Updates from Friday 15 July 2016
BBC Travel
There's slow traffic on the M6 southbound between J11, A460 (Cannock) and J10, A454 (Wolverhampton), because of an earlier broken down vehicle, BBC Travel reports.
Stafford's new flagship Marks & Spencer is set to open, external at the Riverside Shopping Centre on Thursday, August 18.
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan has signed a one-year contract extension, the club has confirmed.
The 32-year-old Republic of Ireland international will now be at the club until the summer of 2018.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe's made more than 300 appearances for the Potters since moving from Sheffield Wednesday in 2008 and is described by Stoke's chief executive Tony Scholes as "one of the mainstays" of the team.
He added that "few players can have provided such value for money in the history of the Premier League."
BBC Weather Watcher Dawn Treader sent in this picture of Congleton this morning.
If you would like to be a BBC Weather Watcher you can sign up here.
Image source, Dawn Treader
Alexandra Hamilton
BBC Weather
The showers and winds will ease with many places having a fine end to the day.
Minimum Temperature: 12C (54F)
We'll see frequent showers through tomorrow morning and they will be heavy at times. They should ease through the afternoon though, with some sunshine developing.
A 14-year-old from the Staffordshire Moorlands has designed the new away shirt for Leek Town Football Club.
Charlie Lucy, a huge Leek Town fan, created the green design - a colour the club has used before - as part of a competition.
Production of the shirts, manufactured by a Leek firm, will start today - and Charlie has been invited to the factory to see the first ones off the press.
They should be in the club shop by the weekend.
Of the race hate crimes reported in Staffordshire in the week following the vote to leave the EU, seven were said to either make direct mention of the referendum or feature victims who perceived the abuse to be Brexit-related, police say.
A total of 96 offences were reported to Staffordshire Police in June - the vote was on Thursday, 23 June.
The force is urging anyone who feels they've been subjected to hate crime in light of the Leave vote to report it.
Here's a bit of Staffordshire history - on this day in 1730 Josiah Wedgwood, pottery designer and manufacturer, was born in Burlsem, Staffordshire.
He is credited with improving the clumsy ordinary crockery of the day, introducing durable and simple wares. His legacy can be seen at The World of Wedgwood in Stoke-on-Trent, along with the 240-acre Wedgwood Estate.
In 2014, the Wedgwood Museum collection was "saved for the nation"after £15m was raised. The collection features 80,000 works of art, ceramics, manuscripts, letters and photographs.
Here's what we're covering in the newsroom this morning:
- Seven race hate crimes said to be Brexit vote-related were reported in Staffordshire in the week following the referendum, police say
- Five abandonded pets were rescued every week in Staffordshire and Cheshire last year, figures show
- Keele University staff will picket during student graduations today as part of a nationwide strike over pay and conditions
BBC WM Sport
Stoke City are favourites to sign Saido Berahino after BBC WM understands the striker rejected the offer of a new contract at Albion.
He's got a year left on his current deal and Stoke have already been linked with a £16m move for him.
The Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace says he wants at least £20m for the striker.
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Travel
There are severe delays on the M6 northbound between J5 (Castle Bromwich) and J6 (Spaghetti junction) because of an earlier broken-down vehicle.
All lanes are now clear but the delays remain. More from BBC Travel.
What does the weather hold in store? Don't get your hopes up.
Latest weather for the West Midlands
We're back in the newsroom bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather.
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Rugeley's Rob Rock is excited at being back in the Open Championship after a four-year absence.
Read MoreWe'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
People in Newcastle are being asked to nominate buildings they want protected but can't be listed.
The borough council is updating its list of important buildings that are protected during planning, but don't meet listing criteria.
There are now more than 100 entries on the register - the latest include the New Vic Theatre, a red telephone box in Oldcott Drive, Kidsgrove and a number of war memorials.
Suggestions will be inspected and assessed against criteria such as authenticity, architectural value, historic associations, visual importance and community value.
Nomination forms can be downloaded or completed here, external until 31 August.
Ged Scott
BBC Sport
Rugeley's Robert Rock will have a morning start time when he makes his return to the Open in Scotland at Royal Troon on Thursday morning after a four-year absence.
Following the draw for the 145th Open Championship made on Monday morning, Rock (pictured below, right) will tee off at 10:31 with Japan's Kodai Ichihara and American William McGirt. His second round on Friday is scheduled at the later time of 15:32.
Rock, who enjoyed his best finish when he tied seventh at St Andrews in 2010, is playing in his seventh Open.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrewe Alexandra head of recruitment Neil Baker says the League Two club hope to sign a midfielder in the coming days.
Read MorePolice are currently at a shop in Burton after being called to reports of a "disturbance", external.
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Some of the headlines for this afternoon are:
- Police have made five arrests after violence at a family music event at Stafford Castle
- A disused former swimming pool in Crewe has been flooded - as attempts were made to fill it
- A 32-year old man from Kidsgrove has been released on bail, after being arrested last night on suspicion of stealing scrap metal at the Bosley Wood mill site
