Good morning, Birmingham.

Bham Now featured the top five stories from September, including local fall festivals, a $330M Coca-Cola campus preview, Clarks’ new Alabama store opening in Leeds, a refreshed Forest Park home, + this year’s popular pumpkin patch guide ahead of Halloween.

Birmingham Mountain High Hikers has introduced more than 1,000 residents to hiking as they meet every Saturday at 7 a.m. at Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve—an initiative started by three longtime friends to honor a fallen teammate—fostering community health and inclusion while celebrating local history.

Ocean Restaurant in Five Points South closed its doors after 24 years following an ownership change to local Chloe Kidd+ the seafood spot, known for its award-winning coastal dishes and special occasion menus, ended a long-standing chapter in the community.

Kate Danella of Regions Bank was named one of American Banker’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking for the fifth straight year and began serving as chief administrative officer on Sept.

1. Her move follows her Consumer Banking leadership and supports the bank’s focus on better service & growth.

June Coffee will expand to a second location at Knox Square in Hoover in 2027, following its downtown success.

Jimmy Truong (the owner) announced the news on social media, marking a step in the shop’s growth amid a new mixed-use development by Terra Equities.

Decatur’s E-Center and Innovate Alabama are preparing to launch the Alabama AI Accelerator to support AI companies and entrepreneurs with training, mentoring, and tech resources statewide — a site director search and permanent location selection are underway.

UAB Center for the Arts is hosting fall events, including Broadway legend Bernadette Peters at the VIVA Health Gala on Oct.

9 (Alys Stephens Center), a new exhibit at AEIVA on Oct. 22, and a free ArtPlay Halloween Family Day on Oct. 24. These events offer art experiences for all.

UAB will host Homecoming Week from Oct.

11-15 with events like the parade on Oct. 15 at Protective Stadium, where a football game against the East Carolina Pirates starts at 6:30 p.m.; students can use free mobile tickets and join other festivities such as the Gurney Derby & dance competition.

UAB Army ROTC cadet Mia Martin earned the 2026 AUSA COL Danielle Rodondi Cadet Nurse Excellence Award, distinguishing her as the top nursing cadet of 350 in the 6th Brigade.

She will commission as a second lieutenant in October and begin training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Jefferson County Department of Health said it will move forward with renewing ABC Coke’s air permit after a legal petition was filed by a local environmental group.

ABC Coke, a Drummond Coal-owned facility operating without a current permit since its 2023 renewal request, has raised concerns in neighborhoods near Tarrant.

Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Trust purchased Birmingham's 100-acre Summit outdoor shopping center for $508 million on Thursday.

The retail destination draws nearly 9 million annual visits, houses over 110 tenants, and sits near Interstate 459 and U.S. 280.

RealtySouth is showcasing 16 new home listings in Birmingham + nearby communities, featuring properties from modest starter homes to multi-bedroom estates with ample lot sizes.

The properties are available now for viewing and include agent contact details for further information.