More new homes have been approved for green land next to a former RAF base despite concerns that open space and a potential site for a community meeting place will be lost.

One suspect was arrested and 30 people were moved on during a police crackdown on anti-social behaviour in Sedgley.

It has become a case of the battle of the baskets – as a family farming business at Essington has found blooming success by offering plants in the colours of local football clubs.

A former pub in Wolverhampton alleged to have been at the centre of an organised drug ring has been seriously damaged in a fire.

Boris Johnson says England could face ‘hard choices’ if the variant proves to be much more transmissible than other strains

Labour councillors in Sandwell have been ordered to work with mentors to help them perform their duties properly as elected members.

Lockdown changes come into force again on Monday in both England and Wales, when more restrictions are eased. Here's a rundown of what's allowed with regards, pubs, holidays and hugs.

Hugs and more freedom – the anticipation for Monday's relaxation of Covid rules is rising.

Debenhams is to shut its doors for the final time in its 243-year history.

The leader of Wolverhampton Council has laid out his priorities for the year ahead – with firing up the stalled Westside scheme towards the top of his list.

Domestic abuse crime has soared by almost 40 per cent since the first lockdown, new police figures show.

The easing of lockdown restrictions will not be affected by the Indian variant of Covid, an expert has said.

Politics is a family affair for Milkinder Jaspal, his wife, Jasbir, and daughter-in-law, Jaspreet, who are all now members of Wolverhampton Council.

The West Midlands ranks second bottom of a new national prosperity index and high crime and poor levels of health are said to be holding it back.

The hearing into an application for a new car cruising injunction for the Black Country has been adjourned.

Toby Neal looks forward to 2024, referendums, and negotiations.

The histories of Shropshire's Boscobel House are known to many locals, but after an almost £1 million refresh, English Heritage is hoping to attract even more people to the Civil War era gem.

A professional singer from Stourbridge, who has performed at venues across the world, has taken on an appeal from a Black Country songrwriter to record a tribute to the National Health Service.

Members of a Black Country bowls club are happy to be back on the green following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

A Stafford primary school and nursery is celebrating after opening a new outdoor area.

"This means a lot to me as I believe this is my calling in life."

Bolton and Bury councils are asking secondary schools and colleges to keep face coverings in place until further notice following a surge in cases.

The Health and Safety Executive is prosecuting two companies and two men after the deaths of five workers in 2016.

Four teenage murderers who stabbed a 15-year-old to death have been sentenced to life behind bars but could be back on the streets before turning 40.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country could face ‘hard choices’ over further reopening.

It is expected that the Indian variant will overtake Kent to become dominant in the UK.

Professor Chris Whitty said young people should get one dose by July, despite plans to offer over-50s second jab within eight weeks of the first.

Boris Johnson said the Indian variant could ‘pose serious disruption’ to step four of the road map.

The Light House Cinema will be welcoming guests through its doors once again this summer.

A police appeal has been launched to track down a teenager who went missing after leaving her home in Wednesbury.

A gunman has been jailed for more than three years after waving an imitation gun at a passing car in Birmingham.

A police appeal has been launched after a man in his 90s had his wallet stolen in Stourport.

Fresh cases of the Indian coronavirus variant have been found in the Black Country, with the strand of the virus now confirmed in Dudley.

One new coronavirus death has been confirmed in the Black Country – but none in Birmingham and Staffordshire.

Further action is set to be ordered by ministers to help slow the spread of the highly transmissible variant of concern.

A broad consultation into community views on the next stage of the controversial HS2 rail project has released its report which includes strong objections from communities around the West Midlands.

Jurors have heard that Monk is alleged to have fired the Taser at Atkinson three times – with the final deployment lasting 33 seconds.

Keelan Wilson's devastated parents have spoken of their grief and heartache as his killers were jailed for life three years after the gangland attack.

Data from Public Health England shows a rise in cases from 520 to 1,313 this week in the UK.

The Office for National Statistics figures relate to people living in private households and do not include care homes, hospitals and prisons.

Golfers will get into the swing to support a charity which supports vulnerable women and children.

Work is slowly progressing to transform the site of an old Black Country steelworks into a housing estate – despite delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A woman from Kingswinford has been banned from dealing in dogs for three years for selling puppies without a licence.

A police boss has called on people across the West Midlands to share their views on crime and policing in the region.

Eight new state-of-the-art trams have been shipped to the Black Country from Spain as part of a major expansion of the region's tram network.

UK holiday firms have experienced huge demand for trips to Portugal since the UK Government put the country on its green list for travel.

Safety measures will be in place from Monday when indoor attractions reopen to the public.

Reopening small food festivals and small live music and arts events has been out on hold due to concerns about the Indian variant.

A judge said the inmates, who are both transgender, had a history of offending that potentially posed serious risk to the public.

