Good morning, Birmingham.

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is moving into a new animal care facility on Sydney Drive today, replacing its outdated Woodlawn location.

The Jefferson County Commission approved the arrangement to upgrade animal care (the change addresses long-standing space and infrastructure challenges).

Alabama is competing for a $434 million Carrier plant that may create nearly 500 jobs manufacturing cooling systems for data centers (Carrier will make its final site selection in the third quarter).

Today, the documentary Show Me the Line—covering Abbey Crain’s IVF pause response following a state ruling—will screen at 5 p.m. at the Lyric Theater and at 7 p.m. at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.

Birmingham city officials announced a $1 million investment to expand the IMC Financial Freedom Project (providing financial workshops and consulting) in all Birmingham City Schools.

Launched in 2022, the program has reached nearly 3,800 students and helped secure $1.25 million in student loan forgiveness.

Officials approved a $4.19M project Tuesday to install new and upgraded athletic courts at 32 city schools as part of a $45M capital improvement package funded by Jefferson County tax revenue (designed with VersaCourt panels in school colors).

The improvements aim to offer students spaces for sports and active learning.

Alabaster City Schools expanded their program by purchasing four TELO robots to help English learners practice conversation.

Administrators said the robots offer extra speaking time each month while teachers remain central to instruction (safeguards are in place for student data).

Leadership Birmingham announced its class of 2027 by selecting 54 community leaders who will join a 10-month learning program starting this September — the program will include visits to more than 30 local sites to learn from experts.

Neighbors on Hemlock Avenue in Jones Valley said overgrown lots and a water-filled storm drain have gone unaddressed for over a year despite last summer's cleanup, prompting safety concerns.

The city declared the lots a public nuisance — processing weed abatement steps, with owners held responsible for maintenance.

Alabama reached a multistate settlement with Meta that brings over $117 million to the state while requiring new safeguards to limit teen use of Instagram and Facebook, including a two-hour daily cap and blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. Additional protections include productive pauses and enhanced parental controls.

Nine Jefferson County restaurants failed health inspections between Aug.

13 and Aug. 25, with Golden Corral (score 71) in Hoover citing issues such as mold, gnats and improper food temperatures. The department has directed each location to correct current violations.

Julie Roberts (Briarwood Christian) was named Week 1 AL.com Volleyball Player of the Week after receiving 1,531 of 3,264 votes during last week’s tournament at the Finley Center in Hoover and crossing 1,000 career kills; Morgan Springer and Sophie Hester trailed closely.

Fans are tailgating and celebrating HBCU traditions today at Legion Field as Alabama State faces Southern University at 2 p.m. The lively game brings local pride + school spirit.