Local Headlines
-
Former ELO members open new production suite in memory of bandmate
The memory of Electric Light Orchestra’s keyboardist is being honoured with the opening of a new production suite at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
-
Dudley Zoo welcomes new baby sloth
Arriving just in time for the summer holiday's, visitors to Dudley Zoo are able to say hello to their adorable newborn sloth.
-
Outdoor chess tables at two borough parks
People can enjoy a game of outdoor chess with new tables that have been installed at Stevens Park in Quarry Bank and Abbey Street Park in Gornal.
-
Dudley Council issued with formal Government notice
Three Black Country MPs have blasted Dudley Council after the Government issued the authority with a Best Value Notice.
-
Town centre business boost plans with cut parking charges
Businesses across Dudley borough could be in line for a boost with plans under consideration to slash the price of parking for visitors.
-
Backpacks filled with essential items donated by community choir
After fundraising for a year, Pelsall Ladies Choir have donated 150 Comfort Cases to Walsall Council to support children in foster care.
-
Walsall Church leading the way towards net zero
A church in Walsall is leading by example in the move towards Net Zero.
-
Local youth take the stage for a cause in Cradley Heath
Cradley Heath is set for an inspiring night of music and mission as the West Midlands Youth Band and Nexus Youth Choir come together for a special concert.
-
New Scout group takes off in Rowley Regis
Since forming at the start of the year, Rowley Regis Scout Group have opened four sections and have over 70 young people involved, with a waiting list for children wanting to join.
-
Hero teacher who died saving dozens of school kids from drowning recognised
A Bloxwich teacher who tragically died aged 41 has finally been awarded an Elizabeth Emblem.
-
Buskers call for compromise amid PSPO plans
A busker has warned Birmingham risks becoming the country’s “least friendly city” for street performance if divisive PSPO plans go ahead without a compromise.
-
Low morale causing thousands of sick days
Morale among staff at Dudley Council is so low it causes thousands of days off sick according to its opposition leader.
-
Calls for ‘common sense’ as council plans to fell trees worth £97k
A Willenhall resident has called on the council to ‘apply common sense’ over its plan to fell trees near the new railway station.
-
Highest civic honour for D-Day veteran
One of Dudley borough’s oldest surviving veterans from World War II is set to be granted freedom of Dudley borough.
-
Stourbridge Music Scene map launched in tourism boost bid
Black Country artist and illustrator, Stacy Hammond has designed a new map which celebrates Stourbridge’s music scene, past and present.
-
Construction for Metro extension to Merry Hill
Main construction work on the second phase of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension in the Merry Hill area is set to intensify later this summer.
-
Milestones reached in £20.4million Levelling Up partnership
Wednesbury Town Centre is further benefiting from improvements made under the Levelling Up Partnership, as a community square opens following community safety improvements.
-
£9 million funding has delivered ‘real change’ across Dudley
The leader of Dudley Council has hailed the impact of nearly £9 million in funding, praising the team responsible for driving it.
-
Future of historic Birmingham pub secured
Celebrated Birmingham pub The Anchor Digbeth is to reopen mid-to-late August 2025, with the new proprietor pledging to ‘restore the city gem to its original glory’.
-
Epic interactive treasure hunt takes over Merry Hill this summer
Merry Hill will unveil its biggest ever summer event later this month, as the centre is transformed into a free, interactive treasure hunt with more than 4,000 prizes up for grabs.
-
College celebrates freshers festival success
This week, Halesowen College hosted its annual Freshers Festival, a vibrant and exciting event designed to welcome new learners in preparation for the new academic year.
-
£30k grants available in Walsall to support creative industry careers
Amazon has launched the Regional Creatives Fund, offering multiple grants of up to £30,000 for charities in Walsall which focus on upskilling people for careers in creative industries
-
Young singing star meets Mayor of Dudley after anthem performance
A talented local singer has met the Mayor of Dudley after inspiring his decision to introduce the regular playing of the national anthem before council meetings.
-
Major boost for attraction’s restoration plans
The planned transformation of a major Birmingham attraction has taken a crucial step forward after it secured millions in funding.
-
Dudley Zoo awarded gold
Dudley Zoo are celebrating after scooping a top award from industry professionals for work to making the attraction more inclusive.
-
Business owner fined for allowing a knife to be sold to a child
The owner of a Lye town centre store has been fined, after a chopper blade was sold to an undercover 15-year-old.
-
Bins strike timeline amid major negotiations update
Birmingham City Council is ending talks to solve the bins strike crisis and staff are set to go.
-
Calls for Black Sabbath pub to reopen
Calls to reopen the pub known as the ‘birthplace’ of Black Sabbath have intensified once more following the band’s momentous farewell show.
