🌱 Birmingham Hospital Numbers + FEMA Relief For Jefferson County

Happy Thursday, people of Birmingham! Here's everything you need to know going on in town today. Those people in the Birmingham metro who were affected by the floods in October can apply for federal assistance now that Pres. Joe Biden approved the Federal Disaster Declaration for Shelby and Jefferson counties. Read more below to find out how to apply for aid.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 60 Low: 42.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. Jefferson and Shelby County residents impacted by flooding can now apply for FEMA assistance, after Pres. Joe Biden approved Federal Disaster Declaration. (Alabama's News Leader)
2. The omicron coronavirus variant has quickly reached dominance in the United States as the holiday season gets into peak swing. See how Birmingham area hospitals are coping. (Birmingham Patch)
3. If you are looking for a booster shot, there are plenty of places you can go to get one, including CVS, Walgreens and Publix. (Birmingham Patch)
4. The teenager who was shot at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Jefferson County has been released from hospital. (WSFA)
5. A 29-year-old man is dead after a shooting at a Marathon gas station in Ensley Tuesday night. (Birmingham Patch)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Enjoy a fun pop - up picnic sunset date for couples in Birmingham at Sloss Furnaces. (Details)
• Nothing enhances the holiday season lie seeing The Nutcracker. Catch Alabama Ballet's performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at the BJCC. (2:30 p.m.)
• Vulcan Park and Museum will be transformed into a delightful wonderland filled with lights, holiday music, special guest appearances, and Santa. (6 p.m.)
• Come out for Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in NY Trivia at Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Eleven affirming churches in Birmingham holding beautiful Christmas services for the holidays. (Bham Now)
• Birmingham Police Department congratulates the officers who received the Chief’s Commendation for outstanding job performance. (Facebook)
• Greater Birmingham Humane Society wants you to meet Boudie, just one of the many animals donors helped save this year. Boudie was rescued after a hurricane hit the same shelter in Louisiana two separate times. (Facebook)
• Last-minute Christmas gift inspirations from Frank Stitt include trucker hats, super soft T’s, Bottega olive oil, Highlands coffee, Southern Table and Bottega Favorita cookbooks and gift certificates. (Instagram)
• The Birmingham Bowl is Tuesday, Dec. 28. Downtown commuters and visitors, check out this map and be aware of traffic flow. (Instagram)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.