to extend the tram line further into the Black Country.
Over 16 years after the original line from Wolverhampton to Birmingham Snow Hill was built - the next phase will be unveiled on Sunday.
It will see trams return to Bull Street in Birmingham city centre for the first time in 60 years.
Geoff Inskip from Centro says they have plans to expand elsewhere in Birmingham, from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill as part of the devolution deal.