🌱 Christmas Day Shooting + Record-Setting Temperatures

Morning, Birmingham! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right. I hope everyone had a nice weekend and are ready to tackle the week. Let's throw some news at you here to get you informed for the day ahead. Sunday, despite being the day after Christmas, brought shorts and t-shirt weather, as temperatures reached record-setting highs for this date. Read more about it below.

First, today's weather:

Areas of low clouds and fog. High: 74 Low: 63.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. Birmingham set a new record high for Dec. 26, reaching 76 degrees Sunday. See how the rest of the week is going to play out. (Alabama's News Leader)
2. One person died and five others were injured in an accident on Christmas Day in Jefferson County. (Press Release Desk)
3. A 22-year-old man was shot and killed at a convenience store in Ensley Saturday night. No arrests have been made in the case so far. (Birmingham Patch)
4. From art exhibits to community lectures, here’s how to celebrate Kwanzaa in Birmingham this year. (AL.com)
5. This year, UAB Hospital has received a bevy of accolades, and has now been named the eighth largest hospital in the nation. (Yellowhammer News)

Today's Birmingham Daily is brought to you in part by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Birmingham:

• By cultivating original characters’ students will explore what it would be like to attend Hogwarts and celebrate the Yule Ball at Red Mountain Theatre. (4 p.m.)
• Attend Miracle on 24th Street, a Christmas cocktail pop-up bar, with holiday-themed beverages, music, decor, and events at Queen’s Park Birmingham. (Details)
• Birmingham's own Little Raine Band is playing live at Saturn in Avondale. (8 p.m.)
• Birmingham musicians who want to play their tunes for a live audience can sign up for Birmingham Bandstand at The Nick. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• James Spann always has some great photos. Here is Christmas Day in Birmingham. (Instagram)
• The Birmingham Zoo's animal family spent the day enjoying some festive Christmas enrichment prepared by their wonderful Animal Care Professionals.(Facebook)
• Pick up Kwanzaa Grab-n-Go Kits this week at the Southside Branch Library Tuesday. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

Events:

• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (December 31)
• Add your event

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

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. 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.