FORT MORGAN, Ala. While the summer season along the Gulf Coast has wound down with schools back in session and people back to the grind after vacations, some areas of the Alabama coast remain busy for our first responders and that includes in Fort Morgan.
Over the weekend, from Friday through Sunday, the local volunteer fire department responded to multiple calls day and night including medical calls and brush fires, an assault and a cardiac arrest on the beach.
The department was called out at least three times for a fire in the area of the Rookery on State Highway 180 and adjacent to the 7,000-acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Firefighters had to call in the Alabama Forestry to assist them several times. Several of the latter fires were rekindles and were quickly extinguished.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s patrol deputies and its Coastal Enforcement Unit also responded to some of the medical calls, several disturbances and at least one assault.
On Saturday, September 26, 2026, sheriff deputies and the fire department also responded to three swimmers in distress. A special rescue device was deployed, and everyone was brought back to shore safely.
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PELHAM, Ala. The former police chief of Gulf Shores, who retired and soon afterwards was appointed the police chief in Pelham, Alabama, has been sidelined. Police Chief Edward Delmore is on administrative leave and under investigation, though neither Delmore nor the mayor of Pelham will say what’s going on.
The mayor’s office said that they do not disclose personnel matters, and city officials have not confirmed that it is a firing.
Delmore, who took over as Pelham’s police chief in April 2025 after 15 years in Gulf Shores, says the leave came after a series of events involving the city manager, Gretchen DiFante.
According to Delmore:
DiFante abruptly took vacation leave and later displayed “manic, paranoid and inappropriate behavior,” including signs of intoxication.
He raised concerns about her conduct to the mayor, Rick Wash, and requested an independent investigation.
Wash told Delmore there were no misconduct allegations against him, but the city attorney later sent an email about an investigation and a request for confidentiality.
The same day, Wash emailed Delmore placing him on leave pending the investigation’s completion.
Acting Chief Deputy Kevin Davis is currently serving in the interim.
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MOBILE, AL. A large-scale operation conducted by the Mobile Police Department has resulted in the service of multiple search warrants, arrests and recovery of drugs and illegal money.
From August 2026 to September 2026, the Mobile Police Department’s Narcotics/Vice Unit conducted a focused operation centered on proactive enforcement along Highway 90 and the surrounding areas. This initiative was launched in direct response to community complaints regarding illegal drug activity in these locations.
Throughout the operation, Narcotics Investigators performed targeted interdiction efforts and coordinated investigative follow-ups aimed at identifying and disrupting street-level drug traffickers and their clientele. The goal was to strengthen public safety and improve community confidence while supporting ongoing efforts to reduce drug-related crime in the area.
Total Search Warrants: 6
Total Individuals Arrested: 26
Currency Seized: $6,851
Drug Seizures:
Amount:
Dollar Value:
Cocaine:
Grams
33.7
$3,370.00
Crack:
Grams
4
$400.00
Marijuana:
Grams
10,484.83
$209,696.60
Crystal Meth:
Grams
20.6
$206.00
SPICE / Synthetic Marijuana:
Pills
24
$480.00
Hydrocodone:
Grams
1
$100.00
MDMA/Ecstasy:
Pills
3.65
$54.75
THC Liquid/Edibles:
Pills
104
$2,600.00
Heroin:
Grams
1.89
$283.50
Mushrooms:
Grams
18
$180.00
Codeine:
Grams
8
$160.00
TOTAL:
$217,530.85
Forfeiture Amount Filed:
U.S. Currency:
$6,851.00
Vehicle(s):
4
$24,000.00
Guns:
5
$2,000.00
Other:
TOTAL:
$32,851.00
Arrests:
Kelly Jackson, 41
Possession of Controlled Substance
Terrell Armstrong, Jr., 30
Possession of Marijuana 1st
Frederick Weston, Jr., 35
Possession of Controlled Substance
James Morgan, 23
Possession of Paraphernalia
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Drive w/ Suspended License (warrant)
No Insurance (warrant)
Improper Lane Change (warrant)
Run Stop Sign (warrant)
Antwon Wilson, 38
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Jewon Lee, 27
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Jalen Lee, 25
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Possession of Paraphernalia
Jermaine Turner, 52
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Jonathan Eady, 44
Possession of Controlled Substance
Driving w/ Suspended License x2 (warrant)
No Insurance x2 (warrant)
Improper Lights (warrant)
Failure to Show Vehicle Registration (warrant)
Everick Jones, Jr., 32
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Possession of Paraphernalia
No Insurance (warrant)
Failure to Show Vehicle Registration (warrant)
Robert Timmes, 60
Possession of Marijuana 1st
Contempt of Court (warrant)
Stephen Stewart, 44
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia x2
Trafficking Illegal Drugs – Opium
Trafficking Illegal Drugs – Cocaine
Unlawful Possession w/ Intent to Distribute
Running Red Light (warrant)
