🌱 Shooting Claims Birmingham’s 50th Homicide Victim + Bonsai Show

Rise and shine, Birmingham! Here's everything you need to know to get this Monday started off right.

First, today's weather:

An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 84 Low: 63.

Here are the top 3 stories in Birmingham today:

1. A shooting Saturday evening claimed Birmingham’s 50th homicide victim of 2022. The male victim was found shot to death inside a crashed SUV on Interstate 59 southbound, just past the Arkadelphia Road exit. Police believe the victim was shot while driving, and they are searching for shell casings. (AL.com)
2. The City of Birmingham and Nurture of Alabama hosted a community health day to help break the stigma of mental illness. One in five Americans experience mental illness, said Nurture of Alabama President Crystal Mullen-Johnson, and many suffer in silence because of how the illness is perceived. Doctors say if you notice symptoms of mental illness—difficulty getting out of bed, trouble maintaining normal routines, or big changes in your appetite or sleep—know that you are not alone and there are affordable resources for you to receive treatment. (WBRC)
3. The Alabama Bonsai Society Spring Show returned this past weekend after a two-year absence due to COVID-19. Artists displayed 64 pruned and pampered bonsai trees for the public to admire. Most people who observe the displays don’t know much about bonsai, according to the Alabama Bonsai Society, so the club hosts monthly workshops demonstrating the art of pruning and cutting the small, artful replicas of full-grown trees. (AL.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Guess The Comic Book! - North Birmingham Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Afternoon Matinee - Levite Jewish Community Center (1:30 PM)
• How Do I Turn This Thing On - Birmingham Public Library (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The baby formula shortage has affected families, stores, and now a Birmingham food bank. The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, which sometimes gets specialty shipments of formula, unfortunately has none to offer at this time. If you are struggling to find formula, the food bank recommends calling your physician or WIC. (WBRC)
• Another farmer’s market has come to town! A Birmingham lawmaker launched the District Six Pop-Up Farmer’s Market as a healthy food initiative to help residents meet with local food vendors. The market will be held every second Saturday of the month from May to October. (WBRC)

That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander, now living in New York. She works as a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island, where she earned a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.