BBC Local Live: Birmingham and the Black Country

Summary

Birmingham top destination for migrating Londoners
Schools chief 'told to go if pregnant'
Reduced capacity for Blues-Villa derby
Baby died from 'catastrophic' injuries
Star Trek celebration beams down to Brum
Edgbaston to host first day-night test to be played in England
Updates from Friday 7 October 2016

Live Reporting

Pigs cleared from train linepublished at 12:32 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Alas, the puntastic pig fun looks to be over for the day.
The animals that had delayed trains between Rugeley Town and Hednesford have been "cleared" from the line and normal service is resumed.
As you were...
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Pig puns follow train operator's tweet over swine-related service delayspublished at 12:23 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
These are snout to do with us... we're just reporting the puns as they happen. And remember, if you find them too groan-inducing and aren't having a crack(ling) time, you can always reach for the oinkment.
Image source, Twitter
Trust to run council's child servicespublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Children's services in Sandwell is to be taken over by a government-appointed trust.
Read More
Travel: Trains delayed by the wrong kind of pigpublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC Travel
"Pigs on the line" is the reason for delays between Rugeley and Hednesford, London Midland says.
Keep up-to-date on the BBC Travel website.
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Birmingham to host international marathonpublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Corinne Wheatley
BBC WM, Journalist
Entries are now being taken for next year's Birmingham International Marathon, external.
It's the first to be held in the city for nearly 30 years.
It'll take place on 15 October 2017 and event orgainser, Great Run, hopes it will help the city's bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Drayton Manor handed top zoo awardpublished at 11:20 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Drayton Manor Zoo in Staffordshire has been rated as one of Europe's best.
It's now a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, external.
Experts were impressed with conservation and animal welfare at the attraction, which features a pair of endangered Sumatran tigers.
Johnson 'happy' to stay at Bristol Citypublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Bristol City boss Lee Johnson is focused on his own club, following reports linking him to Aston Villa's managerial vacancy.
Read More
Month-long public consultation for Snow Hill Square planspublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC WM
New designs for a £3m improvement project for Birmingham's Snow Hill Square have been released this morning.
The aim is to boost pedestrians' experience of the area by re-routing some bus routes and moving some stops.
leader of Birmingham City Council, John Clancy, described the plans as "exciting".
"Snow Hill Station is an important gateway into Birmingham and these designs are a clear signal of our intent to develop a hugely important part of the city."
Image source, Colmore Business District
Information about how the scheme will be funded will be made available during a month-long public consultation process.
Snow Hill Square plans revealedpublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC WM
Details of a £3m project to transform Snow Hill Square in Birmingham city centre have been released today.
It's hoped the scheme will make the area near to the station more attractive and pleasant for pedestrians.
It also involves changes to bus stops, a taxi rank and the junction of Colmore Circus Queensway and Snow Hill Queensway.
Image source, Colmore Business District
Trust to run Sandwell children's services: Analysispublished at 10:20 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM
This is another blow for Sandwell Council which last year said it "struggled to see how Ofsted came to the conclusion" that its children’s services were "inadequate".
The Councillor in charge of the department, Simon Hackett, who’s previously ruled out resigning, says he doesn’t think a trust is the best way to improve services, and making them a success is his "priority".
Behind the scenes there are concerns about morale of staff in a department which has been under siege since the inadequate rating three years ago.
Today the council is saying everything it can to reassure them following this morning's announcement of a takeover.
Your pictures: Wolverhampton and Badgerpublished at 09:58 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC Weather Watchers
Our BBC Weather Watchers keep us updated from across Birmingham and the Black Country.
They also send in great pictures - here are two from users Spoddy and PJ's, taken in Wolverhampton and Badger.
Image source, Spoddy
Image source, PJ's
BBC Sunday Politics: 'Midlands Engine' and Shropshire's hospitals under the spotlightpublished at 09:36 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC Sunday Politics
BBC Sunday Politics in the Midlands is looking at the idea of a "Midlands Engine" to rival the "Northern Powerhouse" and asking what is behind the PR slogans.
It's also delving into the ongoing row over Shropshire A&E services and asking if the county needs two emergency departments.
Image source, Conservative Party/BBC
The guests on the sofa this week will be the Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, Gavin Williamson, and the Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, Emma Reynolds.
Trust to run Sandwell children's servicespublished at 09:30 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Breaking
A trust will take over the running of Sandwell Council's children's services.
Failing departments had been told by the government to improve or be overseen by high-performing councils or charities.
Councillor Simon Hackett, Cabinet Member for the department, said: "We made it clear we do not agree that setting up a trust is the best way forward to improve services."
Edward Timpson MP, Minister for Vulnerable Children and Families, announced his decision following recommendations made by commissioner Eleanor Brazil, who was appointed to work in Sandwell earlier this year.
Commissioner Malcolm Newsam has been appointed to work with the council to establish the trust.
Fury after West Bromwich burglar breaks pensioner's arm - for just £40published at 09:10 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Express and Star
Residents and a councillor have reacted with horror after a pensioner suffered a broken arm after being attacked, external in his own West Bromwich home by a fake water board official.
Sport: Wolverhampton speedway team national championspublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC WM Sport
The Wolverhampton speedway team has been crowned national champions.
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They took on Belle Vue in the second leg of the Elite League Grand Final in Manchester last night with an 18-point lead from the first.
Despite losing by eight points, Wolves won 96-86 on aggregate.
Latest: Multi million-pound project to transform Snow Hill Square; entries for marathon open; Wolverhampton speedway team crowned champspublished at 08:30 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
Here are some of the stories making the news in Birmingham and the Black Country:
- Details of a £3m project to transform Snow Hill Square in Birmingham city centre have been released today
- Entries for next year's Birmingham International Marathon have opened
- The Wolverhampton speedway team has been crowned national champions
Watch: Latest weather for the West Midlandspublished at 08:17 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
BBC Weather
There will be variable amounts of cloud today with some bright and occasionally sunny intervals.
It’ll be cooler and a little breezy at times with highs of 13C (55F).
Media caption,
Weather for the West Midlands.
Good morning from Birmingham and the Black Country Livepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 6 October 2016
Welcome to Thursday's news, sport, travel and weather updates.
Comment on our stories and send us your pictures over email, Twitter, external or our Facebook page, external.
Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 5 October 2016
We're back at 08:00 tomorrow with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather, but keep an eye out here for updates through the evening and into the morning.
Cash for disabled volunteers' Christmas party stolenpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 5 October 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A safe containing a "substantial amount of cash" to pay for a Christmas party for disabled volunteers at a plant and garden nursery has been stolen. , external
Image source, Google
Staffordshire Police say it was taken after burglars forced their way into The Old Tree Nursery on Pendeford Hall Lane, Codsall between yesterday afternoon and this morning.