Missing Newborn Found Safe + Sidewalk Film Festival Underway

Morning, people of Birmingham! It's me again, Michael Seale, your host of the Birmingham Daily. Before I get to what's happening in the news in the Magic City, I do need to remind everyone that the heat and humidity here will continue to be stifling today, so all of y'all please hydrate, be careful, and be mindful of pets and children in this heat as well. We should all be used to this by now, but it is always worth a reminder.

Speaking of, here is a look at today's weather: Rain in the afternoon and evening. High: 90, low: 71.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. A newborn baby boy was reported missing from his home in Fairfield Tuesday, but luckily, the child was found alive and unharmed and was returned to his family later in the day. Investigators had limited information to give in regard to how the 4-day-old baby disappeared from his home but it is a frightening story nonetheless. (Birmingham Patch)
2. One of my favorite annual events in Birmingham, the Sidewalk Film Festival is back in downtown Birmingham this weekend, but with special COVID-19 protocols. This is always a fun event and something Birmingham can be proud of year after year. (Alabama NewsCenter)
3. A 26-year-old man was shot to death in a southwest Birmingham parking lot. This is Birmingham’s 76th homicide so far this year. Of those, 10 have been deemed justifiable and therefore aren’t considered criminal. As always, Birmingham crime reporter extraordinaire Carol Robinson has the scoop. (AL.com)
4. After Week 1 of the high school football season, the Alabama Sports Writers Association released its latest polls. Surprisingly, half of the top-ranked teams in the ASWA preseason polls lost their first game of the season, so there is a good bit of shake-up in this week's poll. (AL.com)
5. As if Birmingham businessman Donald Watkins didn't already have enough to worry about while serving a 27-month prison sentence on fraud and conspiracy charges, the former banker and lawyer had a summary judgment filed against him in the amount of $1.5 million by an Alabama political consultant. (Birmingham Patch)

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Today in Birmingham

• Area hospitals and patients are in need of blood. To help replenish the blood supply in our community hospitals, Cayenne Creative is helping to meet the need. If you are healthy and able, please donate blood at Ceyenne's offices today at 3024 3rd Ave. South. (9 a.m.)
• One of the best farmers markets in town is at The Preserve in Hoover, and this week's market is the last one of the season. Get some delicious produce, fresh flowers and more while enjoying live music and food trucks. (4 p.m.)
• As I noted above, the Sidewalk Film Festival is underway in downtown Birmingham. This event lasts all week and features some fantastic independent films. If you can't make it tonight, I highly recommend attending at some point over the next three days. (6 p.m.)
• If you are a baseball fan and appreciate live theater, then go check out "Homeplate Heroes" at Vulcan Park and Museum. The Make It Happen Theatre Company takes you on a tour of the Negro League baseball era through a creative live performance. (7 p.m.)
• The Birmingham Barons host the Montgomery Biscuits at Regions Field, and it's Thirsty Thursday, which means $2 beers, wine and soft drinks. (7:05 p.m.)

Birmingham Patch Notebook

• The University of Alabama's classes of 2024 and 2025 came together last week for its annual Script A class photo on the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A reminder that kickoff is just around the corner. (Facebook)
• Speaking of football, UAB is gearing up for its 2021 season — the first at the brand new Protective Stadium — and single game tickets are now on sale. (Twitter)
• James Spann always posts the best photos from his loyal Instagram followers. This beauty of a sunset was taken at Fort Morgan, submitted by Tiara Hardman. (Instagram)
• Did you know that the Birmingham Police Department is celebrating its 150th anniversary?Well, they are, and they invite you to join them in celebrating it this Saturday from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at Railroad Park. (Facebook)
• Birmingham City Schools is hosting a drive-thru and walk-up vaccination clinic at Legion Field Saturday with special guest, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. Vaccinations will be available from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll be back at it tomorrow. If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to follow along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Birmingham Daily? You can email me at michael.seale@patch.com.