Good morning, Birmingham.

Family and friends gathered Friday night to remember Michael Ross, a Bessemer teen killed last Saturday when a condemned fire-damaged home collapsed on him while he was helping with repairs (he was nearing graduation); police continue to investigate the incident.

Manthei Wood Products acquired Cahaba Veneer in Centreville and retained 67 jobs (with 37 new roles added) while planning up to $10 million in investments to boost its hardwood veneer operations.

Birmingham Folk Festival returns to Avondale Park (4101 5th Ave S) on Saturday, May 16 from 10 AM to 8 PM to offer free family-friendly music, dance and art.

The festival features diverse acts including Willis Alan Ramsey and the Little Mercies and supports local nonprofits.

Mason Bayles, a triple major at UAB, will graduate summa cum laude on Saturday, May 2 at Bartow Arena and begin doctoral studies at Princeton University this fall.

He received the Princeton graduate school President’s Fellowship (awarded to less than 10 percent of admitted students) to research sustainable catalysts.

Six Birmingham-area school districts earned the NAMM 2026 Best Communities for Music Education Award, recognizing strong music programs in Alabaster (6-time), Homewood (17-time), Hoover (8-time), Shelby (1-time), Trussville (8-time), and Vestavia Hills (11-time).

Recent analysis shows that Alabama midterm primaries may see only about 22% turnout based on models from Shelby and Jefferson counties (the largest in our area), meaning a small group could decide votes on issues such as Pickens County ambulance service and Ragland High School funding.

Today, the Birmingham Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors at Green Acres Middle School (9 a.m. to noon) as part of its 12-year program to reduce fire deaths following a fatal blaze; Lieutenant Darryl Lane said working alarms cut the risk of dying by 60 percent.

UAB School of Optometry researchers secured a patent for a lens design that may slow myopia progression in children.

The Patent Coin (presented by Bill L. Harbert Institute) marks a key step toward developing vision therapies from decades of research.

O’Henry’s Coffee (in Hoover) earned the lowest health inspection score of 88 during the week of Apr.

20-24 due to missing employee records and cleaning issues. Other local spots were graded by the Jefferson County Department of Health, with Marinos Associated Meat in Birmingham receiving a score of 99.

Earlier this week, Sen. Tuberville raised concerns over the federal wage index formula that jeopardizes rural hospitals in Alabama and questioned the food ingredient gap at a Senate hearing, plus Kennedy stressed that changes are needed to protect hospitals and bring promising PTSD treatment closer to local veterans.

Zillow ranked Birmingham as the second best market for first-time home buyers in 2026 — the study used affordability, available listings, and competition levels among 50 large metro areas to gauge market accessibility.

RealtySouth has 22 new home listings available in Birmingham with open houses scheduled on April 24, today, and April 26.

Interested buyers should contact RealtySouth agents for details on properties available in locations (including Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills) around the area.

Pottery Night at All Good Beverage Co

6:30-8:30 p.m. — All Good Beverage Co — $65 — Create serving bowls while enjoying a beer in a fun atmosphere.

11th Annual ECD Medical Symposium

April 30 - May 2 — Hilton Birmingham Downtown at UAB — Registration required — Engage with leading experts on Erdheim-Chester Disease and emerging treatments.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra Concert

11 AM — Homewood Public Library — Ticket required — Enjoy a captivating performance by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

Uncle LaZer Live Comedy Show

7:30 PM – 1:00 AM — Stardome Comedy Club — Two-item minimum — Experience a night of unapologetically hilarious storytelling from Uncle LaZer.

Birmingham Vegan Fest Spring 2026

11 a.m.-5 p.m. — Cahaba Brewing Company — Free entry — Celebrate the local vegan scene with food trucks, vendors, and live DJ at Alabama's largest vegan fest.

Kid Cudi Presents: The Rebel Ragers Tour

6:30-8 p.m. — Coca-Cola Amphitheater — $1 donation per ticket to The Big Bro Foundation — Experience an uplifting performance by Kid Cudi while supporting youth empowerment.

Yacht Rock Revue - Primetime

7-9:30 p.m. — Avondale Brewing Company — General admission — Enjoy a night of smooth yacht rock hits under the stars.

5th Annual City of Birmingham Mental Health Day

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Linn Park — Free entry — Engage with professionals and enjoy wellness activities while accessing valuable mental health resources.

Dallas Renegades at Birmingham Stallions

7-8 p.m. — Protective Stadium — Ticket purchase required — Watch the Birmingham Stallions defend their championship title against the Dallas Renegades in an exciting UFL matchup.

Alabama Ballet's Unbound: Serenade & Carmina Burana

2-5 p.m. — BJCC East Exhibition Hall — Tickets required — Experience an electrifying performance of music and dance by Alabama Ballet and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.