Terry Fletcher, 61
Possession of Controlled Substance (warrant)
Probation Revocation (warrant)
Santarrio Capell, 33
Trafficking Illegal Drugs – Marijuana
Michael Bonner, Jr., 28
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Clarence Lee, Jr., 58
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
John Rather, 23
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Certain Persons Forbidden
Loitering for Purpose of Drug Activity
Anthony Harris, 24
Possession of Controlled Substance
Alwaahid Foster, 47
Possession of Marijuana 1st x2
Terrance Mabens, 32
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Carmella Staten, 35
Possession of Marijuana 2nd x2
Chemical Endangerment of Child x4
Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substance x4
No Insurance x4 (warrant)
Drive w/ Suspended License (warrant)
Child Endangering Welfare x4
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia x2
Expired Tag x2 (warrant)
No Child Restraint (warrant)
Driver’s License not in Possession (warrant)
Fail/Refuse to Display Insurance (warrant)
Harassment or Harassing Communications (warrant)
George Walker, 63
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Distribution of Controlled Substance x3
Patrick Walker, 63
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Heriberto Hernandez, 61
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Probation Violation x3
Kendal Benjamin, 38
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Demetrius Quinnie, 37
Possession of Controlled Substance
Possession of Controlled Substance x2 (warrant)
Possession w/ Intent to Distribute – Meth
Attempt to Elude
Possession of Marijuana 2nd
Possession of Marijuana 2nd x2 (warrant)
Tampering with Physical Evidence
Tampering with Physical Evidence (warrant)
No Driver’s License (warrant)
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By Rick McCann/Dale Hines Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
September 28, 2026
SILVERHILL, Ala. The 911 call sounded real. A person telling dispatchers that he was upset and that he had just shot his sister in the head.
He also told dispatchers that he was still holding the gun.
Multiple law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the home on 7th Street at around 5:00 p.m., while fire personnel and EMS were staged far away from the scene. A medical helicopter was also dispatched to the area to standby.
It was a tense call, a tense response and no one knew what they would find once they entered the home.
Thankfully, it turned out to be just another “swatting” call. It wasn’t real.
Mobile police had received a similar call just a few days before and it too turned out to be a false call.
During the past years, at least eight swatting calls have been made to several cities in our area.
The Silverhill police chief told us that an investigation is underway and he believes that an arrest will be made soon.
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SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. A former U.S. Postal Service employee accused of destroying or delaying campaign mailers for a state Senate candidate in Shelby County has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
The indictment doesn’t say which candidate’s mailers were allegedly destroyed, but says the destruction happened April 22, 2026. There has been very little said about the motive of Sekondi Watts who now faces one count of mail destruction by a postal employee, according to the indictment filed in federal court Thursday.
According to U.S. Attorney Phillip Williams, the indictment reflects our commitment to protecting the integrity of our elections and the U.S. Mail, and we stand ready to prosecute anyone who interferes with fair and honest elections,” said Williams.
Destruction, tampering or theft of any type of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service is a federal offense and if found guilty the person could face a substantial prison sentence in fderal custody.
“With Election Day just around the corner, our office is on high alert and is committed to rooting out election integrity crimes in whatever form they take,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney and Election Crimes Coordinator Brett A. Janich.
The Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigated the case.
“The OIG takes all reports of mail dumping seriously and investigates these allegations,” said OIG spokesperson Scott Cunningham.“ Those who compromise the sanctity of the mail not only break the law—they undermine public trust. We will continue to investigate these cases aggressively. Also, between now and Election Day, our auditors and special agents will be out in the field visiting postal facilities to ensure compliance and protect the integrity of Election Mail. Should anyone suspect misconduct by a postal employee, they should report it to our Hotline at uspsoig.gov/hotline.
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MOBILE COUNTY, AL. – A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 2:37 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2026, has claimed the life of a Coden man.
Hulen V. Owens, 94, was critically injured when the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado pickup he was driving collided head-on with a 2018 Ram 1500 pickup driven by Stephanie M. Lyons-Radcliff, 58, of Coden.
