Just in time for Carnival season, and starting today - an extra coach car. The Mobile-to-New Orleans service continues to outpace projections, and Amtrak believes it will be a popular attraction during the upcoming Carnival season: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
Amtrak adds extra car to Mardi Gras Service starting Friday
The additional coach car will run continuously for 45 days through February 23, expanding the popular Mobile-New Orleans route that has already served 46,000 passengers since August.
www.al.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Just in time for Carnival season, and starting today - an extra coach car. The Mobile-to-New Orleans service continues to outpace projections, and Amtrak believes it will be a popular attraction during the upcoming Carnival season: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
A city block in downtown Mobile has been dark for years. It's where the entertainment district ends, and where a 2023 fire almost burned it completely down. But this past week, we learned there are some big plans for 400 block of Dauphin. Details: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
Developers unveil plans to transform ‘dark spot along Dauphin’ in downtown Mobile
Mike Rogers and Tom Townsend presented separate projects this week to revitalize multiple properties on the 400 block of Dauphin Street, which has remained underdeveloped for over a decade.
www.al.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:53 PM
A city block in downtown Mobile has been dark for years. It's where the entertainment district ends, and where a 2023 fire almost burned it completely down. But this past week, we learned there are some big plans for 400 block of Dauphin. Details: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
Mobile mirrors the national mood of the Venezuela military operation -- the left and Democrats oppose, and is protesting while Republicans are supportive of President Trump. The view from a candidate's forum Monday, and a protest Tuesday: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
From protests to praise: How Mobile mirrors national split on Venezuela intervention
Alabama's coastal city mirrors the partisan split over Venezuela, with Republicans praising "law enforcement" operation while Democrats call it unconstitutional.
www.al.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Mobile mirrors the national mood of the Venezuela military operation -- the left and Democrats oppose, and is protesting while Republicans are supportive of President Trump. The view from a candidate's forum Monday, and a protest Tuesday: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
Lt. Lorenzo Matthews was shot Sunday during what Mobile's police chief described as an ambush on police. The two shooters, the chief said, lured police to their house where they opened fire on them. The details: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
‘Strictly to get police there’: Chief details ambush that left Mobile officer shot
Neighbors described the Michigan transplants as reclusive, rarely leaving their Mobile home where police found stockpiles of water and ramen noodles.
www.al.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Lt. Lorenzo Matthews was shot Sunday during what Mobile's police chief described as an ambush on police. The two shooters, the chief said, lured police to their house where they opened fire on them. The details: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
For the first time in this election cycle, the Republican candidates for Mobile Sheriff squared off. Here's what they said during and after Monday's candidate's forum: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
Mobile County GOP sheriff candidates trade barbs over spending, transparency and leadership
Former Mobile police chief is challenging incumbent sheriff over budget increases and crime data transparency as Republican primary heats up for May election.
www.al.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
For the first time in this election cycle, the Republican candidates for Mobile Sheriff squared off. Here's what they said during and after Monday's candidate's forum: www.al.com/news/2026/01...
David Gespass, the Birmingham attorney representing the protester arrested in Fairhope in October for wearing an inflatable penis costume, discusses the case and its setting before a municipal judge: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
‘First Amendment on trial’: Alabama attorney talks about inflatable penis costume case
David Gespass, an attorney in Birmingham, discusses the unique aspects of his client's case that is going before a Fairhope municipal judge in March.
www.al.com
December 28, 2025 at 2:49 PM
David Gespass, the Birmingham attorney representing the protester arrested in Fairhope in October for wearing an inflatable penis costume, discusses the case and its setting before a municipal judge: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Santa Claus arrived earlier this week in Mobile and surprised a pick-up basketball game at Sage Park. It just so happened that this Santa Claus was once featured on a very popular wrestling TV show and once held its world championship. The story: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Ho Ho Ho and Mr. Socko: Mick Foley brings Christmas surprise, Santa Magic to Mobile
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley's surprise appearance at Mobile's Sage Park left a group of men with a Christmas surprise and a new sock.
www.al.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Santa Claus arrived earlier this week in Mobile and surprised a pick-up basketball game at Sage Park. It just so happened that this Santa Claus was once featured on a very popular wrestling TV show and once held its world championship. The story: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Fairhope Public Library likely has enough money from donations to withstand several years of frozen state funding. Here is the latest from donations the library has received: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Alabama library at center of culture war clash receives over $98,000 in donations
Fairhope Public Library has received $98,000 in community donations after losing $22,000 in state funding over disputed book placements in youth sections.
www.al.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Fairhope Public Library likely has enough money from donations to withstand several years of frozen state funding. Here is the latest from donations the library has received: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile may be the only large city in the country in which it pays rent to another public body for its city hall. Examining efforts elsewhere of cities reclaiming their city halls: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
‘Untangle this mess’: Mobile’s City Hall lease may be one of a kind in the U.S.
