Good morning, Mobile.

The SouthWest Mobile County Chamber has opened its annual Alabama vs. Auburn Food Drive today, inviting local businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor $100 food boxes to provide Thanksgiving meals + snacks for families at Tillman’s Corner Community Center at 5055 Carol Plantation Road. Donations will be accepted until Nov. 18.

Longtime meteorologist John Nodar will end his 47-year career at Mobile’s WKRG-TV on Nov.

30 after hurricane season, leaving behind trusted forecasts and unforgettable classroom visits (he and his wife Janet will continue to call Mobile home).

Outgoing ADCNR commissioner Chris Blankenship has been named executive director of Coastal Alabama Partnership and Coastal 150, with his appointment effective Oct.

19 — he will return to Mobile to unite business and government leaders in Baldwin and Mobile counties.

Mobile’s new Second Line Transit trolley debuted downtown on Sept.

30 and now runs a Saturday circulator route and other weekly stops, with a two-week fare-free period (fare set at $1.25 thereafter) as part of a transit redesign that also includes microtransit options and plans for more vehicles.

Doug Jones spoke with voters at the Gospel Xplosion concert at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Thursday, Oct.

1, where local choirs performed. He will take questions from the community today at The Venue at Miracle Point in Daphne as part of his town hall series.

Baldwin County Rep. Jennifer Fidler plans to reintroduce a bill that would require health plans to cover the full range of breast reconstruction options after cancer surgery during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The measure will help patients avoid high out-of-pocket costs and allow them to use out-of-network surgeons at in-network rates.

Alabama football’s progress is highlighted in a season report card that shows strong offensive marks and reliable special teams (including flawless kicking from Conor Talty).

Analysts are watching improvements from the quarterback and offensive line ahead of upcoming SEC matchups.

Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers said his casual approach stood out during his Buffalo Bills head coach interview on Sept.

18 at St. Michael, where he wore a golf shirt, khakis and carried a notebook. Although the Bills selected another candidate, Rivers continues to work on local high school sidelines.

Three local high school teams claim new No. 1 spots in volleyball rankings as Spain Park leads Class 6A, West Morgan tops Class 4A, and DAR reaches its first ranking in Class 3A; area tournaments will begin on Oct.

12.

AL.com’s college football staff unveiled their week 5 picks after games on Saturday, Sept.

26, including South Alabama’s contest at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The staff covered key matchups from the SEC, Big Ten, and others & offered guidance on the point spread.