The mood of popular disaffection and its impact on the places where you live.

Organisers of a taxi demonstration in Wolverhampton today said fewer drivers turned out to protest than expected.

Drivers say too many licences are being issued by the council, outstripping demand for their services from passengers.

The council said the protest should be held in "Westminster not Wolverhampton" as the argument is with the government for changing the rules over taxi licences.

Ricky Walker says he "never, ever" caused any physical harm to his son, Kayden.

Reece Hipwood was found stabbed at an address in Birmingham in the early hours of Sunday.

Express and Star

Some of the top stories to feature online today include:

• 'It was mayhem' - Terrified families flee 'gang shooting' outside Wolverhampton pub, external
• 55 knife crimes each week in Midlands as MPs back Express & Star blades petition, external
• Taxi drivers stage 'go-slow' protest in Wolverhampton in licensing row, external

A man has appeared in court charged with murder over an attack outside a Wetherspoon pub.

Image source, Just Giving

Police found 31-year-old victim Matthew Powney when they were called to reports of a fight outside The Malthouse on New Road, Willenhall, Walsall, last Monday.

He died in hospital later that day.

Shaun Addison, 27, of Furzebank Way, Willenhall, accused of his murder and the wounding of another man, was remanded in custody at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special Correspondent

There are calls for a USA army unit based in Birmingham at the end of World War Two to be honoured.

Eight hundred African American women, known as the Six Triple Eight, were brought to England to tackle a huge backlog of mail which was preventing vital post getting to the troops fighting Nazi Germany.

Image source, United States National Archive

The women worked in temporary barracks at the King Edward school, Edgbaston.

Pictured aged 25 and now 98 - Elizabeth Barker-Johnson, US Army Veteran with the 6888 says her role was "very important".

Now a former British Army serviceman is calling for a blue plaque to honour the hundreds of women who served in Birmingham.

A 19-month-old boy died in hospital after being hit by a van in Billesley on Friday.

A road in Birmingham has been partly closed off by police after a suspected "small hand grenade" was discovered at a house.

West Midlands Police says a cordon is in place around the property on Cranes Park Road, Sheldon following the discovery at about 10:00 this morning.

Officers remain at the scene.

Image source, Google

BBC WM Sport

Walsall defender Kory Roberts's season could be over before it's even begun due to a broken leg.

The 20-year-old suffered a double fracture, external in their 3-0 friendly defeat at home to Stoke City.

Image source, Walsall FC

A 30-year-old man and a woman, 26, arrested following the death of a toddler who was hit by a van on parkland have been released on police bail.

Image source, Google

Police said the van hit the 19-month-old boy just before midday on Friday at Sarehole Mill off Wake Green Road in Billesley, Birmingham.

The child, who has not yet been named, was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital with a critical head injury, but later died.

BBC Midlands Today

Taxi drivers are staging a slow-drive protest at Wolverhampton Science Park.

It follows a demonstration last month over the way the council issues taxi licences.

Drivers say too many are being given out, outstripping the demand for their services from passengers, and resulting in fare poaching in other areas.

The City of Wolverhampton Council say it is bound by law to accept all applicants no matter where they are based.

Dave Wade
BBC News

Have you seen Ralphon Foster?

Image source, Derbyshire Police

The 15-year-old was last seen in Derby on Monday 9 July at 11:30.

He was wearing blue Adidas bottoms, a blue Armani t-shirt, black trainers and carrying a small black bag.

It is believed he has links to the Birmingham and Wolverhampton areas.

The device is disguised as a packet of cigarettes and had an auction estimate of just £80-£100.

Investigations are continuing after a 28-year-old man died and another man, 54, was seriously injured in a stabbing.

They were found at a house in Sandmere Road, Yardley Wood, Birmingham in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The pair suffered critical injuries - the younger man died in the ambulance, while the other remains in hospital.

Police said the men were known to each other and they are not looking for anyone else following the incident.

Express and Star

Here are some of the headlines appearing on the Express & Star website this morning:

• Music festival moved after Rugeley residents' uproar, external
• Tributes paid to father killed in M54 motorbike crash, external
• Medic: Unlikely murder-accused father shook baby in panic, external

A 17-year-old is due in court charged with attempted murder, after a teenager was attacked with a claw-hammer.

Police said the victim, also 17, was attacked after an argument in Bilston Street, Wolverhampton on Thursday.

Image source, Google

He suffered serious head injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital after emergency surgery.

The charged boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is due to appear before magistrates in Walsall.

Another teenager arrested in connection with the attack has been released on bail.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It should be a sunny day with a chance of showers and highs of 24C (75F).