As Anchorage ends its 46-year private rental arrangement, Mobile continues an unusual public-to-public lease that has cost taxpayers $60 million since 1995.
www.al.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Mobile may be the only large city in the country in which it pays rent to another public body for its city hall. Examining efforts elsewhere of cities reclaiming their city halls: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
How much as the City of Mobile spent on its Gov't Plaza lease since 1995? At least $60 million, according to public records. The lease arrangement is complicated as a rare city that rents out its city hall space contemplates alternatives: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
City of Mobile paid at least $61 million to rent Government Plaza since 1995
In 2020, the city and county entered into a new five year agreement based on a new pro-rata square-foot calculation. The county approved a rate of $11.23 per square foot for rent and expenses, even th...
www.al.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
How much as the City of Mobile spent on its Gov't Plaza lease since 1995? At least $60 million, according to public records. The lease arrangement is complicated as a rare city that rents out its city hall space contemplates alternatives: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Alabama Democrats on ALGOP silence of Trump comments about Rob Reiner: "No calls to censure him, no calls to fire anyone celebrating the death of the Reiners. Their silence screams.” www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Alabama Republicans’ silence ‘disappointing’ as Trump is slammed over Rob Reiner comments, Democrats say
“They dare not criticize their king or ... they agree with his remarks."
www.al.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Alabama Democrats on ALGOP silence of Trump comments about Rob Reiner: "No calls to censure him, no calls to fire anyone celebrating the death of the Reiners. Their silence screams.” www.al.com/news/2025/12...
A report raises alarm over what could happen with the Supreme Court's pending decision in Louisiana v. Callais - In Alabama alone, 22 Black Dem districts would be eliminated, reducing Democratic representation in the Legislature from 37 to 15. www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Alabama’s Black lawmakers could nearly be wiped out by a single US Supreme Court ruling, report warns
A new report warns that if Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is struck down, Alabama Democrats could be reduced to just 15 seats, with Black lawmakers bearing the brunt of the losses.
www.al.com
December 16, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A report raises alarm over what could happen with the Supreme Court's pending decision in Louisiana v. Callais - In Alabama alone, 22 Black Dem districts would be eliminated, reducing Democratic representation in the Legislature from 37 to 15. www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis talks trolleys, Bayfest, waterfront, and more in this Q&A following last week's rent dispute over Government Plaza: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
After rent dispute, Mobile mayor talks trolleys, theater, Bayfest and buskers in wide-ranging Q&A
Less than two months into the job, Cheriogotis sat down with AL.com to discuss the rent dispute, public safety, transportation, arts and culture, stormwater infrastructure and his early approach to le...
www.al.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis talks trolleys, Bayfest, waterfront, and more in this Q&A following last week's rent dispute over Government Plaza: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile's mayor envisions a waterfront with private investment (shops, bars, etc.) extending south of the cruise terminal and in the vicinity of the jail. First priority: Reduce size of Water Street. Thoughts? www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile mayor pushes for waterfront redevelopment: Shops, restaurants, bars
Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis says reducing lanes on Water Street will make the area more pedestrian-friendly and attract private investment for restaurants and entertainment venues.
www.al.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Mobile's mayor envisions a waterfront with private investment (shops, bars, etc.) extending south of the cruise terminal and in the vicinity of the jail. First priority: Reduce size of Water Street. Thoughts? www.al.com/news/2025/12...
@KatieBrittforAL, in Mobile for USA's fall commencement, touts the power of bipartisanship pointing to the resolution of the government shutdown. www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Senator Katie Britt tells graduates bipartisanship broke government shutdown deadlock
The Alabama senator received an honorary doctorate while sharing how trust-building across party lines resolved the 43-day congressional impasse during her USA commencement address.
www.al.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:28 PM
@KatieBrittforAL, in Mobile for USA's fall commencement, touts the power of bipartisanship pointing to the resolution of the government shutdown. www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis, now a month into his term in office, weighed in on the first big issue/controversy to come before him: A previously unfathomable move of city hall away from downtown Mobile: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile mayor signals willingness to move City Hall amid $3M rent standoff with county
County commissioners raised the city's monthly rent from $125,000 to $237,023, prompting Mayor Cheriogotis to explore alternative locations for government offices.
www.al.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis, now a month into his term in office, weighed in on the first big issue/controversy to come before him: A previously unfathomable move of city hall away from downtown Mobile: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
E-bikes are abundant in Alabama's beach cities so much so that it's creating a public safety concern, according to authorities. As such, a new ordinance is being debated and there are diverse opinions about it. The latest from Gulf Shores: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
E-bike boom meets safety fears, sparking debate over limits on Alabama beaches
Gulf Shore's police chief said the aim of proposed e-bike restrictions isn’t to rid the beaches of the devices but change the culture in which they create a public safety hazard.
www.al.com
December 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
E-bikes are abundant in Alabama's beach cities so much so that it's creating a public safety concern, according to authorities. As such, a new ordinance is being debated and there are diverse opinions about it. The latest from Gulf Shores: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service is, thus far, exceeding initial projections heading into the Carnival season in which it's expected to continue to be busy: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Amtrak service from Mobile to New Orleans surges past 46,000 riders, shattering expectations
More than 46,000 passengers have traveled the Mobile-New Orleans route in just 108 days, with 96% reporting they were "extremely satisfied" with their experience.
