🌱 Local Startup Creates Remote Drug Testing + City To Spend $40M

Welcome back, Birmingham! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

A shower in the afternoon. High: 74 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. A Birmingham start-up, clearMindnow, is working on a remote drug test based on a saliva sample and an app. The system for the test was inspired by COVID-19 testing. The aim of the test is to increase the ease of testing for people in recovery. (WBRC)
2. Birmingham has approved a spending plan for more than $40 million of ARPA funds, which were granted by the government to accommodate COVID recovery. The $40 million is part of the $140 million total originally granted to Birmingham. The funds will be used for an affordable housing trust fund, blight removal, healthy food initiatives, and grant matches. (Alabama's News Leader)
3. On Wednesday, an afternoon shooting left a teen wounded. Police responded after receiving multiple 911 calls about gunfire and alerts from Spot Shotter, the city's gunfire detection system. The victim is in stable condition and no arrests have been made. (AL.com)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Decorative Stocking Craft At Birmingham Public Library (All Day)
• Pickleball Open Play At Levite Jewish Community Center (9:00 AM)
• Festive Film Friday At Birmingham Public Library (10:00 AM)

Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Birmingham!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
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From my notebook:

• This weekend is full of local holiday cheer. Consider swinging by the Drag & Night Market for vintage and video games on Friday or Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning. (Bham Now)
• Looking for a new home? There are a handful of new houses available in and around Birmingham. (Birmingham Patch)
• If you're giving gifts this holiday season, consider local options like memberships to the Red Mountain Park or Birmingham Botanical Gardens. (Bham Now)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (December 13)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 15)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you around!

— 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.