🌱 Bama Wins Cotton Bowl + COVID Patients At Children's Hosptal

Happy Saturday, Birmingham — and Happy New Year! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening around town today. Well, the Crimson Tide is back in the championship game to capture back-to-back football national championships, but will need to get through Georgia to claim it. Alabama beat Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl Friday. Also in the news, Children's of Alabama has reported more COVID-19 patients over the last few days, mirroring a trend nationwide. Read more below.

First, today's weather:

Breezy, humid; a p.m. shower. High: 77 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. The Alabama Crimson Tide is heading to the College Football National Championship Game after beating Cincinnati in the Cotton Bowl. (Tuscaloosa Patch)
2. Amid a surge in coronavirus cases nationwide, Children's of Alabama has seen a recent increase in COVID-positive patients. (WBRC)
3. A Texas man has been charged with murder in a Christmas Day killing at a Birmingham home. (AL.com)
4. From Moon Taxi to St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Birmingham bands and performers continue to rock the music world. (Alabama NewsCenter)
5. A Hoover man was found shot to death in a vehicle parked at a vacant Bessemer motel Thursday. (AL.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Come to a weekly All-Cars meet-up for central Alabama auto enthusiasts at Shops of Colonnade. (8:30 a.m.)
• Join Cat-n-Bird Winery January 1st from 11 - 5 for a New Year's Day brunch. (11 a.m.)
• Come cheer on the UAB Blazers men's basketball team as they take on UTSA at Bartow Arena. (2 p.m.)
• Versatile hard rock quartet, All Them Witches will play live at Saturn. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Birmingham City Schools Winter Intersession is January 3-5. Additionally, students resume classes on Monday, January 10, 2022. (Facebook)
• Alabama Farmers Market is thankful for all its JCTGA members, Farmers and Vendors that bring fresh produce to our families. (Facebook)
• This husky / German Shepard mix with an injured paw was found. He's very friendly and obviously a pet but no tags. I fed him and gave water but have no place to safely confine him. Idlewild Circle area in Glen Iris in southside. (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• The Better Skin Co. — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Loving the Birmingham Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at michael.seale@patch.com

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Michael Seale

About me: I am a lifelong Alabama resident with more than two decades of media under my belt. I have worked for a daily newspaper, a weekly newspaper, a monthly magazine, a television station and a couple of radio stations. I also tried my hand at marketing for a little while. But I love writing news. This opportunity to bring Patch to Birmingham is a chance for my hometown to benefit from a new - and better - way to read and receive news.