Tunstall imam found guilty of terror offences
Arrests after alleged axe threats
Ceramics Biennial starts in Stoke-on-Trent
Mental health staff off work more than doubles
More time to consider putting down stray dogs if owners don't pay
Updates from Friday 22 September 2017
Crewe manager David Artell says his team are capable of being in the pack chasing promotion this season.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Alex will be looking to bounce back from two successive defeats when they face Carlisle this weekend.
Artell told BBC Radio Stoke that there's not much separating any of the clubs in League Two this season.
The death of a man who, police say, fell through a roof is not being treated as suspicious.
The 24-year-old, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, was reported missing at 23:45 on Tuesday.
Image source, GoogleFollowing a police search, his body was discovered in the T & C Site Services Ltd building in Garner Street, Stoke-on-Trent (pictured).
The man was pronounced dead at the scene at 05:42 on Wednesday.
A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a 24-year-old man in Cannock.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police said the victim was assaulted in Danby Drive on Tuesday evening and is now in a stable condition.
A 39-year-old from Cannock will appear before magistrates later.
BBC Radio Stoke Sport
Stoke City's assistant manager Mark Bowen says Kurt Zouma will be a huge miss for this weekend's game against Chelsea.
Zouma is currently on loan from Antonio Conte's team and therefore isn't allowed to play against his parent club.
Bowen told BBC Radio Stoke he's settled in well at the club.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageIn the dressing room, he's a good character, as a coach to work with him, every day he's smiling, he's got good enthusiasm."
Mark Bowen, Stoke City assistant manager
A noisy neighbour has been slapped with a £2,311 court bill after being convicted of blasting out music, external at home - again.
Owen Bradley
BBC Radio Derby Sport
Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough said his side couldn't have done any more after their EFL Cup run came to an end at Manchester United last night.
Image source, Getty ImagesLloyd Dyer's late goal was the first conceded by the Reds at Old Trafford this season but goals from Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial saw Jose Mourinho's side win 4-1.
You can hear Nigel Clough's post-match thoughts below.
BBC Radio Stoke
A Stoke-on-Trent teacher is hoping to be named one of the strongest women in the UK next month.
Melissa Coates, who works at Blackfriars Academy in Newcastle, is already the third strongest woman in Britain.
She trains at the same gym as Eddie Hall and says she's been inspired by the World's Strongest Man to compete.
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC News
Stray dogs found in Newcastle-under-Lyme could be put down, unless their owners pay a fine within a week, under plans being considered by the borough council, external.
At the moment stray dogs found in Newcastle can be returned to their owners before they've paid the £70 fine, if they can't afford it straight away.
They're given 28 days to pay, but the borough council says a significant number of people aren't coughing up.
Image source, Dogs TrustThe authority is recommending a plan requiring dog owners to pay the fine and any kennel fees before they get their dog back.
If it's not paid in a week, the dog would be rehomed or, as a last resort, put to sleep.
The council's public protection committee will consider the plans this evening.
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Rain pushing in this morning, but this should clear this afternoon leaving something a bit drier and brighter with highs of 17C (63C).
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
Welcome to Stoke and Staffordshire Live on Thursday morning.
We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens.
If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbcradiostoke, external or message via Facebook, external.
Marcus Rashford scores twice as holders Manchester United overpower Burton Albion to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
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.
A pipe-wielding robber and his accomplice stole nearly £8,000 worth of mobile phones during a raid at Tesco, external.
The collection, including snaps of Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, sat in a drawer for 16 years.
Read More
Shefali Oza
BBC Midlands Today
We are forecast some rain tonight and we're going to see more tomorrow, some of it heavy in places.
Weather forecast for the West Midlands
Stuart George
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
Preparations are already under way for next year's Nantwich Food and Drink Festival.
Organisers made a plea for more volunteers this year, but didn't expect the response they got.
Nana Pedley is one of the organisers, she told me she's had an "amazing response".
It means she'll be able to keep the food festival going.
Jennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
The Post Office is looking to return services to a north Staffordshire village as soon as possible.
Little Madeley's post office closed last month, as the postmaster retired. The firm has said, in a letter to residents, it's looking at whether a post office in the village is viable.
I've been to Little Madeley today - and people told me they want to keep the post office.
One man told me: "I think it'll be terribly missed in the village, particularly by the older people who've got to catch a bus and simply aren't up to that".
Image source, Getty ImagesJennie Aitken
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A search is under way for a new postmaster in north Staffordshire.
Little Madeley Post Office closed earlier this month because the postmaster retired.
I've been speaking to people in the area this afternoon, and people seem disappointed. One woman told me she thought a post office was viable there.
Image source, GoogleSince it closed, she's had to catch the bus to Crewe - a move she described as a "waste of time".
The Post Office says it's looking for a new postmaster to take over in the village as soon as possible.
BBC Sport
Burton Albion face Manchester United in the third round of the Carabao Cup this evening.
The Staffordshire team will be without Liam Boyce (injured) and John Brayford (cup-tied), however midfielders Hope Akpan and Matty Palmer could return.
Manchester United look set to rotate some players, with Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick and Sergio Romero likely to feature.
The two teams will be meeting for only the third time, and the first since 2006, when Burton took United to an FA Cup third-round replay at Old Trafford.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe match kicks off at 20:00 - you can follow the game on BBC Radio 5 Live or the BBC Sport Website.
There's a distinct autumn flavour to some of the BBC Weather Watcher photos being sent in today - these two are from Burton upon Trent and Congleton.
As ever, you can send in your images on email, tweet us on @bbcradiostoke, external or message via Facebook, external.
Image source, Poeticverse
Image source, Dawn Treader
