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🌱 Patch AM: How Homewood’s new on-demand shuttles could change Birmingham commutes

Also, don’t miss Tacarra Williams on the Birmingham Patch calendar

Saturday May 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Birmingham! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How Homewood’s new on-demand shuttles could change Birmingham commutes
  • How a new Coast Guard hub could reshape west Birmingham neighborhoods
  • How 6,000 sorority visitors are pumping $10 million into Birmingham

Also on today's calendar: Birmingham Taco & Tequila Bar Crawl: 5th Annual, May 2nd and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What dries when it gets wet? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Clouds giving way to some sun, with a high of 68 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Sunday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 72, low: 46.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 79 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Homewood is launching a nearly $800,000 on-demand transportation service (al.com) — Homewood is launching a 15‑month, app-based on-demand transit pilot in July that already operates across the Birmingham area, offering short waits and better access to jobs and healthcare. Fully funded initially by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, the service could become permanent if city leaders like the results.    

2. Neighbors hopeful as Birmingham-Southern campus sale ushers in new chapter for west Birmingham (wbrc.com) — Birmingham-Southern’s west Birmingham campus has been sold to the U.S. Coast Guard, which will turn the long-quiet property into a major training center bringing thousands of service members through College Hills and Bush Hills each year. Neighbors hope the new activity, jobs and investment will revitalize the area, while sale proceeds help stabilize Birmingham-Southern’s endowment and repay the city’s previous $5 million loan.    

3. AKA Sorority Conference Brings More Than 6,200 Women to Downtown Birmingham (birminghamtimes.com) — Downtown Birmingham is hosting more than 6,000 Alpha Kappa Alpha members this week, bringing an estimated $10 million boost to local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. The conference includes community service with Birmingham City Schools and local nonprofits, tree planting at Ensley Park, and a free public event featuring Stacey Abrams, all showcasing the city to visitors from across the Southeast.    

4. Fiesta Birmingham scholarships empower Hispanic students to succeed (wvtm13.com) — Fiesta Birmingham is quietly changing lives for local Hispanic students through scholarships, mentoring, and a strong sense of community in Birmingham. First-generation college students like UAB’s Miguel Luna and fellow scholar Isabel Blevins credit the program with opening networks, building confidence, and inspiring them to become future attorneys who will give back to the city that supported them.    

5. Money Metals and Sound Money Defense League Announce International Sound Money Scholarship (goldseek.com) — A national gold-backed “Sound Money Scholarship” is now open for 2026 applicants, and one of the judges is Samford University economist Art Carden from Birmingham. The program targets students interested in free-market economics and monetary policy, with an October 31, 2026 deadline and awards funded from a long-standing gold endowment.    


📸 Around Birmingham

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hi neighbors, I am looking for a way to recycle glass bottles since the city doesn't do it.
    Does anyone subscribe to the subscription service? And if so, could I put a few bottles in your bin just for now? (I'll prob subscribe and would be… (Nextdoor Norwood)
  • Missing Maltese from the Belview Heights area.
    He was called off my porch and snatched. Please do not criticize me as the owner because he loves being on the porch and everyone in my neighborhood… (Nextdoor Belview Heights)
  • Burlington Stores posted a job opening for Retail Stocking Associate - Part Time in Birmingham. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Birmingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Birmingham here.

Ok Birmingham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A towel (Thank you Christy H. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.


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