Volunteer firefighters from the area, EMS and ALEA troopers responded to the area of Alabama 188 near the 11-mile marker, approximately one mile east of Bayou La Batre.
Owens was transported to University Hospital (USA) in Mobile for treatment where he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
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SUMMERDALE, Ala. A man being held in the Baldwin County Detention Center since his arrest on September 23rd, 2025, has been indicted by a grand jury on 11 counts involving child pornography and sexual contact with a minor.
Brandon Michael Fry, 41, of Summerdale, was arrested last year by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department and accused of sexually abusing a child in his garage and possessing AI-generated child pornography.
Investigators said the Summerdale Police Department alerted the sheriff’s office after the alleged victim accused Fry of touching her in her private area while in the garage.
Investigators said Fry admitted to possessing several hundred AI-generated child porn images at the time of his arrest.
Fry is charged with one count of sexual contact with a child less than 12 years of age and 10 counts of possession of child pornography. The indictment states the images included “virtually indistinguishable depictions of an individual under 18 years of age engaged in any act that is actual or simulated conduct that includes sadomasochistic abuse, sexual excitement, sexual intercourse, masturbation, breast nudity, genital nudity, or other sexual conduct.”
Fry may continue being held at the detention center unless he is given a bond that he can make.
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Both were pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from the vehicle
Previous Report
UPDATE: A male and a female inside of the vehicle were killed during the impact. The Amtrak train was on its way to Mobile when this occurred. Based on the initial investigation, the arms were down at the time of the incident.
MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. Authorities are reporting a train collision that occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning, September 24, 2026.
Authorities are reporting that the train and vehicle crash has occurred in the area of Bellingrath Road and Peary Road.
At this time, police and fire departments, EMS and other agencies are responding to the crash scene.
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PINE HILL, Ala. In the small town of Pine Hill with a population of just under 800 people, a wanted murder suspect had been hiding and on the run from Houston until a U.S. Marshals task force tracked him down.
Ernest Christopher Nathan, who was freed on bond a day after his 2022 arrest but was soon placed on the Texas 10 Most Wanted list when he failed to show up at court.
During the arrest attempt, Nathan shot a U.S. Marshals task force officer in Pine Hill on Tuesday morning and was killed when officers returned fire, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Wednesday.
Officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force were serving an arrest warrant in the 100 block of Ruby Drive in Pine Hill at about 6 a.m. Tuesday, ALEA when shots rang out and Nathan was killed during the gunbattle.
“Task Force Officers returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Ernest Christopher Nathan. Nathan was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The wounded officer was rushed to a nearby hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to ALEA but they did not release the officer’s name or agency.
Nathan was wanted out of Harris County, Texas, for a Sept. 25, 2022, shooting outside a food truck at 9598 Main Street in Houston, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which listed him on its 10 Most Wanted fugitives page. Houston police said Nathan and a 32-year-old man got into an argument at the food truck at about 2:20 a.m. and Nathan shot him multiple times before fleeing. The victim died four days later at Ben Taub General Hospital.
Houston police arrested Nathan on Oct. 4, 2022, on charges of murder and evading arrest in a motor vehicle after a vehicle pursuit. He was released on bond the following day, according to DPS.
A warrant for his arrest for failure to appear was issued Feb. 29, 2024. DPS put Nathan on the Texas 10 Most Wanted list with a $5,000 reward, then named him its “Featured Fugitive” in October 2024 and raised the reward to $6,000. The agency warned he “should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.”
According to law enforcement, Nathan’s record includes Georgia convictions for aggravated assault and drug possession in 2006 and for battery and bail jumping in 2016, according to DPS. The agency also listed aggravated robbery, battery of a pregnant person and possession of a firearm by a felon in his criminal history.
ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation opened the officer-involved shooting investigation at the request of the Marshals Service. “Nothing further is available as the investigation remains ongoing,” ALEA said. “Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Marengo County District Attorney’s Office.”
The Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force is headquartered in Birmingham and marked 20 years in operation in July. It was organized in 2006 with the backing of Alabama and Mississippi’s congressional delegations and has apprehended more than 70,800 fugitives across the two states, according to the Marshals Service.
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MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit has arrested Landein Hearn (DOB: 09/10/2003) following an investigation into the alleged online exploitation of children.
The investigation began in August 2026 after MCSO investigators received information from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) that had allegedly been uploaded to Snapchat.
Investigators identified Hearn as a suspect and obtained a search warrant for his residence.
On September 24, 2026, members of the MCSO ICAC Unit and Special Operations Unit, with assistance from the MCSO Crime Scene Unit, executed the search warrant.
