Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This afternoon's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire are: 

- A former Stoke-on-Trent UKIP councillor suspended from the party has joined the council's ruling City Independent group

- Staffordshire Police arrest four males after a car is stolen near Burslem 

- Port Vale make ninth summer signing in 24-year-old Swedish midfielder Christopher Mbamba

Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather

The sun could break through from behind the clouds, but we're due more rain this afternoon.

As a court clears former MEP Nikki Sinclaire of misconduct in a public office and fraud the BBC profiles her eventful private and political life.

Rob Mayor
Political reporter, BBC WM

Today's verdicts clear Nikki Sinclaire of allegations that have been hanging over her since she was arrested almost four years ago.

At times tearful and angry as she gave evidence, it was clear the suggestion she had abused the trust of voters was what hurt her the most.

Ms Sinclaire admitted there were errors in her expenses claims, but her lawyers maintained they had been "deliberately corrupted" by office aide John Ison in an atmosphere of political "hostility" - a defence that convinced the jury.

There had been an atmosphere of "hostility" between ex-UKIP MEP Nikki Sinclaire and party leader Nigel Farage, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

The jury was told John Ison, Ms Sinclaire's former office aide, had passed information about her to the senior figure.

Ms Sinclaire and her lawyers said Mr Ison had "deliberately corrupted"  her expenses.

The 47-year-old has been cleared of making false travel expenses claims.

Image source, Getty Images

Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Members of the University and College Union at Keele University, external will go on strike tomorrow as part of a wave of nationwide strikes in a row over pay and conditions.

Staff at the university have timed their action to coincide with the first graduation day of the summer. 

Union members will lobby students and parents to explain more about their campaign for fair pay and better conditions.

Image source, Keele University

This is the third time UCU members at Keele have been on strike this year in the pay row. 

The nationwide strikes over pay began with two national strike days in May and now UCU members at separate institutions are striking to target local events such as open days.  

Former UKIP MEP Nikki Sinclaire has been cleared of making false travel expenses claims amounting to £3,250.

The former West Midlands MEP, who represented the region in Brussels and Strasbourg until 2014, denied deliberately submitting 10 dishonest claims for road travel she never made when she had flown more cheaply.

Former West Midlands MEP Nikki Sinclaire has been cleared in court of making false expenses claims.

Image source, PA

James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News

A former Stoke-on-Trent UKIP councillor suspended from the party has joined the council's ruling City Independent group. 

Rich Broughan, the Abbey Hulton and Townsend councillor, has been serving as an independent since his suspension from UKIP last September. 

The party cited "continued unacceptable behaviour". 

Broughan had sent a tweet which appeared to make light of the deaths of 71 migrants in the back of a lorry in Austria.   

Council leader Dave Conway says his City Independent group agreed to let him join them "as long as he had a word with him" and that he'll manage Mr Broughan to make sure he doesn't step out of line.

It increases the majority of the City Independent and Conservative coalition to three.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale manager Bruno Ribeiro says some of the club's overseas signings still need time to settle. 

All eight of their new additions made their first start in Saturday's 4-0 friendly win at Newcastle Town. 

Ribeiro told BBC Radio Stoke some players are still adjusting to life in England.  

BBC Weather

The weather for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire isn't looking the best for this week. 

Seeing that we're going to have a lot of rain, weather presenter Alex Hamilton has put together a handy guide to help us understand the different kinds of rain. 

The Sentinel

Council leaders say a new council house repair company will be better for taxpayers, external – and local businesses.

Image source, The Sentinel

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra are hoping to sign a new midfield player later this week. 

They've already brought in strikers Chris Dagnall and Ryan Lowe so far this summer. 

Head of recruitment Neil Baker told BBC Radio Stoke there's still parts of the team that need improving. 

Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

This morning's headlines for Staffordshire and Cheshire: 

- A lack of mental health services in Staffordshire is putting lives at risk, according to a Stoke-on-Trent mother

- A former Stoke-on-Trent UKIP councillor, suspended from the party following a tweet about the deaths of migrants, has joined the council's ruling City Independent group

- The mum of a Newcastle boy needing private treament after a life-changing operation says she's still struggling to raise money

BBC Weather Watchers

BBC Weather Watcher Gadjet sent in this lovely picture from Stoke-on-Trent, just after the sun set. 

We love seeing your pictures. If you have any you would like to share you can email, or share them on Facebook, external, Twitter, external or Instagram, external. 

Image source, Gadjet

A memorial for British victims of terrorism is to be located at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, David Cameron announces.

BBC Weather

There will be a mixture of sunshine and showers today with temperatures reaching about 19C (66F).

BBC Travel

There's slow traffic on the M6 Toll southbound between J2t, the A446 (Coleshill), and J1t, for the M42 (Curdworth), because of an earlier broken down vehicle. All lanes have been reopened.  

BBC Travel

The A5005 Lightwood Road in Lightwood, Stoke-On-Trent, is closed and there's queuing traffic in both directions between the Gravelly Bank junction and the Woodpark Lane junction because of an accident involving two cars.  

Good morning. We'll bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from across Staffordshire and south Cheshire.