Home News News - all sections

Two in hospital after Handsworth shooting

Two men were recovering in hospital today after they were shot in a city street. Read

More than 100 West Midlands regeneration projects axed

More than 100 regeneration schemes have been axed across the West Midlands, after the region’s economic development agency was forced to cut budgets by £70 million. Read

Three-car crash causes hold-ups on M6

A woman has been cut free from her car following a three-car crash on the M6 in Birmingham. Read

Launch of new Birmingham City Council website hit by problems

The launch of Birmingham City Council’s new website, which was supposed to make it easier for people to pay bills and keep track of council tax payments, has been delayed by months after red-faced officials discovered the new system refused to recognise pound signs. Read

Birmingham swine flu cases soar because of close-knit families, says minister

The spread of swine flu in Birmingham has been more severe because of the high number of close-knit families in the city, the Health Secretary has said. Read

Harborne homes plan protest gets support from English Heritage

Residents of one of Birmingham’s most historic suburbs have won the backing of conservation watchdog English Heritage after forcing it into a major U-turn to fight against a new housing development. Read

Walsall woman allowed husband to film naked children, court told

A Walsall teaching assistant helped her husband secretly film young girls undressing and having baths after holding pool parties at their home, a court has been told. Read

Pupils blow out the recorder for sounds of ukulele

Music lessons up and down the country have been marked by the shrill whistle of badly-played recorders, but a school in the Black Country is singing the praises of a different instrument. Read

Last day for applications to replace sacked West Bromwich vicar

Church leaders are seeking a replacement for a vicar who was sacked for having an affair with a woman who went to him for counselling. Read

Birmingham's ambulance service swamped with calls from heatwave victims

Birmingham’s ongoing heatwave is causing havoc for ambulance staff who are being swamped with calls from the public. Read

Officials deny threat to high speed rail link for Birmingham

Ambitious plans for a high speed rail line between London and Birmingham have been thrown into doubt following reports Department for Transport was facing a £30 billion funding gap. Read

£11m transport project at Birmingham International ready to start

Work is due to start on a long-awaited £11 million transport project to improve links between Solihull and the region’s biggest airport and exhibition centre. Read

Centro launch consultation on Metro loop for Wolverhampton

A consultation into £30 million plans to extend the Midland Metro tram system in a single track loop around Wolverhampton has been launched. Read

Chocolate fans kick off Wispa Gold production at Cadbury's

It was a dream come true for some chocaholics when they were treated to a Willy Wonka experience by Cadbury. Read

Moor Pool Estate - an idyllic English village

Edward Chadwick finds peace and tranquillity in Harborne's historic Moor Pool Estate, where residents are fighting to protect it from development. Read

Birmingham brothers got father to take blame for their driving offences

A former West Midlands police officer and his brother who both got their alcoholic father to “take the points” for speeding offences have walked free from court. Read

Ginger Festival sees Moseley take it as red

Redheads have been celebrating their fiery roots at Moseley’s first ever Ginger Fest. Read

Moseley kebab shop allowed to continue without bouncers

Police have failed in an attempt to force a Birmingham kebab store owner to hire bouncers to deal with “alcohol-fuelled” customers. Read

Hundreds of fish die as storms cause pollution at Birmingham lake

The death of hundreds of fish in a Birmingham lake has been blamed on pollution following last week’s thunderstorms. Read

Homeowners making money from their car parking spaces

Homeowners in Birmingham are turning a profit in the depths of the recession – by letting their unused parking spots for up to £125-a-month. Read