Hearn was arrested and charged with:
Five counts of Unlawful Possession of Child Pornography
Five counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography
“Those who use the internet to exploit children should understand that they are not anonymous and they are not beyond the reach of law enforcement,” said Sheriff Paul Burch. “Our ICAC investigators work every day with our local, state and federal partners to identify these offenders and protect children from online exploitation.”
The investigation remains ongoing
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ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. What started as a traffic stop in Baldwin County Wednesday morning at around 10: a.m. ended in Florida after a two state police pursuit.
It all began when deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office attempted to pull over the driver, later identified as 41-year-old Terell Cargill, who refused to stop, and eventually crashed in Florida.
A vehicle chase that began in Baldwin County ended in a crash and arrest in Escambia County, Fla.
As the pursuit entered Interstate 10 and crossed state lines, the Florida highway Patrol was requested for assistance.
Cargill also allegedly threw items out of the vehicle after the chase began.
The chase ended when law enforcement lost sight of the vehicle, but it was later found at a park off of Concordia Boulevard, although Cargill had abandoned the vehicle and left the area on foot.
Florida law enforcement was able to track down Cargill at a home off of Chimes Way, and he was arrested.
Law enforcement stated that during a search of the vehicle, they found possible drugs.
Cargill is charged in Escambia County with multiple offenses and will be extradited to Alabama faced with additional charges.
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MOBILE, Ala. A program in Mobile is getting national attention while helping the unhoused to obtain authentic identification cards.
While many homeless people have had a driver’s license, birth certificate or other forms of identification previously, some walk around without one shred of identification but that’s changing all because of a program that started in Mobile by the Homeless Outreach team.
Can you imagine applying for a job, shelter, food assistance or even medical care and you’re turned away because you have no identification?
“How can you be employed if you don’t have a license of any kind or I.D? How do you reclaim your benefits that you’re due under the VA or social security if you have no license identification or social security card?” Mobile Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis asked.
The Homeless Outreach team are able to make identification cards almost immediately upon request, and the social security administration has added the locally issued card to its national identity document database.
To be issued this identification card, the team requires two identifications in one of our four databases. The preferred method would be via a digital fingerprint scanner, NCIC or LETS. Those are our two national and state databases that we use.
The Homeless Outreach team issues the ID cards twice a week – on Tuesdays at the Waterfront Rescue Mission and on Thursdays at Mobile police’s second precinct.
Officer Justin Howard says federal recognition means the card can be used as supporting identification when someone applies for a replacement social security card. The whole process takes about 15 minutes – from verification to printing.
“When we print a homeless ID, it requires multiple things,” he explains. “It requires two identifications in one of our four databases. The preferred method would be via a digital fingerprint scanner, NCIC or LETS. Those are our two national and state databases that we use. You have to be identified in at least one of those. And then once we have said individual’s information and it’s been verified in multiple settings, I can print a homeless ID which is now accepted at the Social Security office.”
“I’m very proud of Dr. Kendell Young and his team,” Mayor Cheriogotis said. “They’ve worked incredibly hard to make this a reality. I didn’t know about it when I was a judge so I’ve tried to make sure our judges do know so they can refer people to this program.”
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ORANGE BEACH, Ala. Two house fires within twenty-four hours on Ono Island is quite unusual but that’s what happened this week
According to Orange Beach Fire Rescue, firefighters were first called to a home on fire on Tuesday night and another early Wednesday morning.
OBFR said that the first fire began in the 32800 block of River Road just after 6 p.m. on Sept. 22, 2026.
Firefighters were able to quickly contain and extinguish the fire and prevented it from spreading, according to officials.
The second fire was called into 911 at around 1:20 a.m.
The second fire was reported just before 1:20 a.m. on Sept. 23 in the 33000 block of River Road. For the second time in just houses, Orange Beach firefighters responded quickly and were also able to extinguish it before it could spread.
The cause of both fires is under investigation, but OBFR officials believe lightning could have caused them.
The fire department spokesperson said that neither home was occupied during the fires.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Section 11-5 of the city’s Zoning Ordinance to update home business regulations to reflect modern employment trends.
U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that local work-from-home rates in Gulf Shores increased from 3.4% in the 2006–2010 American Community Survey to 19.8% in recent 5-year estimates.
Proposed updates to the ordinance would allow residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit and accept standard signed authorization letters from property owners rather than requiring notarized consent. Existing operational restrictions—including limiting total business floor area to 20% of the main building (up to 500 square feet), restricting business employment exclusively to residing family members, and prohibiting direct on-site retail sales—will remain fully in effect.
