Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM

A UKIP leadership hopeful and West Midlands MEP is calling for hardline prison reform - and wants inmates to pay £40,000 a year for their stay.

Bill Etheridge is calling for a string of changes, although he admitted to BBC WM his proposal would only work if convicts had assets.

He has also admitted he has never been inside a jail.

Jails "would probably work for people like him," he said, despite comments last week that prisons should be about "punishment rather than rehabilitation".    

Rikki Clarke destroys Worcestershire by taking 5-26 as Warwickshire enjoy an easy One-Day Cup derby victory.

Part of a motorway is shut for more than nine hours after a crash involving two lorries.

Listen to live BBC Radio commentary as Derbyshire host Worcestershire in the T20 Blast

BBC Midlands Today

If you’re still feeling a little lost and confused about what Britain’s decision to Brexit means for you, you aren’t alone. 

A month on from the EU Referendum we’re calling in an expert to sort the facts from fiction, looking at what people said would happen and what actually happened and then make a best guess at what is likely to happen as we prepare to leave. 

We’ve also been interested in hearing from a range of voices from across the West Midlands to find out how Brexit has affected their daily lives – if at all. 

Today on the programme we meet the Sorge family - a French mum and German dad who weren't allowed to vote but were shocked by Brexit - and Sutton Coldfield window cleaner Roger Needle who wants to leave the EU.

We’d love to hear your thoughts too, so share them with us here on Facebook, external or Twitter, external and we’ll try to read as many as we can on the programme tonight.  

BBC Weather

What's the weather going to be like this weekend?

It'll be much like that we've experienced over the past few days - sunshine and showers.

A hospital trust launches an investigation after patients of two consultants were referred to a private clinic they ran.

Guard Ashton Khan re-signs for Worcester Wolves for the 2016-17 British Basketball League season.

If, like a lot of Midlanders, you're thinking about heading down to the South West, it might be worth checking out these top tips for motorway driving.

The big seasonal getaway is moving up a gear and today is one of the busiest days of the year for the motorway network. 

Nicola Beckford
BBC Midlands Today

It's a month since the UK voted to leave the European Union.   

Image source, AP

To mark that we're planning to follow more than 25 families, individuals and business owners over the next two years as the country grapples with the momentous decision.

This lunchtime we're going to introduce you to a few of the people we'll be following - join us from 13:30 on BBC One for Midlands Today.

Director of cricket Steve Rhodes says Worcestershire have not given up hope of making the T20 Blast quarter-finals.

The husband of the headmistress of a leading girls' boarding school is sentenced for harassing a married woman by trying to kiss and touch her.

Rob Mayor
Black Country Political Reporter, BBC WM

West Midlands MEP and UKIP leadership candidate Bill Etheridge says there should be a referendum on the death penalty and he would back its reintroduction.  

He said: “For my part I believe that the very worst crimes deserve the ultimate penalty and I propose that those who murder and rape children, those that commit sadistic acts of murder and torture and those that commit acts of murder through terrorism against our country or our people should be subject to the death penalty at the discretion of the presiding judge."

The MEP, who stood in 2012 as UKIP’s Police & Crime Commissioner candidate in the West Midlands Police force area, also said three strikes should mean "life behind bars for violent criminals".

The death penalty is opposed by the UK government, Amnesty International, the UN, the European Union and 16 US states.

Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Unemployment across the West Midlands has gone up, external.

Image source, Getty Images

In the March-to-May period, 165,000 people were out of work in the region - an increase of 13,000 on the previous quarter. 

In contrast, figures for the whole of the UK show a fall of 54,000 to 1.65 million.

Photographs chronicling the history of a Worcester school from the mid 1960s have been unearthed by the widow of a former teacher.

Andy Giddings
BBC Shropshire

The Deputy Chief Constable of West Mercia, Anthony Bangham, is in line to become Chief Constable.

He has been nominated by the Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion to succeed David Shaw and now needs the confirmation of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel.

Image source, West Mercia Police

The PCC said Mr Bangham was chosen "following a robust selection process" which saw him face questions from local councillors, police colleagues and others, including young people.

Left-arm spinner Ben Twohig becomes the second academy graduate in six days to sign a new contract at Worcestershire.

A weather warning for thunderstorms across the West Midlands, external is in force from 17:00.

The Met Office says while most places will miss the worst, it's warning of localised flash flooding, lightning, hail and strong winds.

Hannah Lupton
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport reporter

Burnley have made their first signing of the summer, with midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson joining on a three-year deal from Charlton.

West Midlands Ambulance Service has issued a warning to take care in the sun, external, with temperatures set to go above 30C today.