Good morning, Mobile.

Carnival’s Spirit will return to Mobile in a few weeks to begin year-round cruises as it docks at the Cruise Terminal on October 28, and the city has upgraded the terminal with a new air-conditioned passenger gangway—ensuring smooth boarding for guests.

After a Friday night brawl in the locker room following a loss to Fairhope Pirates, Foley High School football players were suspended and kicked off the team — several players required hospital care and police reported no charges.

A partnership was formed at the National Shrimp Festival after tests on vendors on October 9 showed a need for real Gulf shrimp—organizers now require all 18 vendors to undergo DNA testing throughout the weekend.

Officials said vendors failing a test will face fines starting at $500—efforts meant to hold restaurants accountable for serving domestic shrimp.

Dr. Eric Mackey said at a recent Alabama Department of Education work session that the state is expected to lose about 5000 students compared to last year, with over 2100 missing after accounting for clerical errors and transfers (most missing students are Hispanic).

He warned that if these numbers hold, up to 700 teacher jobs will be cut as school districts finalize enrollment numbers (official counts are due next Friday).

The Mobile Fire and Rescue Department and Williamson High School culinary arts students held a cook-off on Thursday as part of Fire Prevention Week at the school to learn fire safety and proper kitchen practices.

The contest ended with the culinary team winning the chicken and ribs categories—highlighting teamwork and hands-on training.

U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville asked HHS & the FDA to review the recent approval of a generic mifepristone, noting the drug may pose health risks for mothers and conflict with state pro-life laws.

They said the timing of the approval does not match ongoing safety reassessments and called for a careful reevaluation by the agencies.

Matt Taylor and Bobby Johnson won the 2025 Great Alabama 650 by paddling 651 miles from Weiss Lake to Fort Morgan in five and a half days, finishing Thursday night after passing through 18 counties and six rivers—Trey Reaves and John Wellens rounded out the tandem finish about 10 hours later while solo competitors like Salli O’Donnell and Jake VanLue are still racing.

In WKRG News 5's game of the week, the Williamson Lions defeated UMS-Wright Bulldogs 40-10 as Jacob Massey scored the opening touchdown and the team improved to a 7-0 record.

WKRG News 5 is partnering with the Panini Senior Bowl to bring Gulf Coast high school football coverage — this week they focus on Tee Martin, a Williamson alum who played quarterback for the Tennessee Vols, served as Peyton Manning’s backup, and now coaches with the Baltimore Ravens — highlighting his notable career.

On Friday night, Saraland defeated St. Paul’s 42-10 at Spartan Stadium with Jamison Roberts completing 14 of 19 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns while Deshawn Spencer had six catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

The win pushed the Spartans to a 27-game regular-season win streak and 36 consecutive home wins — setting a record in the process.

Mary G. Montgomery beat Fairhope 28–21 Friday night as Kam Smith ran for 183 yards and scored two long touchdowns, while Williamson, Admirals, Leroy, St. Michael and Clarke County also posted wins with key runs and turnovers—proving a competitive night for local high school football teams. Coaches said strong teamwork and quick defensive plays helped seal each game's outcome.

Mobile high school football Week 8 games have been reviewed by expert analysts Simone Eli and Gerhard Mathangani—providing clear insights into the season's key matchups.

Their analysis covers big plays and crucial moments from the games, offering fans a comprehensive look at the week.

Alabama was ranked No. 9 in a report by MaxPreps that measured NFL success by counting players, Hall of Famers, and Pro Bowl selections.

The study gave Alabama 4,979 points and highlighted local star Julio Jones from Baldwin County—an example of the state’s deep football tradition.

An In-conversation & Signing with Author Eleanor Brindle

3:00 – 4:30 PM — The Haunted Book Shop — Free entry — Engage with humanitarian Eleanor Brindle discussing her works and insights.

Continental Factory Training - AvGas Level 2 Course

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Continental Aerospace Technologies — $1,695 — Refresher training for certified technicians on Continental's piston engines over five days.

Arkansas State Red Wolves vs South Alabama Jaguars Football

6:30-8 p.m. — Hancock Whitney Stadium — Tickets available — Catch an exciting college football matchup in Mobile.

Fortune Feimster Live

7-11 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Fortune Feimster at the historic Saenger Theatre.

Jeffrey Earnhardt Racing Experience

3-5 p.m. — Mobile International Speedway — 50% off driving packages — Experience the thrill of driving a racecar at the historic Mobile International Speedway.

Joe Bullard Wine on the River

4-7 p.m. — USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park — Starting at $55 — Experience a world of flavors with international wine tastings and local food samples.

Die Fledermaus Opera Performance

7:30 p.m. — The Temple Downtown — Tickets available — Experience the comical and human-like characters in Strauss's delightful opera that takes you away from everyday troubles.

Anne Wilson Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Tickets required — Experience new music from GRAMMY-nominated artist Anne Wilson on her STARS Tour.

Dachshunds on Dauphin St.

3:30-5:30 p.m. — Mo' Bay Beignet Co. — Free entry — Celebrate furry friends with races, prizes, and fun at this annual dachshund event.

Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

8-10 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Ticketed event — Experience a spellbinding orchestral tribute to Rock and Metal classics in an ethereal candlelit setting.