Okay, so two weeks running I’ve written about the state of newspaper Facebook pages but bear with me still, will you?
Last week, I blogged about the high volume of Liam Payne posts on Reach plc’s Black Country Live feed in my timeline. I blogged it and stopped counting at 100 posts on the former One Direction star.
Clearly, trolling the posts with ‘Yet again’ every time the channel posted yet on the late singer wasn’t having the desired effect. Facebook’s algorithm, it seems, doesn’t register sarcasm.
Three years ago, I started some research to pin down where local newspapers were but never got round to blogging. In short, the research showed Reach plc’s content on local Facebook pages was about 50 per cent local. Othernews companies were around 70 per cent.
Idly, I wondered how this compared to Black Country Live. So I looked at the last 100 posts.
The results, reader, will amaze you.
Just 10 per cent of the content on Black Country Live were local news. Ten per cent. If you count Liam Payne it rises to 30 per cent.
National news is 35 per cent, other West Midlands news is 26 per cent, Staffordshire is four per cent with other is five per cent.
Now, I’ve still got nothing against the admin pumping this out. I’m sure they put the hours in. I’ve also got nothing against Reach’s David Higgerson who commented in detail on my last post. Thank you, David. He mentions some good local reporting. There is. It’s just a shame it is drowned out.
But it did make me think that if the business model is national stories and stories from across the Midlands region then maybe Reach would be better if they dispensed with the idea they cover local news entirely.
A LadBible of regional news is fine but just call it that.
Here’s the list.
The Fieldhouse reopened on October 24 after being closed for three weeks to undergo a full revamp (Restaurant re-opening in Solihull).
Surinder Blah, now 72, abused one girl when she was just seven-years-old (Warwick Crown Court case on Leamington Spa man)
Joel Hislop, 32, was convicted of the serious assault (Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court case)
Joshua Burnham Smith, 18, has been banned from driving for 12 months (Leamington Spa magistrates court case)
This Morning star died aged 31 last Wednesday, in a plunge from a third-floor balcony. (Liam Payne)
Part of the motorway was closed following the incident near junction 8 (West Bromwich incident)
Filming has been taking place in Netherton with the Peaky Blinders movie set to air in late 2025 or early 2026 (Netherton)
New rates for benefits calculated after release of latest inflation figures (National)
Man sentenced and has to stump up nearly £3,000 in fines after he was caught dumping rubbish (Court not identified).
Update for over three million claimants about changes to payments from next year (National)
The M5 northbound is closed between J1 for West Bromwich and J8 for the M6 (West Bromwich)
The ITV The X Factor star, aged 31, died in Buenos Aires in Argentina last week – and Buerk has addressed the coverage on Radio 4 Today.
Nicole, who put together One Direction alongside Simon Cowell during her role as a judge and mentor on ITV The X Factor, has paid tribute to the 31-year-old.
Solihull’s Michael Buerk said he could not understand why Radio 4 and the News at Ten have given it such prominence
Coercive and controlling Paul Andrews beat a woman and was found guilty of sexual assault by digital penetration (Warwick Crown Court)
This Morning star and GB News presenter called time on their long-standing relationship earlier this year – shocking fans and followers. (National)
Kathleen Nicol was rushed to hospital where she sadly died the following day (Stoke-on-Trent)
Rachael Gough, 46, has not been seen for months (Birmingham)
The X Factor star died aged 31 last Wednesday, in a fall from a third floor balcony in Buenos Aires in Argentina where he was staying while supporting former One Direction star Niall Horan on his tour
Convicted sex offender Phidel Gonzales, 36, had to be segregated in prison due to being mistreated by other inmates, a court heard (Birmingham Crown Court)
The childhood sweethearts, who met while at school together in Solihull, named their daughter Mila Rose Grealish (Solihull)
A busy stretch of the motorway between J6 Solihull and J7/7a Coleshill Interchange will be closed, with National Highways saying it would ‘inevitably cause disruption’ (Solihull)
Alex Jones welcomed the Matrix and John Wick star into the BBC studio on Wednesday (October 23) evening. (National)
The BBC star, who is an ITV Lorraine favourite too, was seen throwing up on a spin-off of Big Brother on ITV on Wednesday (October 23) evening in dramatic scenes. (National)
Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy was madly in love with the former One Direction star and has been left heartbroken by his sudden death – here’s what she has said
Ms Reeves is preparing to extend the freeze on income tax thresholds in a move that will raise £7 billion a year, according to reports. (National)
The new Labour Party government has made £1.5bn profit from an unprecedented deal with Octopus and the agreement not only safeguarded jobs and customer service but also filled the public coffers at a crucial time. (National)
Nationwide has urged people impacted by dementia to seek support by visiting in-branch dementia clinics . (National)
DWP has issued a warning to thousands of married women over State Pension back payments after the National Insurance contributions mix-up. (National)
Tony, 60, sent an unkind message about Clare’s presenting ability to her by accident which caused a huge row. (National)
22 Kids and Counting star, who hails from Morecambe, spoke out just hours after happy news their brood is getting bigger. (Morecambe)
EastEnders star opened up on the second episode of new podcast A Gentle Start: The Showercast’ by Timotei this week. (National)
Tyson Fury has revealed his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage the day before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk – and he knew he had lost before even stepping in the ring (Sport)
Workers told major law changes will boost their bank balances (National)
‘Harpsford’ in leafy St Peters Lane in Bickenhill is on the market but anyone taking it on will need more to make it fit for habitation (Solihull)
The body of Hardip Singh Sarai was found inside a derelict building on Soho Hill (Birmingham)
Daiana Gauna spoke out over her conversation with the Wolverhampton star a week on from his death at a Buenos Aires hotel. (Wolverhampton).