Proposed updates to the home occupation ordinance include:
Allowing residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit.
Removing the requirement for non-owner applicants to submit a notarized permission letter from property owners and accepting a standard signed letter instead.
Capping total home business floor area at 20% of the main building, up to 500 square feet.
Restricting business employment exclusively to family members who reside in the dwelling.
Prohibiting direct on-site retail sales, excluding remote sales by phone, mail, or internet, and items permitted under the Alabama Cottage Food Law.
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MOBILE, AL. An investigation of theft at the Mobile Housing Authority has led to the arrest.
Ray Field Collins, 63, a now former employee of the authority, has been arrested by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, after they were asked to assist in a theft investigation.
Collins reportedly made $68,000 in unauthorized purchases, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.
He is charged with two counts of fraudulent credit card possession, first-degree theft of property, and two counts of position for personal gain, according to the court documents.
Collins had a heart issue for about two months before leaving the Housing Authority. During that time, any purchases made by Collins had to be approved by the finance department, according to MCSO.
“While those purchases were being reviewed, they found unauthorized monthly purchases occurring throughout the three-year timeframe of 2023 to 2025,” a spokesperson said.
Investigators said the unauthorized purchases included, but were not limited to, car parts, air conditioning units, grills, Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, flooring and other items not used in the repair or maintenance of low-income housing. MCSO said the purchases totaled an estimated $68,000.
The Mobile Housing Authority does not comment on any specifics regarding ongoing criminal matters. The Board of Commissioners and staff intend to ensure that every resource provided by HUD goes toward providing much needed housing within this community and will not tolerate any waste or theft. We are grateful for the swift and thorough investigation by Sheriff Burch, and his team said a statement from the Mobile Housing Authority.
Court records show Collins is scheduled to be in court on September 23, 2026. $40,000 bond. Collins was released on a $40,000 bond.
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. A massive late-night fire on agricultural property destroyed buildings and vehicles as stored fertilizer and gasoline helped to fuel the blaze.
Calls to the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center began coming into the center at around 10:36 p.m. and numerous area fire departments were immediately dispatched to 19586 Johhny Waters Road.
As the fire department arrived, flames were shooting out of a large structure and firefighters on scene stated they had heard explosions as firefighters from at least eight to ten departments rushed to help extinguish the fire.
Due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area, the Tanker Task Force brought in additional manpower and a much-needed water supply.
Meanwhile, the fire spread to several buildings nearby and engulfed everything in its sight.
Law enforcement and EMS were also sent to the fire scene.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been contacted to help investigate the cause of the fire.
At this time there has been no report of any injuries.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. The debate has rambled on for years, maybe even decades. To be or not to be, has been the question about time.
But this question is really about time zones and daylight savings time.
Earlier this year, the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent throughout the U.S., with few exceptions. It’s been held up in the Senate since July but, now that the chamber has returned from recess, there’s a chance the legislation could be picked up.
Many argue it makes no difference while others say it makes perfect sense for every state to be in the same time zone.
If it can pass the Senate, the bill seems to stand a fair chance of becoming law, with President Trump already expressing support.
Many states have already voted to be part of the permanent daylight saving time.
At present, states are only allowed to opt into year-round permanent standard time, as Hawaii and much of Arizona have done. But that hasn’t stopped 19 states from enacting legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent in their jurisdiction, pending approval from Congress.
In 2018, Florida became the first state to call for year-round DST. It’s congressional lawmakers from the Sunshine State who have spearheaded several attempts to make daylight saving time permanent in the U.S., including the version of the Sunshine Protection Act passed by the House this year.
Last year, Maine and Texas became the latest states to approve year-round daylight saving time legislation.
Some states say that permanent daylight savings time would save money on utilities and even prevent things like depression, sleep disorders and an array of other issues the darkness has on certain people.
Several of the states that have enacted similar legislation within the past eight years have stipulations in their bills that further rely on their neighbors locking their clocks. Delaware, for example, followed Florida’s lead but said that Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania must also make daylight saving time permanent. None of them have, though bills to do so in New Jersey and Pennsylvania remain alive.
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Idaho, and Washington have similar requirements within their enacted legislation. Oregon (Malheur County would be excluded) has enacted legislation as well but awaits action by California. Voters there gave their legislators the OK to lock the clocks in 2018, but the state has failed to do so.
