Jonathan Peacock is protesting outside the Pensacola Bay Center. Says Trump's support of Roy Moore led him here. Check for updates tonight. #ALSen
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John Sharp
@JohnSharp99
A journalist covering news and politics in Alabama with a focus on the state's coastal area.
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A packed house in Fairhope awaiting . A noticeably bigger crowd (and more media) than the Sept. 25 pre-runoff rally held here.
Absentee in-person Saturday voting in Mobile this morning. Another day of long lines but probate office is staffing up with more employees than last week. More later
I don't share personal stuff often on here, but I'm so happy today. My mom's cancer (Stage 4 colon) has shrunk following 10 chemo treatments. It did not spread. Still a journey ahead, but it's less of a mountain. Of course, she and dad are celebrating at the Cracker Barrel. :)
Dr. Doug Sharp, an ER physician in Baldwin Co.: “If you are not scared of COVID, you need to be scared of your hospital system collapsing. I can’t take care of your families right now. Your parents are staying home with chest pains. That will eventually catch up with us.”
Zack Wingstom, principal at Bay Minette Middle School said he hopes once the pandemic is over, “that you are as passionate about the good things in Baldwin County schools as you in fighting this mask mandate. If you do, this county will be unstoppable.”
With a 6-1 vote, the city of Mobile voted in a mandatory face mask ordinance. Mayor says the intent is to help citizens comply by it. More later
Mobile is pitching $5.1 million to combat gun violence one day after President Joe Biden gave cities the go-ahead to do so.
In 2004, in the town of Roanoke, Illinois, an EF4 tornado destroyed Parsons Manufacturing. All 150 people inside survived because the owner (who is local) built a storm shelter and had a plan. I recall covering this -- and that was nearly 2 decades ago. (1/2)
More long lines for in-person absentee voting in Alabama prompts calls by Democratic lawmakers for traditional early voting.
This is wild. Chevron station is smashed near I-10 on 181. But it’s pumping gas and people are picking up ice. #HurricaneSally
defends himself from "juvenile" insults from , and slams his opponent ahead of Tuesday's runoff. Sessions says he wants "the president to succeed" and juxtaposed his conservative record against Tommy Tuberville.
I just about jumped out of my chair - dangerous person alert in Opelika, hundreds of miles away. Be alert Opelika because the rest of Alabama now is.
“Frost quakes” are a thing. I grew up in the Midwest and never heard a “frost quake” before. Learn something new all the time.
I do not blame UCF for the aggressiveness on this. Expand the playoff and NEVER allow an undefeated D1 team to languish without a chance to win the championships. NCAA recognizes UCF's national championship in addition to Alabama's s.al.com/Ykg9wQi
John Cardwell, principal at Fairhope High School, said that if a mask can help a little bit, “then it’s worth it to my kids at the school.” He said he had to serve as a pallbearer during his niece’s funeral. She died to COVID.
Rev. William Barber II and #PoorPeoplesCampaign are in Alabama for the next few days ahead of Tuesday's primary. First stop was in Mobile on Friday night:
Longtime Alabama political observer Jess Brown: "Alabama’s pulpit politician has now been ex-communicated from the electoral arena and he won’t be a credible candidate again." #ALSen
Councilwoman Gina Gregory says she's gotten some interesting emails: "We heard from 9 doctors yesterday—I heard some people say ‘they must have been bought off by George Soros.’ You really think the doctors in Mobile, Alabama were bought off by George Soros?"
Senator Richard Shelby says that while he was disappointed in the outcome, it's "time to move on" from the 2020 presidential election and recognizes Joe Biden as president-elect. al.com/news/2020/12/r #alpolitics
An Amtrak official confirms it: Gulf Coast rail service from Mobile to New Orleans is happening next year. It could happen as soon as January, which is about 10 months away. An update will occur on March 5 during a meeting.
Interesting parallels involving city of Mobile natives -- on the same day that Mobile native and civil rights icon Hank Aaron dies, Mobile native Lloyd Austin is confirmed as the first Black Secretary of Defense in the U.S.
Mobile is home to largest manufacturing plant. The Comic Cowboys let Boeing have it during this year’s #MardiGras parade.
