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Mobile celebrates Airbus facility expansion, and cements its global aviation status

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 1d

Mobile inaugurates the third final assembly building for Airbus -- the third such venue in 10 years, making the Mobile the No. 4 city in the world for manufacturing commercial aircraft. www.al.com/news/2025/10...

The expansion comes as the Airbus A320 recently surpassed Boeing's 737 as the best-selling commercial aircraft in aviation history. The new plant is expected to support the company's continued A320 pr...

Author of challenged library book ‘Sold’ to speak in Fairhope

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johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 3d

Patricia McCormick, an award-winning author whose 2006 book, "Sold" is among the most challenged in the country, will be in Fairhope speaking at the only Alabama public library to lose state funding over book placements. Here is the story: www.al.com/news/2025/10...

McCormick said she hopes her advocacy for public libraries will unite people across political divides.

Beards, pay, take-home cars: How Mobile is winning the police recruitment battle

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 5d

Mobile hasn't had more than 500 police officers in many years. The city is pushed to eclipse that number next year. Here's why: www.al.com/news/2025/10...

Recent graduation ceremony adds 19 new officers as department rebounds from losing over 120 officers five years ago during nationwide recruitment challenges.

How a $100,000 donation is helping save a 100-year-old Alabama ‘hermit hut’ with a remarkable story

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 8d

Hermit Hut may soon have a new home. How a $100K donation has the relocation project of Henry Stuart's oddly shaped, 100-year-old concrete dome home within reach: www.al.com/news/2025/10...

The donor, known only as "The Friend," has pushed the fundraising effort to relocate Henry Stuart's concrete dome to within striking distance of its $369,000 goal.

Bank drive-thru approved in downtown Mobile: What residents are saying

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 8d

Drive-thru approved on St. Louis Street in Mobile despite concerns raised by downtown residents. Here's the story: www.al.com/news/2025/10...

The Zoning Board reversed its previous decision, allowing River Bank & Trust to build a three-story branch with drive-thru service near Greer's Market on St. Louis Street.

Alabama residency laws clash in Mobile council election dispute

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 13d

Two days after celebrating the 40th for the Zoghby Act, the 1985 law was front in center during a court case Thursday over residency questions about Council member-elect Samantha Ingram. The latest: www.al.com/news/2025/10...

Court weighs whether 2025 state law requiring 90-day residency supersedes Mobile's 1985 Zoghby Act that mandates one year for city council candidates.

From racial division to economic growth: Mobile marks 40 years of Zoghby Act

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 14d

1985 -- Bo Jackson, Ronald Reagan, Marty McFly and ... Mobile's Zoghby Act. One was celebrated in Mobile on Tuesday. Here's the story about a unique celebration of past, present and future of Mobile leaders and the law that created the current city gov't. www.al.com/news/2025/10...

Former mayors join Mayor-elect Spiro Cheriogotis to reflect on how the 1985 law changed Mobile from commission to council-mayor system after racial justice struggles.

Vape tax confusion: Alabama cities face double taxation concerns before deadline

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 15d

Alabama Department of Revenue says that municipal ordinances executing a new vape tax adds an extra 10-cents per milliliter on vape products sold in Alabama. Cities aren't so sure. Confusion ahead of a Wednesday deadline: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

State revenue officials confirm local vape taxes will stack on existing state levy, creating 20-cent-per-milliliter rate in participating municipalities despite city officials' uncertainty.

Alabama congressman: Would GOP want Epstein files released if Obama was involved?

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 18d

@repscfigures discusses the need for a full release of the Epstein files during a recent interview. Here's what he said: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Democratic congressman questions if Republicans would demand full transparency if Obama had connections to Epstein instead of Trump.

Alabama police agency vows ‘tactical ninja’ revenge after homecoming toilet paper prank

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 18d

A humorous toilet paper war in an East Alabama city has gotten some attention on social media -- and in a good way: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

The Heflin Police Department responds with humor to students' TP mischief, vowing Halloween retaliation while acknowledging their own pranking history from the '80s and '90s.

Alabama cities racing against time to double tax on vape products

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 20d

Cities in Alabama are adopting their own vape product taxes this month and before October 1. Here's why: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Local governments have just days left to implement additional fees that could dramatically impact prices, with one councilman warning the taxes are "killing the business person."

Spiro Cheriogotis: 5 priorities for Mobile’s new mayor

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 21d

What did Mobile's mayor-elect discuss last night after winning the election? Here are 5 things: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Alabama's second-largest city will see leadership changes in key areas including public transportation, neighborhood engagement, and affordable housing initiatives.

