Redditch MP Karen Lumley will not contest next election
Hereford submits City of Culture bid
2015 voter turnout in Wyre Forest among worst in region
Call for return of hospital campaign banner on town hall
Updates on Friday 28 April 2017
Record-breaking Bromsgrove Sporting boss Paul Smith insists he doesn't want the season to end, external.
Image source, Bromsgrove advertiserA new bridge to replace a listed 18th Century crossing that collapsed into the River Teme is expected to open tomorrow.
Eastham Bridge, near Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire, fell down in May last year as a school bus was preparing to cross.
The council said fast moving water undermined its piers.
Worcestershire County Council says the scheme will be completely finished "later this summer", but the new bridge is complete enough to be opened to traffic, under temporary signal control.
Image source, Worcestershire County CouncilA campaign to honour three times British prime minister and Bewdley's greatest son, Stanley Baldwin, could finish on the highest political note at the official unveiling of his statue in his birth town, external.
Jerry Chester
BBC News Online
One of our regular contributors, Paul Wilde, is the master of the close-up wildlife shot.
Check out this selection taken in his garden in Redditch.
I'd love to feature your photos - you can email, tweet us on @bbchw, external or message via Facebook, external.
Birds in close-up.
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this lunchtime, we'll have news of a crackdown on car jackings which involved stun guns in part of the region.
There'll also be news of why it's a big week for Midlands' farmers and an inspiring photography idea.
All those stories and more, including your lunchtime weather, from 13:30 on BBC One.
Warriors Academy graduate Andy Short has been forced to hang up his boots due to a recurring hip injury, external.
The 26-year-old wing will be keeping busy though - he already has a First Class Honours degree in leadership and management, and is now studying for a Masters in building surveying.
Image source, Getty ImagesWarriors Education Officer Lynette Cutting said the club gives players "educational support" so they have "something to fall back on when their careers come to an end for whatever reason".
Quote MessageAs I hang up my boots, I will be leaving the game behind with a heavy heart but looking forward to whatever life brings me next. My time in the game has been a rollercoaster, with ultimate highs and painful lows, but I wouldn't change a thing."
Andy Short
The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidate for Worcester for June's snap general election.
Businessman Stephen Kearney is a co-founder of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament, and says he'll offer a message of optimism and hope.
If you see a yellow helicopter flying low over Worcester today, don't worry.
It's checking overhead electricity cables for Western Power Distribution, who to get photos of their helicopter in action.
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Dave Bradley
Cricket commentator
Worcester Warriors wing Andy Short has been forced to hang up his boots at the age of 26, due to a recurring hip injury.
Short, who rose through the Warriors' ranks, made his debut back in 2010 before moving to Bristol Rugby in 2013, where he spent two seasons before returning to Sixways.
Image source, Getty ImagesSimon the 90cm-long rabbit was being flown in the cargo hold from London to Chicago's O'Hare International.
Read MoreHundreds of tributes have been paid to a hugely popular teacher, external and "heart and soul" of Bromsgrove Prep School, who has sadly died at the age of 67.
Image source, Bromsgrove AdvertiserA Worcestershire model claims "something very strange has happened" after her giant rabbit died during a flight from London to Chicago.
According to justrabbits.com, external the continental giant rabbit can be traced back to the 16th Century.
They were imported into Britain and the USA in the late 19th Century to be bred for their meat.
Image source, BBC/Getty Images
Ged Scott
BBC Sport
Worcestershire begin a three-week break from County Championship tomorrow when they open this year's Royal London One-Day Cup campaign at home to Nottinghamshire.
The county made it to the quarter-finals last summer, before being hammered by Somerset at Taunton.
Image source, Getty ImagesWorcestershire have England all-rounder Moeen Ali (pictured) available for their first three matches before he heads off on international duty, while Australian John Hastings will make his one-day debut for the county.
But Notts also come with a team packed with international talent, including Stuart Broad and Aussie quickie James Pattinson.
Quote MessageWe've had three or four quarter-finals in the T20 Blast and 50-over competitions in recent seasons. Let's use that as a stepping stone to be really kicking on and challenging in these white-ball competitions."
Joe Leach, Worcestershire captain
An airline has started an inquiry after a giant rabbit belonging to a Worcestershire model died while on a transatlantic flight.
Lots of animals get transported on planes, but statistically there are very few deaths in transit.
Image source, BBC/ReutersIt's been a sunny, but chilly, start to the day and the BBC's Weather Watchers have been busy photographing spring blossom and trees.
Thanks to Valmy, J at Severn Ridge, Johnqa and Nimbus2c for the photos.
Blossom in the morning sun.
United Airlines is investigating the death of a giant rabbit which was being transported on one of its planes.
The Sun newspaper reported that Simon was the son of the world's largest rabbit - a 1.3m-long continental giant rabbit called Darius.
Simon is owned by model Annette Edwards, from Stoulton near Worcester.
She told the paper: "Simon had a vet's check-up three hours before the flight and was fit as a fiddle.
"Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. I've sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before."
Image source, ReutersIn a statement sent to the BBC, United said: "We were saddened to hear this news. The safety and well-being of all the animals that travel with us is of the utmost importance to United Airlines and our PetSafe team.
"We have been in contact with our customer and have offered assistance. We are reviewing this matter."
People who aren't carrying a bag to clear up after their dog in Malvern will soon face a fine, after the council agreed new powers last night.
A public consultation carried out by Malvern Hills District Council found more than 80% said they were in support of making failure to carry a poop bag an offence.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe public space protection order will also ban dogs from enclosed children's play areas.
The order comes into effect in June.
The Tour of Britain cycle race, external is to return to Hereforshire and Worcestershire this year, with the final stage starting in Worcester in September.
Stage 8, external will head from the city to Cardiff, going through places including Pershore, Malvern, Ledbury and Wormelow.
BBC Business News
United Airlines is investigating the death of a giant rabbit which was being transported on one of its planes.
The 90cm-long bunny (similar to the one in the photograph below), is called Simon - he's owned by model Annette Edwards, from Stoulton in Worcestershire, according to The Sun newspaper, external.
He was found dead in the cargo hold when the flight arrived at Chicago's O'Hare airport from London Heathrow.
Image source, Getty Images
James Pearson
Political reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester
Care providers in Worcestershire are calling on the county council to release millions of pounds of extra funding for adult social care.
More than £20m is coming to the local authority over the next three years, as part of a rescue package for social care announced in this year's budget.
Image source, Science Photo LibraryProviders have told me that over the next 12 months the county council is offering either small rises, or none at all, in what it pays them to look after residents.
Worcestershire County Council says no decisions have been finalised on the spending of the additional money.