Nothing really worth celebrating, but it is noteworthy: Alabama's overall vaccination rate is no longer dead last. The state is ahead of Mississippi and is poised to overtake Wyoming. Seven other states are below Alabama's 49.8% for one dose of vaccine. #COVID19.
Ed Meese, Attorney General in the Reagan administration, endorses Jeff Sessions and defends the recusal decision in a campaign radio ad. #alpolitics #ALSen
My daughter at her first game. She got a Fredbird Build-A-Bear and also made the scoreboard. Successful evening.
Vigor High School - the Alabama 4A state champs - recognized this morning at the Mobile Co Commission meeting.
With 66% of results in is leading in Alabama by a 30.4% margin. If this holds, Trump will have outperformed his 2016 margin in Alabama (27.72%). It would also be the biggest back-to-back electoral wins by a prez in Alabama since FDR. #alpolitics
‘Famous in a way few Alabamians will ever be’: E.O. Wilson’s Alabama legacy recalled after his death al.com/news/2021/12/f
I'm downtown Mobile, and someone was shooting off bottle rockets after AP called the #ALSen race to @GDouglasJones
BREAKING: Amtrak is returning to the Gulf Coast in 24 months. More later
With 91,000 absentee ballots cast, Alabama voters have set a state record for the most absentee ballots during an election cycle -- and there are still 3 more weeks left.
I will say this about the mask mandate - it seems to be working. An overwhelming majority of folks in downtown Mobile today are wearing masks. More later
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It's early to speculate about the plan at the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville, Ill., but clearly the heightened sense of security was not of the same level as at Parsons almost 20 years ago when the focus on climate change was not as intense. (2/2)
This is the tribute I wrote for my mother today. She passed away at age 72 on Monday following a 2-plus year battle with cancer. Any and all thoughts and prayers are appreciated. facebook.com/678636833/post
Drag Queen Story Hour went on without a hitch this afternoon. About 200-240 parents and children attended the story reading inside the Mobile Public Library facebook.com/story.php?stor
Not all were aware their names were on the letter: 50 pastors sign letter of support for Roy Moore s.al.com/wSZrECE
The owners of a mall in Mobile tells the Health Department to close down its vaccine clinic:
The longest lines today are not at the voting precincts. Here’s a picture taken outside a pediatric urgent care on Grelot Road in Mobile. #alpolitics #COVID19
The Alabama Senate, with a 20-9 vote, concurred with the Alabama House on SB46. All that remains for medical marijuana's legalization in Alabama is signature. #alpolitics
Shelby votes "No" on Pennsylvania Electoral College objection. Tuberville votes "Aye" #alpolitics
When life hands you a lemon, you go to Mardi Gras. My wife has an outpatient procedure in New Orleans tomorrow. So happens our hotel is on St. Charles. So it’s Krewe of Druids tonight. #MardiGras
Mobile celebrating a road opening by closing it briefly for a parade.
I’m a Cardinals fan and realize there needs to be more of this. The front office needs to be held accountable for a lack of offensive player development and evaluating.
After nearly dying of COVID, Alabama car dealer gives away $100,000 in vaccine incentives al.com/news/2021/08/a
It appears the city of Mobile is preparing to open up a larger site where the public can receive monoclonal antibody therapy, vaccines and testing at the Mobile Civic Center. This would, in essence, replace the Shoppes at Bel Air Mall vaccine site that closed Sunday.
Craft breweries push for home deliveries, but Alabama law prohibits it. Can anything be done for these small businesses during the state's "stay at home" order? #coronavirus #COVID19
Katie Britt seems to be poised to make history soon (if she can defeat Will Boyd in November). No woman has ever been elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama. #alpolitics
Back in the hospital with my little 2 year old daughter. Please send us prayers or well wishes.
Some encouraging data in Mobile County: Ascension Providence reporting a decline in hospitalization within the past week. reporting a decline in COVID cases on Sunday. This often happens on a Monday, but it follows a trend of declining daily cases from last week.
They need to rebuild the offensive line which was dreadful against 3-8 Nebraska, but they certainly would’ve won the B10 West. Need to grab a WR out of the portal as well. Good for Kirk in shaking it up, though it was a necessity.
