Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM

The West Midlands combined authority has launched its economic strategy this morning despite a last minute objection to its formation. 

John Spellar, the Labour MP for Warley, had questioned in Parliament the way it's being formed. 

The government said that for the West Midlands to have a combined authority it must have a mayor in charge of it, but Mr Spellar has concerns it's not what the people of the West Midlands want.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

A cloudy and dry afternoon for most, but some showers may develop, feeling humid with top temperatures of 20C (68F).

Police launch a murder inquiry after a man was found with fatal knife wounds in Coventry.

Mary Rhodes
Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

I'll be presenting the region’s main EU debate programme this Sunday at 22:35 on BBC One. 

It will feature a panel of top guests arguing the case to leave and remain with questions coming from a studio audience. 

Ahead of that big showdown we’ll be hearing from Saqib Bhatti (Vote Leave) and Sir Peter Rigby (Britain Stronger In Europe) as they put the rival cases to Sunday Politics Midlands viewers.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC Local Live

These are some of our headlining stories today:

- Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Coventry church yard

- Councils send EU referendum polling cards to citizens not allowed to vote

- One-match ban for Sky Blues' Chris Stokes over homophobic tweet

Sky Blues defender Chris Stokes has been banned for one match and fined £1,000 after posting a homophobic term on social media. 

The 25-year-old admitted breaching FA rules after tweeting the slur during coverage of the Chelsea v Tottenham clash in the Premier League last month. 

He's also been ordered to attend an FA education course and has been warned about his future conduct.

Image source, Coventry City Football Club

The last will and testament of William Shakespeare will soon be on show in Stratford-upon-Avon for the first time since it was written 400 years ago. 

Image source, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

Cared for by The National Archives, the will is being loaned to The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust as part of an exhibition marking the 400th anniversary of his death. 

The will is signed by Shakespeare and shows that he died a wealthy man.

You'll be able to see the exhibition from 16 July to 4 August.

Atherstone & Coleshill Herald

Police in Atherstone have released a CCTV image as they continue to trace victims of a £20 scam, external that has been operating in the town.

Image source, Atherstone & Coleshill Herald

Police say they've already spoken to several people who "reported hearing shouting" moments before a 999 call was made last night.

Det Insp Shaun Egan, from West Midlands Police, said: "Holyhead Road is one of the busiest in Coventry and I'm sure there are potentially many witnesses who may have seen the incident or the moments before or immediately afterwards". 

Vanessa Pearce
BBC Local Live

These are the main stories in the Coventry newsroom today:

- Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Coventry

- Woodlands Academy in Coventry to close early due to teacher shortages

- First official day of the West Midlands Combined Authority

This is the scene of the murder investigation on Holyhead Road in Coventry this morning.

Police believe there are potentially many witnesses who saw something related to the fatal stabbing around 22:10 last night.

BBC Travel

Queuing traffic on A5 in Shawell at the A426 Rugby Road junction because of an earlier broken-down vehicle.

All lanes have been re-opened.

Congestion on A426 to Rugby to the A4303 Coventry Road junction and on A426 southbound to the Main Street junction.

More details on BBC Travel. 

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

A largely cloudy and dry day for many with the odd brighter spell at times.

A few showers will develop during the afternoon and it will stay rather humid with top temperatures of 21C (70F). 

Several addresses and the Unitarian Church car park have been sealed off for a full forensic search as police begin a murder inquiry in Coventry.

"Some kind of altercation" took place at the church's car park last night, said police, which led to a man being stabbed to death.

They say they were called to Holyhead Road, near the junction with Northemberland Road, around  22:10.

A man has been stabbed to death, external in Coventry city centre.

Detectives say he was stabbed in the car park of the Unitarian Church on Holyhead Road.

He managed to stagger back to a house near Northumberland Road and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vanessa Pearce
BBC Local Live

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates between now and 18:00.

You can get in touch with us via email or tweet us - @BBCCovWarks, external.