Latest news with #Birmingham-based
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Detroit brewery defies Michigan beer slump
A Detroit-based craft brewery saw explosive growth last year — but that isn't the norm across the state. Why it matters: The figures indicate that Michigan's well-established beer scene is not exempt from the tough times plaguing the industry nationally. State of play: The state's largest brewer, Short's, which has a production facility up north in Elk Rapids, saw sales dip 6% in 2024 compared to the prior year, our analysis of Brewers Association data shows. Old Nation, maker of the M-43 New England IPA and other beers, also saw a single-digit sales decline, as did Keweenaw, Blackrocks and Birmingham-based Griffin Claw breweries. Yes, but: Detroit's Eastern Market Brewing Co. saw a whopping 59% sales increase, becoming the state's ninth-largest brewer. Zoom in: EMBC's spike in sales follows an aggressive expansion strategy that's played out in recent years. The company's sister brewery, the Ferndale Project, announced a deal this month with Kalamazoo-based distributor Imperial Beverage to sell Ferndale Project beers statewide. EMBC also launched a local pizza venture, Elephant & Co., with locations in Midtown and Royal Oak that serve its beer. What they're saying: Eastern Market Brewing Co. founder Dayne Bartscht told Crain's that the Imperial distribution deal is a silver lining as the industry struggles. "We've always taken pride in our self-distribution model," Bartscht said. "It's helped us grow smart, stay close to our customers, and remain nimble. That approach built the kind of brand strength and market presence that made this opportunity possible." The big picture: Despite some beermakers' declining sales, more breweries opened in-state last year than closed. The Colorado-based Brewers Association counted 21 openings and 17 closings across Michigan.
Style Blueprint
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Style Blueprint
Meet Birmingham Interior Designer Caylee Stefanek of LOGOS Interiors
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Birmingham-based designer Caylee Stefanek of LOGOS Interiors brings soulful sophistication to spaces throughout the South, from Lake Martin to Little Rock. She launched her design firm as a way to turn her lifelong love of drawing floor plans and crafting meaningful spaces into a full-time gig, and we're here for it. We caught up with Caylee and learned how she honors a home's history, finds beauty in function … and how much she's looking forward to raising chickens. Pin What first sparked your love for design? My family built a custom home in middle school, and my dad allowed me to be very involved at a young age. My parents divorced, and as the oldest child, I stepped into homemaking like I was made for it. Coupled with my passion for drawing houses and floor plans in middle school, I have had my eye on a design career for a very long time. As a nanny in college, my passion for crafting homes was influenced by some of the most affluent homes in Belle Meade, TN, and how they function for families and caretakers. I was always drawn to the homes that felt unique, livable, and impressive. How would you describe your aesthetic? My aesthetic is most influenced by my upbringing in Franklin, TN, rural Arkansas, and travels to New England. Anything with a pastoral or coastal emotion feels like home to me, and I especially enjoy mixing in rustic and raw elements with minimalism. Pin Pin How has Birmingham's rich architectural heritage shaped your approach to interior design? The homes in Birmingham have been a wonderful landscape to meander through. Each one has a traditional edge that welcomes my aesthetic, and at times challenges it to be more formal, using more contrast, damask, and brass, more than I typically would. Birmingham homeowners are proud of their homes and put them to use. I appreciate being included in the teams chosen to steward those homes, some dating back 100 years. My stewardship-driven approach is focused on finding a design that feels authentic to me, the home, and the homeowner and is, therefore, timeless. I believe it is imperative to avoid trends that will lose value over time. Pin Your work celebrates layered textures and unexpected detail. What is one signature element you often return to, and what brings you back to it? Every room I work on will have an antique. I like to reduce waste by reusing, and more importantly, I believe that if the piece has lasted a hundred years, it will outlast anything else on the market that I can order for a client. Pin My favorite project to date is probably a series of barn-style homes nestled into some acreage in Leeds, AL. What advice would you give someone trying to move beyond Pinterest and create a home that truly reflects their personal style? I would unplug and travel. Even if your schedule and budget don't allow for it, like mine, get out and do something to stir your heart. Take a day trip to Mentone, AL, drive through the countryside, spend a weekend at the beach, and reflect on where your heart wants to marinate. We can create that in your home without Pinterest. Pin Pin If you had to design a dream space with no limitations (location, budget, or client), what would it look like? A dark-stained cedar-shingled home inspired