Spiro Cheriogotis elected Mobile’s next mayor: ‘We are looking forward’

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johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 21d

Mobile has a new mayor-elect tonight. It was a close race. The scene inside the rally for Spiro Cheriogotis. www.al.com/news/2025/09...

The outcome caps almost one year of a campaign after Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced he was not seeking a fourth term in September 2024.

Mobile mayoral runoff today: Drummond and Cheriogotis face off in high-stakes election

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 22d

Voters go the polls today to decide who will be Mobile's next mayor. A bit of a last minute intrigue as last night, @KamalaHarris gave a shout out to Barbara Drummond during her interview on @maddow. She faces former Judge Spiro Cheriogotis. www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Voters in Alabama's second-largest city head to the polls to choose a new mayor.

More state oversight needed for Alabama city elections, candidates say

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 23d

After the Aug. 26 municipal elections, and reports of issues at polls statewide, there are now calls for more state oversight. Three Secretary of State candidates in 2026 all share a common belief: The office needs more involvement in the local contests: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Candidates for secretary of state say the office should play a more active role in city elections, following a wave of recent problems that sparked voter confusion and legal challenges across Alabama.

Who will be Mobile’s next mayor? 2 battle it out in AL.com, AARP debate: How to watch

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 29d

Lunch plans, Mobile, Alabama? Here you go: Lunch plans, Mobile? Here you go #alpolitics: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Former District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis and State Rep. Barbara Drummond will address crime, homelessness and economic issues as they compete to become the next mayor.

Democratic PAC targets Mobile mayoral candidate with ‘MAGA Republican’ label

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · 29d

The first PAC-influenced campaign flyer in the Mobile mayor's race is out in the mail, adding the first bit of "negative" campaigning into the race a week before runoff. Here's the story: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

The flyer appears one week before the runoff election between Spiro Cheriogotis and Barbara Drummond, marking the first negative turn in what had been a calm race.

Mobile County election challenges require candidates to pay thousands in legal bonds

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 15

Started my Monday off right by having a conversation over toast and coffee. I don't think either were listening.

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 12

Two municipal races in Mobile County are being challenged based on questions about residency and provisional ballots. It's not cheap to do so. The story: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Two separate cases in Mobile County have candidates paying $10,000 and $25,000 to pursue election challenges over provisional ballots and residency requirements.

‘Get the Clowns Out’: Owner says Mobile billboard for comedy show, not politics

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 11

The Black clown billboard controversy is resolved, but the City of Mobile weighed in that it created legitimate concerns: "Without context, it’s understandable that some people had concerns about the depiction." www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Michael Lewis of Bumblebee Billboards clarified on WBLX-FM that the advertisement is for an October 12 event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of "Laugh, Love, Live."

The triumphant return of the US's Gulf Coast train

johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 10

A good story and worth the read of the new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service. One of the most undersold aspects of the route is the scenic beauty of the trip. The excursion over St. Louis Bay is impressive. www.bbc.com/travel/artic...

Two decades after Hurricane Katrina halted rail service, Amtrak's new Mardi Gras Service links Mobile and New Orleans, offering travellers coastal views and stories of resilience.

www.bbc.com

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johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 10

There's a recount of the Aug. 26 municipal elections today in Gulf Shores. The challenge is coming from a candidate who finished in 3rd place in a council race. Here's why: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

80-year-old election official at center of Alabama city’s recount controversy

Evelyn Sanders, who has run elections since the beach town had 300 residents, faces accusations of bias while maintaining she followed all legal requirements during the August vote.

Mobile mayor’s race: Candidate with more votes trails $1M behind opponent’s fundraising

Reposted

Hannah Denham @hdenham.bsky.social · Sep 9

NEW: More cash is pouring into the race to be Mobile’s next mayor, as Alabama State Rep. Barbara Drummond faces former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis in the runoff on Sept. 23. w/ @johnsharp99.bsky.social: www.al.com/news/mobile/...

More cash is pouring into the race to be Mobile’s next mayor ahead of the runoff on Sept. 23.

Why Alabama’s reliance on grocery taxes unlikely to change without a revolt for reform

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johnsharp99.bsky.social @johnsharp99.bsky.social · Sep 8

Alabama's sales tax on groceries has been cut by 2 percentage points in the past couple of years. But the chances of it completely going away are extremely slim. Here's why: www.al.com/news/2025/09...

Cities like Fairhope face tough budget choices as grocery taxes fund 30% of municipal revenue, with one newly elected councilman promising elimination.