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

Staffordshire Police are hoping Wombourne residents remember seeing two thieves with a passing resemblance to Laurel and Hardy escaping on a moped.

Senior MPs in the West Midlands have backed Liz Truss for Tory leader – insisting she is the only candidate who can deliver a "real authentic" Brexit.

Andy Street insists the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro project is not "in danger" despite a decision to mothball half the line.

A consultation has been launched on plans to build hundreds of homes on green belt sites in the Black Country.

Fearless teenagers and distinguished doctors alike will take on the honour of carrying the Queen's Relay Baton through Wolverhampton this weekend.

A Black Country borough is set to cheer on fundraisers, Olympians and community champions taking part in the Queen's Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

A mother of three from Walsall is set to graduate at the same time as her son after achieving a First Class Degree.

Efforts are under way to tackle bed-blocking at a hospital and ensure people who can be are discharged to cut delays – and free up ambulances.

The level of job vacancies in the West Midlands has risen by 40 per cent in the space of a year.

Items belonging to Wallis Simpson, the late Duchess of Windsor whose love led to the abdication of a King, have raised over £1,700 at an auction in Lichfield.

Toby Neal casts his eye on the world of politics.

A "disrespectful" Skegness artisan cheese maker has caused consternation by "reinventing" the Black Country's own delicacy - the pork scratching.

Walsall Council has moved to quash speculation on social media baby graves have been vandalised in Willenhall Lawn Cemetery.

Former veteran and Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, who nearly had his foot amputated in the Army, has welcomed £5 million healthcare provision for ex-service personnel.

University of Wolverhampton's class of 2021 has celebrated graduation with ceremonies taking place over two weeks.

A police football liaison officer videoed tripping up a Wolves fan in February will be back in place for the start of the new season after being cleared of wrongdoing.

Footage has been shared on YouTube of the moment the University of Wolverhampton's Vice Chancellor told staff in an online meeting that jobs could be lost.

A charity football match between Stourbridge and Halesowen Town football clubs was abandoned amid chaotic scenes when trouble erupted.

It's here! The Queen's Baton is set for the Black Country and here's what you need to know...

Around 200 JCB agency employees are to be handed permanent contracts this summer as demand continues to rise for construction and agricultural machinery.

Those of us staying put in the West Midlands may be the lucky ones, as families looking to travel south, or to the continent, faced chaos on both roads and by boat at the start of the weekend.

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

Children "running around with knives" sparked a 50-person brawl in Wolverhampton, residents say.

Motorways were packed with families getting away for their summer holidays people heading south from the West Midland on the M5 appear to have been largely unaffected by a planned protest over the cost of petrol and diesel.

Politicians across the political divide are backing the plan for The Hawthorns to be an asset of community value to prevent a quick sale.

Kinver Craft Beer and Cider Festival is returning for its fourth year in August.

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

The West Midlands has the highest knife crime rate in the country after offences increased by almost half over the last year, official figures show.

A three-storey block of flats was evacuated after a car crashed into it in the early hours sparking concerns for the structural safety of the building.

Four young dancers at an Oldbury dance school have been nominated for young active citizen awards.

A bleed kit has been installed on a Wolverhampton estate near to where a 15-year-old boy was fatally stabbed two months ago.

A land study commissioned by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has been criticised by the leader of Wolverhampton council, over claims the city has enough brownfield sites to build four and-a-half thousand new homes.

Residents in Oldbury spoke of their relief after they were able to return to their homes following a major gas leak.

As the summer holidays are among us, there are plenty of things to do in the Black Country and Staffordshire to keep the family entertained.

Five Dudley greenfield sites have been saved from redevelopment following pushback from residents and ward councillors.

The Commonwealth Games Baton has travelled the globe during a 294-day journey to all 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.

Health bosses in Wolverhampton have outlined plans to meet the city’s ‘healthy life expectancy challenge’, after figures revealed more local people were living longer, healthier lives.

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

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

Controversial plans to turn former student halls of residence into temporary accommodation for hundreds of asylum seekers will be considered by Stafford Borough Council next week.

Residents fed up with vehicles blocking a path and visitors urinating and taking drugs in a village beauty spot are calling for action to tackle the problems.

A decision not to reopen a front counter council service in Walsall town centre has been defended again as bosses look at overhauling assets.

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.

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

An investigation has been launched after a man's body was discovered at a flat in Bilston with a post-mortem examination proving inconclusive.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.