www.al.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Amtrak's Mardi Gras Service is, thus far, exceeding initial projections heading into the Carnival season in which it's expected to continue to be busy: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Saraland is headed to the state football tournament for the fourth year in a row, sixth time ever. A remarkable achievement for any school -- but this school system is only 15 years old. Formation of a city school, and a tax increase, helped. The story: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Inside Saraland’s 15-year rise: Enrollment surges, test scores climb, football thrives
Expectations remain high in Saraland, a city that has grown 22 percent in population since the school was built.
www.al.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Saraland is headed to the state football tournament for the fourth year in a row, sixth time ever. A remarkable achievement for any school -- but this school system is only 15 years old. Formation of a city school, and a tax increase, helped. The story: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Mobile mayor weighs in on the 2027 Mardi Gras and the timing for the completion of the new Mobile Civic Center arena: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Will Mobile’s extravagant Mardi Gras balls have a new home in 2027? The race is on
Mobile's mayor warns that the earliest Fat Tuesday in 35 years is creating a nail-biting timeline for construction crews preparing the massive downtown venue.
www.al.com
December 2, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Mobile mayor weighs in on the 2027 Mardi Gras and the timing for the completion of the new Mobile Civic Center arena: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Fairhope received its $42K check Monday. The private donations will help replenish the lost state funding from the placement of books. Next year could mean another private fundraising effort - here's what is at stake: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
Will Fairhope library lose funding again in 2026? Donation replaces state cuts
Fairhope Public Library officially received $42,230 in donations to replace state funding cut by APLS board over dispute about youth section books.
www.al.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Fairhope received its $42K check Monday. The private donations will help replenish the lost state funding from the placement of books. Next year could mean another private fundraising effort - here's what is at stake: www.al.com/news/2025/12...
There are certainly a lot of "what if's" but the chances of Mobile & Baldwin counties reuniting in a new congressional district exist. When? How? and What's next? These are all questions awaiting direction from U.S. Supreme Court: www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Supreme Court cases could reunite Mobile, Baldwin counties as redistricting uncertainty looms
GOP leaders hope Louisiana v. Callais ruling will allow coastal counties to share representation again after 2023 split into separate districts.
www.al.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
There are certainly a lot of "what if's" but the chances of Mobile & Baldwin counties reuniting in a new congressional district exist. When? How? and What's next? These are all questions awaiting direction from U.S. Supreme Court: www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Paul Finebaum may be running for the U.S. Senate. A decision will likely come in January, shortly before the mid-month filing deadline. Can the sports broadcasting celebrity win the election? Here are the factors at play with multiple voices about a Finebaum candidacy: www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Can Paul Finebaum win the U.S. Senate race in Alabama? Here’s what he faces
Political analysts say the sports commentator's name recognition could be a major advantage, but he faces challenges with fundraising and policy positions.
www.al.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Paul Finebaum may be running for the U.S. Senate. A decision will likely come in January, shortly before the mid-month filing deadline. Can the sports broadcasting celebrity win the election? Here are the factors at play with multiple voices about a Finebaum candidacy: www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted
Heading to the last Alabama Public Library Service board meeting of 2025. Expect news on transgender characters in children's books and the Fairhope Library funding.
@johnsharp99.bsky.social wrote a preview story about Fairhope that you should read. @al.com.
www.al.com/news/2025/11...
@johnsharp99.bsky.social wrote a preview story about Fairhope that you should read. @al.com.
www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Fairhope library funding remains at risk as book dispute returns to Alabama board
Two-year battle over placement of books with sexual content continues as APLS could consider Thursday whether library meets requirements to receive state funding.
www.al.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Heading to the last Alabama Public Library Service board meeting of 2025. Expect news on transgender characters in children's books and the Fairhope Library funding.
@johnsharp99.bsky.social wrote a preview story about Fairhope that you should read. @al.com.
www.al.com/news/2025/11...
@johnsharp99.bsky.social wrote a preview story about Fairhope that you should read. @al.com.
www.al.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted
🔗: https://www.al.com/news/2025/11/bodycam-shows-arrest-of-alabama-woman-wearing-penis-costume-at-protest-this-is-a-family-town.html
The footage, provided by Renea Gamble’s legal team, captures Col. Andrew Babb telling Gamble her costume would not be tolerated in a “town that has values.”
The footage, provided by Renea Gamble’s legal team, captures Col. Andrew Babb telling Gamble her costume would not be tolerated in a “town that has values.”
November 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
🔗: https://www.al.com/news/2025/11/bodycam-shows-arrest-of-alabama-woman-wearing-penis-costume-at-protest-this-is-a-family-town.html
The footage, provided by Renea Gamble’s legal team, captures Col. Andrew Babb telling Gamble her costume would not be tolerated in a “town that has values.”
The footage, provided by Renea Gamble’s legal team, captures Col. Andrew Babb telling Gamble her costume would not be tolerated in a “town that has values.”