🌱 Stolen Treasury Checks + Birmingham On Demand Rideshare Program

Hello, hello! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Birmingham Daily. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, today's weather:

Some sun, then clouds. High: 73 Low: 62.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Birmingham! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Birmingham today:

1. Birmingham's Richard Anthony "Tony" Pippens, 32, and Feathura Powell, 38, have been indicted by a grand jury for receiving stolen Treasury checks. The two have been charged with conspiracy, theft of government property, receiving stolen Treasury checks, and aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, Pippens and Powell allegedly stole the checks from the U.S. mail, deposited them at a bank, and shared the funds. In total, over $17,000 was stolen during the scheme. (Trussvilletribune)
2. The Birmingham On Demand rideshare program is expanding. The popular service will soon be available in 19 additional neighborhoods. The expansion area is east of the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport. Participants pay and book rides using the program's app. Rides are just $1.50. Click for a map of the expansion area. (Bham Now)
3. The Birmingham Police Department has been working around the clock this month to apprehend a band of armed gunmen targeting the city's Hispanic community. So far, over 30 Hispanic victims have been targeted by the group in October. The robberies do not seem to be concentrated in any specific area of the city. The department is still trying to determine a solid description of the armed individuals. (Original.Newbreak.com)

Today in Birmingham:

• Pig Iron BBQ Cook-Off - Children's Harbor At Cahaba Brewing Co. (1:00 PM)
• Amos Lee With Mutlu At Alabama Theatre (2:30 PM)
• Department Of Music Faculty Recital At Hulsey Recital Hall, Unversity Of Alabama At Birmingham (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Birmingham has entered "sweater weather" season. Bham Now shared a list of Birmingham boutiques that offer the coziest sweaters. (Bham Now)
• Birmingham will be warm and breezy this weekend. There is a possibility of storms tonight. (WVTM13 Birmingham)

You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox Monday morning with a new 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.