Still, the age-old question has other states looking to enact all-year daylight saving time legislation including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
As fall moves in and winter soon will be knocking at our doors once more bringing earlier darkness to many states, will turning our clocks back or moving them forward one or two hours really make a difference in the scheme of things?
Some states have tried to get their folks on board but failed to make daylight saving time permanent this year including Alaska, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia.
In January of 1974, President Richard Nixon signed a law to make daylight saving time permanent for a two-year trial to save energy during the oil crisis. But in October, the trial was canceled and repealed in less than a year. Dark winter morning commutes caused public support to drop sharply, leading Congress to reverse the law.
During World War II, Congress also used year-round daylight-saving time, called “War Time,” from February 1942 to September 1945, but as the war ended, so did national daylight savings time.
For now, though, no clocks are locking on daylight saving time.
It’s still not clear if the debate has merit but the arguments that have continued for more than fifty years, don’t seem to be going anywhere.
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MOBILE, Ala. After years of waiting, the big bridge project will begin in just weeks, not years.
For many it’s exciting while for others, not so much.
Either way, now that financing for the project has been approved, the work will begin almost immediately.
As of last week, the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge and Tunnel Authority has completed the bond and federal loan financing necessary to fully fund the $3.2 billion Phase One construction of the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway Project.
This financing now signals a milestone and sets in motion the building of the bridge.
As with building any structure, financing must be secured before the work can get underway and now with the financing in place including a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan of $2.52 billion through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau, along with bonds successfully marketed to investors this month, work should be underway at any time.
The Phase One construction cost includes a new six-lane cable-stayed bridge across the Mobile River and six lanes of capacity across the existing Bayway.
“President Trump and Secretary Duffy are once again proving this Administration is dedicated to making generational change across the country, and this major infrastructure investment in Alabama’s Gulf Coast will make monumental improvements for travel and commerce across the region. This advancement marks the final piece needed for the decades-awaited Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project. Once it is completed, this project will finally alleviate our traffic gridlock across Mobile Bay,” said Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. “Thank you, again, to the Trump Administration for investing in our state. Alabama is proud to be part of the Golden Age of Transportation.”
“This is the point where years of planning become construction,” Transportation Director John Cooper said. “The financing is in place, the construction price is established, and we’re ready to build. The support and flexibility provided at the federal level have been extraordinary and were essential to getting us here.”
The Trump Administration and USDOT worked closely with Alabama to preserve the project as escalating construction costs and engineering challenges made the previously planned simultaneous replacement of the bridge and Bayway financially unachievable. Federal flexibility allowed Alabama to divide the project into phases while preserving the long-term commitment to replace the Bayway. This phased approach has become more common with megaprojects across the country.
Phase One will construct the new Mobile River Bridge and connect it to the existing Bayway, which will be modified to provide three travel lanes in each direction. Approximately one mile of the Bayway will be reconstructed to connect to the new Mobile River Bridge, along with improvements throughout the I-10 corridor in Mobile and Baldwin counties. This bridge will also provide a route for hazardous-material freight that is prohibited from using the Wallace Tunnel to freely move east and west without exiting the freeway and making its way through city streets.
There will be no tolls collected during any of the construction. Tolling will begin only when the new bridge and Phase One improvements open to traffic, currently projected for late 2031. The Wallace Tunnel, Bankhead Tunnel, Africatown Bridge and Causeway will remain toll-free alternatives.
We’ve already seen quite a bit of work being done over the last few years including soil testing and archaeologists excavated 15 historical and pre-historical sites along the right-of-way for the Mobile River Bridge & Bayway project, unearthing over 20,000 artifacts spanning thousands of years.
Early construction activities also include geotechnical work, test piles, site preparation and procurement of long-lead materials, are already underway. With financing complete, ALDOT expects to authorize the design-build team to proceed with full construction beginning on October 1, 2026.
According to ALDOT, the new bridge and Phase One improvements are expected to open to traffic in approximately five years.
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MOBILE, Ala. Two teens are said to be responsible for almost a dozen vehicle break-ins in just one apartment complex.
Mobile police were called over the weekend to the Charleston Apartments, located at 2889 Sollie Avenue, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m. The caller notified police that someone was breaking into cars in the parking lot.
When police arrived, they noticed several teens actively breaking into vehicles and as the officers approached the subjects, they ran from police.
Both subjects were caught and detained, with one of the subjects being arrested and transported to Strickland Youth Center.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered the subjects broke into multiple vehicles at the apartment complex since July 2026. This remains an active investigation.
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