🌱 3 Natives Charged In Illegal Betting Scheme + New COVID-19 Variant

Good morning, Birmingham! Here's something special to check out today — especially for those of us wanting to look and feel our best in 2023. We asked Laura Silsbee, a Mountain Brook native and wellness expert, to help us find the best classes, special offers and freebies for anyone looking to lose weight, get in shape or improve their overall health. Check out her Birmingham Patch Wellness Guide for January here.

Now, onto everything you need to know about what’s happening around town today.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Three Birmingham natives have been charged in a multi-million dollar wagering excise tax evasion scheme. According to the unsealed federal grand jury indictment, Timothy J. Pughsley (51), Nathanael Burdette (36), and Jonathan Lind (44) have been charged along with eight other people in a scheme involving an illegal sports-betting organization. In total, 114 charges have been brought against the group. (ABC 33 40)
2. A new COVID-19 variant has emerged and is spreading across Jefferson County. XBB.1.5 is the most contagious COVID-19 variant, according to Medical Director of Disease Control Dr. Wesley Willeford at the Jefferson County Health Department. Willeford said, "I think we will see those cases go up a good bit more over the next two months or so." (WBRC)
3. The Birmingham Police Department is looking into a robbery at Gibson Pharmacy that occurred on Tuesday. A delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint and pharmaceuticals were stolen from the delivery vehicle. The suspect then reportedly got into the passenger seat of a Kia Soul and took off. The department is asking anyone with information about the robbery or the suspect pictured at the link to contact detectives at (205) 254-1764. (CBS 42)

Today in Birmingham:

• Trussville Gun & Knife Show At Trussville Civic Center (9:00 AM)
• Family Movie Night At Magic City Acceptance Center (1:00 PM)
• Steel City Jug Slammers At Iron City Grill (11:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Did you know the average Alabama resident’s average monthly electric bill in 2022 increased by over 10 percent from the previous year? Learn more about where our state stands on power consumption and costs compared to the rest of the country in this new Ownerly data study. (Ownerly)
• According to public safety stats, here’s what happened last week in the world of crime: 15 firearms were recovered, one murder occurred, one robbery took place, and 16 aggravated assaults happened. See more stats at the link. (City of Birmingham Government via Facebook)
• Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are coming to The BJCC on Jan. 25. Get tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show here. (The BJCC via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! See you Monday for another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.