🌱 No Warning About BHAM Inmate Release + Autism Advocate, BHAM Grad

Hey, everybody. It's Wednesday in Birmingham, and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy with a shower in spots. High: 50 Low: 44.

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Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin stated there was no warning from the Alabama Department of Corrections about a mass inmate release. Woodfin stated a lot of the crimes committed by these inmates were "crimes against victims that included murder, that included rape, the included robbery, that included manslaughter and a host of others." He also explained his main concerns were the lack of notification to victims, as well as a lack of services and assistance to help inmates make the transition back to society. (AL.com)
2. Birmingham native and graduate, Alexis Vance is excelling as an autism advocate and scholar. Vance has dedicated her career to advocating for people with autism because of her younger brother who has nonverbal autism and inspired her to help other children to express themselves and live full lives. She became a registered behavioral technician, spoke at various conferences, and is preparing to take her behavioral analyst certification exams so she can begin implementing her own intervention strategies. (Alabama NewsCenter)
3. A man was found slain in the same Birmingham house where his cousin was killed four years earlier. One of Robert Chandler's neighbors went to check on him and found he was unresponsive, and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Squad pronounced him dead upon arrival. Investigators are uncertain of how Chandler's injuries were caused, though they deemed it a homicide, which is how his cousin died in 2019. (AL.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Tiny Book Of The Month Club At Avondale Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Black History Storywalk At Springville Road Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Slide City At North Birmingham Regional Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Live Trivia At The Beer Hog (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Get your FREE ticket to one of the Storm Spotter classes, get trained, and keep an eye on weather conditions in your community! The U.S. National Weather Service of Birmingham has online and in-person classes available; check out the class schedules here. (US National Weather Service Birmingham Alabama via Facebook)
• The Birmingham Financial Freedom Project is offering another virtual seminar for families with scholars in Birmingham City Schools, as well as the school district's employees. View the flyer for more information and register here. (Birmingham City Schools via Facebook)
• Zoo Spring Camp registration is OPEN, and the Birmingham Zoo's annual Summer Camp FLASH SALE will start Feb. 15! Anyone registering for Summer Camp between Feb. 15 and Feb. 16 will receive 15 percent off registration; Members will receive a Flash Sale discount on top of their regular discount for Summer. (The Birmingham Zoo via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new 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.