Dozens of senior jobs 'at risk' as university plans restructure
Charity blames homelessness rise on council cuts
Police officer 'knocked unconscious' in stone-throwing incident
Football: Diouf and Johnson back for Stoke City
Updates from Friday 16 September
An inquest has opened on a father-of-two who died on the M6 after stopping on the hard shoulder. , external
Image source, Express and Star
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Here's a look at this afternoon's weather and, if you want the latest forecasts at another time for Staffordshire and Cheshire, head to the BBC Weather website.
Charlie Slater
Our BBC Weather Watchers came up trumps with photos during and after last night's thunderstorms and here are a few more.
User AppyIppy captured this rainbow among the storm clouds in Ipstones and Tinalouise1969 revealed a soggy garden in Sedgley, Staffordshire.
Image source, AppyIppy
Image source, tinalouise1969Chris Osborne
BBC Sport
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.
Hughes, 52, was sent to the stands during the first half of Stoke's 4-0 loss to Tottenham on Saturday.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Welshman reacted angrily on the touchline after two separate incidents, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to take action.
The FA said "his behaviour amounted to improper conduct" and he has until 18:00 BST on Friday to respond.
A severe storm brought flash-flooding, power cuts and road closures, external to the region last night.
Image source, The Sentinel/Andy Pointon/Steph Eilledge/Julie Bagnall
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
I think plenty of people across Staffordshire and Cheshire may have been doing the same as Pete Gregory and his friends last night in Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent.
He emailed in these pictures of the clear-up in their garden after last night's heavy rain ended.
Image source, Pete Gregory
Image source, Pete GregoryLee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our top stories this morning:
- Fire crews across Staffordshire and Cheshire dealt with several cases of flooding across their patch , externalduring last night's thunderstorms
- Doctors in Staffordshire say they hope to have a minor injury unit for children in place at Stafford's County Hospital in , external"a matter of weeks"
- A charity that donates tents to Stafford's homeless has been ordered to stop by police after complaints
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
Doctors in Staffordshire say they hope to have a minor injury unit for children in place at Stafford's County Hospital in "a matter of weeks".
Low numbers of staff with the right specialist training at the site forced the closure of A&E to patients under 18, on 25 August.
In their latest update today, the hospital trust, external said senior staff are visiting North Bristol NHS Trust this week to see how they run a minor injuries unit alongside an adult A&E, with a view to doing the same at the County Hospital.
They add that in the meantime the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health will carry out a service review and make recommendations about how children's emergency services can be made safe.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
We're still getting video showing the impact of last night's thunderstorms which led to flash flooding across parts of Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Nina Taylor took this in Congleton where the car looks more like a boat.
Flooding in Congleton
Aimee Lewis
BBC Sport
Teenager Ryan Sessegnon snatched an injury-time equaliser to rescue a point for Fulham and deny Burton their first away win in the Championship.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 16-year-old struck from close range after Burton goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin could only fumble Sone Aluko's effort.
The visitors had taken the lead early in the second half when Jackson Irvine swept home his fourth goal of the season from just inside the area.
The result keeps Fulham in the play-off places and leaves Burton in mid-table.
Matt Jackson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
The heavy rain that came yesterday caused flash flooding in parts of Stoke-on-Trent - Aaron Heath sent BBC Radio Stoke this video from near the Talke traffic lights on the A34.
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Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Fire crews across Staffordshire and Cheshire dealt with several cases of flooding across their patch , externalduring last night's thunderstorms.
The Met Office told the BBC that 32.4mm, external (1.27 inches) of rain fell in an hour on part of Cheshire.
Image source, keatondavies8There are still two flood alerts in force this morning from the Environment Agency for Staffordshire, external on the Rivers Sow, Penk and Trent and Lyme Brook.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say their crews tackled flooding in Congleton, Macclesfield and Wilmslow yesterday evening with nine, external fire engines sent out.
Lee Blakeman
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
This morning's headlines include the following:
- Fire crews across Staffordshire and Cheshire deal with several cases of flooding across their patch , externalduring last night's thunderstorms
- MPs say the HS2 rail link, which is planned to run through Staffordshire and Cheshire, needs a "realistic timetable" and believe the current schedule is "overly ambitious"
- A charity which donates tents to Stafford's homeless has been ordered to stop by police after complaints
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
The BBC Weather website also has the latest forecasts for Staffordshire and Cheshire.
Charlie Slater
BBC Travel
In Newcastle-under-Lyme the A519 Clayton Road in Clayton is partially blocked northbound at the Dartmouth Avenue junction.
It's because of a large rock in the road.
Meanwhile Boon Hill Road in Audley is partially blocked southbound at the Birch Road junction, because of a fallen tree.
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Good morning and it's the morning after last night's heavy thunderstorms and so far, fingers crossed, it's looking bright over Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
We'll have Charlie Slater here shortly with the full forecast for today and there'll be your news, sport, travel and other updates for Staffordshire and Cheshire through the day.
Also, we'll have more of your pictures of the area so keep them coming in on email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or put them on Instagram (adding the tag #bbcstoke), external.
Teenager Ryan Sessegnon earns Fulham a last-gasp draw and denies Burton their first away win in the Championship.
Read MoreFlooding in Congleton
A charity which hands out tents to a town's homeless is ordered to stop by police after complaints.
Read MoreStoke City boss Mark Hughes is charged with improper conduct after being sent to the stands in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Spurs.
Read More