No record exists of any “positive” decision to allow convicted Stafford terrorist Usman Khan to attend Fishmongers’ Hall where he launched a deadly attack, an inquest has heard.

Arathi Nehar has spoken for the first time of her anguish after her sons Sanjay, 10, and 23-month-old Pawanveer, were killed in the crash.

Patients have hit out at a GP surgery after bosses shared a statement pleading with patients to stop abusing them.

There are concerns about the spread of one of the new Indian variants of coronavirus.

A district council has voted in their third female leader.

A new primary school is set to be built in a village - but concerns have been raised about where parents will drop off and pick up their children.

A Dudley woman who lost her 38-year-old husband to coronavirus has paid tribute to the hospital staff who cared for him and presented them with gift bags.

A senior trade unionist has been suspended by Labour after saying Home Secretary Priti Patel was "disgusting" and should be deported.

Community leaders have once again spoken out against plans for a new quarry to supply concrete for the HS2 project passing through Staffordshire.

Teachers and pupils from schools across Wolverhampton have spoken of their immense pride, after students were invited to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their visit to the city.

The Government has set four tests which must be met for the lifting of all social restrictions on June 21.

Sporting and arts venues are due to reopen in England from Monday.

Young children have forgotten how to put on their shoes and play with toys following the lockdown, staff say.

Leading councillors provided character statements for a gunman who almost killed a man when he shot him in a barber shop, it has emerged.

A former councillor has called the planning process surrounding proposals to develop a Bridgnorth car park an "utter disgrace", while the chamber of commerce has urged residents to "rally together" with their objections.

New jobs are set to come to the region following the opening of a new Asian fusion restaurant in Walsall.

An MP says Tory success in Sandwell is just reward for "taking the fight" to Labour over the last few years.

A van ploughed off the road and smashed into a telecoms box in a crash with a car knocking out residents’ phone lines.

Union members at a wheelchair factory in Dudley are to vote over possible strike action in a dispute over pay.

A new micropub has been granted a licence despite concerns over vandalism, theft and revellers urinating at the back of properties.

Good Hope Hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department is just weeks away from completion and will be opening its doors next month.

A 92-year-old driver has died in hospital after a crash in Wyre Forest.

Five people were arrested and a gun seized after a car was stopped by armed officers in Birmingham.

Pupils at a Staffordshire school got a nice surprise when they returned from the holidays to a new-look playground.

A safeguarding watchdog has called for a ‘learning culture’ to be at the heart of child protection services to reduce cases of serious harm and death.

Nuffield Trust and the Resolution Foundation have proposed a modified version of the job retention scheme for those forced to self-isolate.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the figures as ‘remarkable’.

Although the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was originally authorised for a three-week interval, the UK extended it to 12 weeks.

Ministers should allow some pupils to retake the year due to significant learning loss, a think tank said.

Concerns over the Indian Covid variant feature across many of the nation’s front pages.

But trade body the British Beer & Pub Association expects that 2,000 pubs – 5% of the total – will remain shut despite indoor reopening on Monday.

Mark Drakeford said his Government was waiting on advice from Sage about the transmissibility of the variant.

A man has been jailed for four years for historical sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16.

A hospital boss said there would be no need for further measures to combat the Indian strain of Covid, should there be a rise of cases in the Black Country.

The mobile Covid testing unit will be available at Wednesfield Community Hub until Sunday.

Art lovers will be able to view the impact of American lifestyles on Britain through works set to go on show at Wolverhampton Art Gallery from May 17 to December 5.

Talks between Birmingham City and Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council over a future vision of Sutton Park have been described as “extremely constructive”.

Kate and William thrilled youngsters as they brought their mission to highlight mental health issues to the heart of the Black Country.

A female swan has been found dead after being shot twice while sitting on her nest of eggs.

Burglaries and robberies have all fallen across the West Midlands and Staffordshire, latest figures show.

Police have launched an investigation after a report of a man trying to buy a baby from a woman in Dudley.

"We've faced everything that they can throw at us and we're still here, so bring on next week."

A milestone has been reached on the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension with the first new bridge lowered into place over a canal.

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas with a Sutton Coldfield church deciding to spread festive cheer – in June!

Tributes have been paid to a heroic Sutton Second World War pilot who passed away peacefully at the age of 99.

A nursery that has been established for more than 20 years and achieved its third consecutive 'outstanding' report from Ofsted last year is relocating.

A couple who moved to south Shropshire to escape the stresses of London life are now leading a more down-to-earth existence by running a worm farm.

Public health experts in the West Midlands are urging people to exercise care and common season as the region eases out of lockdown on Monday.

A former Sandwell Mayor who served as a councillor for more than 40 years has been awarded the Freedom of the Borough.

Plans for a new multi-million pound state-of-the-art special school in Dudley have been lodged with council bosses.

Visitors will be welcomed back on to Walsall Manor Hospital wards from Monday – as long as they have no coronavirus symptoms and local case numbers continue to fall.