Another loan for Birmingham Airport
Woman critically injured in taxi crash
Man charged with murder after woman's body found in river
Fire on 14th floor of tower block
Updates from Friday 12 February
Andy Giddings
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 , externaland Facebook., external
Beavers are returning to areas like Derbyshire after being hunted to extinction in the 16th Century.
Read MoreTamba Momodu, who was shot dead in October, was cleared of murder as a teenager, say police.
Read MoreRachel Johnston would probably have survived if care staff had reacted quicker, an inquest hears.
Read MoreNew Birmingham City boss Aitor Karanka makes a winning Championship start to his reign with victory over Brentford.
Read MoreScott Sinclair scores the winner as Preston boost their play-off hopes with a narrow victory over Birmingham City.
Read MoreThe 15-year-old was shot and stabbed in the attack in Birmingham last month.
Read MoreAndy Giddings
BBC News
We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow.
Everyone in the borough legitimately out during lockdown is being urged to get tested weekly.
Read More
BBC CWR
People in Coventry who have been waiting since Christmas to have their recycling bins emptied have been told the council will "throw everything" at the problem.
The head of waste at Coventry City Council, Sarah Elliott said snow and ice had caused bin collectors to miss a whole day's work.
And with 30 rounds every day, it had taken a big effort to catch up.
People waiting to have their brown bins emptied have been asked to put them out with their green bins (general waste) next week.
And Ms Elliott said she accepted "it's absolutely not ideal and absolutely not something we'd want to be carrying on any further."
More than two million doses of coronavirus vaccine have now been administered in the Midlands area.
Figures covering the period between 8 December and 7 February show that included 2,036,609 first doses and 70,639 second doses.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe majority of the vaccinations given out in the Midlands so far have gone to people over the age of 70, but 731,353 people under the age of 70 have had their first jab now.
A total of 10,992,933 doses of one of the vaccines were given out across England in that period.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
The Stoke City captain Ryan Shawcross has been encouraged to make a move to the United States, by the club's former midfielder James O'Connor.
O'Connor is coaching with Louisville City in the US and said Shawcross has had "a phenomenal career", but would be impressed with the pace of the American game.
Image source, Getty ImagesShawcross has been with the club for 14 years but is being linked with a move to MLS side Inter Miami.
O'Connor said it would be a "fresh challenge and a wonderful opportunity".
Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The South African variant of coronavirus has been found in Stafford.
It is one case, and the person, who tested positive last month has no links to international travel.
Staffordshire County Council said it was taking the precautionary measure of asking everyone in the Stafford borough area to get a test in the next four weeks.
The local authority says positive cases will be screened for the variant.
Here are three stories from the Shropshire Star today:
Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Staffordshire County Council has approved a council tax increase of 4.99%.
The local authority said it meant people who live in Band D properties will see a rise of £1.24 a week in the coming financial year.
Conservative leader Councillor Alan White says the increase is needed to pay for the growing cost of social care.
He said: “We need central Government to take the lead in finding sustainable long-term solutions.”
Councillor Charlotte Atkins, Labour group leader described the rise as "shameful".
In setting the budget for 2021-22 Staffordshire County Council says it has a shortfall of £33m.
Darren Constantine denied murdering Julie Webb at her Birmingham home in 2019.
Read MoreA 33-year-old man has been charged with murdering Hassan Ghafar.
Read MoreA council leader says about 100 got the jab on Tuesday, despite a site having capacity for 1,500.
Read MoreZephaniah McLeod has denied murdering Jacob Billington but admits his manslaughter.
Read MoreThe next phase of the HS2 high-speed rail line through Staffordshire and Cheshire has been given approval by MPs this lunchtime.
Known as Phase 2a, the 30-mile stretch will take the line from the West Midlands to Crewe and should be complete some time between 2035 and 2040.
Work on the first phase, between London and Birmingham, is already under way and should be complete between 2028 and 2031.
Image source, Siemens/PAThe government has promised to plant 78 hectares of woodland as part of this next phase as part of efforts to compensate for the 9.8 hectares of ancient woodland that will be lost.
Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Crewe & Nantwich said: “It is crucial to bringing new jobs and opportunities to our town and for creating better local rail connections as we free up the currently overly congested line West Coast Main Line."
