Mary Helene Hall

👟 SHOE DEPT. COMING TO TRUSSVILLE: Shoe Dept. will open in the former Kirkland's space on Patrick Way by Friday, Dec. 11.

🏡 RETIRE IN ALABAMA: U.S. News ranked Hoover third and Birmingham 10th among Alabama cities in its 2026-2027 Best Places to Retire list.

🏡 RETIRE IN ALABAMA: U.S. News ranked Florence first among 13 Alabama cities in its 2026-2027 Best Places to Retire list.

🎓 HBCU EXHIBIT OPENS: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute opened Historically Black, a temporary exhibit honoring Alabama's 14 HBCUs, and unveiled a permanent plaque installation.

🏢 NEW HQ FOR A LOCAL BUSINESS: Daxko announced it will move its global headquarters from Homewood to downtown Birmingham in April 2027.

🏬 $32.5M SHOPPING CENTER SALE: Hackney Real Estate Partners bought Village at Lee Branch Phase 2 on US-280.

🍎 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR: The Alabama Public Charter School Commission named three educators as 2026 Nelson Marshall Award winners for teaching excellence in Alabama's public charter schools.

🍎 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR: The Alabama Public Charter School Commission named three educators as 2026 Nelson Marshall Award winners.

🍔 MO'BAY COMES TO CHELSEA: Mo'Bay Beignet & Burger Co. announced plans to open at Valley Post before the end of 2026.

🎓 APPLICATIONS OPEN: Alabama's four tuition-free specialty public high schools opened 2027-2028 admissions to students in all 67 counties.

🔬 NEW LAB: UAB opened the $192 million Shelby Biosciences Research Building on Oct. 20, adding space for cancer, neuroscience and mental health research.

🏠 HOMES SOLD: Last week, 113 homes were sold in Jefferson County for an average of $452K.

🚂 RAIL CROSSING PROJECT: Birmingham + Trussville selected engineering firm Kimley-Horn to design REDESIGN Alabama, a plan to reduce blocked railroad crossings between Woodlawn + Trussville.

🤝 REGIONAL TEAMWORK: The Birmingham Business Alliance hosted the Central Alabama Economic Development Summit at the BJCC on Oct. 15, bringing together elected officials, site selectors, developers + utilities.

🍪 LOCAL BAKERY ON ESPN: K&J's Elegant Pastries served oatmeal cream pies to Nick Saban on ESPN's College GameDay in Tuscaloosa!

🍪 BHAM BAKERY ON ESPN: K&J's Elegant Pastries served oatmeal cream pies to Nick Saban on ESPN's College GameDay in Tuscaloosa!

🏠 227 APARTMENTS RENOVATED: Cooper Green Homes in southwest Birmingham unveiled a nearly $30M renovation today, complete with new kitchens, water and dog parks and an updated playground

🏠 HOMES SOLD: Last week, 144 homes were sold in Jefferson County for an average of $431K.

🐾 HURRICANE PREP: Greater Birmingham Humane Society is flying animals north and asking for crate donations to make room for Gulf Coast pets. Here's how you can help.

🧘‍♀️ NEW PILATES STUDIO OPENS IN FOREST PARK: Forest Park Pilates kicks off grand opening weekend Friday with $15 beginner-friendly reformer classes.