Network Rail has demolished a railway bridge that forms part of Walsall High Street as part of a project to electrify the line between Walsall and Rugeley.

The bridge, which dates back to the 1930s, needs to be replaced with a shallower one to allow extra room for the new overhead lines, Network Rail said.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A Staffordshire woman accused of taking her toddler son to Syria has told a court she "made a mistake" going to live in an area controlled by the so-called Islamic State.   

Image source, West Midlands Police

Tareena Shakil, who went there in October 2014 after telling her family she was off on holiday to Turkey, told a jury she came back of her "own free will" after a change of heart. 

Shakil also said the people she followed on Twitter - among them alleged jihadis and extremist preachers - did not make her a terrorist. 

The 26-year-old, originally from Burton, denies joining the Islamic State group or encouraging acts of terror on Twitter - the trial continues.

Express and Star

Murders in the Black Country rose for the third year on the trot with 13 people killed on its streets last year, external, new figures today reveal.  

This is the scene in Tile Cross Road now after what police have dubbed a "targeted" machete attack at about 08:10 today.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

If you are just catching up on Monday's news, here are our top stories:

- A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a machete attack during the rush hour in Birmingham today

- The last of Jaguar Land Rover's classic Defenders will roll off the production line this week

- Parking charges at Sandwell Valley Country Park are set to come in despite 122 objections

We had a bright start but cloud is coming in and there might be a bit of drizzle. Find out more about what this afternoon should look like.

Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport

Wolves are assessing an ankle injury to Dave Edwards picked up in Saturday's 1-1 draw at QPR. 

The midfielder left the stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot. 

It adds to an already-lengthy injury list for boss Kenny Jackett and he is well aware they need to get more bodies in.

Image source, PA

Land Rovers have been "charming and disarming us for almost 70 years", says motoring journalist Quentin Willson.  

Around two million Defenders have rolled off the production line since 1948 but what do people think of the news they might be reaching the end of the road?

A machete attack victim is thought to have been "targeted" during rush hour in Birmingham this morning, police say.

A 50-year-old man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after the attack on Tile Cross Road just after 08:10.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and police want to track down a second man seen to run from the scene and drive off in a blue BMW.

Part of Tile Cross Road has been cordoned off while officers examine the scene.

Birmingham Mail

A man was rushed to hospital with serious knife wounds following a rush hour stabbing, external in Birmingham.  

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here is a quick recap of the news we have been covering so far on Monday:

- A councillor claims four disabled children were expelled from a Birmingham primary school, prompting calls for an investigation

- The last of Jaguar Land Rover's classic Defenders will roll off the production line this week

- Parking charges at Sandwell Valley Country Park are set to come in despite 122 objections

Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM

Despite 122 people signing a petition against parking charges at Sandwell Valley Country Park, it looks like they will still be introduced. 

Councillors are meeting about it this week - after previously approving a 40p an hour charge or £2 for more than four hours.

The authority's officers have recommended that councillors take no action in response to the objections when they meet on Thursday. 

A plaque has been unveiled as a memorial to 17 people who died in a West Midlands train crash 61 years ago.

An express train travelling from York to Bristol derailed and overturned at Sutton Coldfield station on 23 January 1955.

Relatives, rail staff, emergency service representatives and people who tried to help in the aftermath were at the unveiling at the station. 

Some delays on the trains due to an attempted cable theft earlier.

A man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a reported stabbing in broad daylight this morning.

Police have closed part of Tile Cross Road, Birmingham, after being called out at 08:10 today.

BBC WM

Calls are being made for an investigation as Birmingham councillor John Lines claims four disabled children were expelled from a primary school. 

The youngest was in the reception class at Nonsuch Primary School - near Quinton. 

Tony Dunbar's 10-year-old son Mason was excluded from the school in November but that has now been rescinded. He suffers from ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Birmingham City Council has given us a statement about Mason's exclusion and says it is working with the school to review processes and procedures - but says they were followed.  

Clare Lissaman
BBC News Online

The last of Jaguar Land Rover's classic Defenders will roll off the production line this week, ending 68 years of production - does this mean the carmaker's best off-road days are behind it?

The Defender has evolved, but JLR said it had essentially "changed very little during its lifetime", while vehicle standards had "changed dramatically".

Image source, Jaguar Land Rover

Devoted fans of the model say they are "gutted" about the vehicle's demise. 

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here are the latest stories in the BBC WM newsroom on Monday:

- A councillor claims four disabled children were expelled from a Birmingham primary school, prompting calls for an investigation

- The last of Jaguar Land Rover's classic Defenders will roll off the production line this week

- Parking charges at Sandwell Valley Country Park are set to come in despite 122 objections

We've had a bright start but cloud will come in from the west through the morning. Highs of 13C (55F). 

Find out what the outlook is like for us later today and tomorrow.

BBC Travel

The Black Country Route is closed in Willenhall eastbound between Anson Junction and Wolverhampton, because of a crash.

There are also severe delays on the M6 southbound between J6 for the A38(M) Aston Expressway and J5 for Castle Bromwich because of a breakdown.

There is also a crash on the M54 westbound between J2 for Wolverhampton and J3 for Albrighton, drivers are warned.