Good morning, Birmingham.

Leaders from nonprofits, faith groups, business, and government met Monday in Birmingham for a first-of-its-kind symposium addressing the growing unhoused population and tent cities downtown.

The meeting aimed to align strategies to reduce homelessness while identifying gaps in services—city officials noted pet restrictions in shelters as a key issue—and more collaboration is planned.

Today, Giving Tuesday calls on Birmingham residents to support local nonprofits that help with arts, education, health and other community needs.

A diaper drive at Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank runs until Dec. 19 + several organizations invite donations to boost local support.

University of Alabama's Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive raised a record 630,624 pounds of food to help West Alabamians facing food insecurity, and the results were announced Friday morning at the West Alabama Food Bank.

The friendly rivalry with Auburn University is part of a long-running campaign that has collected over 1.2 million pounds of food since its 1994 start.

Today, Little Donkey Mexican Restaurant and Luca & Lucy open as the final two eateries at Valley Post on Hwy.

280 in Chelsea—adding to recent openings by Rodney Scott BBQ and Hero Diner. The new restaurants will offer lunch and dinner menus and expand the growing collection of local dining options at the development.

Birmingham is hosting over 40 local live music shows this December with events featuring local artists and a mix of free and ticketed options — venues include Avondale Brewing, The Nick, Elysian Gardens, and Saturn with dates set throughout the month.

Gas prices in Birmingham dropped 6 cents in the past week to an average of $2.61 per gallon, with the cheapest station at $2.37 and the priciest at $2.89 — the decrease follows a 4.5-cent drop from a month ago and a 6.2-cent drop from last year.

Today, Auburn University named former Regions Bank exec Greg Gagliano as Director of Birmingham Operations for its new business education hub located in the renovated Hood—McPherson Building on 4th Avenue North.

He brings over 30 years of local leadership and will work with local companies to expand professional education and degree programs starting in 2026.

State leaders, conservation partners and landowners met on November 6 in Greene County to launch a five-year $17.5 million project that will restore 8,000 acres of Alabama’s Black Belt Prairie + improve grazing areas, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.

The initiative will work with landowners in 19 counties using cost-share help, prescribed fire and rotational grazing methods.

On Monday, Dec 1, the Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the Islamic Academy of Alabama’s proposal to move its K-12 school and community center from Homewood to Meadowbrook Corporate Park amid strong local opposition.

Neighbors and an economic study urging the park’s use for high-tech businesses raised concerns about the plan+ the proposal was brought back after two cancellations.

The Birmingham Parking Authority is asking local residents for feedback on the future of downtown Morris Avenue Parking Lots A1 and A2 via an online survey open until December 19—officials said the survey is the first step in planning potential uses like retail, dining, lodging, or entertainment.

A Birmingham-based healthcare developer finished a $31 million rehab hospital project in Lake City, Fla.

The 45,000-square-foot facility includes 36 private patient rooms, a gym for one-on-one therapy, and an outdoor courtyard designed to help treat over 650 patients suffering from strokes, brain and spinal injuries, and other complex conditions.

Alabama won its sixth Iron Bowl as head coach Kalen DeBoer trusted his quarterback to go for a fourth-down touchdown instead of a field goal—this decision put the Tide ahead and set up a rematch with Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

Highlands College Leadership Conference

8 AM – 2 PM — Highlands College — Tickets available — Enhance your leadership skills and engage in mission-driven work with industry leaders.

Support Group for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

6:30 p.m. — Levite Jewish Community Center — Free entry — Gather for emotional and informational support for patients and families dealing with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

ACT Trumbauer High School Festival 2025

December 5-6 — University of Alabama at Birmingham — $10 – $100 — Experience a celebration of high school theater with one-act plays and group events at this storied festival.

Missionfest Birmingham

12-8 p.m. — Downtown Birmingham — Entry details not specified — Celebrate community and faith through various missions and activities.

Killer Whale Concert

8-10:30 p.m. — The Nick — $7 Membership required — Experience the fusion of contemporary dream pop and '70s soul sounds with Killer Whale.

General Membership Meeting & Hall of Fame Banquet

09:00 AM-06:00 PM — Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa — Cost Info TBA — Celebrate achievements and honor Hall of Fame recipients with inspiring speeches and networking.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghost of Christmas Eve

11 AM - 5 PM — Legacy Arena — Special ticket pricing available — Experience the holiday rock tradition with TSO's spectacular live performance blending music and theatrics.

Jeff Dunham Live

7-8:30 p.m. — Legacy Arena — Ticketed event — Experience the hilarious ventriloquism of Jeff Dunham and his unforgettable characters.

Marvin Hunter Comedy Show

7-8:30 p.m. — StarDome Comedy Club — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughs with the award-winning comedian Marvin Hunter.

Alabama Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®

1:30 PM & 6 PM — BJCC Concert Hall — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet with live music from the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.