🌱 Omicron Variant In Alabama + Police Officer Injured In Wreck

Get on up, Birmingham! Let's get you all caught up to start this Friday off on an informed note. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Birmingham today. Alabama health officials confirmed yesterday that the omicron variant of the coronavirus has been reported in Alabama, which is worrisome mainly because the state has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving. Also in the news, a Birmingham police officer was injured in a wreck Wednesday night when his police cruiser flipped and landed on its roof. Read about it below.

First, today's weather:

Low clouds. High: 73 Low: 62.

Here are the top stories today in Birmingham:

1. As I was saying, the first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was confirmed in Alabama by health officials Thursday. See what that means for hospitals in the state. (Birmingham Patch)
2. A Birmingham police officer was taken to the hospital Wednesday night after a rollover crash on the city’s east side. (AL.com)
3. A new tutoring program will be offered in January for Birmingham City Schools students struggling with school work. (Birmingham Patch)
4. A 59-year-old Birmingham man was killed in a hit-and-run incident in Leeds early Wednesday evening. (AL.com)
5. Jefferson County Schools deputy superintendent Orletta Rush was sworn in as Clay's newest council member in front of a packed house during the Clay City Council meeting. (Trussville Tribune)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Is it a Christmas movie or not? Well, the Alabama Theatre is showing "Die Hard" as part of its Christmas movie series Friday. (7 p.m.)
• Catch the hilarious comedy of Reno Collier at the StarDome Comedy Club. (7 p.m.)
• Alabama Ballet is proud to present George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the BJCC. (7:30 p.m.)
• Enjoy some great holiday music with A Very Dave Barnes Christmas at the Lyric Theatre. (8 p.m.)
• Check out the Birmingham local favorites The Velcro Pygmies at Iron City. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Find out what's going on this weekend on the Birmingham Events Calendar. (Birmingham Patch)
• Here are 5 Birmingham natural hair shops where you can get the perfect protective style. (Bham Now)
• Greater Birmingham Humane Society wants you to meet this one-year-old loving kitty who has been waiting patiently for adoption day! These past few weeks Mistress has been busy raising litters of orphaned kittens as her own. (Facebook)
• Help the White family recover from their house fire. The devastation a family experiences when they lose their home to a fire is incomprehensible to most, especially during the holiday season. (Nextdoor)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next 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.