MLB Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith: What message did he share in Mobile? The baseball legend brought his son and 1-year-old grandson to see the new $11 million Hall of Fame Walk honoring Mobile's homegrown sports heroes.

Ozzie Smith and Billye Aaron, the widow of Hank Aaron, in Mobile today for a second inning commemoration of the city's $11 million Hall of Fame Walk. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Airbus Alabama expansion secured as aerospace escapes new EU tariffs The trade deal announced Sunday exempts aircraft components from the 15% tariff imposed on most European goods. The agreement, according to local officials, preserves an investment at Alabama's larges...

U.S.-EU trade agreement carves out a tariff exemption on aircraft manufacturers and the news is viewed as beneficial to the @Airbus operations in Mobile where a third final assembly line appears closer to opening. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Party politics infiltrates Alabama’s nonpartisan city elections Candidates in Baldwin County openly declare political party affiliations and use party symbols on campaign materials despite Alabama's longtime tradition of hosting nonpartisan local races.

In Baldwin County, the non-partisan municipal elections have been filled with a lot of partisan involvement. It's not uncommon elsewhere in Alabama even if there is no intention to change the municipal elections to partisan contests. #alpolitics www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Opponents question Mobile council candidate’s 20-year absence Incumbent William Carroll and challenger Reggie Hill publicly cast doubt on Samantha Ingram's qualifications during Thursday's forum addressing district issues.

The questions continue over the residency of a Mobile city council candidate. It emerged during a forum on Thursday. The highlights #alpolitics: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Before Hulkamania: Tracing Hulk Hogan’s wrestling journey through Alabama From his first "babyface" turn in Mobile to his Rocky-inspired championship match in Dothan, Alabama played a crucial role in Hogan's early career development.

Hulk Hogan showed up to Alabama in the late 70s as a "green" young wrestler. He battled Andre the Giant and Harley Race in the Wiregrass, turned babyface in Mobile, and set forth on a path toward superstardom. Story: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Mobile 2025 mayoral race: Calls grow for formal debate as election approaches State Rep. Barbara Drummond urges media outlets to organize a structured debate for Mobile's first open-seat mayoral contest in 20 years, as candidates express willingness to participate.

Mobile's mayoral race has become a series of community forums, with no back-and-forth between candidates. It's the milquetoast campaign for a rare open seat. Now the candidates are clamoring for a structured debate. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Mobile set to approve major renovation: What’s next for St. Louis Street? Construction on the 17-block project starts late summer, bringing new life to a street that has slowly transformed from blight to a growing business destination.

“This will be the icing on the cake." Mobile set to begin a 17-block complete street restoration on St. Louis Street. The street, in the past decade, has seen a renaissance. Now, the city wants to invest on its public infrastructure. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Alabama police know they don’t have to show bodycam videos to families: ‘Why hide it?’ Jabari Peoples' family wants to know if he was shot in the back. But police won't show the video.

Across the Alabama, the pattern repeats: Someone dies in police custody, grieving families ask for body camera footage, and authorities often say no with the same refrain: “Due to an ongoing investigation.” Here's why: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Artist defends pulled Shrimp Festival poster as ‘art appropriation’ amid plagiarism concerns Gulf Shores artist Michael Swiger defends his withdrawn design as "art appropriation" after similarities to a 2024 Hurley Pro surfing poster prompted officials to select a new submission.

Shrimp Festival controversy: Poster design pulled amid plagiarism concerns. Artist defends his work in social media post: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Gulf Shores Airport considers expansion after exceeding passenger projection; adds LuLu’s The two-month-old facility has welcomed 10,000 travelers and secured LuLu's restaurant as its first food vendor.

Gulf Shores International Airport, with @Allegiant flights, has exceeded projections by 25%. Already, they are talking about an expansion. LuLu's, a coastal destination spot, is also coming on board for dining options. Here's the latest: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Gulf Shores officials criticize Homeland Security over immigration raid, skill claims Gulf Shores councilman questions federal authorities for suggesting undocumented workers lack skills while defending the contractor's 24-year track record of quality construction.

In Gulf Shores, @DHSgov doubles down on linking the collapse of the steel frame of high school's athletic facility following January snowstorm to the undocumented immigrants working on site. This has drawn reaction from city officials. Latest: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Welding labs, southern hospitality, $16.1 million tax package helped lure Butting Global to Alabama Butting Global will invest $61.7 million in Loxley facility, creating 100 jobs with salaries averaging $65,000, with state projecting $26.3M in new revenues over 20 years.

$16.1 million in incentives, a trip to Baldwin Prep, and Southern hospitality. Here's how German-based Butting Global decided to locate to Alabama: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Mobile mayoral hopefuls say city must step up on education — but how? Despite limited formal control over the school district, candidates argue the next mayor must engage with Alabama's largest school system to address rising violence.

Education and workforce development rise to the top of the issues for Mobile's mayoral candidates. But with city and school governments separate, and rarely interacting, a question exists over exactly how a mayor can make an impact. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Running for Lt. Governor, Wes Allen leans hard on Secretary of State record Allen faces Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate in rare matchup between constitutional officers, with both candidates already securing early significant campaign funding.

It's early - very early. But a bit of a race is forming between two state constitutional officers vying for the open Alabama lieutenant governor's seat in 2026. Wes Allen, the current Sec of State, talked about the race in Mobile Monday #alpolitics: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

SPLC Action Fund endorses Barbara Drummond in Mobile mayoral race 2025 The organization praised Drummond's commitment to "prioritize opportunity, safety, and equity" in what is their only endorsement in an Alabama race this year.

