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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AJ McCarron Named Head Coach of Birmingham Stallions (Yellowhammer)

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron has been hired as the next head coach of the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. McCarron dropped his planned race for lieutenant governor to take advantage of the opportunity.

Birmingham Mayor, Wife Welcome New Baby (AL.com)

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the birth of his daughter, Joy Charity-Faye Woodfin, on social media on Saturday.

CLEAR’s Biometric Identity Verification Comes to Birmingham Airport (WBRC)

Travelers will be able to get through the security screening process at the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport more quickly after CLEAR, a company that specializes in identity verification systems, rolled out its new biometric eGates last week. The eGates let passengers who use the service to scan their boarding passes, verify their identity in less than five seconds and skip the security line.

Jared Isaacman Pledges NASA Salary to Space Camp, Hoping to Inspire Future Explorers (FOX54)

Isaacman. who was sworn in last week as NASA administrator, made his fortune in payment processing technology, has flown multiple private space missions and has deep ties to the space education community. His personal connection to Space Camp informed his decision to direct his federal salary to the program.

Local Activist Eric Hall Speaks Out After Arrest, Raises Concerns About Birmingham Jail Conditions (WBRC)

Hall spent some time in the city jail earlier this week and came out to describe overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, particularly when it comes to access to basic hygiene.

Phillip Ensler to Seek Democratic Nomination for Lieutenant Governor (Alabama Reflector)

Rep. Phillip Ensler of Montgomery filed papers last week to run for lieutenant governor, making him the first Democrat to join the race. Five Republicans so far are running for their party’s nomination: Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate; businesswoman Nicole Wadsworth; former gubernatorial candidate Dean Odle; and sheriff’s deputy Patrick Bishop.

Birminghamhenge: The Magic City’s Special Connection to Winter Solstice (BhamNow)

England has Stonehenge. Neil deGrasse Tyson coined Manhattanhenge. But did you know downtown Birmingham, Alabama has its very own “Birminghamhenge” which officially happens every winter solstice, Dec. 21, at about 4:30 p.m.? At that time, and in the days immediately before and after, the sun is almost perfectly aligned with the east-west avenues in the city center — making driving a nightmare but the sunsets spectacular.