Updates on Tuesday 8 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Wednesday
A Dudley taxi driver who was attacked by a group of men last month remains in hospital after his skull was fractured.
Mohammed Ahmed, 60, says he's suffered memory problems sine the attack on 28 February on Bell Street South.
The taxi driver was attacked during a verbal altercation with people in another vehicle.
A 55-year-old man from Birmingham is one of nine "most wanted" suspects believed by the National Crime Agency and Crimestoppers to be in the Netherlands.
Mark Liscott, from Great Barr, external, (pictured) is wanted for allegedly dealing drugs while out on licence for a jail term for dealing cannabis.
Image source, National Crime AgencyQuote MessageThose who believe they can use the Netherlands to evade capture or continue illegal activities soon find out that it is not a safe haven.
Dave Allen, National Crime Agency
The former Royal Hospital site will be transformed into housing after it was bought in a deal, external – paving the way for its long-awaited redevelopment.
Image source, Express and Star
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories we're reporting on this lunchtime in the BBC WM newsroom:
- A report published this morning says there are significant concerns over Heart surgery at the QE Hospital in Birmingham
- Travellers served with an eviction notice are starting to leave a Cannock car park
- The West Midlands police and crime commissioner has told BBC WM that Highways England has questions to answer about its handling of last month's M6 chaos
Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport
It's not known how long performance coach Jon Whitney will be in charge of Walsall.
He was given control yesterday along with goalkeeper coach Neil Cutler and development coach John Ward after Sunday's departure of Sean O'Driscoll.
The trio had an unbeaten three-game caretaker spell back in December.
Police officers investigating the theft of two French bulldog puppies in a Walsall burglary, external have today charged a 16-year-old youth.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Birmingham is among 40 towns and cities cited as destinations for a non-existent Total Wipeout tour.
The programme, which aired on BBC One, showed members of the public attempting to cross an assault course, from crossing red bouncy balls to swinging on ropes.
A page was set-up on Facebook advertising events across the UK, including Birmingham, for members of the public to experience the challenges for themselves. All you had to do was fill in a form and register an interest. Read more on BBC News.
A former scout leader has been jailed for five years for sexually abusing boys in the 1980s.
Mike Medhurst (pictured), from Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to 10 counts of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency.
He abused four scouts, aged between eight and 11, on camping trips in Leicestershire between 1981 and 1987.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceLong-awaited plans to build a multi-million pound car park in Dudley town centre have been revived, external, as council chiefs confirm they are looking to knock down a derelict banqueting suite.
Here's the latest on concerns about cardiac surgery at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
A Care Quality Commission report published today says, external there is "no vision or strategy" and "lack of governance processes to monitor quality, safety and risk".
The CQC is monitoring the results of cardiac surgery at the hospital on a weekly basis.
Significant concerns have been raised about the practice amid high mortality rates.
BBC WM Sport
Michal Zyro (pictured) returns for the first time in two months as Wolves take on Bristol City tonight.
Defender Ethan Ebanks-Landell won't play again this season after undergoing foot surgery yesterday.
Image source, Getty ImagesMike Williamson and James Henry have suffered injury setbacks.
Kenny Jackett says he's determined to make the most of the last 11 games.
An injunction banning so-called car cruising events across the Black Country has been extended., external
Following a number of incidents in 2014, the police and four councils - Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell - decided to outlaw the gatherings, where drivers race or show off their vehicles on public roads.
Now Birmingham High Court has extended the injunction to 1 February 2018.
A community in Tamworth is fighting back after a spate of burglaries, external hit their area in the last fortnight.
BBC Midlands Today
The canine world's answer to Vidal Sassoon shares his top grooming tips as the Crufts dog show prepares to open in Birmingham.
Lakhi Thindal from Selly Oak, who is a certified international Master Groomer, has been getting dogs looking their best for 20 years.
How to make your dog a supermodel: Top tips from the expert
Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today
Road repair lorries stuck in traffic and poor decision-making by Highways England are some of the key findings in a report into the chaos that followed a major accident on the M6 in February.
The northbound carriageway was closed for almost 24 hours after a crash involving a lorry and a car at junctions five, Castle Bromwich, and six, Spaghetti Junction.
A debrief report obtained by the BBC shows it could have opened earlier.
Highways England has apologised and says it learns from every incident.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
Good morning from the BBC WM newsroom - the top stories we're looking at today include:
- Poor decision-making by Highways England is one of the key findings of a report into the chaos that followed a major accident on the M6 in February
- Michal Zyro returns for the first time in two months as Wolves take on Bristol City tonight
- Details are expected to be released later about job losses at the energy firm Npower
Details are expected to be released later about job losses at the energy firm Npower, external.
The firm which has sites in Oldbury, Solihull and Burton-on-Trent says it's cutting up to 2,500 posts across the UK after losing 351,000 customers last year.
Image source, Getty ImagesWe'll bring you the latest developments on this story through the day, including the extent of any impact on the West Midlands.
A former landfill site in West Bromwich is set to be turned into a housing development, external for up to 250 homes.
Image source, Express and Star
BBC Travel
One lane is blocked on the M6 exit slip road southbound at J7, A34 (Great Barr) - because of swans on the road. We'll bring you more on signals - or should that be cygnets? - throughout the morning.
There are also delays on the M6 northbound between J4 M42 and J5, A452 (Castle Bromwich). No animals this time, a broken-down vehicle is the cause.
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Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Although it may be a bright start, cloud will increase through the day, with spells of rain throughout the afternoon.
Feeling cold with highs of 9C (48F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
