Good morning, Birmingham.

State and local officials celebrated on Monday the opening of a new access road connecting Rickwood Caverns to Poplar Road — complete with bike lanes and an accessible playground funded by local partners — which eases travel for families, tourists and RV owners near Warrior.

Funeral arrangements for Auburn student James 'Weston' Higginbotham (whose body was recovered in Japan) will be held Wednesday, June 17.

Visitation is from 1-2 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham and the funeral and graveside services run from 2-4 p.m. at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham.

Hallmark Subaru opened a new dealership in the Irondale Auto Mall on Wednesday, June 9.

The dealership is at 1837 Grants Mill Road (former Alfa Romeo and Maserati storefronts) and offers full service maintenance for vehicles.

James Beard award-winning Chef Chris Hastings recounted nearly choking on chicken at his favorite Homewood meat-and-three this week when fellow chef Timothy Hontzas used the Heimlich maneuver & saved him from a life-threatening moment.

UAB Medicine partners with Junior Achievement of Alabama to launch an interactive Emergency Department Classroom that offers middle schoolers hands-on training in healthcare careers, financial literacy & economic decision-making at the new McWane Economic Education Center.

Today, on Women Veterans Day, Alabama named Andrea Searor as its first Women Veterans Coordinator.

Appointed by ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton (a leader in veterans affairs), she will connect women veterans with resources and support across the state.

A Japanese shipbuilding delegation toured Alabama’s coast recently to explore expanding defense and shipbuilding ties.

Local officials from the Alabama Department of Commerce joined the visit, which included stops in Mobile as part of the ongoing U.S.-Japan effort to boost industrial capacity & investment.

Jefferson County's health department said all 125 public pools and spas inspected this year scored 90 or above, with several venues meeting perfect 100 marks, while three sites in Homewood and Fultondale received ratings of 90 due to low water levels and debris — pointing to minor maintenance issues before summer.

Browns LB Quincy Williams, a Birmingham native and Cleveland Browns player, will host his second annual youth football camp on Saturday, June 13 in Birmingham.

The camp will give local youth hands-on coaching and a chance to learn football fundamentals.

BLOCKFEST Car and Bike Show

10 AM - 9 PM — Legion Field — Free parking — Experience awesome rides and good vibes at this car and bike extravaganza.

Alabama State Wrestling Games

All day — Fultondale High School — USA Wrestling card required — Compete in Folkstyle and Freestyle wrestling with divisions for Masters men and women.

KODU: Programming Video Game Design for Rising 5th-8th Graders

8 AM - 12 PM — Alabama School of Fine Arts — Cost not specified — Explore game design with Kodu, a visual programming language for creating fun digital games.

The Acacia Strain Live Performance

7-8:30 p.m. — Workplay Theatre — Tickets start at $84 — Experience an unforgettable live show with The Acacia Strain in Birmingham.

Pottery Night at Back Forty

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Back Forty Beer Company Birmingham — $70 — Get creative with clay and enjoy a relaxed evening of crafting a handmade serving piece.

Fireside Collective Concert

7-11:30 p.m. — Avondale Brewing Company — Tickets available via Ticketmaster — Enjoy an evening filled with vibrant music from the Fireside Collective.

Stand-Up Comedy with Caleb Elliott

7-10 p.m. — Main Room — Two-item minimum — Enjoy a night of laughter with rising comedian Caleb Elliott showcasing his unique style and wit.

Tyreek McDole Live at Carver Theatre

7-9 p.m. — Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame — $35 – $50 — Experience a soulful evening with award-winning vocalist Tyreek McDole, blending artistry and healing through music.

Sunday Story Seven with Matt Davis and Mamie Lew

7-9 p.m. — True Story Brewing Company — $10 — Experience an evening of captivating open mic storytelling and live music from talented artists.

Alabama's Funniest - Preliminary Round

7-10 p.m. — Stardome Comedy Club — Ticket required — Help determine who moves forward in the quest to crown Alabama’s Funniest Person.