Updates on Tuesday 15 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 Wednesday
One of the Birmingham Six - who were wrongly convicted of two pub bombings - has told how the miscarriage of justice affected his life.
Paddy Hill said the depression he suffered after leaving prison was "like a blanket".
"You're OK one minute and then in a matter of seconds it changes and you're crying like a child."
Birmingham Six: 25 years on from their release from prison
Friends and colleagues Mike and James, who help run a media communications service, have both found poetic inspiration in their home city of Birmingham.
The West Midland's Police Commissioner David Jamieson says the law needs to be tougher on people caught using their phone while driving.
Almost 2,500 people were caught by West Midlands Police in 2014.
Quote MessageThirteen years ago I was the minister that brought the ban in on the use of mobile phones while driving because it was a hazard to people on the roads. I want to see the government now, and I'm calling upon them to increase the fine and the penalty points and extend the ban to other electronic devices.
David Jamison, West Midlands police and crime commissioner
Sutton Coldfield Local
The first meeting of Sutton Coldfield’s Interim Parish Council takes place, external on Tuesday 15 March, 6pm at Mere Green Community Centre.
A 31-year-old man is being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was stabbed multiple times in Sutton Coldfield last night.
Police say the man - who is known to the 59-year-old woman - was arrested by Staffordshire Police earlier this morning.
Police attended Blaydon Avenue at about 19:30 following a 999 call.
The woman, who has not been named, is being treated for serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories for Birmingham and the Black Country this lunchtime include:
- A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a woman was stabbed several times at an address in Sutton Coldfield last night
- HRH The Duke of Gloucester has officially opened a suite at University of Worcester in tribute to former student Joel Richards
- The West Midland's Police Commissioner David Jamieson says he thinks the law should be tougher on people using their mobile phone while driving
Ben Sidwell
BBC Midlands Today
HRH The Duke of Gloucester has officially opened a suite at University of Worcester in tribute to former student Joel Richards.
Mr Richards, 19, from Wednesbury, was among 38 killed when a Tunisian student linked to so-called Islamic State extremists opened fire on a beach in Sousse in June 2015.
Lynette Walters was the Takeover reporter on Danny Kelly's show.
This morning she was live at Solihull College discussing the use of mobile phones while driving and whether penalties for the offence should be increased.
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Later today, Sunny and Shay (14:00-16:00) are joined by another married couple – to play their very own version of Mr and Mrs.
Plus Franksy has Andrew Griffiths and Jill Oliver joining him for Drive to round up the day’s news, while Darren Clinch and Joan Hunter take over the football phone-in tonight.
A 59-year-old woman is in a critical condition after she was stabbed several times in her home in Sutton Coldfield last night.
A 31-year-old man, who is said to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Police say they were called to Blaydon Avenue at about 19:30.
The life stories of a notorious family, the Fewtrells, who once ran more than 20 nightclubs in Birmingham, could be made into a film.
Eddie Fewtrell's son-in-law David Keogh has written about the lives of the notorious family
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, external after a woman was stabbed several times at an address in Sutton Coldfield.
Image source, Sutton Coldfield Observer
Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport
Walsall go to Fleetwood where a win can take the Saddlers joint second in League One
Interim head coach Jon Whitney is targeting a strong finish to the season.
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BBC Midlands Today
Hilary McConnell, producer
We've just had our morning meeting to talk about some of the stories we're working on today:
We’ll be finding out more about the £12m investment in engineering facilities at the University of Wolverhampton by Morgan motor cars.
The University of Worcester is officially naming a media room after former student Joel Richards. The 19-year-old football referee from Wednesbury, died along with uncle Adrian Evans, 49, grandfather Patrick Evans, 78, and 35 others near Sousse.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
We've received reports that the Bullring in Birmingham has been evacuated.
It's been confirmed by the shopping centre and emergency services that it was part of a training exercise by the venue.
Nine criminals have been charged with thefts from petrol stations in Tamworth, external since 2013, despite nearly 300 offences taking place, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
A Walsall woman whose son died from Meningitis B is among a group of parents who will tell MPs today why they want the vaccination programme in the UK to be extended.
Two parliamentary committees will hear evidence calling for it to be given to all children under the age of 11 - rather than just babies.
Mother's plea for routine Men B jabs
BBC WM
Our top story this morning: A Staffordshire mum whose daughter was killed by a Birmingham lorry driver says the use of handheld mobile phones while driving needs to become more socially unacceptable.
Laura Thomas, 20, was killed by an HGV being driven by a man using two mobiles phones on the A5 between Telford and Shrewsbury in July 2013.
Quote MessageWe do need to have higher definite penalties for using mobile phones while driving. It's already against the law so people shouldn't be doing it anyway. There needs to be some kind of deterrent to try and stop people and think twice before using their phones [while driving]
Lisa Thomas, Mother of Laura who died in 2013
The Department for Transport's consultation on proposals, external to increase fines and penalty points for the crime comes to an end today.
MPs from the Black Country and Staffordshire have shared their views, external on the Express & Star’s EU referendum survey.
Image source, Express and StarStephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this morning include:
- A Staffordshire mum whose daughter was killed by a Birmingham lorry driver says the use of handheld mobile phones behind the wheel needs to become socially unacceptable
- Parents, including a Walsall mum, get their chance to tell MPs why they should reject expert advice on the Meningitis B vaccine and listen to public pressure
- The Morgan car company has signed an agreement with the University of Wolverhampton to help train engineering students
BBC Travel
The hard shoulder and one lane is closed on the M6 northbound between J6 A38(M) Aston Expressway and J7, A34 (Great Barr) because of a broken-down vehicle.
