Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Have a great weekend whatever you have planned. Live updates resume from 08:00 on Monday.
Summary
Policeman who abused boys a 'sex predator all his life'
Key suspect named in takeaway murder
NHS trusts' deficits run into millions of pounds
Updates from Friday 4 November 2016
Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
NHS trusts: Deficit of £700m feared if funding issues left uncheckedpublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
James Bovill
Political Reporter, BBC NewsSeven of 13 NHS Birmingham and Black Country NHS trusts were in deficit as of March 2016, a BBC Sunday Politics investigation has found - their collective shortfall of nearly £95m part of a £200m deficit across the West Midlands.
Inefficiencies in systems, the sheer number of individual trusts (25), bed blocking and lack of local authority investment in social care are being suggested as contributing factors and health bosses fear the situation could get worse.
The NHS' Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) are designed to ensure that health and care services are built around the needs of local populations, with leaders appointed to oversee development. Among them is Mark Rogers, chief executive of Birmingham City Council, who oversees STP in the city and Solihull.
Quote MessageIf we just let demand [for services] run ahead of us it would generate a bill of around £700m for which we have no money
Mark Rogers, Birmingham and Solihull STP
Sir Lenny goes back to schoolpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Sir Lenny Henry's been back to school in the West Midlands as he brings Shakespeare to the classroom.
The number of children going on school trips to the theatre has fallen in recent years - so the National Theatre has begun screening plays in secondary schools instead.
Quote MessageWith this you can watch live shows done by the National Theatre - arguably the best theatre group in the world and you can have it at your finger tips. There are work packages, you can dissect the text - it's really exciting and kids deserve access to the arts and this is it in spades
Lenny Henry, Actor and comedian
Medical school 'will attract non traditional background' studentspublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WMAston University is hoping to attract children from hard-to-reach backgrounds with the opening of its new medical school.
It doesn't open until 2018, but bosses say studying there won't just be for the more privileged.
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End of twitter postBirmingham gets ready for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local LiveExcitement is building as the Sports Personality of the Year ceremony comes to the city next month.
The head of BBC Sport, Barbara Slater, spoke to staff and media students from Birmingham City University earlier about the event.
The shortlist hasn't been drawn yet but I wouldn't want to make that decision - it surely has to be one of the hardest years to choose.
The show will be live on BBC One on Sunday 18 December and you can still buy tickets to watch it live at the Genting Arena.
"Bless this market"published at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Ben Sidwell
BBC Midlands TodayThe church of St Martin's held a special blessing inside the Bull Ring Markets this afternoon to commemorate their 850th anniversary.
You can see more on this story and others on BBC One at 18:30.
Your Questions: When did Druids Heath library open?published at 17:51 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Danielle Hayden
Broadcast journalistOne reader used Your Questions to ask: "What year did the library at Druids Heath open?"
Well it's been there for more than 20 years.
The team at Druids Heath Library, external gave us the facts to confirm it opened in 1993.
Image source, GoogleHave you got a question about Birmingham and the Black Country?
Get in touch here and tell us what you want to know.
Felled park trees could become 'living sculptures'published at 17:49 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveTrees which are going to be cut down from a park next week, external could be turned into "living sculptures".
Cannock Chase Council says 16 trees, including 14 poplars, are going to be felled from the tree avenue at Hednesford Park.
Image source, Cannock Chase CouncilThe authority says they need to be removed to let other trees on the main avenue grow and fill out.
Some of the trees they say will be carved into living sculptures and say they've worked with local children to come up with the images that'll be created.
Our coverage of weekend's football fixturespublished at 17:43 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
BBC WM SportWolves will be the first team to enter the fray as they face Derby County at Molineux in a 12:30 kick-off. With a new manager set to be named within a matter of days, Rob Edwards will take caretaker charge for the second and final time. Wolves have lost four of their last six championship games.
Our second commentary game on 95.6 sees Birmingham City away at Huddersfield Town. Blues will want to get their play-off bid back on track after one win in four matches.
On our DAB service, Aston Villa will seek to extend their unbeaten run under new manager Steve Bruce to five games as they entertain Blackburn Rovers. So far, they have won two and drawn two.
It’s also FA Cup weekend, with Walsall, Solihull Moors and Stourbridge aiming for a place in Monday’s second round draw. The Saddlers are at home to Macclesfield Town, the Moors are at Yeovil Town, while the Glassboys head to Sussex where they will face Whitehawk.
