Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM

Firefighters say they still don't know when a blaze at a farm in Rugeley will burn out.

The fire started more than a week ago when wood waste at a site of Slitting Mill Road ignited.

Staffordshire Fire Service say they are leaving it to burn out because putting it out themselves could affect the local water supply.

Sian Grzeszczyk
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

We'll be taking a look at how the demolition work of Birmingham's old library is going.

See more on Midlands Today, BBC One from 18:30.

Walsall Advertiser

The front page of this week's newspaper, external: 

Image source, Walsall Advertiser

Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special Correspondent

West Midlands Police says it's trialing a new project that uses psychology to try to cut crime - it's called Nudge Theory.

In some cases it’s just simple things to "nudge" offenders in the right direction. At Solihull Police Station, cell blocks have a supportive message from an ex-criminal written on the walls.  

It conveys how he felt when sat in a cell for the umpteenth time after an arrest and his hopes that others could change their ways.

Stourbridge News

Here's this week's front page of the Stourbridge News., external

Image source, Stourbridge News

West Brom youth boss Steve Hopcroft says Chelsea teenager Izzy Brown may come to regret his move to Stamford Bridge.

An open letter by a former serial offender is being used to deter others from a life of crime.

Armed police were deployed to an area of Birmingham this morning after reports of a man seen with a firearm.

West Midlands Police says officers were called to Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, at about 07:15 this morning.

A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm after he was stopped in Northfield Road and is now being questioned by officers.

A spokeswoman for the force said a weapon was yet to be recovered.

Nicola Beckford
BBC Midlands Today

More than 100 criminals have been caught thanks to a smartphone app that allows businesses to report suspects to the police. 

Facewatch was launched three years ago by West Midlands Police, with more than 1,000 businesses in the region signing up. It allows companies to upload CCTV footage and share images of those about whom they have concerns.

Kay Crewdson
BBC weather presenter

A misty start but it will clear to give us a dry, warm day.

Lichfield Mercury

"Masked robbers wake up couple to demand money" - the lead story on this week's Lichfield Mercury., external

Image source, Lichfield Mercury

Two seven-year-old boys went missing from school when they escaped through a hole in a fence caused by a fox.

Tamworth Herald

Here's this week's front page of the Tamworth Herald, external:

Image source, Tamworth Herald

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

A farm fire in Staffordshire involving hundreds of tonnes of wood waste is still burning, external, 10 days after the fire service were first called to the blaze. 

This morning Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said they, the Environment Agency and Cannock Chase Council were constantly monitoring it. 

Image source, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

The service says, in terms of putting the fire out, they have limited methods and "each has its own potential hazards" including affecting the local water supply. 

The MP for Cannock Chase, Amanda Milling, said this week, external it was "unacceptable" the fire had been burning for over a week and says she's meeting with the agencies tomorrow. 

Residents have also complained to the BBC that it's unpleasant to live close to - Public Health England says nearby residents should stay inside with doors and windows shut, external.

BBC Midlands Today

West Midlands Police hopes guidance in the form of graffiti on cell walls will help cut reoffending rates. 

The force is working with psychologists on various interventions, dubbed ‘nudges’, including a stenciled letter from an ex-offender that tells those kept in cells “it’s never too late” to change.

Reoffending rates among detainees who've seen the "guidance" will be compared to those held in “standard” cells.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Chief Superintendent Alex Murray said: "Small changes alone may not make a huge difference but the cumulative effect of many nudges can mean less victims of crime and that is what West Midlands Police is all about.”   

There's a warning we could be in for more flash flooding today across parts of the West Midlands.

The Met Officer has put out a yellow weather warning for rain as it says there could be thundery showers from 14:00 this afternoon.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this morning:

• Police say a smartphone app aimed at tackling retail crime has already led to 100 arrests
• Christmas lights in the Cannock Chase district may not be switched on this year amid budget cuts
• For the third home game in a row Aston Villa conceded a late goal to draw last night

Christmas lights are facing the chop in Cannock Chase this year as the area faces budget cuts.

Some leisure services and CCTV provision are also under threat as the local authority faces a funding shortfall of more than £1m.   

Councillors say the cut in funding from government has not been helped by the early closure of Rugeley Power Station which affects how much is received in business rates.

Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM

Businesses in Wolverhampton are welcoming a new scheme being launched in the city today, aimed at tackling retail crime. 

Facewatch, which is already in use in other parts of the West Midlands, allows people to upload pictures of suspected criminals. 

Police say the smartphone app helps them to crack down on shoplifters and pickpockets, but some civil liberties groups claim it goes against the principle of innocent until proven guilty. 

BBC Weather

A misty or foggy start for some this morning, though this will gradually lift and clear through the morning. 

Otherwise, another warm day for many with sunny spells and the risk of occasional thunderstorms towards the end of the afternoon - highs of 24C (75F).