BBC News Travel

A crash has closed one lane of the M6 northbound in Warwickshire.

BBC Sport

Wolves will discover their rivals in the group stage of the Europa League at 12:00 after beating Torino at Molineux last night.

Image source, Getty Images

In reaching the Europa League group stage, Wolves returned to European competition they played a significant role in inspiring more than 60 years ago.

You can read more about the story here.

People with hidden disabilities, such as dementia, are now able to access blue badge parking permits in England.

Image source, Getty Images

There are currently more than 260,000 blue badge holders in the West Midlands.

The scheme is being extended to include drivers and passengers with conditions such as autism or anxiety disorders - although eligibility will be decided by the local council.

Blue badge permits help disabled people to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination.

BBC Radio Stoke

Cracks in a road has shut off part of a residential road in Stoke-on-Trent.

The cracks appeared in Boatman Drive in Etruria, just a few feet away from houses.

The city council is investigating the collapse, said Staffordshire Police.

Demonstrations have taken place around the West Midlands over the decision to suspend Parliament next month.

On Wednesday, Boris Johnson asked the Queen to suspend Parliament for five weeks in September and October, saying he would outline his "very exciting agenda" in a Queen's Speech on 14 October.

Protesters gathered in Birmingham, Coventry and outside the offices of the Hereford MP Jesse Norman on Thursday.

BBC News Travel

A crash has closed the exit slip road from the M69 southbound to the M6 northbound in Warwickshire.

Birmingham Live

Some of the Birmingham Live headlines today include:

• ISIS fighter who 'beheaded more than 100 while claiming £10k benefits' is captured, external
• Giant new £25 million surfing lagoon and outdoor pool planned, external
• One of two men killed in horror crash with West Midlands Ambulance named, external

A landlocked wave park including a surf lagoon is being planned.

Image source, Emerge Surf

Developers behind the 15-acre site in Coleshill, near Birmingham have said the £25m facility could attract up to 250,000 visitors a year, creating 100 jobs.

Plans for Emerge Surf Birmingham include a 5.4 acre lagoon and outdoor heated swimming pool as well as a surf school, restaurant and gym.

Work on the project could start later this year, subject to planning approval, with the park opening in 2021, the company said.

A planning application has been lodged, the company said.

Express and Star

Some of the Express and Star headlines:

• Offer for Wolverhampton Beatties building accepted as sale draws nearer, external
• Clock ticking on Midland Metropolitan Hospital re-start, external
• £50m funding bid for crucial Black Country road schemes, external

BBC Sport

Dan Evans says he's "confident" he can make the fourth round of the US Open after beating Lucas Pouille in the second round in New York.

Image source, Getty Images

The Birmingham player said he has the belief he can push five-time US Open champion Roger Federer, who beat him at Wimbledon in 2016 and at the Australian Open earlier this year.

"I hope to enjoy the occasion and not just be part of the show," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I know Roger's game pretty well, but have to put to the side that I'm playing him. It's the third round of a major and I have the chance to reach the fourth round - I'm confident I can do it."

Wolves will discover their three rivals in the group stage of the Europa League later after overcoming Torino in a competitive play-off second leg at Molineux last night.

Image source, Getty Images

The Black Country side are in the main stage of a European competition for the first time since 1980 after coming through three rounds of qualifiers.

Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker scored as Wolves won 2-1 last night, to advance 5-3 on aggregate.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: "Work started two years ago and this is the next step. This is massive for us.

"It has been tough so far. The way the fans push us, they are the 12th man.

The club will discover their group opponents during Friday's draw at 12:00 in Monaco.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It will be a partly cloudy day with some bright spells and highs of 23C (73F).

Vanessa Pearce
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.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

Farmers are left to collect the discarded body parts of their sheep during a "spike" in illegal butchering.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

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

BBC Hereford and Worcester

Bat-friendly street lights have been installed at a nature reserve in Worcestershire.

The red LED lights have been placed on the A440 close to Warndon Wood, and two-thirds have already been switched on, with the remainder due to be turned on next month.

Image source, Getty Images

Worcestershire County Council says the new lights will help improve the safety of bats and other nocturnal wildlife, and the visability for drivers and pedestrians won't be affected.

Research shows that some species of bat are light shy and will not cross roads lit by white lights, which can stop them accessing food and water.

Shropshire Star

Here are three of the stories featuring in the Shropshire Star today:

• Protest to be held against suspension of Parliament, external
• Fight to save 'vital' car park has cost £45,000, external
• Couple marry at Shrewsbury hospital, external

A Rugeley man has been sentenced to 70 weeks in prison for running an unlicensed puppy farm.

Cannock Chase Council, which brought the prosecution, said it discovered the operation by chance while visiting a property on Power Station Road in Rugeley last July.

It said it found 27 dogs and two raccoons in varying states of distress, all of which have since been rehomed.

Image source, Cannock Chase Council

Kevin Bramwell, 62, from Leathermill Lane, admitted 11 charges - eight counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, one of running a breeding establishment without a licence, one of having a pet shop without a licence and another of falsely making representations.

Bramwell, who was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court earlier, was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Image source, Cannock Chase Council

A number of demonstrations have taken place around the West Midlands today, in protest against the prime minister's decision to suspend Parliament in September and October.

They included demos outside the offices of the Hereford MP Jesse Norman and this one outside the Coventry City Council offices.

A rap artist who was reportedly shot in the leg during a robbery at a Portugese villa has thanked fans for their support.

Birmingham-born performer Mist, whose real name is Rhys Thomas Sylvester, is thought to have been injured in the incident at Almancil, near Quinta do Lago, on Tuesday.

In a statement to Portuguese news outlet Publico, the Policia Judiciaria (PJ), which is leading the investigation, said: "The crime in question, which has yet to be clarified, was perpetrated by two English-speaking individuals with firearms."

The rapper posted his thanks to fans on Instagram, saying: "Received the maddest love in the last 2 days.

"Thank you everyone for having me in your prayers and sending your messages."