Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Live updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire have finished for the day but we'll be back from 08:00 Tuesday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
HS2 junction in South Staffordshire proposed by government
JCB boss 'applauds' workers for shorter hours agreement
Homeless in Stoke-on-Trent need 'urgent help'
Updates on Monday 30 November 2015
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
HS2 analysis: Silver linings for Stoke-on-Trentpublished at 17:56
Phil McCann
Political reporter, CheshireThe news today about Crewe officially getting an HS2 station is clearly a blow for Stoke-on-Trent, which staged a rival bid to host a hub, and even threatened legal action if it failed.
But a recent cross-border deal struck in October is meant to see thousands of the jobs and new homes resulting from HS2 redirected down the A500 into the Potteries.
Now the government and Cheshire officials say they’re committed to making sure North Staffordshire feels the benefits of high speed rail.
On Midlands Today this evening: Record sales predictions for Cyber Mondaypublished at 17:49
Nick Owen
Presenter, BBC Midlands TodayHow's your mouse bearing up? I'm only asking because we're told that today is Cyber Monday and, much like Black Friday turned out to be, it's all about online shopping
It's forecast to be the busiest internet shopping day of the year and we'll be examining the impact on the region in Midlands Today on BBC One from 18:30.
Football: Port Vale manager relieved at week offpublished at 17:40
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokePort Vale boss Rob Page says it is a relief to have a full week of recovery before their next game.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Valiants have had a backlog of fixtures with Saturday's defeat to Rochdale being their fifth game in two weeks.
Page believes it is important for the Vale to make the most of the week off.
Quote MessageWe've got to make the most of it because the amount of games that they've had, there's a lot of fatigue.
Rob Page, Port Vale manager
Watch: Getting bowled over in Staffordpublished at 17:36
John Acres
BBC Radio StokeYou'll be able to enjoy a game of bowls in Stafford throughout the whole of winter this year.
The borough council's agreed to open the green in the town's Victoria park for a pilot Winter Season, external.
I went along and had a go myself as you can see - apparently I've got a "perfect action"!
Watch: Tonight's weather forecast for Stoke and Staffordshirepublished at 17:32
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterThe rain will start to clear in the first part of tonight before more arrives before dawn. Breezy with lows of 6C (43F).
HS2: Transport Secretary promises benefits to Stoke-on-Trentpublished at 17:29
Lee Thomas
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeThe Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, has told the House of Commons he's asked HS2 Ltd to explore the idea of a junction at Handsacre in South Staffordshire, to serve Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, PAHe was responding to an urgent question from the Stoke Central Labour MP Tristham Hunt about how his city will benefit.
It comes after today's announcement that building work will start on the line in the next couple of years in Crewe.
Quote MessageWhat is absolutely essential I believe is that Stoke-on-Trent gets a benefit from HS2 as does the whole area of north Staffordshire and that south part of Cheshire.
Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary
Your pictures: Autumn colours Keele University chapelpublished at 17:23
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThis autumnal picture of buildings at Keele University's chapel has been shared with me by yunmintan on Instagram.
Image source, yunmintanI try to feature as many of your photos of Staffordshire or Cheshire as I can so keep sending them in.
You can email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram, external.
Watch: HS2 - Chancellor says Stoke won't miss outpublished at 17:18
Phil McCann
Political reporter, CheshireChancellor George Osborne says Stoke-on-Trent will benefit from the HS2 link going from Birmingham to Crewe.
Today he's been in Cheshire to officially announce that Crewe will be the next key staging post on the route to Manchester, opening in 2027.
But he said on his visit to the area that the Potteries won't be left out.
Quote MessageI give people in Stoke my personal commitment that we'll make sure Stoke gets all the benefits.
George Osborne, Chancellor
Travel: Multi-vehicle crash on A50 in Stoke-on-Trentpublished at 17:15
BBC TravelThe A50 in Stoke-on-Trent has a lane closed on the entry slip road and there's slow traffic westbound at the Sideway Roundabout.
It's because of an accident, a multi-vehicle accident and recovery work - congestion is back to the Meir Tunnel.
Sheep gets 'stuck' on the side of a canal in Cheshirepublished at 17:11
Lamont Howie
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeA sheep needed rescuing by firefighters this morning in South Cheshire after getting "stuck" on the side of a canal, external, the fire service says.
Image source, Cheshire Fire and Rescue ServiceCheshire Fire and Rescue Service says it was in Astbury and it was returned to a nearby field.
Latest news: Government suggests Staffordshire HS2 junction, JCB workers 'applauded' for agreement and homeless help urged in Stokepublished at 17:04
Mike Perkins
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis evening's main headlines include
- The Transport Secretary says he's asked HS2 Ltd to explore the idea of a junction in South Staffordshire, to serve Stoke-on-Trent
- Digger maker JCB's chief executive says workers who voted for shorter hours to avoid lay-offs should "be applauded for their actions"
- Rough sleepers in Stoke-on-Trent need urgent help before the winter gets worse according to a group of volunteers
Bystanders who came to the rescue of man in Coleshill praisedpublished at 16:56
Paramedics have praised bystanders for coming to the aid of a man, external who suffered a cardiac arrest in Coleshill.
Picture: Shugborough's autumnal coatingpublished at 16:48
Autumn's come to the driveway at the Shugborough historic estate.
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End of twitter post'Disappointment' over HS2 decision from Stoke-on-Trent deputypublished at 16:41
The deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council's tweeted her response to HS2 having a station at Crewe and not Stoke-on-Trent.
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End of twitter postFootball: Butland backs team-mate Johnson England recallpublished at 16:30
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeStoke City's England goalkeeper Jack Butland says that Potters team-mate Glen Johnson deserves an England recall.
Image source, Nick Potts - PAJohnson has not figured for England boss Roy Hodgson since winning his 54th cap at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Quote MessageHe's up against some brilliant full-backs, Nathaniel Clyne and Kyle Walker. And it is up to the manager. But, if he keeps performing well, who knows.
Jack Butland, Stoke City goalkeeper
Butland backs Johnson England recall
Stoke City's England goalkeeper Jack Butland says that Potters team-mate Glen Johnson deserves an England recall.
Read MoreWorkers at digger maker JCB 'applauded' for agreeing to work fewer hourspublished at 16:16
Liam Barnes
BBC News OnlineDigger maker JCB's chief executive says workers who have voted for shorter hours to avoid compulsory redundancies should "be applauded for their actions".
Image source, JCBThe Staffordshire firm - which has eight factories in Staffordshire - announced plans for 290 redundancies earlier this month.
However, following consultations with the GMB union, more than 100 shop floor jobs are set to be saved.
Quote MessageJCB and the GMB were determined to do everything possible to avoid compulsory redundancies.
Graeme Macdonald, JCB chief executive
Stone’s darkest ever Christmas remembered at tree festivalpublished at 16:05
Stone’s darkest ever Christmas will be remembered at the St Michael’s Church Christmas tree festival, external this weekend.
Image source, A Little Bit of StoneTravel: Slow after accident on M6 near Staffordpublished at 15:50
BBC TravelOn the M6 northbound there'sslow traffic at junction 14, because of an earlier accident on the exit slip road,
Your pictures: A scenic Stockton Brookpublished at 15:46
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveThis gorgeous photo of Stockton Brook's been shared with me on Instagram by Miss Lucifer.
Image source, Miss LuciferYou can also share your photos of Staffordshire and Cheshire with me on Instagram, external, just add #bbcstoke to the description so I can see them.
Or you can send them in on email or tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external.
