🌱 UAB Hospital Donations Break Records + 18-Wheeler Jackknifed

Hey Birmingham: As you may know, Amazon Web Services experienced an outage on Tuesday that affected the Birmingham Daily. Some of you might have received a late newsletter on Wednesday, or no newsletter at all. Please know this was unfortunately beyond our control, but know that we are fully back in business! -Sean Peek

First, today's weather:

Times of clouds and sun. High: 64 Low: 58.

Here are the top stories in Birmingham today:

1. On Wednesday, UAB Hospital employees gathered to celebrate the 2021 hospital toy drive. The employees donated a hospital-record 321 bicycles and hundreds of toys for Birmingham-area children. Since 2011, UAB Hospital has partnered with the Salvation Army to become contributors to its Angel Tree Program by encouraging employees to donate new unwrapped toys for children of all ages. (WBRC)
2. Several lanes were blocked on Highway 280 WB at Interstate 459 after an 18-wheeler truck jackknifed on Wednesday evening. Authorities were still responding to the incident around 5:30 p.m. and asked that all drivers use caution while in the Birmingham area or seek an alternative route. (Alabama's News Leader)
3. The latest available local unemployment figures show the rate improved since September in the Birmingham area and continues to be lower than it was at the beginning of the pandemic. The Jefferson County unemployment rate was 2.9 percent in October, down from 3.1 percent in September. That reflected some improvement from October 2020, when the unemployment rate stood at 5 percent. (Birmingham Patch)
4. The Birmingham City Council voted on Tuesday to approve a plan for spending $34.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds. (AL.com)
5. A teen missionary, Michael Fauber, remains hospitalized in Birmingham after he was shot multiple times at a church event last week. (wvua23.com)

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Today in Birmingham:

• Elder Law, International Law, and Social Justice Advocacy (11:00 AM)
• Senior Center Book Clb - The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (1:00 PM)
• NEW DATE | The Wood Brothers with special guest The Dead Tongues (2:00 PM)
• Animal Allies - Homewood Public Library (4:00 PM)
• English Village Sip & Stroll and Poker Run (4:00 PM)
• WR @ Corner - Leeds City (4:00 PM)
• Bake & Make - Homewood Public Library (6:00 PM)
• PhD Virtual Open House - University of Alabama at Birmingham - Career and Professional Developement (6:00 PM)
• The Virtual Social Justice Book Club - A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (6:30 PM)
• Grief & The Holidays: Tips & Strategies on how to Cope (7:00 PM)

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Events:

• Steel City Men's Chorus: Coming Out for the Holidays (December 10)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! I'll see you around.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.