The glamourous mum-of-seven often shares snapshots of her life on social media, but fans spotted her wrist was often edited out (National)
Malik is preparing to get back on the road following the tragic death of Liam, who starred on ITV The X Factor alongside him.
Payne’s girlfriend Kate reportedly left the Wolverhampton singer and West Bromwich Albion fan in a Buenos Aires hotel room before his death after likening it to a “hostage situation”.
The cash-strapped authority have sites listed in Edgbaston and Hockley (Birmingham)
Free bus passes and prescriptions for pensioners will be protected in the Budget, which Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves is poised to deliver next week. (National)
The mum of five was quizzed by Louis Theroux on his podcast about her romantic encounters with big celebrity names (National)
The Olympic cycling legend has tragically been given just two to four years to live (National)
Ruth Langsford has praised her son Jack as the “greatest love” of her life, as she continues to navigate through a divorce with Eamonn Holmes after 14 years of marriage (National)
Officers are reviewing CCTV following the incident (Walsall).
The X Factor star’s girlfriend’s pals have spoken out days after Payne died in a hotel balcony fall.
Kate Cassidy and late One Direction star Liam Payne had been in Argentina for more than two weeks before she decided to return home to the US
The dog was tied to a tree behind bushes at the Sutton Coldfield beauty spot, close to the Banners Gate car park. Appeals are being made to find the owner (Sutton Coldfield)
BC Strictly Come Dancing pro dancer Gorka, who shares two children with ITV Emmerdale and Channel 4 Hollyoaks alum Gemma, has defended his fiancee. (National)
It follows a woman reported being sexually assaulted on Corporation Street just after midnight on Thursday, August 22 (Birmingham)
The X Factor star and Wolverhampton singer, who shot to fame as one-fifth of One Direction, died after plunging from a third floor balcony in Buenos Aires in Argentina last Wednesday.
Jia Xin Teo, 22, from Coventry, was found guilty of murder following a trial today (Coventry)
A murder investigation continues following the death of Riyan Ali following a shooting in Alderson Road in Washwood Heath (Birmingham)
New data reveals the roads which have the biggest problems with speeding – with three in the West Midlands making the top five (Walsall)
The X Factor star, aged 31, died in Argentina last Wednesday, following a plunge from a third-floor balcony in the capital city.
Mobile phone footage shows the fireball collision on the Aston Expressway last night (Birmingham)
The BBC Sounds and ITV star’s team at Money Saving Expert have shared details of the Marriage Tax Allowance perk which can hand married couples handy cash. (National)
Piers welcomed Katie Waissel, a former X Factor star, onto his Talk TV Uncensored show on Tuesday night (October 22) where they addressed the tragedy.
Kimberley Baggley was told by doctors that she needed rest and was advised to ‘go on a spa day’ (Stoke-on-Trent)
Staff at Ben’s Fish Bar swiftly intervened when a would-be robber tried to snatch cash at takeaway in Warwick Road, Sparkbrook (Birmingham)
Rhiannon Skye Whyte, 27, died following an incident at Bescot Stadium railway station (Walsall)
This Country star appeared on the ITV panel show, which aired from 12.30pm today Wednesday (October 23). (National)
Jeremy Townend ‘exploited’ the young girl over many months (Cambridge Crown Court).
