Good morning, Mobile.

Baldwin County is preparing for the 2025 holiday season with many family-friendly events—tree lightings, parades, and festive activities scheduled in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Fairhope, Foley and other communities.

Organizers noted that weather may affect details and advised families to check for updates before attending.

Southern Orchards in West Mobile is still recovering from a heavy January snowfall that dropped nine inches, which killed some satsuma trees and forced the closure of its U-Pick area.

Owner Chad Thornburg said the orchard sold less fruit this season and he hopes for a bumper crop next season.

Honda issued a recall for 256,603 Accord Hybrid sedans built from November 11 to October 24 due to improper software programming that may cause the cars to lose power—owners will be contacted by mail on January 1 to have their vehicles reprogrammed at an authorized dealer.

The inaugural Keep the Music Playing Excelsior Band Gala was held on November 16 at Byrne Memorial Hall on the Spring Hill College Campus and raised nearly $30,000 from ticket sales and a silent auction — a night that featured performances by the Excelsior Band, Jazz Studio students, and alumni — with plans for renovating the historic ACE Theater to be completed in 2027.

Gulf Shores International Airport announced that Allegiant will begin nonstop seasonal flights from Springfield, Louisville, Huntsville, Omaha and Oklahoma City in May with two flights each week—raising service to 13 destinations.

The airport is also beginning a $15 million terminal expansion—designed by Fentress Architects—with groundbreaking tentatively planned for Summer 2026 and completion by May 2027.

The University of Mobile is offering a new Pell Promise Scholarship to help incoming freshmen cover extra tuition costs starting Fall 2026; eligible students must have a 3.00 or higher GPA, qualify for a federal Pell Grant, and not receive athletic or arts scholarships + University President Charles Smith said the program will help more students access a Christian college education.

A new dorm at Dauphin Island Sea Lab will provide affordable housing for around 90 long-term students — officials said the facility will also host science meetings and ease local housing challenges for students.

The Read Write Learning Center helped children and adults with learning challenges like dyslexia by offering one-on-one tutoring sessions, and local educators including Hunter Oswalt and Genny Fain showed on a red couch—how the program builds confidence across the Gulf Coast.

Reliant CCS has proposed a 74,000-acre project near Conecuh National Forest in Covington County to capture carbon dioxide and store it underground— the plan awaits EPA approval and may not start for years.

State Rep. Matthew Hammett has introduced a bill to ban the process— local residents worry it may harm the land and water and even cause earthquakes.

Latoya Mighty shared her story about her daughter’s suicide at a Gate Keeper seminar held tonight at Trinity Faith Bible Church in Eight Mile, where Prichard council member Stephani Johnson-Norwood hosted the event and Lifelines Counseling Services program coordinator Laury Rowland advised looking for warning signs+ calling 911 if needed. The seminar comes as recent statistics show high suicide rates in Alabama and highlights the importance of immediate intervention.

ByHeart Inc. expanded its voluntary nationwide recall of infant formula as federal investigators examined a surge in infant botulism cases, affecting all batches sold in Mobile.

The company said no unopened product tested positive and recalled every batch as a precaution while it cooperated with FDA and CDC investigations.

A new project will add floating cabins on Tensaw River—updating the riverfront and creating a fresh look at the gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta.

The effort will use oil and gas funds to boost local architecture.

Florida Atlantic Owls vs. South Alabama Jaguars Women's Basketball Game

12 PM — Mitchell Center — Check for ticket prices — Watch an exciting showdown in women's basketball with top team stats from both sides.

Lighting of the Tree Celebration

5:30-8:30 p.m. — Mardi Gras Park — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with local vendors, festive activities, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

5:00 – 6:30 PM — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience a mesmerizing family-friendly holiday stage spectacular blending cirque enchantment with festive spirit.

16th Annual Turkey Trot for Hope

8-10 a.m. — Mardi Gras Park — Registration fees apply — Participate in a festive Thanksgiving 5k or 1 mile ‘Gobble Wobble’ while supporting a great cause.

Florida A&M Rattlers vs. South Alabama Jaguars Women's Basketball

12 PM — Mitchell Center — Check for ticket prices — Watch an exciting women's basketball matchup as South Alabama hosts Florida A&M.

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. — Theodore Oaks Branch - Mobile Public Library — Free entry — Delight in stories and songs that spark early literacy for all ages.

Tower of Power Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Mobile — Ticket prices vary — Experience the energy of funk and soul legends Tower of Power live on stage.

Killer Beaz: Best Buzz in Town Tour

7-11 p.m. — Crescent Theater — Check venue for ticket cost — Comedian Killer Beaz brings laughs to celebrate 10 seasons of 'Moonshiners'.

Saturday Morning Studio

10-11 a.m. — Ben May Main Library — Free entry — Explore your creativity through arts and crafts in a welcoming environment for children.

AvGas Level 2 Training Course

11:59 AM — Continental Aerospace Technologies — $1,695.00 inclusive — Enhance your skills with a comprehensive 5-day training on piston engines.