🌱 Tik Tok Threats In Schools + SouthTown Demolition

Good morning, people of Birmingham! Michael Seale here with a fresh Birmingham Daily. Let's talk news. Two local school systems shifted to online learning Friday because of a Tik Tok threat that involved encouraging teens to bring weapons to school, cause trouble and more. Other school systems in the Birmingham metro were on high alert throughout the day. Also, the SouthTown Court community is being demolished to make way for mixed use buildings, and the project is well under way. See some photos of the demolition below.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy with a heavy t-storm. High: 73 Low: 46.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. Southtown Court demolition has begun, clearing the way for new mixed-use housing development. See some great photos here. (Bham Now)
2. The latest Tik-Tok trend prompted two Birmingham-area school systems to go virtual Friday, with others increasing security. (Birmingham Patch)
3. A suspect has been charged in the Dec. 6 shooting death of a 31-year-old Montevallo woman in Birmingham. (AL.com)
4. How full are Birmingham's hospitals? Well, with a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the numbers are important. (Birmingham Patch)
5. An Alabama prison guard has been accused of smuggling drugs into a Jefferson County lockup facility. (AL.com)
6. Metro Roundup: Sam’s Super Samwiches announces new location (Hoover Sun)
7. Spreading cheer while helping others: Bob Cissell putting old passion to good use (WBRC)

Today in Birmingham:

• Celebrate the holidays with a spectacular display of all your favorite music of the season at Red Mountain Theatre. (3 p.m.)
• Go Blazers! UAB Men's Basketball takes on West Virginia today at home! (4 p.m.)
• Enjoy some spectacular music with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah. (7 p.m.)
• Come see Trey Lewis live at Iron City. (8 p.m.)
• Prepare for a rocking time at The Nick with Lee Bains and the Glory Fires. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Homewood favorite Sam’s Super Samwiches announced its opening in a new location. (Hoover Sun)
• The Alabama Ballet is set to perform 'The Nutcracker' at the BJCC. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
• Here is your guide on how to celebrate Kwanzaa in Birmingham. (Bham Now)
• Chez Fonfon will be open Monday from 3-9 p.m., and Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, based on availability. They'll be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. (Instagram)
• The lionfish is one of the newest members of the Birmingham Zoo family! Did you know that the lionfish is an invasive species? These fish prey on native fish species and have up to 18 venomous spines! (Facebook)

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— 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.