Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
Key Events
M62 'very slow' due to salt spreading
There is currently very slow traffic due to salt spreading on M62 Westbound at J23 A640 / A643 (Huddersfield).
* Further afield there is queueing traffic on the the A628 at the A616 Flouch roundabout due to a broken down lorry. Congestion is to Windle Edge (Dunford Bridge turn off) and on Midhope Cliff Lane to A616.
The congestion is affecting traffic heading from Manchester towards Sheffield.
Murder victim named by police
A woman murdered in Halifax at the weekend has been named.
Monika Lasek, 36, a Polish national, had been living in the town for the last few years. Her body was found at Solstice Way on Sunday.
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
Another weather warning issued
Put another log on the fire – the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice in Yorkshire today.
Huddersfield should miss the worst of the bad weather, which is set to hit at 6pm today, clearing by 11pm on Thursday night.
Temperatures in Huddersfield are set to plummet to zero degrees by 11pm tonight – but if you’re out and about at that time, wrap up warm as it will feel like -4°C!
National news
Here’s a round up of today’s main headlines:
TRUMP SHARES ‘MUSLIM CRIMES’ VIDEOS TWEETED BY BRITAIN FIRST DEPUTY LEADER
Donald Trump has shared videos tweeted by the deputy leader of far-right group Britain First purporting to show Muslims committing crimes. The US President retweeted three posts by Jayda Fransen on Wednesday. The posts included unverified videos titled “Muslim Destroys a Statue of Virgin Mary!” and “Muslim migrant beats up Dutch boy on crutches!” The videos are said to be as much as four years old and have been shared with misleading captions and no information as to the context.
MATT LAUER FIRED BY NBC’S TODAY SHOW OVER ‘INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR’
US TV show host Matt Lauer has been fired for “inappropriate sexual behaviour”, NBC News has said. Lauer’s Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie made the announcement at the beginning of Wednesday’s broadcast of the popular morning programme. Ms Guthrie read a statement from NBC News chairman Andy Lack, stating the company received a detailed complaint from a colleague on Monday night “about inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace” by Lauer.
PAYING BEXIT DIVORCE BILL STILL DEPENDS ON STRONG TRADE DEAL, TRUSS SAYS
Any “divorce bill” for Brexit will be contingent on getting a good deal on future trade, a Treasury minister has insisted. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss was speaking amid reports that UK negotiators in Brussels have agreed a broad framework for a financial settlement which could see Britain pay up to £50 billion. Ms Truss dismissed the reports as “media speculation”, and said that Prime Minister Theresa May had made clear that the remaining 27 EU member states would not be left out of pocket because of UK withdrawal.
Union hits out at cuts to Kirklees school meals services
GMB - the union for Kirklees Council workers - have criticised plans to cut school kitchen services.
According to the union, staff are being told to reduce hours but increase productivity in schools. The porposals will also see removal of allowances for pupils on packed lunches, leading members to fear some children may go hungry.
Andrew Aldwinkle, GMB Organiser, said: “Whilst we acknowledge the pressure on council budgets, GMB is opposed to these changes.
“Council workers provide an excellent service to the schools where they work, with many children relying on the meals provided. This attack demonstrates a race to the bottom and will not only affect the quality of service but puts unnecessary pressure on workers”
Food writer Jack Monroe also slammed the plans, tweeting to say “children need good school meals in order to learn”. Kirklees Council are being approached for comment.
Jogger knocked unconscious in hit and run accident
A female runner was seriously hurt after being hit by a car in Thurstonland.
31-year-old Sarah Beaumont was jogging on Green Side Road between 6.55am and 7.10am yesterday morning when she was struck by the unknown vehicle which didn’t stop. The woman lost consciousness and had to be treated at HRI for a serious back injury.
Anyone who either witnessed the collision or who has information about the driver or vehicle involved should contact police via 101.
We’ve been speaking to Sarah about her injuries. See more here.
MOBOs in West Yorkshire tonight
The MOBO Awards will be taking place in Leeds tonight for a second year running.
The awards, for Music Of Black Origin, celebrates the best of R’n’b, rap and grime music. Artists up for nominations include Stormzy, Stefflon Don and Jay Z (although it’s uncertain whether the world’s most famous rapper and his wife Beyoncé are scheduled to visit West Yorkshire today).
Find out more here.
Thousands of pounds' worth of illegal tobacco seized
Officers have seized 275,000 illegal cigarettes from Kirklees’ streets in a multi agency crackdown.
