🌱 No. 1 Cybersecurity Program In U.S. + ARMS Helps Homeless

Hello, everybody! It's Monday in Birmingham and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy and warmer. High: 63 Low: 47.

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Here are the top three stories today in Birmingham:

1. Birmingham police continue investigating two shootings that happened on Saturday night and now believe them connected. Just after midnight, the police arrived at the home of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He had non-life-threatening injuries. Then, minutes later, police received another call reporting more gunshots. They found a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old man suffering from gunshot wounds. The 17-year-old died from his injuries. (WIAT - CBS42.com)
2. The University of Alabama at Birmingham was found to have the No. 1 in-person master's degree in cybersecurity in the country, according to Forbes. The list was made with the criteria of selectivity score, success score, and demand score. The master's program helps prepare students to find jobs in cybersecurity by providing internship support and research partnerships. (Alabama NewsCenter)
3. Alabama Regional Medical Services (ARMS) is a Birmingham-based nonprofit committed to helping Birmingham's homeless population. ARMS has served the Birmingham community for over 40 years, ensuring that health care is accessible to those who cannot afford it. The nonprofit hopes to expand its reach, estimating it'll see 10,000 patients by the end of the year rather than 8,000. (WBRC)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Library Love Tiny Art Show At Avondale Regional Branch Library (9:00 AM)
• Blood Drive At University Of Alabama At Birmingham Hospital North Pavilion (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Ryan Westover is the owner and chef at Pizza Grace on Morris Avenue in Birmingham. Westover co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Helene Jones, who also serves as operations manager. They're now being recognized in a big way. The semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Award described it as comparable to the Emmy's or Grammy's for restaurants. (WVTM13 Birmingham)
• The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group (BAAGG) will host its 2023 Black Heritage Fair on Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Linn-Henley Research Library in downtown Birmingham. This year’s edition will feature Tafeni English, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Alabama state office and former director of the SPLC’s Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, as well as Charles Wood III, the educational trainer and director for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. (Subscription: Birmingham Times)
• A Birmingham man has a warning regarding online ticket purchases for entertainment events. Todd Wheeles claims he was scammed out of money for Saturday's showing of "Hamilton" at the BJCC. Wheeles said he, his family, and friends spent more than $2,000 on tickets. Wheeles is an attorney and said this shows that anyone can be scammed. He's used third-party retailers before but wants to ensure others aren't taken advantage of. (WVTM13 Birmingham)

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning 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.