Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

Stoke City has paid tribute to Russ Powell, a Staffordshire football coach who has died after being diagnosed with cancer.

The 38-year-old wanted to use his final months to promote enjoyment and fair play for children in sport.

He came up with a list - dubbed Russ's Rules - to remind children to enjoy sport, without the fear of being shouted at.

Mr Powell, from Sandyford, near Kidsgrove, was a life-long Potters fan and the club tweeted this afternoon, external to say it's "incredibly sad news" and that he was a "real inspiration".

Allen Cook
BBC News

Channel 4's decision to pick Leeds over Birmingham for its new national HQ is a "huge blow" for the city, an MP says.

Image source, Channel 4

The broadcaster thanked Birmingham for the effort and passion it put into its bid but said the Yorkshire city put forward a "comprehensive, compelling and ambitious strategy, external".

Birmingham Hodge Hill Labour MP Liam Byrne tweeted that , externalit was a "big, missed opportunity" for Channel 4 and called for the West Midlands' mayor Andy Street to explain what went wrong.

While Labour MP for Selly Oak,Steve McCabe tweeted that the city had missed out again and was being, external "ignored by our broadcasters".

Kesewaa Browne
BBC News

Former West Bromwich Albion winger Laurie Cunningham made Les Ferdinand believe he could be a footballer, he said today.

As Black History Month draws to a close, BBC News has been looking at four lesser-known historical figures who helped shape multicultural Britain.

Image source, Getty Images

Cunningham joined the Baggies in 1977 from Leyton Orient and then became one of the first black players to represent England at any level, scoring on his debut for the under-21s, against Scotland.

He made his full international debut in 1979 and also that year became the first British player to transfer to Real Madrid.

Former QPR, Newcastle and Spurs player Ferdinand says Cunningham, who died in a car crash in 1989, helped "pave the way" for black footballers although he adds that there are barriers off the playing field "we still need to break down".

Allen Cook
BBC News

"A huge disappointment" - that's been the official reaction in Birmingham to news that Leeds has been picked by Channel 4 to be its new national headquarters.

The Yorkshire city was chosen above Birmingham and Greater Manchester, which were also on the shortlist.

While being disappointed, West Midlands mayor Andy Street's said the work that went into their bid "has not been wasted" and promised future developments to improve creative industries in the city.

The leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward called the news a "major disappointment", adding that the city would have been an "ideal location" for Channel 4.

Birmingham has also not been chosen to be one of the broadcaster's creative hubs.

Police are looking for a van which they say may have damage on its nearside.

Royal Mail is opening a temporary parcel centre at Atherstone in Warwickshire next month, to help it deal with Christmas deliveries.

It's one of six opening around the country and 2,700 temporary seasonal workers will be employed to run them.

Image source, Getty Images

Royal Mail handled almost 150 million parcels last Christmas.

The 1974 pub bombings in Birmingham city centre left 21 people dead and another 182 injured.

Coventry Live

Here are three of the top stories featuring on the Coventry Live website today:

• Police called to brawl at house discover cannabis factory, external
• Woman taken to hospital after ring road crash, external
• Coventry flag competition launched, external

James Bond
Sports Producer, BBC Shropshire

John Askey says he needs to find the answer to Shrewsbury Town's poor away form.

They're yet to win on their travels and have only picked up three points out of 24 away from the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

They're away again on Saturday, at Wimbledon.

A girl, 12, is attacked by a husky or German shepherd-type dog while walking home in Wolverhampton.

Facebook

The latest images, showing how Shrewsbury might look in the future, have been prompting plenty of discussion on the BBC Radio Shropshire Facebook page., external

One of the aims is to make it more environmentally-friendly and Lynda Thornton wrote: "I'd like to see more pedestrianisation which will also make the air cleaner, and better edge of town parking."

Image source, Shrewsbury Big Town Plan

Others were less enthusiastic though and Hazel Jump wrote: "that platform by the Sabrina boat (pictured above) is idiotic. It would get flooded for half the year, so would be covered in algae in no time."

And Roger Grafton wonders when we might see these plans become reality, writing, "In a lot of cities this would be a admirable plan for 2028. Shrewsbury Council are probably looking at 2128."

Archie Skidmore's father had a "sixth sense" something was wrong on the family holiday in Portugal.

Worcester News

Here are three of the headlines from the Worcester News today:

• Police car was involved in A38 crash, external
• Anger as radiographer given award despite scandal, external
• MP says Muslim sacrifices in First World War should be taught in schools, external

The County Championship will see three teams promoted and one relegated next year to create a 10-team top tier from 2020.

BBC Business News

A meat retailer has gone into administration putting up to 600 jobs at risk.

Crawshaw has more than 50 stores across the Midlands and North of England, including a factory outlet in West Bromwich (pictured).

Image source, Google

The company said it did not have "sufficient cash resources" to carry out a restructuring after it failed to raise funds from investors.

Earlier this month, the retailer said it was attempting to raise equity to restore growth and profitability.

A new search is being carried out in connection with the estate agent's 1986 disappearance.

Allen Cook
BBC News

A fresh appeal's been made for more information into the death of man who was found unconscious on a street., external

Image source, West Midlands Police

Daniel Pelechacz died in hospital two days after he was found in Temple Street, West Bromwich, on 30 September.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail.

Police are are trying to track down more witnesses from the Klimat bar on Temple Street.

Walsall re-sign free agent defender Ben Purkiss on non-contract terms while he continues his rehabilitation from injury.

Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC WM

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has said that he doesn't need to ask council tax payers for extra cash, because of the investment he's secured from central government.

As we told you earlier, he's ruled out an extra precept until at least May 2020., external

Image source, Getty Images

But in reality it seems that for the second year running, any attempt to do so would have been blocked by Labour leaders on the West Midlands Combined Authority, one of whom described the idea as "unpalatable".

I'm told that resistance to a mayoral precept isn't as strong as it used to be but in politics it's often wise not to ask for something you are not 100% sure you can get.

Suzy Lamplugh, 25, disappeared in July 1986 and was declared dead, presumed murdered, in 1994.