BW Recommends is a rundown of stories you might have missed this week. It offers insight into issues important to our area and sometimes tickles your curiosity.

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Alabama Environmental Groups Secure Rare Win in Fight to Update Water Toxicity Standards (Inside Climate News)

Alabama environmental regulators have agreed to update standards used to limit the amounts of 12 toxic and carcinogenic substances in the state’s waterways, a move that clean water advocates say will help protect those who fish and swim in Alabama’s rivers. State environmental groups have been asking the state to consider updating those standards for almost a decade, since the EPA reevaluated toxic pollutants in 2015.

Local Filmmaker ShyViell Rudolph Premieres ‘Birmingham: City of Soul’ (BirminghamTimes)

Birmingham filmmaker ShyViell “Shy” Rudolph’s newest movie, “Birmingham: City of Soul,” premiered Tuesday night before a sold-out audience at the Sidewalk Theater in downtown Birmingham. The movie follows main character’s struggles with ongoing violence in her hometown of Birmingham.

BJCC Climbs Ranks of Top Venues in the World According to New Pollstar Ranking (Bham Now)

The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex’s Concert Hall now is the 44^th highest-grossing theater in the world and Legacy Arena now is the 68^th highest-grossing arena, according to mid-year rankings issue by Pollstar, the leading trade publication for the concert and live entertainment industry.

Alabama Nonprofits Urge Congressional Delegation to Vote Against Trump Budget (Alabama Reflector)

Several nonprofits that advocate for those affected by poverty last week urged Alabama’s congressional delegation to vote against the budget reconciliation bill, also known as President Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The nonprofits particularly opposed reductions to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The budget bill cuts federal funding for those programs and shifts more of the costs onto state government coffers.

Alabama Hemp Companies Ask Court To Block New Law Banning Smokable Products (AL.com)

The sale of smokable hemp products is illegal in Alabama as of Tuesday under a law passed this year by the Legislature. But several companies filed suit Friday asking a judge to rule the new law violates federal law, because it will ban the possession, shipment and sales of federally legal products.

Red, White + BOOM: 13 Fireworks Shows to See This 4th of July Around Birmingham (Bham Now)

Thunder on the Mountain returns to the skies over Birmingham on Friday along with other July 4 celebrations.

In Alabama, a Social Media Influencer Really Gets Wild (New York Times)

North Alabamian Kyle Lybarger has gained a following online by introducing viewers to Southeastern flora, particularly rare and endangered plants.