A man is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed in the back in Wolverhampton.

Women's Super League side Birmingham City announce the signing of goalkeeper Alex Brooks from Sheffield United.

The AA said the four deaths in four days could reflect a rise in the use of vehicles in crime.

Louise Porton, 22, is accused of killing 16-month-old Scarlett and Lexi, three, who died a year ago.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on Monday.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new private medical centre capable of carrying out minor operations in Stafford has been given planning permission by the borough council.

It will operate on a 1.7-acre site on the north side of Beaconside Business Park, off Weston Road and close to the town’s existing hospital.

Image source, WW Medical Facilities Ltd

The application to build the centre had been opposed by Royal Stoke University Hospital, which said it could result in local NHS services becoming underused.

The centre is expected to create about 50 highly-skilled jobs.

Hereford Times

From the Hereford Times today:

• Snow predicted to fall in Hereford next week, external
• Family pays tribute to Hereford doctor, external
• Temporary lights cause long delays, external

Hereford United has spoken out against what it calls the "unacceptable level of personal abuse" after the game at Guiseley and has warned that if there is further trouble, the FA might impose sanctions.

The club said opinion directed at the team and management had crossed the line.

Image source, Getty Images

The club said it would contact those involved in the incident near the players tunnel to discuss their conduct.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Stoke City's assistant manager, Paul Hart, has challenged the players to repeat the performance that saw them beat Leeds United last weekend.

He called it a "proper high energy, disciplined performance" and said it was a "great credit to every single player that turned out".

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke are at home to Preston North End tomorrow.

He admitted 13 offences, including inciting children to perform sex acts and making secret recordings.

A man suffered a serious injury to his leg after being attacked by a gang, some of them carrying blades.

Image source, Google

The victim was attacked at the junction of Forfield Place and Radford Road in Leamington Spa during the early hours.

Officers said they believe a group of six to eight men were involved in the attack.

The 28-year-old man was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries.

The University of Birmingham says a partnership with Ireland allows 'student mobility'.

Talks with union leaders are continuing at conciliation service ACAS as industrial action over the bin dispute in Birmingham nears the end of its fourth week.

Around 300 Unite the Union workers have been working to rule since December 29, over a payment given to GMB members, who did not strike in 2017.

The council said if the industrial action continues they may have to bring in fortnightly collections.

Earlier this week Unite said talks at ACAS were "encouraging", but that no resolution had been achieved.

This bald hedgehog has been undergoing a full examination by a vet, under anesthetic, after being found in a Telford garden with his spines missing.

And Cuan Wildlife Centre at Much Wenlock, which is caring for him, said the vet had agreed that the best thing for him was daily stress-relief massages with creams and a weekly bath to try and treat his skin and encourage his spines to grow back.

Image source, Cuan Wildlife Rescue

Image source, Cuan Wildlife Rescue

The centre has named the hedgehog Bear and say he probably lost the spines through the stress of a serious ear mite infection.

The examination also revealed he had suffered from poor nutrition, was small for his age and had probably been stuck somewhere for a while.

Kevin Reide
Reporter, Midlands Today

One of Coventry’s most famous exports will be in the spotlight at a major new exhibition in the city.

The Coventry Transport Museum exhibition chronicles the history of the taxi, which has been continuously manufactured in the city since the 1940s.

Taxi: The Story from A to B will open on January 26 and run until May 12.

You can see my full report on BBC Midlands Today at 18:30 on BBC One.

CCTV footage has been released of a Coventry man fighting with his friend , externala short time before stabbing him to death.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Daniel Kennell, 27, suffered a stab wound to his heart in an altercation in St Austell Road, Walsgrave, Coventry in July, and died in hospital.

Ryan Preston, 27, will serve a minimum of 22 years after being convicted of the murder on Thursday.

Image source, Family Handout

The pair were captured on CCTV fighting each other in a Caludon Castle Park, on the same day as the stabbing.

The jury heard that the pair had a tumultuous friendship over the years however the reason for the fatal attack may never be known, said West Midlands Police.

"This case outlines all too clearly the terrible consequences of carrying a knife", a spokesman said.

Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands Today

It should be a largely dry night with the odd patch of rain and highs of 9C (49F).

Coventry Observer

Some of the Coventry Observer headlines today are:

• Murderer Ryan Preston jailed for life with 22-year minimum term, external
• Solihull Council seeks £900k from government for pollution-busting plan, external
• Appeal to find 'callous' person who threw poorly dog from car, external

BBC Sport

Telford Tigers head coach Tom Watkins has described his opposite number at Whitley Warriors as "one of the most talented British players to have played the game over here".

He also praised Warriors player-coach David Longstaff for making their opponents on Sunday well organised and given them a "solid work ethic".

Tigers travel to play Sutton Sting tomorrow, in the weekend's other game.

Image source, Steve Brodie

Coventry Blaze play two of the teams just ahead of them in the race for a playoff spot - Guildford Flames away and Dundee Stars at home.

Solhull Barons are hoping for their first league win since 2 December, when they travel to bottom-side Nottingham Lions on Sunday.

Hundreds of cannabis plants with an estimated street value of tens of thousands of pounds have been found at a "major" factory in Birmingham.

Image source, West Midlands Police

The plants were found growing on the 13th floor of an empty tower block in Bromford Drive, police said,, external with equipment also found on the 14th and 15th floors.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Secure doors had been fitted, and electricity and water had been diverted to help the growing operation at Warstone Tower.

Five men were arrested at the scene on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and remain in police custody.