🌱 Severe Weather In Alabama + Mask Requirements At UAB

Hey, neighbors! It's me again, Michael Seale, your host of the Birmingham Daily. Let's hope everyone stayed safe last night as the storms hot Alabama overnight. According to the National Weather Service, the nasty weather is not over. Severe weather is forecast through Saturday, right before a cold front sweeps through the state next week. Also, students returning to school at UAB after the winter break will be required to wear masks on campus, regardless of their vaccination status. Read more below.

First, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy with a t-storm. High: 73 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. UAB officials announced Tuesday that, due to increased local COVID-19 transmission, when students and staff return to campus, everyone would need to wear masks in university buildings, regardless of vaccination status. (Birmingham Patch)
2. Most of north Alabama and central Alabama should brace for some severe storms over the next few days, some of which could bring tornadoes to the area. (Birmingham Patch)
3. The Homewood High School band will lead the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
4. UAB and the Mereo BioPharma Group have posted positive results from a COVID-19 clinical trial. (Birmingham Business Journal)
5. Jefferson and Shelby County rank among the highest in Alabama for small business owners, according to a recent study. (Bham Now)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Want to laugh? Catch comedian Tommy Davidson of "In Living Color" at the Stardone Comedy Club. (6 p.m.)
• Go Blazers! Cheer on the UAB men's basketball team vs UTEP at Bartow Arena. (6:30 PM)
• Vintage Video Game Night spans over 40 years of nostalgic fun. Vintaghe consoles are available for your enjoyment at Saturn. (Details)

From my notebook:

• An imprint of E.O. Wilson’s rear end is preserved for ‘posteriority’ in Birmingham’s airport. (WHNT News 19)
• Birmingham Area Restaurants And Bars: What Opened, Closed In 2021 (Birmingham Patch)
• There are only 3 days left to contribute to The Birmingham Zoo's Year-End fundraising goal. When you donate to your Birmingham Zoo, you give the gift of specialized care, nutrition, enrichment, and more to animals. (Facebook)
• Birmingham Police Department warns against celebratory gunfire, as people have been prone to engage in during New year's Eve. Huffman Community President, Theodore Debro, explains what celebratory gunfire does to his community. (Facebook)
• Alabama Symphony Orchestra is taking a look at Missy Mazzoli, an American composer and pianist who is a member of the composition faculty at the Mannes College of Music. (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another 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.