BBC WM

There are concerns a new generation of young people across the West Midlands are being lured into gang life.

Image source, Getty Images

Research from the Gangs and Violence Commission claims a lack of opportunities means more teenagers are being drawn into gang activity. 

Alison Cope, whose son Joshua Ribera was murdered outside a Birmingham nightclub in 2013 , says more needs to be done to raise awareness of gang membership. 

Putting soup at the heart of crowd-funding is an American idea now being served in the UK.

Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today

A 23-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with the murders of a mother and son in Stourbridge. 

Image source, PA

Tracey Wilkinson and her son Pierce, 13, were stabbed at their home in Greyhound Lane on Thursday morning. 

Aaron Barley, of no fixed address, appeared before a judge at Birmingham Crown Court also accused of the attempted murder of Pierce's father and Tracey's husband Peter who remains seriously ill in hospital. 

There was no application for bail. 

Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM Sport

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce says the injury picked up by Scott Hogan isn't "anything to worry about".

Image source, Gett

Hogan was replaced by Jordan Amavi in the first half of the club's 2-0 win at Villa Park on Saturday . 

Bruce says the move was purely precautionary. 

New figures reveal that forty percent of adults in the West Midlands don't do any exercise.

Image source, PA

The report - by the British Heart Foundation - shows women are generally considered to be more unfit, with thirty five percent not exercising at all.

A man's been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the death of a pedestrian in Birmingham last month. 

Dil Bahadur was crossing Belgrave Middleway just after 23:30 last Sunday when he was hit by a car which failed to stop at the scene. 

Police say the man they've charged is 22 - he's due before magistrates later today.

Belgrave Middleway was closed for several hours last Monday as police carried out investigations at the scene of the collision. 

Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM

Visiting hours have been extended at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. 

Image source, PA

Inpatient wards are now open to relatives, carers and friends from 11:00 until 20:00. 

It's hoped the extra three hours will improve patient experience and give families more flexibility.

An industrial-scale experiment in a Staffordshire forest will help fill gaps in knowledge about climate change.  

The project has created an outdoor laboratory by encircling trees with 25m masts gushing high levels of carbon dioxide.

The site is surrounded by a 3m anti-climb fence, and silvery tubes snake along the forest floor in what looks like a sci-fi alien invasion.

The lead scientist in the woodland,  Professor Rob Mackenzie, from Birmingham University, external , agreed that scientists had previously under-estimated the amount of carbon trees would fix.  

Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM Sport

The top sports stories we're covering this morning include:

• West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster says they're aiming to finish with more than 50 points in the Premier League
• Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce says the injury picked up by Scott Hogan against Norwich isn't too serious
• The Wolves boss Paul Lambert is pleased with his team's entertaining style of football

For many people, moving on from a childhood spent in care can be hard.

As some councils in England offer council tax relief to ease the transition for adult care leavers, BBC reporter Ashley John-Baptiste asks what difference it might make .  

Seven councils - including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry - told care leavers this month they do not have to pay council tax until they are 22 or, in some cases, 25.

They have joined four authorities that already have a similar policy in place.

Post mortem examinations are due to take place today on the bodies of a mother and her teenage son who were fatally stabbed at their home last Thursday. 

Image source, West Midlands Police

Yesterday, Lydia Wilkinson read dozens of messages left in memory of her mother and brother. Her seriously injured father remains in hospital.  

Image source, PA

Aaron Barley appeared before magistrates on Saturday charged with murder and attempted murder. 

He was remanded and is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court later.  

Mel Coles
BBC Weather

After a chilly start, any mist or fog patches will quickly clear and sunny spells will develop.

It will stay dry for much of the day, before outbreaks of rain arrive from the west in the evening - highs of 16C (61F). 

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Good morning from the BBC WM newsroom.

We'll be bringing you the usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country between now and 18:00.

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