Hospital chiefs in the Black Country have said they are dealing with "another surge" in coronavirus cases being spearheaded by more transmissible sub-variants.

Residents in Dudley are paying hundreds of pounds to hire a skip to dispose of rubbish after the council failed to provide a nearby tip.

The final event of a month of celebrating the Black Country has been announced.

Up to 350 people were evacuated from their homes last night as firefighters responded to a major gas leak in Oldbury.

A sports fan is packing a punch after becoming the first wheelchair user in the country to qualify as a boxing judge.

A plaque has been unveiled to a much-loved former councillor who was the "heart and soul" of Bilston and who fought fiercely to maintain the independence of the town he loved.

A brand new go-karting track in Walsall was due to open today.

Fuel price protesters are promising to cause disruption on the M5 on Friday - both in the West Midlands and for those travelling south.

A mass brawl on an estate in Wolverhampton involving 50 people saw four police officers injured and police uniforms stolen.

Climate protestors Extinction Rebellion are protesting in Wolverhampton on Friday.

Villagers have spoken of their shock after a popular pub, described as 'essential' to the local community was severely damaged by a fire.

A major transport review is to be launched in the West Midlands amid fears that a budget deficit could rise to nearly £80 million.

After years providing a listening ear to the newly bereaved, there wasn't much that fazed Deloris Smith. But this was a difficult one.

A college in the Black Country where staff are set to strike has called for a fair funding settlement for the further education sector so it can give a 'meaningful pay award' to its workers.

We are all in in for a difficult few years.

Train passengers will be facing travel woes next week when two days of planned strike action causes disruption in the region.

Crews from two fire stations were called to tackle a fire on scrub land.

A Black Country shopping centre is getting into the spirit of the Commonwealth Games with a pop-up sports stadium.

A teacher retiring after 38 years at the same school was given a send-off to remember – including a message from Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher.

A toddler and a grandmother died in a road smash caused by a car's faulty brakes, an inquest heard.

A Staffordshire Police officer who made inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to colleagues been dismissed without notice.

The GMB has called off its Sandwell refuse service strike planned for during the Commonwealth Games.

The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association said new ballots will be held at West Midlands Trains, Greater Anglia, Northern and TransPennine Express.

A community fun day raising money for charitable causes is set to take place in Walsall.

A city choir is putting in final rehearsals ahead of its big day at the Commonwealth Games.

A fire that broke out at a Brierley Hill beauty spot is believed to have been started deliberately.

It was a case of the community coming together in Blakenhall for a litter pick organised by ward councillor Jasbinder Dehar.

Fire crews dealt with a large woodland fire near to a petrol station in Sedgley.

Planned weekend closure of roads around Junction 10 of the M6 have been postponed and the roads will be open as usual.

A Wolverhampton gurdwara has installed a stairlift to enable people who struggle to climb stairs to access all of the facilities on offer.

A family fun day will welcome the Queen's Relay Baton as it completes its journey across a Black Country borough.

Highways bosses remain extremely concerned at the level of thefts of gully drain covers in Walsall.

More than £5 million has been spent on temporary staff in one month at a hospital in the Black Country despite the use of them falling slightly.

More than £64,000 worth of illegal and dangerous vaping and tobacco products have been seized from shops in Great Bridge and Smethwick.

Comfortable rooms and leafy surroundings await the competitors of the Commonwealth as the athletes villages get up and running.

Grease is the word at a Willenhall primary school as staff and pupils celebrated their last day of term.

Footwear chain Zone is set to reopen its West Bromwich store.

The Merry Hill shopping centre is welcoming international recreation brand Trespass.

Three weekly cricket camps are being held at Kidderminster Cricket Club during the summer holidays to help keep children away from the streets.

A Walsall nurse remains against having the Covid-19 vaccine after taking part in a documentary aimed at changing his mind.

A 'Neighbourhood Watch' style scheme is being launched to help people look after Wolverhampton's East Park.

People are being urged to wear masks and sanitise hands as Covid cases continue to rise in Walsall.

A nurse from Walsall has appeared in a documentary aimed at changing his mind after refusing the Covid-19 vaccination.

A second man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder over a fire at a Dudley petrol station that left a man seriously injured.

A school and 190 houses will be built on the former Brandhall Golf Club - thwarting a campaign to keep it green.

Parking charges will increase in Sandwell after the council's cabinet passed plans for an increase.

A former housing office on a Wolverhampton estate is to be converted into a residential home, with services for local tenants being transferred to a central office.

Unsung heroes across a hospital trust in the Black Country will be celebrated tonight at an awards ceremony to recognise their work.

Black Country residents are being encouraged to wear a face mask when they visit their GP practice to combat the spread of Covid.

Economy bosses in Wolverhampton have announced plans to build on the city’s rich industrial heritage, with £4.4 billion of major investment projects set out for the next five years.

