Local Headlines
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Plans to demolish former pub for homes
An empty pub in Oldbury could be demolished to make way for new homes.
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Stourbridge community raises over £12k for school improvements
The local community turned out in force on Saturday to cheer on the brave fire walkers at St James’ C of E Primary School in Stourbridge.
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Inspector urged to hear voices and save green space
Stourbridge’s MP called upon a planning inspector to hear voices from history and protect a much-loved green space from developers.
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BGSO brings ballroom magic to Birmingham
Local's are invited to step into a world of glitter balls and glamour as Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra hosts a dazzling afternoon of Latin and ballroom magic.
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Charity celebrating Black History Month on Birmingham’s canals
The Canal & River Trust and Brindleyplace are honouring the contributions, cultures, and stories of Black communities that have helped shape the region’s waterways
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Bin strike has cost council at least £14m
The disruption from the ongoing bins strike has cost Birmingham City Council at least £14 million, a report has revealed.
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Walsall independents join Jeremy Corbyn’s Your Party
Two independent councillors at Walsall Council have joined Jeremy Corbyn’s 'Your Party', and hope to stand as candidates for the newly formed political group next year.
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Eligible people celebrating Diwali urged to prioritise vaccinations
The UK Health Security Agency is urging all eligible people in the West Midlands region preparing for Diwali to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccination, to ensure a safe and healthy celebration.
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HMO thrown out on appeal despite new plans
A plan for a house of multiple occupation has been thrown out on appeal for not providing adequate accommodation.
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Labour politicians condemn Handsworth remarks
Labour politicians in Birmingham have condemned remarks made by Robert Jenrick after he called the Handsworth area “one of the worst-integrated places” he had ever been to.
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Review could mean removal of nearly 500 grit bins
Dudley Council is to consider removing nearly 500 grit bins in a bid to cut spending on winter maintenance.
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Showdown on green space set for planning enquiry
Campaigners battling to save a Stourbridge beauty spot are set for a showdown with developers who want to build on the land.
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Birmingham's museums at ‘critical crossroads’
Cultural leaders in Birmingham have said some of the city’s most popular museums are at a “critical crossroads” as plans to ensure their futures were revealed.
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Top politicians exchange blows over saved health centre
Leading politicians hit back at claims they nearly wrecked negotiations to secure the future of a Sedgley health centre.
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Himley Fireworks set to celebrate music
Tickets are now on sale for the Himley Fireworks, with this year’s event set to celebrate music through the decades.
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Industry leaders appointed to Night-Time Economy Commission
Leading voices from the region’s pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues have been chosen to revitalise the West Midlands night-time economy.
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Free Halloween costumes at Brierley Hill Library
Hot on the heels of their World Book Day outfit exchange success, staff at Brierley Hill Library in Dudley are now running a Halloween costume swap.
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Free support and advice at Merry Hill event
People can get advice and support on staying safe and well in their homes at a free event at the Merry Hill Centre this month.
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Deal on health centre could mean housing hub
An imminent deal to secure the Ladies Walk Centre in Sedgley could bring a new housing hub to the area.
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BBC and Netflix announce the return of Peaky Blinders with two new series
Much-loved series Peaky Blinders will return with a bang to the BBC and Netflix, telling the story of a new generation of Shelbys, from writer and creator Steven Knight.
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Arrests following knifepoint robbery in Dudley
Police arrested two teenagers following a knifepoint robbery in Dudley on Wednesday after they were alerted to a bike being taken from a man in Greenfields Road, Kingswinford, at just after midday.
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Dudley History Festival returns for 2025
Dudley libraries and the Archives and Local History Service will again be staging the Dudley History Festival from 11-31 October.
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Plans to reduce town centre parking prices across Dudley approved
Plans to reduce the price of short term parking for visitors to borough town centres have been approved.
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Councillors told financial ‘bomb’ growing bigger
A watchdog committee has been told there is little Dudley Council can do to defuse a financial ‘bomb’.
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Pressure builds on council to publish failed sale report
Pressure continues to build on Dudley Council to publish a report on the failed sale of Dudley Leisure Centre.
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Major Walsall hotel admits ‘mistake’ of hosting controversial political party conference
A major hotel chain has said it was a ‘mistake’ to allow a Homeland Party conference to take place inside its Walsall branch at the weekend.
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Cabinet member hits back after accusations
A leading Dudley councillor has spoken out to squash online allegations he was not being honest about his past.
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Smethwick youngster embarks on exciting apprenticeship with WMAS
West Midlands Ambulance Service is celebrating the success of a youngster from Smethwick after impressing them so much during a year-long placement scheme that he’s now been offered an apprenticeship in the service.
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A weekend of railways great and small at The Engine House
The Severn Valley Railway’s O Gauge Get Together returns to The Engine House at Highley over the weekend of 18–19 October.