Part of the reasoning for not answering is due to an overall political strategy. Campaigns know this, and pay big bucks to the strategists to determine how to approach media relations, which means coordinated interviews with perceived “friendly” outlets and personalities.
Picture from earlier today of touring the state with his family. The Tuscaloosa mayor will conclude his campaign with a rally in Tuscaloosa tonight. will conclude her fly around in Birmingham. Check back to for updates.
Silverhill, Alabama, Christmas lights. A small town in Baldwin County that does a fantastic job each year with its display.
No worries yet on Alabama’s Gulf Coast as long as the yellow glow is still shining. #WaffleHouse Index.
Mo Brooks censure: Never seen before in Alabama and a first since the Civil War al.com/politics/2021/
Byrne, Brooks and Palmer are part of 106 Republicans joining in today in the Texas lawsuit. Roby, Aderholt and Rogers are not.
Terri Sewell: Recounts will add to Biden-Harris lead al.com/election/2020/
At the Doug Jones rally in Prichard where he will be speaking tonight. More later
Just for those who may not know - my wife had a major surgery on December 14. She’s doing really well but the healing is a process. I’ve been off work and taking care of her. I hope to be back by Jan. 10, before we have another surgery scheduled later in the summer (1/2)
A rare thing occurred in Montgomery today. I’ve covered city governments for 20 years. Can’t recall seeing anything similar.
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Elected officials changing their minds is rare, and should be applauded when done for the right reasons. Admitting you were wrong is hard. twitter.com/Josh_Moon/stat…
For the first time during the pandemic, temporary morgues are brought in to Mobile & Baldwin counties.
Doug Jones in Prichard: I "absolutely did not" have anything to do with the allegations against Roy Moore.
One guy just showed up to the Mobile council meeting and argued against having to give his name before speaking publicly in oposition of masks. Says he wasn't giving it out to those "pinko commies" and says he was against "Antifa at my front door." Got upset and stormed out.
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Shonn Greene’s 2008 season was amazing. One and done, unfortunately, but wow - what a season.
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says Alabama has a great Senate candidate in . He said that former Ohio State head football coach said about Tuberville that "not only is he a great guy but a great coach." I can't seem to confirm that quote, but Trump did mention Meyer.
Krewe of Nyx in New Orleans has so much baggage that it would make the Comic Cowboys in Mobile seem like lightweights. Apparently that has caught up with this group - dwindling membership and empty floats (notice no one on top of float).
The Cards lineup didn’t intimidate anyone last year. The pitching staff is weak. The Cardinals should do this for the fans because the Dodgers are winning the NL this year anyway.
Mobile agrees to pay the fine for removing the Semmes monument. The latest:
Municipal elections are today in Alabama. Get out and vote if you can because turnout will be low and, more than any other election on the calendar, your vote does count in this one. Trust me on this, I’ve covered tied votes before. Check back later for more later today
Mobile County releasing non-violent misdemeanor inmates as COVID cases increase.
President Biden to Alabama workforce building Javelin missiles: ‘Thank you for what you do’ al.com/news/2022/05/p
For the first time since at least 1900, Mobile is bigger in population than Birmingham. Here's the story from today's annexation vote where Mobile has a population over 204,600 residents.
Photo circulating on Facebook from a bar in New Orleans. Posted without comment, but feel free to react. #MardiGras2023
gives a shout out to his mom and says his favorite place to wrestle is in the South #WWEMobile
Stranded vehicle outside a restaurant along the Spanish Fort Causeway near the I-10 interchange (which is closed) ahead of #HurricaneIda arrival.
We are under "stay at home" orders almost everywhere in the U.S., and I still have neighbor kids asking if my daughter can come out to play. She's 4 and would love to, obviously. When did it become so hard for people to follow simple directions? Grrr #coronavirus
I randomly met my wife at the Daphne Civic Center and we voted together for the first time today. Very cool. And the whole process took us less than a half hour. #Elections2020 #alpolitics
The Baldwin County Commission voted unanimously today to deny the request for a Mardi Gras parade in the Fort Morgan peninsula.