Mobile mayoral race: Barbara Drummond gets the SPLC Action Fund's endorsement. Thus far, she is the only Alabama candidate that has been endorsed by the group this year. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Will Amtrak ever return to Atmore? Port Authority, Mobile stands in the way Atmore remains disconnected as Mobile's port restricts train routes that would serve Alabama's rail heritage city. Its leaders want to be included.

Amtrak is set to restart the Gulf Coast line on Aug. 18. The line ends at Mobile. But to get it east to Atmore will require a political push in Florida. Here's the latest: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

AL.com wins Story of the Year, Public Service awards from Alabama Press Association Investigative reporter Savannah Tryens-Fernandes won Story of the Year for her 2024 reporting on Alabama’s health care deserts.

Honored that the work @johnarchibald.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social and I did covering libraries won 2nd place in the Freedom of Information - First Amendment category at the Alabama Press Association. That was a real labor of love. @al.com won big. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Y’all aboard, ‘finally’: See details on fares and date Amtrak Mardi Gras Service launches The new train service will connect Mobile to New Orleans with four stops in coastal Mississippi, returning rail service to the Gulf Coast nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina.

@Amtrak announcement that's taken so long to get to became reality today. Here are the details about the train's return to the Gulf Coast, nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina: www.al.com/news/2025/07...

A city council member turned his car around when he heard this news. Now he's challenging the mayor All five council seats in Gulf Shores and four of the five in Orange Beach are also contested, setting the stage for an active two months of campaigning ahead of the Aug. 26 municipal election.

The good times might be rolling on the beaches. But local politics in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are about to get really heated. Two longtime mayors face challengers and are calling for forums and debates to state their records. Here is the story: www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Alabama library battle: Should teens have access to sex education books? State officials want sex education titles moved to adult sections as Alabama faces high STI and teen pregnancy rates, sparking debate over parental rights versus public health concerns.

Sex education is the latest topic to draw attention in Alabama before both state library officials and in the Alabama Senate. The latest on this comes out of Fairhope, where a sex ed book is remaining in a teen section, not reshelved to adults: www.al.com/news/2025/06...

This small Alabama city has produced more baseball Hall of Famers than New York or Chicago Two living Hall of Famers attend ribbon-cutting for Mobile's $11 million project featuring towering bronze statues of Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige and other hometown heroes.

With Billy Williams and Robert Brazile in town, the city celebrates its Hall of Famers with the opening of a $11 million park showcasing Mobile's rich professional sports heritage. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Carnival Triumph: How Mobile became safe harbor for infamous ‘poop cruise’ in 2013 Netflix's upcoming "Trainwreck: Poop Cruise" documentary examines the harrowing journey of passengers stranded aboard a powerless ship that ultimately found refuge in Mobile, Alabama.

In 2013, Mobile proved it was a friend to the cruise industry and then some. A new documentary takes a look at the conditions aboard the infamous "poop cruise." www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Jackie Robinson's 1948 visit to Mobile shaped Hank Aaron's baseball journey The Alabama city that produced five Hall of Famers celebrates its baseball heritage with new statues. The moment was made possible thanks to a pivotal 1948 Robinson-Aaron encounter.

When a 14-year-old Hank Aaron was another face in the crowd when Jackie Robinson came to Mobile in 1948, the year after breaking baseball's color barrier: “It’s a beautiful moment." Ahead of Hall of Fame Walk's opening, a look at a historic encounter: www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Alabama official: Fairhope Library won’t regain funding without moving more books Amy Minton says books with references to masturbation must be relocated to adult sections despite library board's determination that materials aren't sexually explicit. Minton's comments come after Fa...

The Fairhope Library Board reviewed 15 challenged books and reported back on whether they should be reshelved into the adult section in hopes to have state funding restored. But one APLS board member says more work is needed. The latest: www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Mobile ‘No Kings’ protest draws largest crowd yet for anti-Trump movement Protesters gathered in downtown Mobile as part of nationwide demonstrations against Trump's administration, with one attendee claiming the turnout exceeded expectations for "lower Alabama."

The #NoKings protest in Mobile drew around 2,000 people, per the organizers. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Mobile protest turns violent: Man punched by counter-protester with pro-ICE sign Despite receiving a "sucker punch" that left him bloodied, Roy Miller said he had no regrets about attending the demonstration.

For the most part, the protest in Mobile on Saturday was peaceful. But there were some moments, and the most physical came when 25-year-old Roy Miller was punched by a counter-protester. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

‘Stand your ground on steroids’: Debate emerges over drivers hitting protesters in Alabama The remarks arrive just before Saturday’s “No Kings” protests planned nationwide, with 13 events scheduled in Alabama.

Ahead of the "No Kings" protests today, a look into legislation in Alabama and elsewhere granting immunity for drivers who hit protesters if they are in the road. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Money and momentum: Cheriogotis dominates Mobile mayoral fundraising amid criticism Former judge Spiro Cheriogotis' massive $845,731 war chest has rivals questioning where the money is coming from and what strings might be attached.

Spiro Cheriogotis has a commanding lead in fundraising in Mobile's mayoral race. Only Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has raised more in Alabama ahead of the municipal contests. The campaign haul is drawing criticism from opponents #alpolitics: www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Fatal shooting at Mobile's Saenger Theatre reignites gun permit debate City officials blame state policy after fatal incident at dance recital, while law's sponsor Rep. Shane Stringer defends the 2022 legislation.

The Saenger Theatre shooting reignites permitless carry debate in Alabama. www.al.com/news/2025/06...

Capital murder suspect in Mobile dance recital shooting says he acted in self-defense in fight over woman Marcus Sanders could face execution after the violent confrontation left Carl Williams III dead.

Capital murder or self-defense - the legal arguments in Sunday's Saenger Theatre tragedy take shape on Tuesday: www.al.com/crime/2025/0...