Good morning, Mobile.

The Tri-City and North Baldwin Community Foundations awarded $52,000 in grants to organizations serving coastal and inland areas in Baldwin County today, supporting programs in food, literacy, and community services (including Sea Glass Initiative) to expand local initiatives.

Whitmer Thomas, an Alabama native, premiered his HBO comedy special Terminal Crew of Dudes in Pensacola on Aug.

14, drawing family and friends to a screening that reflects on his Gulf Shores upbringing and changing hometown dynamics. The special features music + home movie footage from longtime friends.

The Eastern Shore Art Center will host Art of the Paw, a free family event with art, interactive booths + an adoption event by the Baldwin Humane Society on Saturday, Sept.

19 from noon to 4 p.m. at 401 Oak St. in Fairhope.

Patches Lounge, a local bar open since 1989, will hold its final night on Sunday, Aug.

23 as owner Deborah Wilson announced it will not reopen after closing its Girby Road location. The venue has served as a gathering place for community celebrations for 37 years.

Baldwin Preparatory Academy begins the 2026-2027 school year with expanded career programs — welcoming 233 incoming 10th-graders and its first three-year graduating class — and introduces new health science, cosmetology, and drone technology courses plus dual enrollment with Coastal Alabama Community College to boost college and career readiness.

Coastal marshes near Mobile are shrinking as sea-level rise and stronger storms put pressure on landowners; innovative techniques such as removable piers and living shorelines (tested by Andy Depaola on Mon Louis Island) aim to protect waterfront property.

Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Service exceeded forecasts with 150,000 riders in its first year, prompting discussions with city officials about upgrading the uncovered downtown platform (currently served by a pop-up tent).

Officials and planners are in early design talks for a permanent facility.

Civil rights advocates asked the Supreme Court on Monday to review a Texas law requiring schools to display the Ten Commandments, as a similar law (enacted in April by Governor Kay Ivey) in Alabama may be affected.

The legal challenge could reshape public schools’ handling of religious displays.

AL.com’s Media Day last month had over 70 high school football players vote Spanish Fort and Saraland as the most unique road stadiums – praising the light shows and vibrant crowd atmospheres at these local venues.

Saraland quarterback Jamison Roberts, a 17-year-old bound for Oklahoma, threw for 3,370 yards and ran for 641 yards in a record 15-1 season last year.

The standout athlete is drawing praise for his playmaking ability (rare among his peers).