Covid is set to stay for years to come according to a Staffordshire health boss – and some measures will need to remain in place to control its spread.

Police officers could be equipped with airport-style hand-held scanners in a bid to make stop and search "less invasive".

Two Staffordshire councils could share one chief executive for 12 months following the departure of one authority’s managing director.

Brick manufacturer Ibstock swung to a loss in 2020, but it is seeing an improvement in its performance so far in 2021.

A motorcyclist has been critically injured in a crash in the West Midlands.

An increased number of social workers in Wolverhampton say their case loads are not manageable and that staff stress levels are higher, a survey of the council’s workforce has revealed.

The rate of positive cases in Walsall continues to drop but residents are still being warned to follow the rules as lockdown restrictions are eased.

It took more than 400 workers just two weeks to build from scratch, cost around £66 million and took up 70,000 sq metres.

A kind-hearted schoolgirl is making hundreds of Easter goodie bags to give to Black Country Women's Aid.

Infrastructure company Hill & Smith expects to see a good recovery in 2021 after annual profit fell owing to the pandemic impact.

Construction materials group Breedon saw profits fall by about 50 per cent following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A fitness tycoon hailed the West Midlands "the region of opportunity" at an event to mark careers week.

The RSPCA has issued an appeal after a Eurasian eagle owl was found dumped in a box at a roadside.

Thousands of people in the Black Country and Staffordshire have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine – but new figures also show areas in the region with the lowest coverage.

“Mr Watson, come here, I want to see you.”

The West Midlands Mayor says investment and major projects will help a city overcome its "economic challenges" and thrive after the pandemic.

A collaboration of small grassroots organisations are taking a different approach to the free school meals debate by launching a campaign to feed the whole family for less than £45 per week.

A couple who first met during a milk round in the 1950s have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

It's census time. This month every household in England and Wales will be asked to take part in the nation's biggest survey to help government plan for future needs.

See the latest figures for coronavirus cases and deaths in your area.

Sandwell Council has issued a warning to residents of Tipton Green, where Covid infection rates are twice as high as the average rate in the borough.

A man accused of murdering his wife bought her a wedding dress the day before her death, a trial heard.

A man has been arrested after a driver fleeing police crashed into another car in Tipton.

A nineteen-year-old told a jury he was wearing gloves on the day of an alleged murder because he was worried about Covid.

Floral tributes have been left at the scene where a man died after a stabbing in Great Barr.

People aged 55 and over are now being invited to get their life-saving Covid-19 vaccine.

A further 26 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the Black Country, Birmingham and Staffordshire.

A man was assessed for smoke inhalation after a hob fire today.

A brick was thrown through the window of a home in an attempted robbery in Rowley Regis.

An exciting tie-up between two businesses in the Black Country and Shropshire is delivering a ‘galvanizing’ world first.

A new law that could see travellers jailed for setting up illegal camps has been backed by a Wolverhampton MP.

Logistics business Pallet-Track has launched a national #HoorayforHauliers campaign to celebrate the role of the key worker drivers who have kept Britain moving throughout the pandemic.

A remote controlled car battery exploded while charging causing a fire at a house in the Black Country.

Since the 1940s, women have been playing an increasingly larger role in the world of business.

Anglers are being urged to have their say on proposed byelaws which could be introduced to protect salmon and sea trout stocks in rivers across the region and beyond.

Eccleshall, near Stafford, is known in normal times for the spirited atmosphere of its vibrant town centre brought to life by its pubs, bars and other hospitality businesses.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. I would love to give her a huge hug but I can’t and we can’t sit too close either, but to hold her hand is fantastic – I think I’ve been squeezing a bit too hard.”

Brickmaking group Forterra, which has a factory in Cradley, saw revenue fall 23.2 per cent last year to £291.9 million as it was hit by the coronavirus crisis.

PP Control & Automation has signalled its intention to double sales to over £40 million after it became the latest manufacturer to be selected for the Sharing in Growth transformation programme.

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has taken hundreds of calls from Scotland during the pandemic to help over-stretched services north of the border.

There's no such thing as a free ride – unless you fancy trying out a city's new cycle hire scheme.

A mobile unit offering free rapid testing for Covid-19 is now located at Low Hill Community Centre.

The UK’s first 5G-connected tram is being trialled in the region.

A team of family and friends are putting their best foot forward to raise funds and awareness for a cause close to their hearts.

A family catering firm in the Black Country has hit the right note with people by offering home deliveries of a taste of pub life.

A new beer that will appeal to Kiwis has been launched in the Black Country in special ‘all black’ cans in honour of New Zealand’s rugby side.

Young people who have gone that extra mile to help others are being sought for the return of a popular city awards.

The region's £66 million Nightingale hospital is set to close without having ever seen a single patient.

Ministers have been urged to give NHS staff "proper recognition" by increasing a planned one per cent pay rise.

Children and teenagers across the region have returned to classrooms this week as the slow journey back to normality begins.

A man has been charged with murder after a man died following a stabbing in Birmingham last week.

A carpet shop in the Black Country has been forced to close – following repeated breaches of coronavirus regulations.

Tributes have been paid to the first confirmed coronavirus victim at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust – to mark the first anniversary of her death.

A Walsall hotel and pub could lose its licence over alleged Covid breaches – and complaints of trouble and anti-social behaviour.

A further 13 coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in hospitals in the Black Country and Birmingham.

People aged between 56 and 59 in the West Midlands have been called on to book their Covid-19 vaccination this week.

A vaccine centre based at a Black Country leisure centre has now vaccinated 20,000 people.

A man has died after a fire in the garage of a home in Staffordshire.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after another man died after a stabbing in Great Barr.

Wolverhampton's first ever Creation Day Festival has been postponed until next year so it can be enjoyed safely amid Covid-19.