Stuart Ellis
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke

The number of cases of people needing medical treatment after taking the drug known as Monkey Dust, or MDPHP, have almost doubled in the last seven months in the West Midlands.

The ambulance service says, across the region, it was called to 22 cases related to the drug in December and that figure was up to 42 in July.

However, it's admitted the numbers could be even higher as some emergencies might not be recorded as being due to Monkey Dust.

As Staffordshire Police are today warning of a potential public health crisis due to the drug, external, the ambulance service says it can leave users with long-term illnesses.

Hereford Times

The Hereford Times is covering these stories today:

• Residents question bypass project boss' expertise, external
• Memorial gate unveiled for fallen soldier, external
• Veteran flies high for 90th birthday, external

Phil Bowers
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been arrested after a fight in which a woman reported she'd been hit in the face and a car vandalised.

Image source, Google

Police were called to reports last night of men fighting at the Clayhanger pub in Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent.

They arrested the 41-year-old, after a short chase, on suspicion of common assault, causing criminal damage, being drunk and disorderly and resisting arrest.

Coventry Live

These are some of the headlining stories on the Coventry Live website today:

• Member of horrific child abuse family still to find out sentence, external
• Another star confirmed for Godiva Festival's main stage, external
• Holidaymaker returns to find house ransacked and vehicles stolen, external

Funding worth £270m for high-tech innovation centres in the West Midlands has been announced by the government, as part of a £780m investment nationally.

Image source, Google

The Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, announced the money during a trip to 3D printing specialists, the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, which will benefit from £122m.

Warwick Manufacturing Group, at the University of Warwick, will get £99m and Energy Systems Catapult in Birmingham will get £50m.

The Chancellor said that innovation was at the heart of success in the West Midlands

"We are backing innovative British companies to grow and create jobs, as we build an economy fit for the future," he said.

Charlton Athletic sign Aston Villa and ex-England youth goalkeeper Jed Steer on a season-long loan.

Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough signs former Notts County midfielder Elliott Hodge on a contract until January.

Faith Page
Reporter, BBC Shropshire

Thousands of people are expected to visit the Shrewsbury Flower Show, external over the next two days.

Image source, Shropshire Council

The annual event, which dates back to 1875,, external opened today at 10:00 and finishes tomorrow evening.

The big names featured in this year's show include chefs Levi Roots and Matt Tebbutt and top gardeners Chris Beardshaw and Penny Meadmore., external

Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

The Justice Secretary David Gauke is being urged to make immediate improvements to Birmingham Prison after an inspection this week uncovered widespread and serious failings, BBC News has learned.

Image source, PA

The official "urgent notification" process - alerting ministers to major problems in jails - is expected to be triggered in the coming days.

It's understood that the prison - which is operated by the private company G4S - was graded "poor" on all four performance indicators.

Last night, an inspection team completed a two-week unannounced visit - during which two of their cars were torched while they were parked in the prison car park, although it's thought they were not deliberately targeted.

G4S declined to comment.

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted but has not yet responded.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Emily Lloyd

It could take more than 15 years for a health group to rebalance a near £60m deficit, officials have admitted.

The latest meeting of the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) governing board looked at its financial recovery plan for the next five years.

Image source, Getty Images

Chief finance officer Claire Skidmore said it could take "around 15 to 18 years to fully repay the deficit" of £59.7m, based on its current position.

The CCG has to deliver savings of £99m over the next five years and, if successful, it will mean that deficit can be reduced from 2022-23.

The meeting heard that its savings plan is in place and ready to go to NHS England to be signed off next week.

Leamington Observer

Here are the headlining stories from the Leamington Observer website this lunchtime:

• Rural crime rockets in Warwickshire, external
• Animal rights campaigners carry out second investigation at pig factory farm, external
• Police investigate suspect following attack on taxi driver, external

Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

The fire service is planning to use a helicopter to drop water on to the fire at the Roaches in the Peak District., external

Image source, Leek Police

Since being called yesterday afternoon, dozens of firefighters have been trying to get the blaze under control near Hulme Road.

They say there's thick smoke coming off the fire and walkers and climbers, who'd usually use the area, are being urged to stay away.

They also evacuated two homes later night because of the blaze and say it's likely the fire will "continue for some time".

A 16-year-old boy pleads not guilty to killing Viktorija Sokolova who was found dead in Wolverhampton.

A judge brands a trio stupid and reckless and says their case should deter others from speeding.

Pension contributions made to a former police officer who was jailed for sexually abused boys as young as eight are to be withheld, said the head of West Midlands Police, external.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Allan Richards, 54, who served with West Midlands Police for 31 years, was convicted of 40 offences against boys and young men and jailed for 22 years in 2016.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Jamieson said a pension forfeiture meeting was held on Tuesday.

The PCC said he had taken the decision to withhold as much of Richards's pension "as legal advice allows," and in this case it would be 50% of his total.

Only force contributions can be withheld, as officers' own contributions are not liable.

BBC Weather Watchers

We're expecting a mixture of sunshine and showers today, which has been reflected in some of the images taken so far by the BBC Weather Watchers.

Image source, outwiththedogs

Image source, ChrisOB

Image source, Mikesnapper

Allen Cook
BBC News

The family of midwife Samantha Eastwood have thanked people for their support , externalfollowing her death, promising "her memory and legacy will live on".

Image source, Family handout

The 28-year-old's body was found in Caverswall, Staffordshire, on Saturday, eight days after she was reported missing.

Michael Stirling, 32, of Gratton Road, Bucknall, is accused of Ms Eastwood's murder and appeared via videolink at Stafford Crown Court - the next hearing is scheduled for October.

In a statement released today, her family said she always wanted to be a midwife "from the age of 12" and released a photo of her after she graduated.

Tonight, people are being urged in Stoke-on-Trent and around the world to light a candle in memory of Ms Eastwood at 19:20., external

Worcester News

The Worcester News is covering these top stories today:

• Breeder strikes back after minks kill endangered birds, external
• Father speaks out about terrifying moment car clipped wife and narrowly missed daughter, external
• 'I did every single one and I loved it' says prolific burglar, external

Sixty firefighters continue to battle the blaze on The Roaches in Staffordshire.

BBC Sport

The New Saints manager has praised his squad despite the team being beaten 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie by Danish champions Midtjylland.

Image source, PA

Paul Onuachu opened the scoring for the visitors after nine minutes, and claimed his second of the evening 20 minutes later following a Jakob Poulsen corner.

The second leg takes place in Denmark on Thursday, 16 August