As the region bakes in the middle of a July heatwave, keepers at West Midland Safari Park have been coming up with ways to keep their animals cool.

“Excuse the office, I’m afraid it is a bit untidy,” an apologetic Cedric Parcell. says to me

Sandwell's director of public health has insisted her team "will cope with whatever the pandemic throws at us" as cases surge across the region.

Former owner Jeremy Peace says he would welcome an investigation into an historical loan Albion made to his company back in 2014.

Sports can no longer be left to "mark their own homework" on concussion, a parliamentary inquiry has concluded.

Head injuries campaigner Dawn Astle, the daughter of West Brom legend Jeff Astle, says a new report from MPs on concussion in sport has given her family hope that change will finally come.

An MP has called for a rethink over HS2 after the northern phase of the line was branded "unachievable" by the Government's infrastructure watchdog.

A man accused of murder after two men were shot dead in a Range Rover has denied being “desperate for money” before the killings.

The demolition of Dudley Hippodrome will represent a "missed opportunity" to create a top class entertainment venue in the town, the national body for theatres has said.

Pupils, parents and staff at schools joined forces to hold a fundraising fete for Birmingham Children's Hospital and youngsters being treated on the Renal and Kidney Dialysis Ward.

A mother from Cannock is taking on a running challenge in Birmingham to raise money for a hospital which saved her baby daughter's life.

It's taken four attempts but intrepid adventurer Alan Peace has completed his 1,000km South West Coast Walk for Cancer Research UK after three previous setbacks.

An exhibition, entitled The Change in Ladies Costume from 1066 – 1980, has gone on display at Sudeley Castle and features the work of Kidderminster costume creator Lisa Jayne Smith.

The eldest daughter of Nelson Mandela, Dr Makaziwe Mandela says: “My father would be repeating what he said when he was alive, that the struggle is not complete and that we should not tire, we should press on to fight racism with everything we have...

The corks will be popping as women coming out of lockdown are urged to make themselves feel confident by taking part in a Sip and Shop event being staged at the Shalom Hair Salon in Wolverhampton.

Sir Keir Starmer has launched a new campaign to crack down on anti-social behaviour and end violence against women and girls.

A graduation celebration was held for nursery children after it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The increase will be paid to staff including nurses, paramedics, consultants, dentists and salaried GPs.

The Government had been expected to make a long-awaited decision on pay on Wednesday.

A woman has been arrested in connection with the stabbing of a staff member outside New Cross Hospital.

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two police officers were slashed at a shopping centre.

Nine new coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the region's hospitals – in the latest figures released by NHS England.

Police have launched an investigation after a man's body was found at a flat in Wolverhampton.

The presence of antibodies suggests someone has had the infection in the past or has been vaccinated.

Two police officers have been injured after being attacked at a West Bromwich shopping centre.

The Labour leader warned the country faces a ‘summer of chaos’ as he highlighted policy changes over isolation exemptions.

A man has died after a he was found with a head injury in Kingswinford in the early hours.

The Home Secretary was challenged on the issue by Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Committee.

The Labour leader was said to have tested negative on Wednesday morning before he appeared in Parliament.

A singer song writer is about to release her latest single.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assault after another man was taken to hospital with life-threatening head injuries.

A motorcyclist suffered potentially serious injuries in a crash in the Black Country.

More than 100 e-scooters have been seized by police across the West Midlands – as officers continue to crackdown on illegal riders across the region.

A Sutton Coldfield sporting legend will be remembered at a special day next weekend – and junior clubs in the town are also set to be given support through a grant scheme in his honour.

Police are investigating multiple thefts and attempted theft of Ford Fiestas in the Cannock area.

Some 30% of people reported experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms in the last two weeks.

A huge swimming pool inflatable is making its way to Wednesbury Leisure Centre for the school holidays.

Vue Cinema has apologised to the family of a young father who died after he was trapped in a footrest.

An old West Bromwich town centre pub which was closed down due to issues with drugs and gangs could be converted into a shop and apartment block.

An historic Stafford building that has served as the town’s court and library has been given the green light to start a new chapter.

The Government’s strategy is expected to be announced later on Wednesday.

A closed Wolverhampton pub is set to undergo a major transformation in an effort to revive its ailing fortunes.

Residents living near a Cannock meadow that could be used for housing have taken their campaign against the development to the local council.

British Meat Processors Association chief executive Nick Allen criticised ‘confusing messages’ from the Government.

Birmingham’s chief of children’s wellbeing has stepped down amid the city’s special needs crisis.

