Katie Galbraith
Local Live, BBC Sheffield

A project to help increase the number of young people from a wider range of backgrounds across South Yorkshire go to university has been given £13m. 

The programme is part of the government's commitment to double the participation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in higher education by 2020. 

They also want to increase the number of black and ethnic minority students by 20%.

Katie Galbraith
Local Live, BBC Sheffield

A community project in Grimethorpe has added a couple of unusual items to its Christmas list this year - and they're asking for people's help to fund them...

Image source, Milefield Community Farm

The alpacas would be the newest addition to the Milefield Community Farm Project, which was set up earlier this year by Milefield Primary School, Volunteer it Yourself, Voluntary Action Barnsley, local businesses and the North East Area Council. 

BBC News England

Image source, PA

A student who was accused of carrying a folded knife near Buckingham Palace has had the case against him discontinued.

Hang Zhang, 25, was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place after being found at the main gate of the royal grounds on 12 August.

The Chinese national, of Hawley Street, Sheffield, was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

BBC News England

England's chief medical officer has called on people aged between 50 and 70 to keep working to stay healthy.

In a report, external on the health of the so-called baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, Prof Dame Sally Davies said the physical and mental health benefits of being employed or volunteering "should not be underestimated".

She said working helps people feel fulfilled and less isolated.

A third of British workers will be over 50 by 2020.

Image source, Thinkstock

Jenny Cork
BBC Sheffield news

Barnsley Council are concerned about fly-tipping in the borough.

They say there's a major problem with people dumping after they've been paid to dispose of the rubbish properly:  

Mick Lunney
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

A call for kippers to be put back on the menu of trains travelling along the East Coast Main Line is to be looked at by ministers. 

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate came up with the culinary demand to laughter at Question Time. 

The non-affiliated peer said that when he first came to the Lords 17 years ago the East Coast rail franchise was held by GNER.

"I remember regularly dining on Craster kippers from Northumbria," he told Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon. 

"Could you use your undoubted influence to bring that menu back?"

Lord Ahmad said: "I'll certainly take that back and suggest to the rail minister that he puts it on his list to do." 

Jenny Cork
BBC Sheffield news

• Doncaster man charged with child sex offences

• Sports Direct chairman lambasts critics as profits fall

• Illegal taxis: 'You're dicing with your own safety'

Image source, Facebook

Yorkshire Post

The Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan, has written a poem to celebrate the special bond between Yorkshire people and the county’s historic waterways, external and reflecting on the role that local communities have played in improving them for people and wildlife.

Image source, Yorkshire Post

BBC Radio Sheffield

Streets Ahead are warning motorists in the Hillsborough area:

Paul Hudson
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

But it's not all bad news - there will be brighter spells too! 

Maximum temperature 13C (55F).  

Sheffield Star

A tram has broken down in Sheffield city centreRead more here, external.

Image source, Sheffield Star

Gina Bolton
BBC Radio Sheffield

A man from Doncaster has appeared before the town's magistrates charged with a string of child sex offences. 

Jason Armstrong, 51, from Moorends, who is charged with 19 offences, was remanded in custody to appear at Sheffield Crown Court next month. 

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2016.

Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell has lambasted critics of the sportswear firm, saying an "extreme political, union and media campaign" has damaged its reputation.

The company, which has its headquarters in Shirebrook, North Derbyshire, also reported a big drop in half-year profits, which it blamed partly on the fall in the pound.

The retailer, which has been criticised over working conditions, said reported pre-tax profits, external fell 25% to £140.2m.

Oli Constable

I've been to IceSheffield this morning to see the final preparations for when the Lord Mayor and her husband, Cllr Terry Fox, take to the ice over the weekend.

They're tackling Torvill and Dean's 1984 Olympic-winning figure skating routine in a 'Yorkshire' fashion during the performance of Hollywood on Ice.

Have a look at the video below and see how they're coming along, all for charity of course., external They've never skated in front of a crowd like this before, so it's pretty brave.

Spoiler: they're actually pretty good.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

A police watchdog has revealed that more than 300 officers or civilian staff have been accused of using their position to sexually exploit people over the past two years. 

The Inspectorate of Constabulary said the abuse of power for sexual gain had become the "most serious" form of corruption facing the police. 

National Police chief's lead on counter corruption is the South Yorkshire Chief Constable Stephen Watson...

Andy Kershaw
BBC Radio Sheffield News

There's some serious concern in Barnsley about people offering illegal taxi services on social media. 

This is being described as "an epidemic which is virtually impossible to police". 

I've been in Barnsley town centre to find out more:

Andy Kershaw
BBC Radio Sheffield News

How do you book a taxi? Is it via Facebook? 

Taxi trade representatives, council officials and police in Barnsley say people using illegal taxis booked via social media are putting their safety at risk. 

It's happening a lot in the town - here's an example of just one post of many that we've found on Facebook:

Image source, Facebook

Jenny Cork
BBC Sheffield news

• Rotherham needs help in tackling loneliness says charity 

• South Yorkshire Police told it needs to improve

• Two charged with alleged robbery at Barnsley petrol station 

Image source, Debi Beardshaw

John Cundy
Crime correspondent, BBC Look North

A judge will be asked tomorrow to give indefinite anonymity to two brothers who tortured two other young boys in Edlington near Doncaster in 2009 when they were 10 and 11 years old. 

The pair were sentenced to an indeterminate period in custody, with a minimum of five years, following the attack.

A court order made at the time granted them anonymity until they are both 18. 

As the younger of the two brothers approaches his 18th birthday, lawyers acting for the pair are seeking an injunction to extend their anonymity.

BBC Travel

It's still busy, but traffic is now easing around J36, the A61 at Birdwell.

Image source, Highways England

Image source, Highways England

An earlier accident on the northbound carriageway at J31 has now cleared.