🌱 Birmingham Firefighter Dies + UAB's Bowl Victory

Rise and shine, Birmingham! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Over the weekend, UAB made history when the Blazers went to Shreveport to play BYU in the Independence Bowl and defeated the 13th-ranked Cougars 31-28. If this was not the biggest victory in UAB football history, it was certainly one of the top 5 wins the program has ever had. On a more somber note, a Birmingham firefighter was off duty when he was killed in a shooting in Pelham Sunday afternoon. Read more below.

First, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds. High: 56 Low: 41.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Birmingham:

1. UAB won the Independence Bowl Saturday, defeating no. 13 BYU — the highest ranked team UAB has beat in school history — notching the team's second ever bowl win. (WAFB)
2. An off-duty Birmingham firefighter died after a shooting in Pelham Sunday afternoon.(WBRC)
3. An investigation is underway after a man was struck and killed by a train Sunday afternoon in Trussville. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
4. UAB Hospital is now the eighth largest hospital in the nation. It has alrady been named the state's best. (Alabama NewsCenter)
5. Samford University honored 322 graduates during the school's Winter Commencement Ceremonies. (Press Release Desk)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Teens will enjoy the Teen Afternoon Anime Movie at the Homewood Public Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• Check out some awesome local high school basketball as Wenonah takes on Spain Park in the 205 Battle. (6 p.m.)
• Come out and enjoy the holiday light experience along with food trucks, music, Santa and so much more at Vulcan Park and Museum. (7 p.m.)
• Drink some good local beer, play bingo and help out the Cahaba Riverkeeper at Cahaba Brewing Co.'s Bingo Night. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Looking for last-minute gifts? Gift these Birmingham experiences (No Wrapping Required!). (StyleBlueprint)
• Check the weather for this week in Birmingham with Patch's Birmingham Weekly Weather Forecast. (Birmingham Patch)
• A Bessemer church gave thousands worth of Christmas gifts to the community. (Alabama's News Leader)
• Greater Birmingham Humane Society wants you to meet Primrose, the one-year-old sweetheart who hopes you'll pick her just in time for Christmas! This playful pup is seeking a home that loves to play, enjoys long hikes, and will share their couch for cuddle time! (Facebook)
• Hoover was recently picked as Alabama's "best place to live." (WVTM13 Birmingham)

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That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with a new 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.