Beat the Street Wolverhampton is officially underway – and residents are being encouraged to join in the unique interactive walking, cycling and rolling game.

Mission Critical, an exhibition of thought-provoking photography telling the stories of some of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s most critically ill and injured former patients, officially launches on Friday.

Dr Shamez Ladhani said most children do not develop any symptoms after exposure to the virus.

Researchers also found 45% of people feel better a week after being jabbed.

A 15-year-old boy was pronounced dead after being recovered from a canal in West Yorkshire.

Simon Briercliffe remembers how, on moving to the Black Country a decade ago, he struggled to explain to his parents where his new home was.

A three-year-old girl suffered multiple "extensive" abdominal and chest injuries including broken ribs and a collapsed lung, an expert told jurors.

Weston Park will host an international model air show this year in September, organisers have announced.

The Office for National Statistics said Government borrowing stood at £22.8 billion in June, down from £28.2 billion a year earlier.

Chief executive of Rekom UK, Peter Marks, said he will ‘bang the drum’ until ‘common sense prevails’.

Countries which had the highest rates of children losing family members included Peru, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Iran and Russia.

A range of stories are making headlines on Wednesday, including events in the Channel.

The company said parcel volumes have fallen when compared with the height of the first lockdown but remain ahead of pre-pandemic levels.

Police and farmers joined forces to help corral a cow which wandered onto the M6 in Staffordshire after “idiots" forced open a farmer’s gate.

West Midlands Police has given itself a "poor" rating after failing to hit its target for non-emergency calls.

A Government minister said football fans in the West Midlands should "use their own judgment" on wearing masks at matches when the new season starts.

Domestic violence cases could be lost due to chronic delays in the country's courts system, the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police has warned.

The recent heatwave has seen many people get out and about to enjoy the hot weather and bask in the sunshine.

Dudley's sprawling new university park will enable people to receive a top quality education without being "saddled with huge debts", Lord Austin has said.

Tributes have been made to a Wolverhampton community pioneer following her death.

Black Country police buildings could be saved after a review into a controversial closure programme was launched.

Footballers had a good cause at heart when they took to the pitch for a charity match to fund a new defibrillator.

Words to worry you. With its traditional sternness, TV Licensing sends my annual reminder headed: “You've just days left to renew your TV Licence.” Yes, but that's only because TV Licensing, an organisation regularly criticised for its tactics, d...

Figures taken from Barclays one million small business customers – many of whom are in the West Midlands – reveal that the hospitality and leisure sector is already showing steady signs of bouncing back.

Everything was blooming lovely when members of Hartlebury Women's Institute held their Centenary Garden Party at Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster.

A police chief has called for criminal sanctions against social media platforms that allow racism to go unchecked.

The billionaire owner of Wolverhampton's Frasers store helicoptered in to take a tour of his new 60,000 sq ft city centre shop.

Residents in Dudley are being asked to have their say by sharing their experiences of Russells Hall Hospital.

Eight new coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the region's hospitals – in the latest figures released by NHS England.

More than 17,000 Covid vaccinations were delivered over the big 'walk-in weekend' – in a bid to get as many people vaccinated ahead of 'Freedom Day'.

A special memorial has been unveiled to recognise the work of all the past mayors of the Dudley borough.

Two men have been arrested in connection with a number of distraction burglaries in Kidderminster.

A cinema chain has been fined three quarters of a million pounds after a young father died having become trapped under a chair at Birmingham's Star City complex.

A man has been arrested after a worker at New Cross Hospital was stabbed.

A retired nurse was “stabbed to death by her daughter” who was upset after the family home was put up for sale.

"Today is wonderful because we've been able to share it with so many and it couldn't have come at a better time."

A new tree planting scheme in Tamworth Castle Grounds has been hit by vandals.

Walsall's central library has been closed after a number of staff were told to self-isolate.

A driver who caused a crash in the Black Country which left a woman with life-changing head injuries has been jailed for nine months.

Walk-in vaccinations have opened up across Wolverhampton backed by the vaccine bus in a bid to boost the uptake across the city.

Downing Street’s statement came after business minister Paul Scully suggested people and firms should make an ‘informed decision’ about what to do.

A Black Country music venue has postponed its reopening due to rising Covid cases.

Three teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon.

Business minister Paul Scully said it was up to employers and individuals to decide how to respond to a notification from the NHS Covid-19 app.

Work has started to transform a former industrial site in the Black Country into more than 200 homes.

Young people from across the West Midlands are being invited to perform at events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Some big laughs are promised in Wolverhampton this autumn as a comedy club is back and releasing tickets for its new season.