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West End star joins cast of Steps musical in Wolverhampton
West End actress Lara Denning will take over the role of Caz, in the Steps musical, 'Here & Now' for its run at Wolverhampton Grand in March 2026.
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TV star Sacha Jones launches new Walsall podcast
A new podcast that promotes the voices of Walsall residents has officially launched, with the first episode now available to stream on Spotify and YouTube.
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Walsall MP hits out at council over controversial Leather Museum decision
The MP for Walsall and Bloxwich has called on Walsall Council to ‘think again’ over its decision to sell the leather museum building.
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High-profile candidate joins election race
The starting gun was fired for the local election campaign in Sedgley after a high-profile campaigner joined the race.
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Stronger For Longer, fitness for women
One in two women over 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis, but Dudley Council is offering sessions to help people keep fit for longer.
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Mayor launches free bus travel for parents this October half-term
Richard Parker, the Mayor of the West Midlands, is offering parents free bus rides to help cut the cost of keeping children busy this half-term.
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Discover your future at Halesowen College open day
Halesowen College is delighted to announce its first Open Day of the academic year, taking place on Saturday, 11th October between 10am and 4pm.
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Stourbridge tip to close earlier on Mondays
The borough tip in Stourbridge will close earlier on Mondays from October 1 as winter opening hours come into operation.
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Walsall Council’s Bereavement Services win national award
Walsall Council’s Bereavement Services team has been named ‘Team of the Year – Cemetery and Crematorium Service’ at the prestigious APSE Service Awards 2025.
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Council cuts spending on empty home repairs
Dudley Council spends an average of two-and-a-half thousand pounds getting a vacant property ready for a tenant.
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Diversity open new dance studio in Birmingham
Diversity, the UK’s most successful dance group, is set to open a fantastic new dance studio in Birmingham city centre next month.
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Mamma Mia to visit Wolverhampton Grand
The sensational feel-good musical Mamma Mia will embark on a new UK tour, which opens at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in October 2026.
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Exciting new chapter for Dudley’s regeneration programme
The leader of Dudley Council has hailed the town centre’s regeneration programme, as a new leisure destination opens its doors.
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Illegal tobacco sales thwarted
A Halesowen shop owner has been convicted for selling illegal vapes to children, following an investigation by Dudley Council’s Trading Standards team.
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Door staff on duty at council house after protest
Dudley Council is employing security guards after protestors gained access to the Council House while a meeting was taking place.
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Fresh demands for transparency on failed land deal
Dudley Council is facing calls from Reform UK to release a report on the failed sale of a leisure centre.
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Dudley Council joins the 2025 'Rescue Me' recycle campaign
Now in its twenty second year, Recycle Week is the nation’s biggest annual celebration of recycling.
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Seating capacity increased at crem following £1.1m investment
A £1.1 million refurbishment which has increased the seating capacity for mourners at Gornal Wood Crematorium has been completed.
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Mayoral Development Corporation is launched
A major new investment body aimed at transforming Birmingham and the West Midlands has been launched.
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Relaxed options for Christmas experiences at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is offering two brand-new events for Christmas, with services starting on 29 November.
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Enjoy a night like no other this Christmas
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is inviting the city’s partygoers to swap crowded clubs and noisy pubs for something altogether more magical this Christmas.
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Digbeth Dining Club to open new Midlands food and culture space
UK street food pioneers, Digbeth Dining Club will open a new canalside dining and event venue in the Black Country early next year.
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Aldi get green light for store extension
An appeal from Aldi against Dudley Council’s refusal to allow an extension of their store in Wollaston has been allowed.
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Top officer says council should be more transparent
Dudley’s top officer says the council should be more transparent after targets for answering freedom of information requests were missed.
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Student Paramedic takes on 100 mile walk for baby loss awareness
A West Midlands Ambulance Service Student Paramedic is walking nearly 100 miles to raise awareness for baby loss.
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Bake to the future at the Red House Cone
A new coffee shop is set to open at a historical visitor attraction in Wordsley next month.
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Leaders defend staff cuts at ‘more efficient’ council
Dudley’s leaders defended cuts to staffing levels after being told their plan to save £61m is hitting services.
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Former Dudley Mayor raises almost £40k
The previous Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills has celebrated raising almost £40,000 for local charities during her Mayoral year.
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Statement from the Leader of Sandwell Council following incident in Oldbury
A statement has been released by the Leader of Sandwell Council, following the "racially motivated" rape of a Sikh woman in Oldbury on 9th September.
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Work begins on new £24 million Haden Hill Leisure Centre
Work has started on-site in preparation for a brand-new £24 million Haden Hill Leisure Centre.
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Black Country girl bags national radio show
A Black Country Radio presenter has landed a daytime show on a national BBC radio station.
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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.
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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.