Birmingham Mail

Reports of a Birmingham police officer who parked her patrol car in a disabled bay at a KFC to grab a snack have sparked an angry reaction, external.  

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here is a recap of the headlines:

- An ex-champion athlete has appeared in court accused of attempted murder

- A former gang member has warned gun crime is 'deeply rooted' in Birmingham after two separate shootings over the Bank Holiday weekend

- Opening hours at four Wolverhampton cultural venues are being reviewed

Defender Joleon Lescott leaves Aston Villa after just one season to join Greek club AEK Athens on a two-year deal.

Cardiff City sign goalkeeper Ben Amos on loan from Bolton and left-back Joe Bennett from Aston Villa on a three-year deal.

Residents are being asked for their say on proposals to change the current opening hours at four of Wolverhampton's cultural venues, which a council says are "not cost effective" as it manages government cuts.

A survey is taking place for people's views on plans for Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bantock House Museum (not affecting its cafe and park), Bilston Craft Gallery and Wolverhampton City Archives.

Image source, Google

Among the ideas is for Bantock House Museum and Bilston Craft Gallery to no longer open on weekdays; just weekends. The hours for Craftplay for under-5s at Bilston would be unaffected.

The city archives at Molinuex House, under the plans, could also cease to open on Tuesdays. Residents have been reminded that they can share their views by filling in an online survey, external, which closes on 14 October.

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

A former fell-running champion has appeared at Birmingham Crown Court charged with attempted murder. 

Lauren Jeska, aged 41, of Wesley Terrace in Machynlleth, Powys, Mid Wales, has yet to enter a plea to a charge of attempting to murder former rugby player Ralph Knibbs at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 22 March.

She made a brief hearing via video link at court earlier.

The athlete is further charged with two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on two other men, and possession of three knives in a public place.

Two thugs threatened a woman with a "taser" as they tried to steal her daughter's disability vehicle - and when it didn't start, they tried to force her out of the home to which she fled to hide.

Detectives have said of the 45-year-old's ordeal it is "hard to imagine a more callous act".

The offenders - who threatened the victim with a taser-type weapon, according to West Midlands Police, external - struck in Oxford Grove, Chelmsley Wood on 24 August.

The woman fled to a nearby flat but the VW Caddy, used by her 25-year-old daughter who has cerebral palsy, failed to start. The men then hammered on the door of the property where she was hiding and demanded she come out to help them.

The pair - said to be white and in their teens or early-20s - left in a dark coloured car. Detectives believe a further two men were waiting in the vehicle.

Warwickshire and former England one-day batsman Ian Bell signs for the Perth Scorchers in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 league.

West Brom sign Belgium midfielder Nacer Chadli from Premier League rivals Tottenham on a four-year deal.

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

West Midlands Police have picked up almost 1,700 people suspected of illegally entering Britain since the beginning of 2013. 

Nationally the number of arrests has risen by 25% in two years.

Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport

There are two days to go until the transfer deadline and Albion completed their reported £13m move for Belgian winger Nacer Chadli from Tottenham yesterday, though his arrival could see Callum McManaman go to Newcastle. 

Right back Cristian Gamboa is on the verge of joining Celtic for £1m and we're still waiting for confirmation of the Baggies' move for Spanish midfielder Ignacio Camacho from Malaga. 

Image source, Getty Images

Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM

A former gang member who now works in schools across Birmingham has told us gun crime is "deeply rooted" in the city and it will take time to tackle.

The warning comes after shots were fired in separate incidents in Birmingham over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A teenager was shot in the leg near the Hippodrome theatre in the early hours of yesterday morning and shots were also fired in Lozells on Friday night. 

Errol Lawson says to keep the city's "image and reputation", Birmingham's people, its authorities and outreach workers need to confront the issue "as a community, across cultures and beliefs".

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

Here are the top stories on Tuesday so far:

- A former gang member has warned gun crime is 'deeply rooted' in Birmingham after two separate shootings over the Bank Holiday weekend

- Nearly 1,700 suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested by West Midlands Police since 2013, it has been revealed

- All the latest on our football clubs' moves in the transfer market as deadline day looms

Jeetan Patel takes five wickets to help Warwickshire beat Somerset by eight runs and set up a One-Day Cup final with Surrey.

Express and Star

 A multimillion-pound retail development in Cannock town centre is starting to take shape and will open in a matter of weeks, external, it has been confirmed.

Developer Fred Pritchard's Newhall development will open at High Green next month.

A mainly dry, fine and sunny day with plenty of sunshine and light winds (and some cloud for further northern parts). 

Highs of 23C (73F).

Find out more.

Warwickshire and former England one-day batsman Ian Bell has signed for the Perth Scorchers in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 league.

Bell, 34, led Warwickshire to the One-Day Cup final on Monday with an unbeaten 94 as Warks won by eight runs.

Image source, Getty Images

He has not played international T20 cricket since 2014 but captained Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast.

The Scorchers are the most successful Big Bash team, winning in 2014 and 2015 and twice finishing as runners-up.

BBC Travel

Slow traffic and one lane closed on the M6 southbound between J6 for the A38(M) Aston Expressway and J5 for Castle Bromwich, because of a crash and recovery work.

Alex Homer
BBC Local Live

I’m back with the news, sport, travel and weather updates on Tuesday.

Get in touch with your comments on our stories and share your pictures of the region over email, Twitter, external or the BBC WMFacebook page, external.