🌱 Boy Makes Winter Care Packages + Porch Thieves Caught On Video

Hi all! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Partial sunshine. High: 63 Low: 56.

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Here are the top 3 stories in Birmingham today:

1. A local boy has been gifted $1,000 from Academy Sports + Outdoors to support his annual holiday care package initiative. 12-year-old Ethan hill launched his nonprofit, Ethan’s Heart-Bags4Blessings, six years ago to support Birmingham’s homeless population. Hill and his family stock the care packages with cold-weather products such as sleeping bags, gloves, and socks each year. (WBRC)
2. A suspect has been charged in the robbery that led to the shooting of Birmingham real estate developer Briant Plott this summer. 31-year-old Antonio Aamad Steele faces charges of robbery and aggravated assault/attempted murder for his involvement in the Jun. 12 incident. Steele has been booked into the Jefferson County Jail and is expected to appear in court later this month. (AL.com)
3. A Birmingham woman has shared footage she captured of thieves stealing a Christmas gift from her front porch, mere hours after the package was delivered. After spotting the so-called “porch pirates,” Valarie Byers sent the video to her apartment complex and filed a police report. She says the stolen package contained a variety of gifts, many of which were for her special needs daughter. Visit the link to view the video. (WBRC)

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Today in Birmingham:

• UAB Toy Drive At University Of Alabama At Birmingham (All Day)
• From Penguins To Plankton: The Dramatic Impacts Of Climate Change In Antarctica And Implications For Alabama At Ryals Public Health Building (11:00 AM)
• The Magic City Nutcracker Ballet At Lyric Theater (1:00 PM)
• The Fab Four At Alabama Theatre (2:00 PM)

Special notice:

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From my notebook:

• Looking for a way to keep warm this winter? Visit the link to view a list of six Birmingham spots to find delicious, festive hot chocolate. (Bham Now)
• Heads up, house hunters! Here are the latest homes to hit the market in the Birmingham area. (Birmingham Patch)
• Chaucer the donkey celebrated his fifth birthday at the Birmingham Zoo on Thursday! Click to see pictures and viewing hours. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)

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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (December 6)
• Side by Side Community Chorus Christmas Benefit Concert (December 6)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.