First Baptist Church Arson Investigation + Legacy Museum Opening

Get on up, Montgomery! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Pleasant with clouds and sun. High: 85 Low: 68.

Here are the top stories today in Montgomery:

1. Montgomery Fire & Rescue is investigating an attempted arson incident at First Baptist Church in Montgomery, located on South Perry Street. Lead Pastor Mark Bethea posted on the historic church’s Facebook page that an arsonist attempted to set fire to several areas of the church building, including the sanctuary and the Stakely Sanctuary. Montgomery Fire & Rescue said the cause of the fire is under investigation and more details are expected to be released at a later time. (Alabama News Network)
2. The new and expanded Legacy Museum is opening this week in downtown Montgomery, the Equal Justice Initiative announced. Free admission will be offered through Sunday. After opening weekend, the EJI says access to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum can be purchased in a single ticket costing $5. The new museum will provide visitors with a comprehensive history of the United States with a focus on the legacy of slavery.
3. Montgomery City Hall employees have been given the all clear to return to work after a suspicious package forced them to evacuate the building temporarily on Thursday morning. (Alabama News Network)
4. Montgomery County Probate Judge J.C. Love III announced the promotion of LaToya Calhoun Barker to chief clerk. (Alabama Political Reporter)
5. Alabama lawmakers could soon give final approval to a $1.3 billion prison construction plan that would be partly funded with pandemic relief dollars. (WTVA)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Samantha Friedlander

About me: Samantha Friedlander is an avid reader and writer who loves storytelling. She is a freelance writer for the content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. She has a dual degree in English and Psychology.