Updates from Monday 8 July to Sunday 14 July
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Vicky Norton
BBC Radio Stoke
A man has pleaded not guilty to the murder of an 18-year-old in Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, Family HandoutMegan Newton was discovered dead at property on Fletcher Road in April.
Joseph Trevor, from Trentham and also 18, denied a murder charge at Stafford Crown Court this morning.
He was told his next court appearance would be for directions in October.
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
Coventry City Council's deputy chief executive has welcomed news that firms are being lined up to take over the old BHS store in the city.
Planning documents uncovered by the BBC , externalindicate clothing store Matalan and discount firm B&M are being lined up to fill the large unit on the corner of Market Way, while the Coventry Building Society has confirmed its interest.
Quote MessageI think the thing that's been frustrating about British Home Stores it's always been in a great location. It's just that the way retail's going at the moment these huge shops probably aren't needed any more. People can be a bit snobby sometimes about uses, but actually I think they're great stores in a great location."
Martin Yardley, Coventry City Council deputy chief executive
Stoke-on-Trent Live
The Stoke-on-Trent Live website's headlines today include:
BBC WM Sport
Marc Roberts scored for Birmingham City in a 1-1 draw against the Portuguese second division side Cova da Piedade, part of Blues' pre-season tour of Portugal.
They lost a penalty shoot-out used at the end to help decide placings in their friendly tournament.
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia (pictured) scored for Ivory Coast in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final in Egypt last night, but it wasn't enough to see them into the last four.
They were knocked out on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Algeria.
Wolves' first opponents in the Europa League look more likely to be Crusaders from Northern Ireland, after they won the first leg of their tie against B36 of the Faroe Islands last night 2-0.
They'll play again in the Faroes next week, with the winners meeting Wolves for their first-leg game at Molineux on 25 July.
BBC News Travel
A road's shut in Shropshire this morning after a head-on crash., external
Image source, West Mercia PoliceWest Mercia Police said it happened just before 09:00 on the B4386 near Marton, south of Shrewsbury., external
One car appears to have been cut open by the fire service but there's no confirmation on whether anyone's been hurt.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Concerns have been raised about emergency care at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and the Care Quality Commission has issued a formal notice, calling for improvements.
CQC inspectors raised issues over the time taken for clinical assessment on arrival and protection of rights of patients detained under the Mental Health Act, among other things.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands chief executive, Tracy Bullock, said she was "disappointed that such action was required", but that the hospital was committed to working with the CQC and that action was already being taken.
BBC Business News
Wolverhampton Wanderers owners Fosun says it is in advanced talks with Thomas Cook to inject £750m into the travel company.
Fosun is already Thomas Cook's largest shareholder, and also owns the Club Med holiday business.
Image source, Getty ImagesFosun would end up with a controlling stake in Thomas Cook’s tour operator and a minority stake in its airline - which Thomas Cook had initially put up for sale.
Thomas Cook received a takeover approach from Fosun last month and Sky News had reported on Thursday that a deal was getting near.
A spokesperson for Fusun said it had a "proven track record of turning around iconic brands" including Wolves.
Some good news - the M5 has reopened northbound at Oldbury.
A warning that delays could remain for some time in the area after the lorry earlier shed its load of aluminium.
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Warwickshire's Chris Woakes has admitted reaching the World Cup final seemed a distant prospect only a few weeks ago following back-to-back defeats for England in the group stage.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe hosts booked their place in the Lord's showpiece against New Zealand this Sunday with an eight-wicket thrashing of Australia at Edgbaston, overhauling their 224 target with 107 balls to spare.
Woakes spoke to the media on Thursday, after taking three wickets for 20 runs against the defending champions.
Quote MessageWe've tried not to probably let our minds wander over the last few weeks about getting to a World Cup final because there's so many busy games and important games before that. But I think [from] where we've come from, from obviously losing those two in the middle of the tournament, to where we are now we're in a great place. And it probably hasn't quite sunk in that we're in a World Cup final to be honest."
