🌱 Mobile Job Market Growing + Firefighter Fired For Head Tattoo

Good morning, hello! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Mobile Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 65 Low: 42.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories in Mobile today:

1. According to the Mobile Chamber, the job market grew significantly in 2022. Data from the Mobile Chamber shows 1,342 jobs were created from projects announced through its Industrial Development Board and Industrial Development Authority — over double the number of jobs created in 2021. President and CEO of the Mobile Chamber Bradley Byrne said, "To be in a community like ours, where workforce is our number one problem, we’re doing something right." (AL.com)
2. Despite attempts to be in compliance with the city's policies, a Mobile firefighter was terminated for having a head tattoo. Kay’Ana Adams got a head tattoo in June 2022 and tried to comply with the department's changing policies — even growing out her hair to hide the tattoo. Adams believes she was fired, in part, because she spoke up about harassment and antagonization issues. According to a Mobile City Spokesperson, other Mobile firefighters who are currently serving also have tattoos in violation of the policy. (WKRG News 5)
3. Thomas Thomas, 22, has been identified as the subject in the New Year's Eve shooting in downtown Mobile. The shooting took the life of 24-year-old Jatarious Reives. Thomas was released from the hospital yesterday, Jan. 5, and is being charged with murder, assault first-degree, shooting into an occupied building, and shooting into an unoccupied building. (NBC 15 WPMI)

Today in Mobile:

• Gulf Coast RV & Camping Show 2023, At Mobile Convention Center (10:00 AM)
• Mardi Gras Storytime!, At The Haunted Book Shop (1:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Private ambulance companies are showing a response improvement in Mobile. (Fox 10 News)
• Mobile County is asking West Mobile County Motorists to be aware of this ALDOT bridge replacement project on Lott Road (SR 217) over Big Creek southwest of Citronelle. Lott Road will be closed to through traffic near mile marker 22 from now until its completed in late summer of this year. (Mobile County, Alabama via Facebook)
• The Mobile County Public School System has banned TikTok on all school system-issued devices, including tablets, cell phones, and computers. (Fox 10 News)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.