Two motorcyclists killed in crashespublished at 09:49 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
West Midlands Police has urged witnesses to come forward.
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Two motorcyclists killed in crashespublished at 09:49 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
School spending 'really has been cut'published at 09:40 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
The IFS concludes per pupil spending in England's schools is falling and has not been protected.
Read MoreAnger at Trump visit police bedspublished at 09:37 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
The Police Federation in the West Midlands said it's seeking an "urgent review" of accommodation for its officers sent to London to help police the visit by Donald Trump.
A colleague on the Hampshire force had this to add:
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End of twitter postPictures were shared on Twitter of camp beds packed into a sports hall purporting to be accommodation for the officers.
Richard Cooke, Chair of the West Midlands Police Federation tweeted, external the accommodation was "not fit for our officers".
One police officer suggested it was unreasonable to sleep in these conditions before the 12-hour shifts.
The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Dave Thompson, said he had "seen the pictures and comments on social media" would be looking at the issue.
Council looks to make more cutspublished at 09:25 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Telford and Wrekin Council says it might need to save up to £25m over the next three years.
That's on top of the £117m already saved by the Labour-run local authority since 2010.
Image source, GoogleMembers of its cabinet, meeting tonight, will be told they've gone over budget paying for looked after children, social workers and some education provision.
Biker dies in M54 crashpublished at 09:11 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
A motorcyclist died in the crash that closed the M54 overnight.
We reported earlier a motorbike was involved in a collision with a car on the eastbound carriageway on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border shortly after 23:00.
The road was closed until 06:00 to allow a crash investigation team to work.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man was confirmed dead at the scene, external, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
Trump visit to 'put police under pressure'published at 09:03 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Donald Trump arrives in the UK this afternoon for a two-day visit.
Extra security has been put in place as large-scale protests are expected and police forces across the country have been asked to send officers to assist the Metropolitan Police.
Image source, EPALast week, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said the visit would have a "major impact on policing" in his area.
He said about 1,000 rest days had been cancelled so his officers can be sent to London to police the visit.
Mr Jamieson also said the knock-on effects would be felt for months as his officers try to catch up on leave owed to them.
Ryanair strike affects flightspublished at 08:51 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Some Ryanair flights between Birmingham and Dublin have been cancelled today because of a strike by pilots.
Image source, ReutersThe airline has said it "expects limited disruption" in addition to the cancelled flights and said staff had helped affected passengers transfer to alternative flights.
The airline has said only Ireland-UK flights are affected.
Ryanair and union officials met for talks on Wednesday which ended without agreement.
In the papers: Spike in 999 callspublished at 08:40 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Some of the main stories on the Express and Star website this morning include:
Motorcyclist dies in car crashpublished at 08:29 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
A motorcyclist has died after his bike was involved in a crash with a car in the Saltley area of Birmingham last night.
Emergency services were called to Adderley Road, outside Adderley park just before 18:50.
The 21-year-old man, from the Small Heath area, died at the scene, said the ambulance service., external
Police said they hoped CCTV would help shed light on what happened immediately before the collision and have called on witnesses, especially those with dashcams, to come forward.
'Serious' crash closes M54published at 08:25 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
The M54 was closed for a time overnight, between J3 and J2 on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border, after a serious crash involving a car and a motorbike, said Highways England.
The eastbound carriageway reopened at about 06:00 after an investigation had been carried out.
Water leak affecting roadpublished at 08:16 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
BBC News TravelChester Street in Shrewsbury is being affected by a water leak in the road, police said.
Severn Trent engineers have been called.
Festival marks life of Mercian warrior queenpublished at 08:09 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
A celebration of the life of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, begins in Tamworth today.
The Anglo-Saxon Queen died in Staffordshire 1,100 years ago, in June 918.
A four-day festival to document the reign of the warrior queen, who defended England from Viking invasions, includes community art work, guided tours and a conference attracting historians from across the world.
Media caption, Who was Aethelflaed, the warrior queen?
Vehicles destroyed in business blazepublished at 07:57 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Fire crews were called to deal with a fire in Darlaston, Walsall overnight.
Image source, West Midlands Fire Service
Image source, West Midlands Fire ServiceAbout 25 firefighters were called to a business on Wolverhampton Street shortly before 02:00.
West Midlands Fire Service tweeted pictures of cars destroyed in the blaze.
Cold War spy cameras up for auctionpublished at 07:47 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
A collection of secret cameras used by Soviet spies in the Cold War are up for auction in Dudley today.
The lots, which includes KGB spy and other miniature cameras, will go under the hammer at Aston's Auctioneers this morning.
Some items, including cameras built into buttons, umbrellas and cigarette cases, are expected to fetch hundreds of pounds.
Image source, Aston's AuctioneersFirst rain arrives - along with weather warningpublished at 07:34 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
The south of the region could see some light rain showers this morning, before sunnier spells later on.
A yellow weather warning for thunder, external is in place from 11:00 tomorrow for the western parts of the region.
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End of twitter postIncrease in 999 calls recorded after England matchpublished at 07:23 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
The ambulance service said it dealt with a large number of 999 calls across the West Midlands last night after England's World Cup exit against Croatia.
There was a big increase in reports of assaults and other alcohol-related incidents, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
It fielded 240 calls in the hour after the match compared with 120 while England were playing.
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End of twitter postVideo: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 07:10 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Sara Blizzard
BBC WeatherEarly cloud will break leaving a mainly dry and fine day with long spells of sunshine and highs of 25C (77F).
Media caption, Latest weather for the West Midlands
Live updates for the West Midlandspublished at 07:08 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Vanessa Pearce
BBC NewsWelcome to our live service for Thursday.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and 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
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 11 July 2018
Monica Rimmer
BBC NewsWe'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on Thursday.
Keep an eye out here for more updates before then...#Itscominghome
#WorldCupFever: Hopefully we won't be melon-cholypublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 11 July 2018
The Melon Man, also known as David Loh, has dropped by the BBC Birmingham offices to add to the World Cup fever.
Take a look at these amazing pieces of fruit, carved to perfection!