West Bromwich Albion have a Sunday game at Premier League champions Leicester City. It’s a 16:30 kick-off and there’ll be commentary on BBC WM with the build-up starting at 16:00. It’s five games without a win for the Baggies - their last success coming in mid-September against West Ham.
Man jailed for £20m drugs import attemptpublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
A Birmingham man who tried to smuggle £20m worth of ecstasy tablets and cannabis through Coventry Airport has been jailed for nine years.
Simon Dunmore, 41, from St Mary's Row in Moseley admitted six counts of importing drugs at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceSeven packages were seized by Border Force officials in May last year, addressed to Dunmore's catering business address in Harborne Road, containing skunk and MDMA hydrochloride, the chemical used in ecstasy tablets.
When Dunmore went to collect a further consignment of 100,000 ecstasy tablets, police officers were waiting to arrest him.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceWeekend weather forecastpublished at 17:17 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands TodayIt will be a cold night with a local grass frost likely. There will be clear spells and some further showers, these mainly across northern parts. Minimum temperature 1C (34F).
Media caption, BBC weather forecast for the West Midlands
Standing ovation as terror victim Joel awarded honorary degreepublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Tim Race
Producer, BBC Hereford & WorcesterA student killed in a terror attack in Tunisia has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Worcester.
Joel Richards, 19, from Wednesbury, died alongside his uncle, grandfather and 35 others in attacks near Sousse in 2015.
The young referee, who had been studying in Worcester, was given a standing ovation at the degree ceremony. His mother Suzanne said the "whole cathedral stood up for Joel".
Image source, Richards familyPolice officer who sexually abused boys was subject to complaints but not sackedpublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
An ex-policeman jailed today for 22 years for sexual abusing boys and young men over four decades was removed from a public-facing role in the West Midlands force following a complaint in 2004 - but not fired.
Allan Richards, a former Scouts master, was kicked out the movement the same year after the Scout Association became aware of the allegation.
The 54-year-old, of Tile Cross, Birmingham, was not charged and was able to work as a police officer until his retirement.
Your West Midlands Questions answeredpublished at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
All week you have been using Your Questions to ask about the West Midlands. Here are some of our answers.
Read MorePolice smash suspected 'chop shop' stolen car racketpublished at 16:21 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Police smashed a suspected "chop shop" stolen car racket in a swoop on a Birmingham garage. , external
Sport headlines: Injury doubts for Blues; Wolves announcement due next weekpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
BBC WM SportThe top sport stories for Birmingham and the Black Country this lunchtime include:
- Birmingham City have injury doubts over Jonathan Spector, Stephen Gleeson and Paul Robinson for tomorrow's trip to Huddersfield
- A successor to Walter Zenga is expected to be named by Wolves at the start of next week
- Walsall, Solihull Moors and Stourbridge will be aiming to reach the second round of the FA Cup. The Saddlers entertain Macclesfield
City market at 850published at 15:24 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
BBC WMA special church service is being held in Birmingham today to mark the 850th anniversary of the Bull Ring Markets.
Traders will attend the event at St Martin's near their pitches, with Canon Stewart Jones blessing the retail markets, which are among the oldest in the country.
Ex-police officer jailed for child abusepublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
A police officer and scout leader who sexually abused boys and young men is jailed for 40 offences.
Read MoreLambert's agent in talks with Wolvespublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
Pat Murphy
BBC Midlands football reporterI understand Paul Lambert's agent is talking to Wolves today, resolving a few minor points before the job is offered. No more talks will take place with any other candidate.
Image source, Getty ImagesLambert is seen as a safe pair of hands after the gamble in appointing Walter Zenga in July misfired, culminating in his sacking ten days ago.
The club is determined not to take any focus away from the Derby game tomorrow, but the deal should be finalised and confirmed within the subsequent 48 hours.
Peaky Blinders creator to be honouredpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 4 November 2016
The creator of the Birmingham-set BBC gangster drama Peaky Blinders is receiving an honorary degree later.
Award-winning screenwriter and director Stephen Knight from Walsall is being made a Doctor of Letters by the University of Worcester.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Peaky Blinders creator and writer Stephen Knight to receive honorary degree
He is due to collect his degree at the city's cathedral this afternoon alongside students graduating from the university's business faculty.
Image caption, The show stars Cillian Murphy, centre
