🌱 School Bus Driver Shortages + AT&T Workers Unionize Across State

Hello all. It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Hoover Patch newsletter — here to explain all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 91 Low: 74.
• Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm. High: 89 Low: 74.

Here are the top three stories in Hoover today:

1. Bus routes and schedules could change for local students as districts across the state struggle to hire bus drivers in time for the fall semester. As of last week, Hoover City Schools were short about seven to eight drivers. To fill the gap and encourage more drivers to apply, the district has increased pay by up to 50 percent for substitute drivers, offered more benefits, bought more air-conditioned buses, and recruited coaches and teachers to take on routes. (AL.com)
2. According to results from spring tests released by the Alabama Department of Education, students in Hoover public schools are “leading the pack” in terms of growth in performance on state English, math, and science assessments since the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that Hoover students are recovering from the pandemic quickly. However, they’re still not as proficient in English, math, and science as students in neighboring districts. For the second straight year, achievement data continues to trend upward in all three subjects with Hoover students remaining in the top 10 school districts across the state. (Hoover Sun)
3. This week, more than 70 employees at AT&T hubs in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile, including several Hoover residents, formally unionized. The Communications Workers of America announced that a majority of the company’s in-home experts working in Alabama signed union authorization cards over the past two weeks to join their union. AT&T voluntarily recognized the union on Tuesday. (AL.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Hoover:

Thursday, August 10

• Coffee & Contacts At Aldridge Gardens (7:30 AM)
• Wine Night & Happy Hour At Brixx Wood Fired Pizza (3:00 PM)

Friday, August 11

• We Are Wolves At Riverchase Country Clubhouse (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• School is back in session and the Hoover Police Department has shared tips on how to stay safe on the roads. Be sure to slow down, leave extra time for pickups and dropoffs, and try to carpool if possible to reduce car pileups at schools. Click the link for more safety tips. (Hoover (AL) Police Department via Facebook)
• REMINDER: On Sunday, Aug. 13, the Hoover Public Library is hosting a "Young Artist Reception" honoring this month's featured artists from Shades Mountain Elementary and Hoover Private Schools. The event is from 3:00-4:00 p.m. (Hoover Public Library)
• Mark your calendars for this year's Fall Plant Sale on Friday, Sep. 8 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens! Hundreds of plants will be available for purchase, and proceeds from the sale will go towards supporting the Gardens. (Birmingham Botanical Gardens via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (August 15)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all soon for another update.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.