Residents united to protest against the installation of a 5G mast that has been approved by Walsall Council.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games are almost here, with the West Midlands gearing up to welcome millions of competitors and spectators from around the world.

Black Country residents are being encouraged to wear a face mask when they visit their GP practice to combat the spread of Covid.

Television's most beloved lexicographer Susie Dent is coming to the Black Country to retell the adventures that lie hidden within the history of words.

Painting In Penn is hosting its 17th annual art exhibition at St Bartholomew’s Church, Penn, in September.

Police pay remains "woeful" despite the Government announcing an average five per cent pay rise for officers, a senior official in the West Midlands has said.

A rare fighter plane that would have played a key role in the Battle of Britain more than 80 years ago will fly over the region this weekend.

An independent cinema which was forced to close due to unprecedented temperatures has reopened.

Fire engines were sent to a blaze at a pub early this morning.

A well-known bhangra musician has been discharged from hospital after making a ‘miracle’ recovery from a coma.

A teenager who was introduced to the building trade by training group BCTG – part of the Ladder for the Black Country – has now started a two-year apprenticeship in plastering.

Sports Direct’s parent business hailed a strong performance despite a ‘significant increase’ in running costs.

A police force is diverting calls to neighbouring forces due to technical problems.

The future of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension has been plunged into doubt after its cost ballooned to £550 million.

Demolition work has started on a well-known pub left unsafe by 'third party works'.

Howden Joinery, which has depots across the West Midlands, has posted a jump in first-half profit and revenue.

The Financial Conduct Authority has been criticised by MPs on the the Public Accounts Committee.

"A piece of my heart has gone," says the devastated parents of a Walsall schoolboy who died after being struck by a bin lorry.

Worried Baggies fans want The Hawthorns listed as a community asset of value to prevent the ground being sold through the back door.

Disruption to train services running through Birmingham New Street looks set to run into a third day (July 21).

Wolves legend Steve Bull has been named as one of the baton-bearers for the Queen's Baton Relay when it comes to Wolverhampton this weekend.

A new publicly accessible defibrillator has been installed in Brierley Hill High Street, marking a year since a local duo saved a life in the town with CPR.

A man in his 20s who died after a car crashed into railings has been named locally as Smethwick man Qasim Mahmood.

Women are now making up almost half of new officers joining the rank and file at Staffordshire Police.

Six fire service crews are fighting a "large" fire in Pensnett.

Cutting taxes and borrowing to fund day-to-day spending will lead to severe economic difficulties.

A Black Country MP has opened up about losing her mother to cancer as she urged ministers to publish a long-term plan on the disease.

The accomplishments of people learning new skills and boosting their confidence was celebrated at a special event.

A fire service is urging people to do all they can to avoid outdoor fires after an "incredibly busy few days" responding in "extremely challenging conditions".

A mother says she was left housebound after waiting a week for a holiday operator to return her buggies.

Penny Mordaunt was eliminated in the final round of voting among party MPs.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne has paid tribute to a Shropshire councillor who died on Sunday morning.

A man in his 60s has been seen walking around the grounds of a stately home with his trousers down.

David Venables was jailed for life after his legal team said it was ‘inevitable’ he will die behind bars.

Workers at Jaguar Land Rover, who are members of the Unite union, have turned down the offer of a 6 per cent pay rise from October along with a £5,000 immediate lump sum to help them cope with the rising costs of living.

Firefighters arrived within five minutes to tackle a well developed and "extensive" grass fire at a beauty spot in the Black Country.

The colour and pageantry of the Queen's Baton Relay was brought to people in a range of places across Staffordshire.

The Black Country: Rich in history, and home to some great, centuries-old pubs.

The renowned new wave group will front a line-up of acclaimed musicians and rising stars at the event on Thursday July 28.

There is still no sign of a drop in house prices as the West Midlands, including Shropshire, continues to be one of the strongest performing regions in the country.

Human skulls and bones have been uncovered after burrowing badgers disturbed bodies at a church graveyard in Dudley – and now residents have called for action.

A school in Wolverhampton celebrated its rich cultural diversity through a range of activities involving music, dance, food and art.

After months of ever-increasing fuel bills, petrol and diesel prices are at last falling.

An important milestone was reached in the recreation of a long-lost Wolverhampton pub this week when its licence was approved.

How do you like the sound of owning your own pub?

A new family-friendly high ropes course will be opening in Sandwell next week.

More than 4,000 people are expected to descend on Wolverhampton this Saturday as part of Digbeth Dining Club's 10th anniversary celebrations.

An 11-year-old schoolboy from Dudley has been praised for saving a boy from drowning while on holiday in Cornwall.

Records were smashed in the West Midlands this week as an unprecedented heatwave caused temperatures to soar to 39C (102.2F).

New staff will be recruited to provide thousands of hours of home care for older people needing help after council chiefs gave the go-ahead.