BBC Radio Stoke Sport

The decision to allow fans back to Crewe Alexandra games is being treated cautiously by the manager, David Artell.

He called it a "step in the right direction", but pointed out that the last attempt to bring fans back to stadiums "only lasted one game".

Image source, Getty Images

Because the Cheshire East area will have tier two restrictions when the lockdown ends on Wednesday, up to 2,000 supporters will be allowed into the ground to watch the game against Northampton.

Aaminah Amatullah is accused of sending Islamic State material to an undercover police officer.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of cocaine and cannabis in Shrewsbury which the police believe was intended for children and young people.

Officers found a "significant amount of drugs" in August, along with about £1,000 in cash.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply in the Porthill area yesterday.

Image source, West Mercia Police

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said the announcement Debenhams was set to close was a “very sad” blow to the town.

Image source, Google

Administrators have announced the process of winding up the company will begin after rescue talks with JD Sports collapsed – leaving 12,000 people’s jobs at risk.

Walsall town centre has already lost major names including Marks and Spencer and BHS.

Debenhams has had a presence in Walsall borough for more than 60 years.

Of its 126 stores nationwide, Debenhams has branches in Birmingham, Merry Hill and Walsall, as well as Lichfield, Telford and Coventry.

Coventry Live

Some of the Coventry Live headlines:

• Man left flatmate's body in property for six weeks after murdering him, external
• Final approval for plans to turn Loop Line into woodland walk and cycle route in Coventry, external
• Former care home in Coventry earmarked for new apartments, external

Coronavirus testing has begun for students at Harper Adams University in Shropshire ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The Newport site aims to have the tests completed by 9 December so students who test positive can self-isolate for two weeks before returning home.

Harper Adams is also considering carrying out testing when the students return in January.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

After playing in the last three games, Stoke City's young goalkeeper Joe Bursik is aiming to remain in the side for the rest of the season.

Bursik realises he will have to perform well to hold off Angus Gunn and Adam Davies when they return, but said: "I'm very ambitious I want to stay in the team."

Image source, Getty Images

The 20-year-old also has competition from the former Bristol City goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa, who was signed last week on a short-term deal.

BBC Weather Watchers

We were treated to a brightly-coloured sunrise this morning, with all sorts of pinks, blues and purples.

These photos were taken by BBC Weather Watchers in Cradeley Heath and Birmingham.

Image source, the_aura_surfer

Image source, Dammo

Aston Villa have been given a home tie against the Premier League champions Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.

Blues head to Manchester City, while Albion travel to League One side Blackpool.

Wolves have home advantage in an all-Premier League affair against Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace.

Shrewsbury town will travel to Southampton, Coventry will take on Norwich and Stoke City will host Leicester City.

Birmingham Live

Some of the Birmingham Live headlines today include:

• Mum survives five-day Covid coma after giving birth, external
• Mums and kids 'locked in school as blood-soaked man seen at gates', external
• Bullring issues warning to customers planning Christmas shopping in December, external

BBC Sport

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez said he hopes to "return to the pitch soon" in his first statement since fracturing his skull on Sunday.

Image source, Reuters

The Mexican has had surgery on the injury he suffered in a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz during Sunday's Premier League meeting.

Jimenez was given oxygen on the pitch at Emirates Stadium before being taken to hospital.

"Thanks for your support messages,"Jimenez, 29, tweeted., external

BBC Business News

JD Sports has pulled out of talks over a rescue deal for department store chain Debenhams.

Image source, PA Media

It was the last remaining bidder for the firm, which is in administration, and up until the end of last week had been closing in on a deal.

But retail giant Arcadia is the biggest concession operator in Debenhams and its collapse is understood to have been a factor in JD Sports' decision.

Without a buyer, Debenhams could be wound down, risking thousands of jobs across the West Midlands.

You can read more here.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has said Solihull’s Covid-19 restrictions could be eased in the first review of measures.

The borough has cause to be optimistic when the government revisits its three-tier system on 16 December, he said.

MPs and senior councillors expressed frustration at last Thursday’s announcement that Solihull would be moved into tier three – the strictest level of controls – alongside neighbouring Coventry and Warwickshire.

In the seven days to November 23 Public Health England figures show the area has a rate of 194 cases per 100,000 population.

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

After a clear and cold start clouds increase with the chance of some patchy rain later with highs 4C to (45°F).

Sixteen gym bikes have been stolen from a leisure centre in Worcestershire.

The incident took place at Droitwich Leisure Centre on Briar Mill shortly after 22:30 on Friday.

The bikes were all stolen from one of the studios, said West Mercia Police.

Officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed three men in a Luton box van in the area.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Tuesday.

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

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Live updates have now finished for the West Midlands.

We'll be back with you from 08:00 on Tuesday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

The latest figures from Public Health England show the number of new Covid-19 cases is continuing to fall right across the West Midlands.

Nationwide, researchers said infections fell by almost a third during the second national lockdown.

Stoke-on-Trent continues to have the highest infection rate in the region, but saw it fall to 353.4 per 100,000 people for the week up to 26 November, from 482.9 a week earlier.

Dudley and Sandwell also have rates in excess of 300 per 100,000 people.

All of the West Midlands, except for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire will enter tier three when lockdown ends on Wednesday.

BBC Midlands Today

Police in the West Midlands are receiving about 180 reports of Covid rule breaches every day.

The Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said the rules are becoming "more challenging" to enforce.

Most breaches are happening in homes but also in licensed and commercial premises, he said.

The Mayor of the West Midlands has appealed for greater support for the hospitality industry as the majority of the region prepares to enter tier three restrictions.

When lockdown lifts on Wednesday, hospitality businesses in Birmingham and the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry, Warwickshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, will only be able to offer a takeaway or delivery service.

In a letter to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Andy Street said the industry expected about 80% of pubs and bars to be put into a "perilous position" over the coming months.

Mr Street says larger and medium size businesses cannot survive on monthly grants capped at £3,000 and has asked Mr Sunak to increase the value of grant support.

He has also asked him to introduce more long-term measures, and consider additional support.

Mr Street has also called for more detail to be provided to businesses on how tier decisions are made.

"Now, as we enter its final months, we must request this further urgent action," he said.

"Your support now will ensure that these businesses and livelihoods are protected."