Rail services finishing early
Gunman jailed for 12 years for bowling alley siege
Freezing weather 'worst in a decade'
Several train services suspended
Man arrested over grandmother's murder
Live updates from Friday 2 March
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BBC News Travel
A signalling fault is affecting rail services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley.
Services could be affected until 12:00, said Network Rail. , external
Some heavy snow is expected to move across the south of the region this afternoon, accompanied by strong winds, the Met Office is warning., external
An amber warning for snow and ice is in place from 12:00 today, with yellow warnings for snow, ice and wind in place all day today.
Image source, Met OfficeAlmost 200 schools across Staffordshire, external and Stoke-on-Trent, external are closed today because of the freezing weather.
Image source, EiEiIn south Cheshire, Cheshire East Council advises to check individual school websites for information
Eight schools are closed in Telford, external.
Ten are currently closed in Herefordshire, external, with others saying they'll send home pupils at lunchtime.
Three are closed in Worcestershire., external
One school is closed in Warwickshire, external, and one in Coventry.
Three schools are closed in the Shropshire Council area.
BBC News Travel
A vehicle has hit the barrier on the M6 and has been left facing the wrong direction.
One lane of the southbound carriageway is closed between junctions 14 and 15, with delays building in the area, said Highways England.
"Blizzard conditions" are expected by this evening across parts of the Midlands.
BBC Weather's Ben Rich said a "biting easterly wind" would make it feel like -11C (12F) in the area.
Perhaps surprisingly - today is officially the first day of meteorological spring.
A three-month medical cannabis trial is one of the options that could be considered for a Warwickshire boy, after ministers met with his parents.
Image source, Hannah DeaconAlfie Dingley, from Kenilworth, suffers up to 30 violent seizures a day.
The Home Office previously turned down requests by the family, to legally take the drug.
Following the meeting minister say they're "exploring every option".
Arriva Trains Wales will be running a reduced timetable today after finding faults with all 27 of its class 175 trains yesterday.
They've had to be taken out of service and investigations are continuing to see what has caused the damage to their wheels.
Image source, PAWith cold weather forecast for today, Arriva Trains Wales is advising people only to travel today if they absolutely have to.
BBC News Travel
The A53 in Staffordshire between Leek and Buxton is closed due to snow, along with the A537 Cat and Fiddle route between Bull-Hill-Lane and A54 for Buxton.
BBC News Travel
Bus services are being delayed or cancelled in Stoke-on-Trent, with all routes likely to be affected, said operator First Bus.
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A dry and cloudy start to the day with just the odd light flurry of snow.
Snow becoming more frequent especially in the south west with highs of just -3C (27F).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
Welcome to our live service for Thursday.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and the latest on the freezing weather for the West Midlands.
We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external
Following the success of Nike's Nothing Beats a Londoner ad - a comedian makes a parody using talent from Birmingham.
Read MoreFollowing checks to Arriva Trains Wales' fleet, 27 trains have been pulled from service.
Read More
Andy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the latest news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
The Met Office has an amber weather warning, external for Herefordshire, Worcestershire and parts of Shropshire tonight and tomorrow and is warning there could be heavy snow in places.
It says this could lead to rail and bus cancellations and roads becoming blocked.
Image source, Met OfficeHundreds of campaigners gathered outside Stratford Arthouse today to protest against its potential closure.
The venue in Stratford-upon-Avon was given a four-year grant by the Stratford Town Trust, but the funding is due to end next month.
The trust says increasing demand for funding has forced it to redirect its focus.
The building went through a multi-million pound renovation four years ago.
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the deaths of two brothers killed in a road collision in Coventry.
Six-year-old Corey Platt-May and his two-year-old brother Casper, were killed in the city last week.
Image source, Family photosA police officer told the court that a large scale investigation, including a forensic reconstruction, would be taking place.
Two people have been remanded in custody after being charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Allen Cook
BBC News
This stunning picture of the mermaid fountain at the University of Birmingham, all frozen over in the cold, has been tweeted by Birmingham Alumni:, external
Image source, Birmingham Alumni
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
There are calls from some elderly residents in Birmingham for help because of the poor heating system in their flats.
Image source, GoogleThe issue is being highlighted as freezing temperatures hit the West Midlands this week.
Barbara Hawthorn, 76, lives at Harvey Court, Sheldon, and told BBC WM she has just one electric heater in her bedroom and one in the lounge.
The housing association which runs it, Broadening Choices for Older People, says it's involved in consultations to resolve the issues around heating and associated energy costs.
Quote MessageI could cry some days, I'm that cold I could cry. But I'm that strong-willed, I won't cry because I'm angry at the same time. We shouldn't have to be living like this, in this day and age
Barbara Hawthorn, Elderly resident
Olivia Morley
Journalist, BBC WM
The MP for Walsall North has called for tougher sentences for dangerous and drunk drivers.
Image source, UK ParliamentIn a Westminster debate, Conservative Eddie Hughes called on the government to increase the maximum amount of time those who kill with cars can spend in prison.
He told MPs he'd read many messages from victims' families, who said they'd been let down by the current rules.
Quote MessageCarol said, 'we are now a family living a life sentence. The dangerous driver that caused my 19-year-old son's death served 22 months and is out, living their life'. Patricia said, 'my 17-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver who got two years, four months, while I'm doing life. I'm so angry'
Eddie Hughes, MP for Walsall North
Prisons minister Rory Stewart replied the government was committed to increasing the penalties for the offence.