by my trips as a nanny to Compo Beach in Westport, [but built] in the heart of Mountain Brook, AL, with luscious layers of boxwood, accessory buildings, and a simple pool. I would like to live there and draw every gate, corbel, and custom door to the 'nth' degree. Pin Pin What's a design risk you took that paid off? My most recent design risk was a new business venture. I was asked to draw an 8,000-square-foot dream home for a client who wanted my take on everything from the floor plans to interior and exterior elevations. I undertook this project with singularity, grave attention to detail, and gratitude. We hope the house will break ground late summer. Finally, can you describe your design philosophy in five words? Restful. Authentic. Timeless. Organic. Trustworthy. ********** For home decor inspiration, vacation itineraries, recipes, and more — all delivered to your inbox daily — subscribe to StyleBlueprint! About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Circulogene Launches LungLifeAI® Nationally Through Primary Care Channel
PENSACOLA, Fla., June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Circulogene, a leading provider of precision diagnostics for lung cancer, has announced the national commercial launch of LungLifeAI®, now available across its expanding base of primary care clients. LungLifeAI® is an AI-powered blood test that supports early lung cancer detection by helping physicians assess malignancy risk in indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) found on CT scans. With an 80% positive predictive value, the test provides physicians with greater confidence in determining whether a biopsy or further evaluation is warranted. "This marks a major step forward in our mission to transform early lung cancer detection," said Mike Mullen, CEO of Circulogene. "Primary care physicians are often the first to identify risk. LungLifeAI® gives them a powerful, accessible tool to act quickly—and potentially save lives." This launch highlights the industry's growing focus on earlier intervention. For lung cancer—where screening pathways remain limited—LungLifeAI® offers a valuable option to close the gap in front-line clinical decision-making. The test requires only a standard blood draw and delivers results quickly, enhancing access for physicians and patients alike. "This isn't just innovation in diagnostics—it's innovation in access," added Mullen. LungLifeAI® uses proprietary AI algorithms to analyze circulating genetically abnormal cells (CGACs) in the blood, helping identify early cancer risk even when nodules appear small or ambiguous. The result is faster, more informed decisions that may reduce diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes. About Circulogene Circulogene is a Birmingham-based precision medicine company advancing early-stage cancer detection through innovative liquid biopsy solutions. The company operates a CAP- and CLIA-certified lab and introduced the first blood-based PD-L1 test to market. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Circuologene Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Metro
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Why Evita fans think Rachel Zegler's balcony performance is actually great for t
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Rachel Zegler's West End debut in Evita has been a controversial one as theatre-goers realised they won't see the biggest song of the show live. Instead, the Snow White actress, 24, sings Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium to an audience that hasn't paid. Yes, the climactic song is performed outside of the theatre with a live stream projected to those inside, waiting for Rachel's return. A bold move from director Jamie Lloyd — famed for controversial choices — that appears to have won over the masses. Metro headed to watch Rachel's seven-minute rendition of the song on Monday night, gathering on Argyll Street with plenty of her fans. While inside might grumble, crowd members called it 'incredible' and an 'immersive experience', totally unique to this production. Evita, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is based on the real life of the Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. Edie, 20, counted Rachel — who plays Eva — as one of 'theatre's current greatest voices' and said she felt 'so lucky' to have seen the song, even if she didn't see the whole show. 'I've been an open critic of Jamie Lloyd's direction before,' she added. 'But I think that this was such a smart idea.' In this iconic moment, which kicks off Act II, Eva addresses the crowds from the balcony of the Casa Rosada and expresses her love for her country. 'She sounded beautiful,' Edie continued. 'I love the immersiveness of the cast coming down here, and the security guards being the people who patrolled down here as well. It was just an incredible time.' However, she wasn't sure, had she been a paying audience member, she would have felt the same, even if the number is broadcast inside. The Birmingham-based theatre fan shared: 'It's supposed to be a commentary on how theatre is really expensive nowadays so I think if I was a theatre-goer now I'd just be like 'eh, figures'. 