Birmingham & Black Country

We asked what you thought about plans for another eight free schools in the West Midlands region.

Education Secretary Michael Gove told BBC WM breakfast show presenter Pete Morgan they were the way forward, but critics say they are concerned about the types of people who could run the schools.

BBC WM Facebook page Vicky Duckworth said: "Free schools do not have to have qualified teachers. Would you be happy to be treated by an unqualified doctor? No? Then why is it acceptable for our children to be taught by unqualified teachers?"

Although feeling a bit cooler than recently there should be some sunny spells, especially later in the day. It should be moderately windy.

The Express & Star reports that Crewe manager Steve Davis is odds-on favourite to take on the top job at Wolves.

The paper says Davis's work at Crewe is known to have impressed Wolves owner Steve Morgan and that Davis himself was a fan of the team as a boy.

Have you ever regretted your children not having swimming lessons? Have they had any near misses?

BBC WM are keen for you to contact them for a story on tomorrow's breakfast show.

Four of the eight new free schools approved for the West Midlands region will be in Birmingham, BBC WM reports.

As well as two new sites for the Perry Beeches franchise, the charity City United will be creating one and there will also be a new all-boys Muslim faith school. The precise sites for the schools are not yet known.

Earlier problems on Middleton Road, Shirley, because of a burst water main which was causing flooding have now been cleared.

West Midlands Police say they're trying to trace a man after a 70-year-old man was threatened with a knife in his home by two men. He was then forced to drive to a cash machine where he was made to take out money for them.

Officers say they want to speak to 50-year-old Roy Alethan Powell in connection with the kidnapping in Moseley, Birmingham, which happened in December.

Stafford Hospital campaigner Julie Bailey has told BBC WM's Adrian Goldberg she's angry the man in charge of the NHS will retire with a pension worth millions.

Sir David Nicholson announced yesterday he will step down in March 2014 from his position as chief executive of NHS England. Ms Bailey is among campaigners who have repeatedly called for him to resign over his role in the Stafford Hospital scandal.

BBC Midlands Today reports that the future is looking better for small and medium-sized manufacturers in the West Midlands.

It says a survey by the Manufacturing Advisory Service shows that nearly three-quarters of the 107 companies questioned in the region are expecting to increase sales over the next six months.

There is still disruption on London Midland services between Worcester Foregate Street and Birmingham Moor Street because of vandalism at Hartlebury.

The company says some trains between Worcester Shrub Hill and Kidderminster are now able to run but with delays of up to 30 minutes.

Chefs from Simpsons restaurant in Birmingham have claimed a hat-trick of awards, the Birmingham Post reports.

After news that leaders of 18 of the West Midlands's 21 A&E departments have warned that patient safety cannot be guaranteed because of "toxic overcrowding", BBC Midlands Today wants to hear about your experiences.

In a letter, they say the "crisis" was "particularly and intensely felt throughout the West Midlands and surrounding region". What do you think?

BBC News Online reports that a pedestrian has died after being hit by a car in Handsworth, Birmingham.

The man was hit in Trinity Road, near Birchfield Road, at about 23:00 BST on Monday.

Food outlets in a part of Birmingham have the best hygiene standards of more than 2,000 postcodes in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, an investigation finds.

Commuters fear gridlock as Birmingham city centre tunnels are set to close, the Birmingham Mail reports.

As Aston and Lozells are picked to have their own heritage trail, which parts of Birmingham and the Black Country do you think are worth putting on the map? Send us your pictures.

Here's one of my favourite places - Monument Hill in the Lickey Hills.

BBC News Online reports that in a survey of food outlets, Birmingham's B35 postcode offered the highest standards of food hygiene from the areas looked at across England.

In speedway, the Dudley Heathens opened their National League programme with a 56-36 win over King's Lynn at Monmore Green last night.

The Heathens made hard work of it at times but got the job done.

A new heritage trail has opened in Handsworth and Lozells to highlight and promote the history of the areas.

Organiser Aftab Rahman says: "I want people from all over the world to come and visit here."

West Midlands Fire Service says it plans to recruit 50 new firefighters, with an online application process starting in June.

Training courses for the new recruits, who will be the first intake since early 2010, will start later in the year.

Handsworth Park is one of the stops on a new heritage trail in Handsworth and Lozells to promote their local history.

Organiser Legacy WM says it wants to shine a positive light on the suburbs, which have been associated with gang crime, shootings and riots.

BBC WM reports that two fires at scrapyards overnight in the Black Country are being investigated.

More than 20 old cars were involved in a blaze at a yard in Withy Road in Bilston, while about 80 were on fire in Saltbrook Road in Halesowen. Both fires are now out.

We've introduced BBC Local Live to bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather all in one place. Tell us what you think.

BBC WM reports that plans to open another eight free schools in the West Midlands next year have been approved.

Nationally, more than 100 of the schools, which are state funded but outside council control, will open in September 2014.

London Midland rail services between Worcester Foregate Street and Birmingham Moor Street are disrupted because of vandalism on the line at Hartlebury.

Tickets are being accepted on National Express West Midlands and Midland Metro services. London Midland said it would also be putting on coaches for passengers.

BBC News Online's Jerry Chester has been to Birmingham Dogs Home in Digbeth to find out why the charity says it needs to move to a bigger site in Solihull.

He found there was so little space to walk the dogs volunteers had to exercise on treadmills instead.

Middleton Road in Shirley is partially blocked at the junction with Velsheda Road because of a burst water main which has caused the road to flood, BBC Travel News reports.

A mostly dry day with some cloud but also some sunny spells, especially later on. Feeling cooler than of late with moderate winds.

Good morning, I'll be bringing you the latest news and sport today on BBC Local Live.

We'll also have regular travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.