Motorcyclist killed in M54 crash namedpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 14 July 2018
Gordon Nutt, 68, from Wolverhampton died after a collision with a car on the motorway.
Read MoreMotorcyclist killed in M54 crash namedpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 14 July 2018
Thomas Telford statue gets 50th birthday cleanpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
Image source, Telford and Wrekin CouncilThe Thomas Telford monument in Telford Square was unveiled in 1990 but, since then, the weather's taken its toll.
The town council says work's under way to restore it; washing away the grime before a repaint in the original colours of black and grey.
Rain today but here's how the weekend's lookingpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Rebecca Wood
BBC Midlands TodayThe rain's finally arrived today for parts of the West Midlands after the long heatwave - here's how your weekend is looking:
Media caption, Rebecca Wood
If you want to get a latest forecast for your area at any other time, head to the BBC Weather website.
Shrewsbury sign Oldham's Amadi-Hollowaypublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
League One play-off finalists Shrewsbury Town sign striker Aaron Amadi-Hollloway from Oldham for an undisclosed fee.
Read More'They're not fools' - Brexit White Paper divides Tory MPspublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Allen Cook
BBC NewsThe former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson says he'll vote against Theresa May's Brexit plan unless it's changed, but he's fallen short of calling for her to go.
Media caption, Why Tory MPs are fighting over the government's Brexit white paper
The government has published its blueprint for UK relations with the EU and the White Paper is aimed at ensuring trade co-operation, with no hard border for Northern Ireland, and global trade deals for the UK.
But North Shropshire's Conservative MP Owen Paterson says he can't support it.
Quote MessageI'm very worried about the public reaction. Seventeen-point-four-million people voted in the referendum to leave, they were given the absolute categoric, final decision, that was made clear by Parliament. This paper, I'm afraid, is going to disappoint people and they're not fools."
Owen Paterson, Shropshire North Conservative MP
However, the Worcester MP and Brexit minister Robin Walker says he's backing the new strategy.
Quote MessageI've been speaking to businesses who have really welcomed the proposals because they can see that they allow them to continue with their business, doing business across the UK and exporting into the EU without having to worry about tariffs or blockages at the border."
Robin Walker, Worcester MP and Brexit minister
Teacher who raped pupil jailedpublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
James Husband told his victim before he raped her it was "OK" as he had had a vasectomy.
Read MoreMore Poundworld stores to closepublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Breaking
BBC Business NewsSix Poundworld stores in the West Midlands are among another 80 branches which will be closed, the company's administrators have said.
The latest announcement means that 105 of the company's 335 stores are now earmarked for closure, including the one in Crewe, Cheshire.
Image source, PAThe closures in this region include two in both Coventry and Shrewsbury and one in Burton upon Trent and Bloxwich, resulting in 85 job losses.
They're set to shut by 22 July.
Poundworld went into administration last month after failing to cope with rising costs, fewer shoppers and greater competition.
In the papers: Man in hospital after assaultpublished at 13:51 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
The top stories today on the Shropshire Star website include:
Man 'critical' after Telford attackpublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Faith Page
Reporter, BBC ShropshireA man is in a critical condition in hospital after being attacked.
He and two other men were taken for treatment after the assault happened late on Wednesday night in Wellsfield in Woodside, Telford, external, police said.
Image source, GoogleTwo are still in hospital, with one since discharged - only the 34-year-old is said to be in a stable but critical condition.
Officers say a 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
Rain brings no respite for fish in 'drying out' riverspublished at 13:08 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Despite rain and possibly thunderstorms being forecast today for the West Midlands, more fish are set to be rescued from a river that's still drying out., external
Image source, Environment AgencyParts of the upper River Teme in north Herefordshire completely dried out in the space of just a few days in the heatwave.
Hundreds of salmon, trout and lampreys have been rescued by the Environment Agency.
Today, the organisation says staff are back at the river and will also be checking the nearby River Redlake in Shropshire as it's also drying out., external
Distraught parents see baby via internetpublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Henry and Shane Curteis want their daughter to come to the UK after she was born abroad in April.
Read MoreParents threaten Build-A-Bear boycottpublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Families say they won't be returning to the shop after a cheap teddy offer caused eight-hour queues.
Read MoreCities and towns set for anti-Trump protestspublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Protesters are set to take to the streets of cities and towns across the West Midlands this afternoon to demonstrate against Donald Trump's visit to the UK.
Image source, AFP/Getty ImagesMr Trump is on a two-day working visit to the country and has said that Britons "like me a lot" and he feels "fine" about any protests.
In the West Midlands, protests are planned in locations such as Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent, Leamington, Bewdley, Shrewsbury and Malvern.
Thundery weather 'could cause flooding'published at 10:12 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
A weather warning for thunderstorms , externalcomes into effect across the West Midlands from 11:00 today.
Image source, Met OfficeHeavy showers and thunderstorms could could some localised flooding, said the Met Office.
Police are warning that road surfaces are likely to be slippery after the recent hot spell of weather.
RAF base celebrates 80th birthdaypublished at 09:12 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
RAF Cosford is celebrating its 80th anniversary this weekend.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Shropshire military base was officially opened in July 1938 and played a crucial role in the World War Two.
In the decades since, hundreds of thousands of RAF personnel have been trained there and deployed on missions across the world.
Video: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 07:05 British Summer Time 13 July 2018
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenterIt will be a mainly dry day with the risk of some showers, which could turn thundery, and highs of 24C (75F).
Media caption, Latest weather for the West Midlands
Government 'not happy' over forest holiday schemepublished at 18:51 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Andrew Hewkin
Newsreader, BBC ShropshireAn investigation is going to be carried out into links between the department responsible for England's forests and a holiday firm, the government has confirmed.
Forest Holidays was founded by the Forestry Commission in the 1970s, external with the aim of putting accommodation in forest locations.
Image source, GoogleThe Forestry Commission part-owns Forest Holidays,but insists it is an independent company and only a tiny percentage of its land is being leased by the holiday cabin firm. , external
Local Conservative MP Philip Dunne today raised concerns in the Commons over the existing arrangements between the pair and the government says it's investigating them.
Quote MessageWe are not happy about the arrangement the Forestry Commission entered into with Forest Holidays and that's why my right honourable friend has asked Colin Day to undertake a review, he's the non-executive director and also chair of the audit and risk committee and so he will be investigating this carefully."
Thérèse Coffey, Environment Minister
Build-A-Bear shops stuffed amid offer chaospublished at 18:31 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Queues of "about a mile long" formed at one shopping centre, prompting calls to police.
Read MoreA mix of rain and showers across the West Midlandspublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands TodayRain is spreading over from Wales, meaning some of us could see some showers over the coming days.
In other parts of the region there will be more sun.
Media caption, Weather forecast with Shefali Oza.
Health boss 'not very concerned' by current deficitpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 12 July 2018
A health organisation has revealed it's already £2.5m over its deficit target for this financial year.
Image source, PAShropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is aiming to end 2018-19 with a shortfall of £13.3m.
But the group's revealed this week that there's already an estimated overspend.
The CCG's accountable officer, Simon Freeman, said he "would normally expect variances at this point in the year" and was "not overly concerned at this stage".
However, auditor Mark Stocks warned that if the CCG was a corporate business it would “struggle” to finance its deficit.
Quote MessageIt gets harder every year with stretching financial targets and pressures, but our job is to understand and manage those."
Simon Freeman, Shropshire CCG accountable officer
