Updates from Friday 12 May 2017
A fight has broken out inside the Labour Party, external after support for mayoral candidate Siôn Simon collapsed to hand his Conservative rival Andy Street a narrow victory.
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
A Black Country head teacher has told us SATS are pushing some children to "breaking point".
Image source, Getty ImagesJason Willets at Kinver Primary near Stourbridge has written an open letter to parents and guardians to reassure them the tests 11 year olds are sitting this week are not the be-all-and-end-all.
Last mont,h a report by the Education Select committee claimed they are putting thousands of young children under "unnecessary stress".
Two men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Birmingham during which a man was shot in the arm.
The pair are accused of trying to take jewellery from a group of three men in Northwood Street, Birmingham, at around 17:45 BST on Sunday.
A 26-year-old was shot in the arm during the attempt. Police say, external he remains in hospital having undergone surgery.
Both men have been charged with attempted robbery, wounding and possession of a firearm, while one has separately been charged with possessing a gun while prohibited from owning firearms.
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands Today
A school which had 60 lovebirds, finches and sparrows stolen from its aviary has been offered replacements.
Pupils at the Jane Lane School, a college for cognition and learning, in Walsall, wrote open letters to the thieves when the birds, nurtured by the teenagers, were taken.
Thieves broke into the aviary last Wednesday evening.
Paul Clinton, a bird fancier from Kings Norton, Birmingham has offered to donate some birds.
He heard about the pupils' distress and wanted to "rejuvenate the youngsters' faith in society".
Send us your questions about the general election in the West Midlands.
Read MoreA fault on the train that runs between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town means that trains between the stations are unable to run, the National Rail Enquiries , externalwebsite reports.
Disruption is expected until 10:15.
Image source, Creative Commons
BBC WM
Hundreds of hopefuls are expected at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham this morning as open auditions get underway for the starring role in Cilla The Musical.
The search for a star began in Liverpool last week.
Based on the television mini-series the musical tells the story of the early life of Cilla Black, the singer and entertainer who died suddenly after a fall at her Spanish villa two years ago.
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
A stolen National Crime Agency BMW has been recovered after thieves used it to flag down a female motorist in Solihull.
At least one vehicle was stopped by men posing as police officers after the car was stolen on Saturday.
West Midlands Police said a woman reported two men using the unmarked law enforcement car after being asked to get into the vehicle, which is fitted with blue lights.
It was later found undamaged in Kings Heath.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Plenty of cloud around throughout the day with a few sunny spells and top temperatures of 13C (55F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Alex Homer
BBC Local Live
Welcome to our news, sport, travel and weather updates on Tuesday.
Have your say on the headlines today or share your pictures over email, tweet us, external or visit our Facebook page, external.
Jury is shown footage allegedly showing on-trial man accused of making bomb using fairy lights.
Read MoreWe'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Jo Tidman
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
The West Midlands is one of the worst areas in the country for investment in electric car charging points.
Image source, Getty ImagesAccording to the the website Zap-map, external there are just 757 in the region compared with 2,750 in London and 1,800 in Scotland.
That's despite this region being at the centre for research and development into electric vehicles.
Motor industry expert, Professor David Bailey said the region is "very much at the forefront of the electric car revolution", but the infrastructure is not being put in place to encourage people to buy these cars.
CCTV footage allegedly showing a would-be terrorist clambering into a storm drain near the West Coast mainline, has been shown to the jury of Birmingham Crown Court.
Prosecutors claim the footage shows a figure said to be Zahid Hussain, 29, investigating the high speed stretch of line, in Alum Rock, as a possible target.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceFootage taken by CCTV on a nearby house then shows the man going into an adjoining garden and struggling to lift up a manhole cover before climbing inside.
The jury heard previously that a book at Mr Hussain's home called "US Army Guerrilla" was discovered with a section covering attacks on railways bookmarked.
Mr Hussain denies preparation of terrorist acts, two counts of making explosives and one of attempting to make explosives.
A motorist was flagged-down by two men posing as police officers using a stolen police car.
The unmarked National Crime Agency car, fitted with blue lights. had taken from an address in Solihull on Saturday evening.
The driver was asked to get into the silver BMW 1 Series, but she refused and reported the incident to police.
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Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
We've had some blue skies and sunshine around the region today, but we are forecast a cloudier day tomorrow.
Charlie Slater with the weather forecast for the West Midlands
Police have arrested two men on suspicion of attempted murder, external after a man was shot in Birmingham c, externality centre.
BBC Radio 5 live
A seven-year-old who sparked a huge reaction when a video of her showing her school mates her new sports blade was released by BBC Midlands Today has said she would like to be a dancer.
A seven-year-old who was captured showing off her blade says she wants to be a dancer.
Speaking to 5 live's Nihal Arthanayake, Anu said she can run faster than her brother with the blade and when she is grown up she would like to be a 'dancer'.
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
The Prime Minister has told BBC WM a strong Conservative West Midlands mayor working with a Conservative government can deliver for the region.
Theresa May was giving her reaction to the election of former John Lewis boss Andy Street as the region's first metro mayor.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageA strong Conservative mayor in the West Midlands working with a Conservative government can deliver for this region. I've seen in visits across the region his determination to ensure there is investment, jobs and opportunities across the West Midlands.
Thersea May, Prime Minister
The General Election will take place on Thursday 8 June. You have until 22 May to register to vote - read more on BBC News.
General election 2017: How do I register to vote?
Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Worcestershire face Warwickshire in the One-Day Cup.
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