Updates from Monday 4 November to Sunday 10 November
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
There'll be showers tonight, mixed with some drier, clearer spells:
Alex Hamilton
You can stay up-to-date with the latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A group of special constables have been praised for their "outstanding courage" in helping rescue a teenager who was up to his chin in flood water.
Image source, Cheshire PoliceThe officers were first on the scene at Waterlode, Nantwich, on 26 October, Cheshire Police said, external.
They spotted the 15-year-old clinging to a tree in the River Weaver and waded in with ropes to reassure and calm him until fire crews arrived.
One of the special constables, Stefan Williams, said: " I could hear him shouting ‘help me, I don’t want to die'."
The men's boss said they helped to save a young life.
Quote Message“I have spoken to the Special Constabulary officers involved to convey to them, personally and on behalf of the constabulary, sincere gratitude for their outstanding courage and professionalism in helping to spare a family from the terrible loss of a child."
Special Supt Michael Mulqueen
Eleven-year-old Harley Jackson has been described as a 'beautiful boy'.
Read MorePlenty of photos of autumn leaves coming in today from our local BBC Weather Watchers.
These three are from Sarahlou86 in Stone, Staffordshire; Ken M in Lydbury North, Shropshire; and Mikesnapper in Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire:
Image source, Sarahlou86
Image source, Ken M
Image source, MikesnapperFrom the Express and Star:
BBC Sport
Bottom side Stoke City will start life after sacked manager Nathan Jones by hosting fourth-place West Bromwich Albion in the Championship this evening.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Potters parted ways with Welshman Jones on Friday just nine months after appointing him and following just six wins in 38 games.
Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy will take charge of the team tonight.
Stoke were firmly warned off by fellow Championship side Preston North End on Saturday night, following reported interest in the Lancashire club's manager Alex Neil, who was also a reported target for the Baggies in April.
Allen Cook
BBC News
An unusual visitor's turned up after the flooding in Shropshire and, as befits a bird, it's got people talking on Twitter., external
Image source, @Crescent_CakesThis black swan's been spotted at various points of the River Severn in Shrewsbury in the past week, with @Crescent_Cakes among those to get a glimpse at flood water at Quarry Park., external
The species, which originally came from Australia, is rarely seen in the wild in the UK, although the RSPB says sightings are becoming more common., external
Image source, @Crescent_Cakes
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Carl Jackson
Residents in Birmingham are facing a council tax rise of 3.99% in April even as the authority's receiving an extra £53m from the government.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe city council's drawn up its draft budget proposals, external for the next financial year which include almost £27m in cuts and the axing of 50 jobs.
Much of the savings were announced in previous years, but £5.5m is new and the council's going to publish more details about them during a public consultation period, starting on Monday.
The proposed tax rise would see an average Band D property's bill go up by £55 a year, with 2% of the increase ring-fenced for social care.
Giles Latcham
BBC Midlands Today
The Royal British Legion's Field of Remembrance has officially opened at the National Memorial Arboretum today.
The RBL says it's made up of about 10,000 individual tributes from members of the public, written on wooden crosses.
The display will be open to visitors until 17 November., external
Headlines from the Worcester News:
A man was taken to hospital with stab wounds after officers were called to reports of disorder in Birmingham on Sunday.
His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, police say.
Another man, also in his 20s, was punched in the face during the incident on Aston Lane at about 20:30, said West Midlands Police.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A man's suffered burns in a fire at a horse stables.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceFire crews were called to Newcastle Road, Willaston, near Crewe, Cheshire, on Sunday morning , externaland found one end of the building alight.
The fire service said no horses were in the stable at the time and a 30-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor burns to his leg.
It added the blaze was thought to have started accidentally.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceEvha Jannath, 11, died after falling from a ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park on a school trip in 2017.
Read More
Coventry Live
Some Coventry Live headlines today:
BBC Entertainment and Arts
Rap star Krept said he nearly lost his life after being attacked backstage at a BBC Radio 1Xtra gig in Birmingham.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe star, whose real name is Casyo Johnson, was left with slash wounds in the leg and neck.
"I got a report back saying if [the blade] was a millimetre deeper, it could have been fatal," he told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme.
"I'm just grateful to even be here. It could have been a lot worse," he added. "Thank God."
The star is one half of grime duo Krept & Konan. They had been due to perform at 1Xtra Live at the Birmingham Arena on 5 October; but the concert was called off after the violence.
A 17-year-old boy from the town has appeared before Warwickshire Magistrates.
Read MoreAllen Cook
BBC News
A road is still shut in Stoke-on-Trent as works continue to partially demolish a grade II listed former teapot factory.
Parts of the former Price and Kensington works in Longport were reduced to rubble after surveys showed they were at risk of collapsing.
The demolition came amid protests from campaigners who want the site protected and set up a picket line outside the building on Saturday.
But the city council said the site posed a risk to the public.
It's keeping Newcastle Street shut from the canal bridge to the Trubshaw Cross roundabout until tomorrow.
From the Shropshire Star:
Road transport has been arranged amid ongoing problems on the trains.
West Midlands Rail said signalling problems at Shrewsbury were affecting services passing through the station.
Bus services will be calling at all stations between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.
Tickets are set to be accepted on alternative rail services.
BBC News Travel
All change - again.
While one of two shut M6 southbound lanes has reopened, a third has been closed due to a broken-down vehicle. Drivers have been advised to take care in the area.
The good news, Highways England says, pertains to lane two between between Junction 16 for Barthomley in Cheshire and J15 for Hanchurch, Staffordshire.
Northbound lanes shut after an early-morning crash were reopened earlier.
