🌱 Free Tax Prep At UAB + Alabama’s Distinguished Young Woman Of 202​3

Hello, friends. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Birmingham Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

Also, FYI: I wanted to let you know that Patch is looking for a local writer and entrepreneur to take the helm of the Birmingham Patch newsletter and make it their own. We want to pass the torch to someone truly local and in-the-know to write about Birmingham long term. So if you’re interested in earning extra income while making this newsletter a more valuable resource for your neighbors, learn more and apply here.

But first, today's weather:

A shower and thunderstorm. High: 67 Low: 45.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Until Apr. 18, those who meet a certain income requirement can get their taxes done for free at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Those who make less than $58,000 can schedule an appointment for the free tax prep; those with incomes under $73,000 can get a link from UAB to access free tax preparation software. To schedule an appointment for the service available at UAB’s Collat School of Business, you can do so by emailing rife@uab.edu or calling (205) 996-0884. (WBRC)
2. An Irondale student has been named Alabama’s Distinguished Young Woman of 2023. Carrington Hodge, a senior at the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School (JCIB), will compete this June for the national title in Mobile. Previously, Hodge was named Shelby County’s Distinguished Young Woman of 2023. (Subscription: AL.com)
3. A new exhibit is now open at the Vulcan Park & Museum called Birmingham’s Early Middle Eastern Community: Celebrating Life and Liturgy. The new exhibit, which celebrates Birmingham’s Middle Eastern community through artifacts, photos, and newspaper clippings, is open daily through January 2024 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are available here. (Bham Now)

Today in Birmingham:

• Basketball Open Play At Levite Jewish Community Center (6:00 AM)
• Frame It With Love At Southside Branch Library (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Some Birmingham students — such as resident Brittany Taylor’s kids — dodge trains and cars to walk to school. Many believe that more buses could help. (Subscription: AL.com)
• The UAB Department of Neurosurgery is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023! (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
• Treat yourself to this Valentine's Day edition beauty and wellness guide for the Birmingham area. (Birmingham Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (February 16)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.