Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Which 2026 Mardi Gras parades will roll through downtown Mobile?
Coming up on the Mobile Patch calendar: In-conversation & Signing with Gabriella Saab!
Cheers Mobile! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Which 2026 Mardi Gras parades will roll through downtown Mobile?
- How new state grants will boost domestic violence services in Mobile
- When your 2025 Alabama red snapper season officially ends this week
Also on today's calendar: In-conversation & Signing with Gabriella Saab!.
Find out what's happening in Mobilefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Mobilefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Monday: Breezy and cooler, with a high of 57 and low of 33 degrees.
- Tuesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 49, low: 31.
- Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 55 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Mardi Gras 2026: Here's your guide to Mobile-area parades (al.com) — Mardi Gras season hits Mobile early in 2026, with the first downtown parade rolling Jan. 30 and dozens more filling city streets through Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17. This guide lays out dates, times, and routes for Mobile’s major parades, plus nearby celebrations on Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Saraland, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach so you can plan where to catch the throws. 
2. Ivey awards $1.1 million in grants to support domestic violence victims in south Alabama (gulfcoastmedia.com) — Mobile-area victims of domestic violence will see expanded support thanks to new state grants funding Penelope House and the Family Counseling Center of Mobile, along with other regional shelters. The $1.1 million package, awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey, backs emergency shelter, advocacy and counseling services across south Alabama counties that frequently coordinate with Mobile providers.
3. Alabama red snapper fishing season to close later this week (fox10tv.com) — If you fish red snapper out of Mobile or nearby Gulf waters, Alabama’s 2025 private angler season will close at midnight on Wednesday, December 31. State officials say this long, seven-days-a-week season gave anglers maximum access and will set the stage for a similar quota and new dates in 2026.
4. Exploring Bayous and Beaches on the Reborn Gulf Train (seattletimes.com) — Mobile is now the eastern terminus of Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service, giving residents and visitors car-free access to Dauphin Street nightlife, historic hotels, and the city’s symphony hall. The feature also highlights how the revived Gulf Coast rail line links Mobile with beach towns and artsy stops in Mississippi and Louisiana, making weekend getaways and regional tourism much easier from downtown Mobile.
5. Alabama law enforcement warns against impaired driving during New Year's weekend (wbrc.com) — With New Year’s celebrations days away, Alabama state troopers based in Mobile are warning residents not to drive impaired and promising extra patrols on local and statewide roads. Officials cite deadly drunk-driving statistics and families’ grief, urging you to plan a sober ride, use rideshare, or stay put. They also ask Mobile drivers to call 911 about suspected impaired motorists.
📸 Around Mobile
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Mobile
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- In-conversation & Signing with Gabriella Saab!
9 S. Joachim St.
4:30 pm
Sunday January 11
📣 Mobile Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Chess Club at Saraland
Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
4:00 pm - Mrs. Tori Tales
Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
3:30 pm - Grand Holiday Stroll 2025
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection , One Grand Blvd , Point Clear
5:00 pm - Comedy, Magic & Impressions! Brandon Styles VARIETY SHOW
Brandon Styles Theater , 1501 South OWA Blvd. , Foley
7:00 pm - Library closes early at 4:30
Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort - Noon Years Day Color Run and Family Festival
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection , One Grand Blvd , Point Clear
9:00 am - Wonderful Wednesday Storytime at Theodore
Theodore Oaks Branch - Mobile Public Library , 5808 US-90 West E , Mobile
10:00 am - Tales & Tunes with Mrs. Tori
Saraland Public Library , 111 Saraland Loop , Saraland
10:30 am - New Year’s Eve, 5pm — Pearl
Pearl , 334 Fairhope Ave , Fairhope
5:00 pm - Library closed
Spanish Fort Public Library , 7361 Spanish Fort Boulevard , Spanish Fort - Fairhope First Friday Art Walk
Downtown Fairhope
6:00 pm
Monday December 29
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Mobile PatchAM possible:
- Bryant Bank — (205) 710-6100
Bryant Bank Breaks Ground on New Mobile Office - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Our black, tortoise shelled kitten (female, 8 months old) Panther has been missing since last night, I’m afraid she might have slipped out while we were putting up Christmas decorations.
If anyone sees her or a post with a found cat, let me know!! (Nextdoor Dawes Lake/Stillwater) - Traveling Cross country and my boy got off leash last night!
He was picked up at the Walmart near I65. I saw a post on a group from someone saying "Adam Woodworth" found him if you are him please contact me !… (Nextdoor Dauphin Acres)
- Airbus posted a job opening for Heavy Handling Technician-Heavy Machine Operator(Contract) in Mobile. Apply here.
- Austal USA posted a job opening for Welder - Hiring Now in Mobile. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mobile here.
Ok Mobile! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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