The city council sold properties in Edgbaston and Hockley (Birmingham)
A proposal had been submitted to convert a four bedroomed property into address for multiple occupation (Birmingham)
Riley Thompson, five, was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma in February – his mum said that although she was a nurse, she ‘had no idea he was blind in his right eye’ (Glasgow)
Ex-Good Morning Britain star spoke out on Twitter, now X, in the wake of his Uncensored coverage of the Wolverhampton singer sparking fury earlier this week.
Payne, 31, investigators are reportedly hunting for further information on employees of Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires after the ITV The X Factor star’s tragic passing.
New artificial intelligence speed cameras (AI) and devices can “see inside your car” to check whether you are paying proper attention to the road as well as just measuring your speed. (National)
The X Factor star was in talks for a series of dates next year despite concerns from those close to the singer that he wasn’t prepared mentally for the demands of life on the road.
Police are raiding ITV The X Factor star and Wolverhampton singer Payne’s hotel for intel on employees who worked the day of his death.
Nicole Sonahar, aged 28, said she went on the run for two years due to being ‘scared’ in her own accommodation (Birmingham)
The alarm was raised after smoke was seen billowing from an old black ash tree in the tiny hamlet of Marshbrook, near Ludlow, Shrops (Ludlow)
The Brummie chef, known as the Potato Queen, faces tough criticism online (Birmingham)
One person has become a viral sensation after sharing a video of a hidden feature on a car that many people are only just discovering – and it’s very useful indeed (National)
Kelly Jones, aged 42, escaped prison as she was handed a 10-year ban on owning animals for what an RSCPA officer described as ‘terrible suffering’ (Tipton)
The latest estimates show the cost of raising a child from 0 to 18 is £166,000 for a couple, and £220,000 for a lone parent, according to figures released last year. (National)
The X Factor star’s love letters to Kate, who left Argentina in the run-up to his death aged 31 last Wednesday in a hotel balcony fall, have emerged.
There have been reports the Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves could change pensions tax policy in the Budget on October 30. (National)
Bake Off has left fans furious and demanding “justice” after Andy, a popular favourite, was axed following a nightmare episode.(National)
Kate Cassidy has shared a new Instagram post paying tribute to Wolverhampton singer Payne, 31.
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Tearoom reopens on Thursday, October 24 – here’s the menu and prices (Birmingham)
During the latest instalment of The Repair Shop, one guest explained how she was ‘future-proofing’ her life after being diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition. (National)
Tyson Fury has revealed his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage the day before his fight with Oleksandr Usyk – and he knew he had lost before even stepping in the ring (National)
One couple spoke out over the bizarre circumstances they found themselves in, after a lender rejected their mortgage because the money had come from Ireland.(Norwich)
The former glamour model and mother of five sparked concern as she promoted a clothing brand on Instagram (National)
Major changes recommended around driving rules for older people (National)
His family released a statement confirming the tragic news today, October 23 (National)
The mum of five said it was ‘beneficial for her overall well being’ (National)
Former Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant, who was paired up with Johannes last year, signed off from a tennis tournament last week. (National)
‘Harpsford’ in leafy St Peters Lane in Bickenhill is on the market but anyone taking it on will need more to make it fit for habitation (Solihull)
The X Factor star’s father has flown to South America, where he is waiting to leave with his son’s body following the tragedy.
Daniel Khalife, 23, was previously based in Stafford (Stafford)
She was heard to say: ‘Everyone has at some stage put something on their CV they regretted putting there and shouldn’t have’ (National)
More than £4,000 has been raised since his death (Wolverhampton)
The museum finally opens to the public after four and a half years on Thursday, October 24 (Birmingham)
An 18-year-old has since been charged in relation to the alleged incident (Walsall)
A ‘suspicious vehicle’ has led to an evacuation of part of Birmingham Airport with some reports of ‘chaos’ while others say ‘everyone’s very unbothered’
The X Factor’s dad Geoff and his bodyguard Paul Higgins have been seen reviewing security footage of Hotel CasaSur Palermo after Liam plunged from a third-floor balcony last Wednesday.
That’s the list.
If you’re reading this in the Black Country I’m going to duck the question as to whether Wolverhampton and Walsall are in the Black Country. There is a hardcore that insists no, they are not.