Some 57kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, worth roughly £75k, was also taken in the operation carried out in the Dewsbury East and Batley wards.
Operation Cheltenham was carried out by West Yorkshire Trading Standards, targeting businesses supplying cheap and illicit tobacco. The total haul could be worth as much as £160,000.
WYTS say illicit tobacco encourages young people to buy it cheaply and can often be a gateway to becoming addicted.
Head of the organisation David Lodge said: “All tobacco is harmful, but the supply of illegal cigarettes seriously undermines the drive to reduce smoking, fuels organised criminality and is often a gateway for young people to becoming addicted to a habit which prematurely kills over half its users.”
Road blocked by broken down lorry
Reports of the road up at Langsett, near Holmfirth, being partially blocked due to a broken down lorry.
This is on the roundabout near the Flouch Inn.
Police urge friends of abuse victims to speak out
Police are launching a new campaign today tackling domestic abuse.
The force are taking part in a nationwide campaign over the next few days. They are encouraging anyone who suspects someone they know might be being abused to talk to them and/or report it.
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson said: “Tackling and reducing domestic abuse continues to be a key priority for West Yorkshire Police, however we cannot do it alone. We work closely with partners to maximise the way in which we can support victims of these often hidden offences. That is why reporting any suspicions you may have about people you know who could be a victim is so important.”
This video shows mum of abuse victim Alex speaking about her suspicions.
Horror crash court appearance - separate updates
You can follow separate updates from court where a 15-year-old is appearing charged with the deaths of five people in Saturday night’s crash in Leeds.
Updates are on our sister site Leeds Live here.
Man killed in suspected fail-to-stop collision
Some sad news this morning.
Police say a man has died after he was found lying in a road in Bradford.
Officers were called to Shipley Airedale Road last night at 11.52pm where a man, thought to be in his thirties, was seen in the road. He was pronounced dead a short time later. It’s thought the man had been hit by a car.
A 25-year-old man has been arrested and remains in custody, and a vehicle has been recovered. The collision is being investigated by the Major Collision Enquiry Team and anyone with information is asked to contact them on 101, quoting log 2150 of 28 November.
Huddersfield weather
Wrap up warm if you’re heading into town for the Coca Cola truck today - temperatures are set to be as cold as a chilled can of the good stuff.
Today is set to be very cold, with temperatures between 2 and 5 degrees. There’s also a small chance of showers this morning, so bring a brolly too if youre out.
Teen charged over Leeds death crash
A 15-year-old boy has been charged after this weekend’s horrific fatal crash which killed five people.
Ellis Thornton-Kimmitt, 12, 14-year-old Elliot Thornton-Kimmitt, Darnell Harte, 15, Robbie Meerun, 24, and 24-year-old Anthony Armour all died in the crash on Stonegate Road in Meanwood on Saturday night.
The teenager, whose identity cannot be given for legal reasons, faces five charges of causing death by dangerous driving and will appear at Leeds Magistrates Court this morning. A second teenager who was arrested after Saturday’s crash was released pending further investigation on Sunday night.
The Coca Cola truck is in town!
Holidays are coming to Huddersfield this morning!
The Coca Cola truck is rocking up to the town centre at 11am and will be on McAulay Street, outside the bus station.
The truck last came to town two years ago when it was in St George’s Square, but missed us out last year. Will you be popping along? Find out all you need to know here.
House fire in Halifax
Fire services attended a blaze in Halifax last night.
The fire was called in just before 2am after neighbours woke to smell smoke. The house on St Paul’s Road had the first floor fully ablaze with the flames spreading to the attic. Three fire engines and an aerial platform had to be used to extinguish it. Neighbours feared for the occupants but luckily nobody was inside the property at the time. Services were at the scene until just after 4am this morning.
Fire investigators are now at the scene to determine what started the fire.
What's happening on the roads?
All’s running smooth on the M62 this morning with no delays to report on - we’ll let you know should this change.
Here’s what’s happening on the local roads in Huddersfield and West Yorkshire:
- Slow on Huddersfield ring road, particularly by the Trinity Street traffic lights
- Heavy traffic on Desbury ring road this morning
- Slow at Salterhebble Hill, Halifax, near the hospital
- Very congested on New York Road in Leeds if you’re a commuter - this is due to an accident there earlier this morning
Good morning, Huddersfield
Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
