World Games Announces Venues + JeffCo Health Director Talks Masks

Good morning, Birmingham! Let's get this Friday started off right. High school football kicks off tonight, so if you are headed to a game this evening, stay dry! Here's everything going on in Birmingham today.

First, today's weather: Rain until evening. High: 84, low: 72.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. Masks are not mandatory throughout the county, but Dr. Mark Wilson of the Jefferson County Health Department issued an "urgent Call to Action" for masks in indoor public spaces. (WVTM13)
2. Less than a year away, The World Games 2022 in Birmingham will use 14 different venues in the metro area for the international event. (Birmingham Patch)
3. The Southern Rail Commission hopes for increased service across Alabama with the U.S. Senate's passage of the infrastructure bill. (Birmingham Business Journal)
4. A UAB doctor projects COVID-19 hospitalizations will reach 5,000 in September, further affecting the state's healthcare workers. (AL.com)
5. A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with making a terrorist threat after a fake bomb threat was called in to Hueytown High School Wednesday. (Birmingham Patch)

5G is going to change the way we live, and Verizon is building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G will make life better for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. Thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Birmingham!

Today in Birmingham

• Family Fun Fridays!! - Birmingham Metropolitan YMCA. (3 p.m.)
• Birmingham Record Collectors 36th Annual Show - Gardendale Civic Center. (11 a.m.)
• Eat In The Streets - Pepper Place. (5 p.m.)
• Sloss Metal Arts Workshop Weekend - Sloss Furnaces Visitor Center. (6 p.m.)
• ELECTRIC AVENUE at Iron City Bham! (8:45 p.m.)

Birmingham Patch Notebook

• The University of Alabama: "Students started off #FirstDayUA with fist bumps from Dr. Pope, photos with President Bell and free breakfast at the Ferg Plaza! Welcome home — it's great to have students back on campus!" (Facebook)
• Birmingham Police Department, Alabama: "Good morning Birmingham. Recently, BPD welcomed Officer Thomas back to BPD as a Retired Rehire after completing a 26-year career with the City of Birmingham. Welcome back and we wish you the best as you continue to serve the community." (Facebook)
• Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department: "Join us in congratulating the BFRS Class of 1996 in their milestone 25th year of service anniversary." (Facebook)
• Birmingham City Schools: "Out of an abundance of caution, the Wenonah-Center Point football game, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 is being cancelled because of the impact of COVID-19 on the Wenonah High School football team." (Facebook)
• City of Birmingham Government: "Don’t miss out on the special 'Buy One, Get One Free' tickets for the Morehouse Tuskegee Classic at Legion Field. This online special will end Aug. 22." (Instagram)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• L’Chaim (August 22)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update. If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Michael Seale

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Birmingham Daily? You can contact me at michael.seale@patch.com.