'I'd have paid £400 and can see the rest of the hour and 45 minutes, so five minutes shouldn't be a problem.' Her opinions mirrored that of Abi, a London local who had already been to see this production of Evita and thought the outside concept was 'incredible'. 'I think it's making theatre more accessible,' the 21-year-old student shared. 'It's actually adding to the ambience of the show. 'The speech she does at the end of the song does hit completely different seeing it outside. It adds so much more to her performance to see her do it to the people.' Metro's music expert, Danni Scott, shares her thoughts on seeing Rachel Zegler live from the Palladium balcony. While I had not purchased a ticket, I initially found myself siding with the disgruntled Evita audience members. If I had paid hard-earned cash to see a show, I'd be disappointed (at best) if the biggest song was performed off-stage. Jamie Lloyd's production works on the symbolism that those in the theatre are the 'rich' bourgeoisie, while those on the street are the 'poor' Argentines, to whom Evita is singing. His positioning alienates those — like my family — who see a West End show as a one-off or special occasion-only event. As a child, I only saw one West End show; had that been this production of Evita, I'd have been devastated to miss out on the big number. However, having seen Rachel perform Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium, my feelings have changed. I realised it was exactly people in my position growing up that she was singing for. The crowd was heavily made up of young fans in their late teens to mid-20s, who possibly couldn't afford to see the show. This might have been their only chance to witness such a sensational performer in real life – and money shouldn't stop them. Jamie Lloyd's vision has won me over, but I think I'll only be a true convert if Rachel joins the touring company and performs on the balcony over the Wolverhampton Grand. Abi points out that it is crucial for the moment that people actually turned up to watch it, especially fans of Rachel mimicking those of Eva Perón. For her and her friends, this adds 'a lot of character to the show in general' and acts as a giant advert for people to get tickets if they liked the performance. The more cynical might be viewing this as a giant PR stunt — which it also functions as — but if it works within the show itself, then why not add some free promotion? By 8.30pm, the street was largely blocked off (although pedestrians could still walk beneath the balcony) and at least a hundred fans had gathered around to watch. While of those hundred, not all will buy tickets, the majority will post the clips on TikTok. A viral trend is the best marketing campaign you can get. Even those who weren't fans had turned up, with Edie's boyfriend Charlie sharing his 'non theatre-goer' perspective. 'It was amazing to be in this experience and watch it,' he said, adding that he'd never actually watched any of Rachel's films prior to this — but he's now desperate to watch the Hunger Games prequel. More Trending Charlie shared: 'I think you might potentially be a bit gutted [if you were inside the theatre]. I know they had it on the projectors, but you might be a bit gutted to have missed the most important song. 'But you've still got the rest of it to go and it's given a good night to a lot of people who wouldn't normally be able to get that experience.' Evita is running at the London Palladium until September 6, with nightly performances starting at 7.30pm. The balcony scene begins around 9pm, although we'd advise to get there earlier if you want a good spot. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: London-bound Air India flight 'cancelled last minute over technical issues' MORE: Man arrested after woman in her 30s sexually assaulted in London cinema MORE: First picture of woman killed before house was blown up in 'gas explosion'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New test could transform diagnosis and treatment of STIs
A new rapid test for sexually transmitted infections could soon transform on-the-spot diagnosis and treatment. Birmingham-based Linear Diagnostics has secured £1 million in funding to develop the technology, which could deliver results in less than 20 minutes. The funding comes from the NIHR Invention for Innovation programme and will support a three-year project to finalise the test and prepare it for clinical trials. Dr Jean-Louis Duprey, head of research and development at Linear Diagnostics, said: "We are developing a near patient device that will overcome this conundrum." The company is working with the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre and the North East Innovation Lab to deliver the project. Dr Jana Suklan, senior methodologist at the HRC, said: "The NIHR HRC in Diagnostic and Technology Evaluation is delighted to be collaborating with the North East Innovation Lab to support Linear Diagnostics with their exciting technology. "Our research involves analysing unmet needs, examining current practice and identifying the most promising point in the patient pathway for implementing the technology." The test uses Linear's Exponential Amplification (EXPAR) technology, which detects bacterial DNA within minutes. The company has focused on STIs such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, where rapid diagnosis is essential to prevent further transmission and begin treatment immediately.