Chris Woakes, England and Warwickshire all-rounder
BBC News Travel
There are still long delays on the M5 northbound after a lorry shed its load of aluminium across the carriageway between J2 for Oldbury and J1 for West Bromwich.
Congestion is backing up to J3.
Image source, Highways EnglandA road sweeper is working to clear the area, through the Oldbury Viaduct roadworks, but Highways England says it could take until 11:30 for normal conditions to return.
Diversions are in place.
Traffic is also very slow southbound from the M6 as vehicles slow to take a look at what's happening.
Here are some of the early headlines on the Express & Star website:
Inspectors have also raised questions about radiation levels at a trust in Dudley.
Read More
BBC Shropshire
The wife of a man who drowned in the River Severn in 2017 is helping to extend a campaign to try and prevent more river deaths.
Shane Walsh fell in the river in Shrewsbury after a night out drinking.
Widow of river victim highlights water safety awareness
Since then, his widow Kirsty has become an ambassador for West Mercia Search and Rescue team, approaching people in the town to warn them of the dangers of cold water.
We filmed the video above with Ms Walsh last year, approaching drinkers in Shrewsbury.
West Mercia Search and Rescue's Home and Dry campaign , externalwill today be extended to cover Worcester.
Both Worcester and Shrewsbury have seen a string of river deaths in recent years.
BBC Midlands Today
An unlikely place has become Birmingham's newest tourist destination, attracting bus-loads of visitors.
Travel companies are organising coach trips, from as far as Scotland, to Birmingham's Primark, the largest of the firm's stores anywhere in the world.
The £70m store opened in the old Pavilions shopping centre in October and spans over five floors.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Kerry Ashdown
A discount bus fare scheme for teenagers is going to be scrapped at the end of next month, despite calls for a council to rethink its decision.
Image source, GoogleIn 2011, Staffordshire County Council introduced the Your Staffordshire Card for 16-19-year-olds to get £1 bus fares.
At its peak, 35,000 teens had the card and made 2.4 million journeys each year, costing taxpayers £600,000.
But that's dropped to fewer than 9,000 cardholders and the council agreed last month to axe it to save money.
The decision was called-in by opposition councillors who said it would hit families on low incomes but a proposal to reconsider the move was defeated and it'll end on 31 August.
BBC Midlands Today
A hospital trust has been rated inadequate for its imaging department and for safety by the Care Quality Commission.
The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, which runs three hospitals including Russells Hall, said it was disappointed with the findings and has taken immediate action.
The CQC praised the trust for its patient care, rating it as outstanding.
Overall, inspectors found the trust 'requires improvement'.
BBC Midlands Today
There are fresh hopes funding will be secured to keep a children’s hospice open in Walsall.
Last month Acorns, which opened in Walsall in 1999, said due to a shortfall in cash it would close.
The charity has since been in talks with Walsall Council and the NHS, with an announcement due next week.
Emma Tucker, whose daughter Esme has a rare genetic condition, says it is a lifeline.
Quote MessageThere is so much support for it. People are working so hard. The save Acorns Walsall fundraisers in the community are just doing so much everywhere. People are just really going flat out to try and keep this place open and I desperately hope that it does.
Emma Tucker, Parent
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
Three firms are being lined up to occupy a former BHS story in Coventry, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire has learned.
The site on the corner of Market Way has been empty for three years since the department store was wound up.
But planning documents uncovered by the BBC, external indicate clothing store Matalan and discount firm B&M are being lined up to fill the large unit.
Matalan has not responded to the news, while B&M wouldn't confirm if it would be opening in the old BHS.
But the Coventry Building Society has said it is keen on creating a new flagship branch at the site, with it likely to happen by the end of 2020 if the parties reach an agreement.
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
There will be some patchy cloud with sunny spells in the morning. However, the cloud will soon break up allowing for plenty of sunshine through the day. Highs of 19C to 22C (66F to 72F).
Weather from the West Midlands
Andrew Dawkins
BBC News
Welcome to our live service for Friday.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.
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