🌱 Real Time Crime Center + Libraries In Jeopardy

Happy Thursday, Birmingham! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Birmingham today. Next week, the Birmingham Police Department will officially open its Real Time Crime Center at the headquarters downtown. This is really darn cool. The technology they'll have available is amazing. Also in the news, the Birmingham Library board is looking to shut down four local libraries. See below how city officials are handling it, and read up on what's happening in the 'Ham.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid. High: 85 Low: 65.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. As I touched on earlier, the Real Time Crime Center at the Birmingham Police Department headquarters is set to open next week. It includes a wall-sized bank of video screens, computers and other technology. (Birmingham Patch)
2. The Birmingham Library Board has delays plans to close four local library branches after the city's officials protested. (birminghamwatch.org)
3. Birmingham's police chief discusses some of the changes to the department since the tragic kidnapping and murder of Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney in 2019. (WVTM13)
4. Officials announced the launch of demolition and planning for a new Cooper Green Mercy Health Services building in Birmingham to replace the old hospital. (AL.com)
5. The Jefferson County EMA has launched a flood damage reporting portal for residents and businesses affected by the flooding Oct. 6. (WVTM13)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Rep. Gary Palmer speaks at the October Luncheon of the Irondale Chamber of Commerce. (11:30 a.m.)
• English Village shops are holding a special shopping event on October 14th to celebrate the anniversary of the villages landmark statue, Civitas. (4 p.m.)
• Catch the third annual Katztoberfest fundraiser for Kitty Kat Haven & Rescue. Modeled after the traditional Bavarian Oktoberfest. (4 p.m.)
• Up for some high school football? It's Senior Night at Carver, as they take on Wenonah. (7 p.m.)
• The Alys Stephens Center presents Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. (7 p.m.)

Birmingham Patch Notebook

• Magic City Dentistry's guide to downtown Birmingham. (Bham Now)
• Avondale Park Cleanup Set For Saturday. (Birmingham Patch)
• Where Does Birmingham's Joe Minter Rank Among Black Artists in the South (Birmingham Times)
• Sozo Children announces November golf tournament. (Trussvilletribune)
• Greater Birmingham Humane Society is looking for a home for Bailey. The one-year-old has been searching for her FURever home for over a month. (Facebook)
• Birmingham City Schools Arts Education Department presents the All-City Marching Band Festival. The event will be held at Carver High School on Sunday, October 24 starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5. (Facebook)
• Nicole King, city attorney for the City of Birmingham, launched the Drug and Nuisance Abatement Team to crack down on blight and nuisance properties. Learn more about their efforts to keep our neighborhoods safe! (Instagram)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. 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? Email me at michael.seale@patch.com.