Last night, former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering an unarmed black man, George Floyd, in Minneapolis.

Waiting for the verdict in Birmingham, was journalist and lecturer at Birmingham City University, Marverine Duffy.

Image source, Getty Images

"My heart was pounding, I was in turmoil," she said.

"I am a black woman, a black British woman of Jamaican parentage, and to see black people dying... it strikes at your very heart."

Birmingham was the scene for a number of Black Lives Matter protests, sparked by Mr Floyd's murder, and Ms Duffy said: "The fight still continues.

"I hope this is not just a moment, I hope it's a catalyst for everyone to look at themselves."

The verdict "doesn't mean this is the end of Black Lives Matter," she said. "It doesn't mean racism is fixed."

Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today

The changes today are fairly obvious - it's cloudier, damper and also cooler.

Expect a little bit of rain but a lot of cloud throughout the afternoon, with temperatures around 12-13 C.

But never fear - there's more sun on the way tomorrow to look forward to.

BBC Midlands Today

A Worcestershire father who spent 70 days in intensive care with Covid-19 says he feels like he's been given a "second chance at life".

Forty-three-year-old James Stevenson, from Kidderminster, was in hospital for 100 days after getting the virus in December.

At one point his condition got so bad doctors told his partner Kate to come in and "say goodbye".

Image source, Family handout

Mr Stevenson is urging people under 50 to get vaccinated.

"I was having a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that I wasn't going to get home, so I'm over the moon," he said.

"Just thankful that I am here, I've got a second chance at life."

A lorry has overturned on the M6, closing a section of the road northbound, between junctions 15 and 16.

The lorry was transporting 35 tonnes of cargo which needs to be removed before it can be righted and recovered, Highways England said.

Overnight roadworks between junctions 14 and 15 were also over-running, but those northbound lanes are now open

Image source, Highways West Midlands

Riyah Collins
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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

Two solicitors face disciplinary hearings over conveyancing work on the property scheme.

River, Beau and Leo were born 10 weeks early at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

A man says £120,000 for his four-bed semi is not enough to buy a similar property in Birmingham.

Relegation-threatened Aston Villa move off the bottom of the Women's Super League after a goalless draw at fellow strugglers West Ham.

Davinder Prasad, 70, is self-isolating in Coventry after returning from Delhi six days ago.

A judge accused Tesco of playing "Russian Roulette" with customer safety by selling out-of-date food.

That's the end of our live service for Tuesday.

We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 with the latest news, sport, weather and travel from the West Midlands.

Until then, keep an eye on this page for breaking news and updates.

It's another beautiful day in the West Midlands - we've had a hard time choosing our favourite pictures today.

Image source, videoman/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, JemmaMarianne/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, Shaun/ BBC Weather Watchers

Image source, willow 54/ BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to all of our contributors for their stunning photographs.

If you'd like to get involved or see more from our Weather Watchers, you can do so here.

An historic Omega watch sold for £15,312 when it went under the hammer in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter on Monday.

Made in the 1960s, it was issued to people serving in the British Army and Navy. The original owner remains a mystery.

Image source, Fellows Auctioneers

Auctioneers believe the watches were made in very small numbers and were intended for the military until approximately 1970.

"Military watches such as this are always very special because they could have been worn in any kind of environment," Michael Jagiela, a senior watch specialist at Fellows Auctioneers, said.

"Although certain elements of the watch have been replaced, the movement is still functioning and it’s a brilliant timepiece which was issued to the British Army in the 1960s."

A fire at a derelict building in Coventry may have been started deliberately, West Midlands Fire Service has said.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

The blaze broke out at the derelict pub on Fynford Road earlier this afternoon, affecting the ground and first floors.

Investigators said it had now been fully extinguished but there was evidence of multiple seats of the blaze, indicating arson.

West Midlands Fire Service said a full search will be carried out and officers will remain at the scene for some time.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

Birmingham City Council has announced plans to sell one of its office buildings as it moves towards more "flexible working".

Image source, Google

The Lancaster Circus building is one of the authority's largest, providing office space for up to 2,000 workers.

Since 1986 it has been home to architecture, engineering, building, finance, environmental and consumer services departments.

Described as a "key redevelopment opportunity’", it's thought the building could sell for millions of pounds and likely be demolished to make way for student flats.

The council expects to save at least £1.4m initially, with a target to have 80-85% of staff working in an "agile, flexible manner" going forward.

A police dog who was slashed more than 20 times with a machete has won a bravery award alongside his handler.

Image source, West Midlands Police

PD Stark was attacked by a teenager in Handsworth, Birmingham, while officers responded to reports of a break-in at allotments on 14 November.

Alongside PC Paul Hopley, the German Shepherd was awarded ‘Dog Action of the Year’ for their outstanding bravery by West Midlands Police.

The force said Stark was "lucky not to lose his eye" and had made a "remarkable recovery".

Ch Supt Lee Wharmby said it was an "honour" to present the award and the force was "extremely proud" of Stark and PC Hopley.

The children's TV legend says she's "thrilled" her youth will be retold in an "uplifting" stage show.

A group of up to 15 men are being sought by police after allegedly threatening children in a park and stealing their bikes.

Image source, West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police said five teenagers were robbed at knifepoint while sitting in Sheldon Country Park on the Coventry Road in Birmingham at about 16:30 on Thursday.

One of the men allegedly held a combat-style knife to a victim's stomach and demanded their possessions.

Five bikes and an iPhone were stolen in the incident, police said.

Although no one was hurt, the force said the teenagers were "clearly shaken" and was appealing for witnesses.

People in the West Midlands will head to the polls on 6 May to elect a regional mayor.