-
Developers ‘frustrated’ over market decision
Developers behind a bid to bulldoze Birmingham’s Bull Ring Indoor Market and replace it with more than 700 flats have been left frustrated after it was refused.
-
Opinion divided on new bar application
Plans to convert a beauty salon into a micro bar in Cradley received a mixed reaction from residents.
-
Walsall’s economy falls behind national averages on nearly every front
Depressing figures detailing Walsall’s economic growth indicates that the borough is behind national averages on nearly every front.
-
Worry over student accommodation schemes
Concerns have been raised about the number of sites being lost for purpose-built student accommodation in Birmingham.
-
Millions in redevelopment cash 'stashed' by council
Dudley Council has millions of pounds stashed for community improvement including cash which has been languishing in its coffers for more than ten years.
-
Major Jewellery Quarter scheme approved
A major scheme to bring hundreds of new homes and affordable work space to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter have been given the green light.
-
Beating heart of communities at risk of flatline due to Government cuts
A Conservative MP has shared serious concerns about the scope of the devastation caused to local businesses following the Government’s reduction in support for the Hospitality sector.
-
Council owed millions in unpaid rent
Dudley Council was owed nearly £3m in unpaid rent at the end of the last financial year, according to its latest accounts.
-
Instant bus departure information at your fingertips
Reliable and up-to-the-minute bus departure information will soon be available to smartphone users at the tap of their screen at all bus stops across the region.
-
Black Country Day events in Dudley Libraries
Black Country Day is being marked in four Dudley Libraries with free special events aimed at celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage, fascinating history and continuous evolution.
-
Build a career with Dudley Council, says leader
Dudley Council is the perfect place for young people to build a successful career, its leader said today.
-
A 2,000 seater ice rink in Dudley is ‘viable’
A 2,000-seater ice rink in Dudley would provide a £40 million boost to the town’s economy in its first decade and create more than 100 jobs, a report has revealed.
-
Woman injured following shooting in Dudley
An investigation has been launched after a woman was shot at an address in Dudley.
-
Two arrested after man stabbed in Walsall
Police in Walsall are appealing for witnesses after a man was stabbed in the town.
-
Former tennis star set to serve up a treat in Dudley
Former tennis pro and Strictly star Annabel Croft is bringing her new show to Dudley later this year.
-
Community welcomes opportunity to revitalise local areas
People who live and work in a defined boundary area of Dudley borough set by government will see up to £20 million of investment over the next 10 years.
-
West Midlands Padel star plans fundraising events
A rising star in the padel community, 23-year-old West Midlander Ben Coeulle, is planning a series of fundraising events in 2025 to raise money for Breast Cancer UK.
-
Police teams out to deter ASB in Sandwell
Police officers are on patrols across Sandwell as they crackdown on nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
-
PIP payouts in DUdley up by more than 80 percent
Personal Independence Payments in Dudley borough rose by 82 percent in just over six years according to new research.
-
Family’s housing nightmare is over
A Walsall family who suffered a catalogue of problems with a private landlord before being evicted has told how they have finally found their forever home.
-
Dudley exec collected £80k leaving payout
Dudley Council’s former chief executive trousered £80k for a golden goodbye when he left the authority in September 2024.
-
Nostalgic Three Men in a Boat to return to Saddlers Centre
Walsall Council is restoring the popular Three Men in a Boat clock as part of the town centre’s regeneration.
-
Accounts show the cost of running the council
New figures released by Dudley Council show the size of the authority and how much it costs to run.
-
Drastic chop job to hedge sparks anger
Drastic action by Dudley Council workers to cut back a hedge sparked anger in Hawbush with a councillor demanding answers.
-
Local resident says thank you for second chance at life
A grateful heart attack survivor has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved his life, just weeks after their intervention helped him get the urgent care he needed.
-
Developers of Birmingham’s tallest skyscraper learn from next generation
A successful student mentorship scheme between Birmingham City University and residential property developer Court Collaboration will be extended to a second year, following a successful pilot.
-
New housing hub for tenants to open in Dudley town centre
The hub, sited in St James’s Road, will open three days a week and will allow tenants to report repairs, pay rent and hand in keys.
-
Dudley celebrates Armed Forces Day
Dudley borough came together to celebrate the nation’s past and present military personnel at an Armed Forces Day event on Sunday.
-
Black Country girl bags national radio show
A Black Country Radio presenter has landed a daytime show on a national BBC radio station.
-
Sandwell Council makes serious and unsubstantiated allegations during Ombudsman investigation
Sandwell council refused to let a vulnerable mother have her representative present at an important meeting and made serious and unsubstantiated allegations about both of them during an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
-
Man Arrested Over Bartley Green Shooting
A 20 year-old man’s been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a shooting in Bartley Green on Sunday.