Good morning, Mobile.

1819 News announced today that long-serving development director Linda Baker is retiring to spend more time with her family—she greatly contributed to the outlet's progress in supporting citizen journalism.

Her co-worker Ashley Carter, who has been with the company since its early days, will assume the role and work to grow its self-sustainable operations.

Cassandra Lewis, the great-great-granddaughter of Cudjo Lewis from the Clotilda, is waiting for response from Benin under a new law that grants citizenship to descendants of enslaved people.

She hopes to honor her ancestor’s wish to return home and plans to live in the country during the summer (approval still pending).

The historic S.S. United States is docked in Mobile and undergoing partial demolition—preservation advocates warn key features may be lost—before it is sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Destin.

Officials are urged to act quickly to save this treasured icon from disappearing.

A family-owned satsuma orchard in Mobile lost its fruit when unexpected January snow wiped out the trees—resulting in thousands of dollars in losses for the Thornburg family.

They hope that with no fruit to tend this year, the trees will rest and produce a bumper crop in 2026.

Today, Alabama Coast Guard officers, the Mobile Navy League, and Mayor Sandy Stimpson will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at USS Alabama Battleship Park (8:15 a.m.) to mark the Coast Guard's 235th anniversary and honor those lost in service.

The ceremony underscores Mobile’s strong maritime ties (a designation recognized by Congress).

A baby boy was born last week to an Ohio couple using an embryo frozen for over 30 years that set a record at 11,148 days of storage—Alabama state leaders offered a temporary solution to protect clinics from liability under a 2024 ruling, though questions about remaining embryos persist.

Baptist Hospital earned two national awards from the American Heart Association — the Get With The Guidelines and Mission: Lifeline awards — for its quality care for heart disease and stroke.

The awards show the hospital's strong focus on following the latest research-based treatment guidelines.

ART TALK: Behind the Scenes with Kurtis Thomas

5-7 p.m. — Mobile Museum of Art — $5 for Not-Yet Members — Explore the hidden aspects of art curation with MMofA's Logistics Manager.

Alabama Amateur Open

2 AM – 5 AM — PickleRage — Registration fee required — Dive into competitive pickleball hosted by the APA for an action-packed weekend.

Chess Club at West Regional Library

3-5 p.m. — West Regional Library — Free entry — All ages welcome to improve chess skills in a friendly club environment.

SS United States Tour with Historian John Sledge

3-4 p.m. — Mobile Convention Center — Tickets from $15 — Discover the storied history of the SS United States from esteemed maritime historian John Sledge.

Orchestra Noir

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Ticket required — Experience Orchestra Noir's electrifying reimagining of early 2000s music through orchestral power.

An Evening with Pastor Shirley Caesar

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Ticket details available — Experience the uplifting performance of the Queen of Gospel.