🌱 DA Ashley Rich To Retire + Dr. Eichold's Mask Recommendation

Morning, neighbors! It's me again, Sean Peek, your host of the Mobile Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Milder with clouds and sun. High: 63 Low: 53.

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Here are the top 3 stories today in Mobile:

1. After launching a bid for a third term as district attorney, Mobile County DA Ashley Rich announced her plans to retire after her current term ends in January of 2023. The DA stated that her retirement is not due to any health concerns or inability to do the job; she simply wants to spend more time with her family. Rich's chief assistant district attorney, Keith Blackwood, is expected to announce his candidacy to succeed her. (FOX10 News)
2. Mobile County is kicking off the new year with record-breaking COVID-19 numbers, and the county's top doctor is urging people to take countermeasures. Though Mobile County Health Officer Dr. Bert Eichold did not issue any new health orders, he did release a statement urging people to take individual action — including wearing a mask in public — to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (FOX10 News)
3. After announcing plans to use dredging material in Mobile Bay to create a "wetland island," the State Port Authority and the Army Corp of Engineers will be extending its comment period. City officials and other local groups have expressed concerns regarding potential pollutants. The comment period, which was initially set to end on Jan. 3, has been extended to Feb. 3. ( NBC 15 WPMI)

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Today in Mobile:

• Baby's First Storytime - West Regional Library (8:30 AM)
• Good Listener Storytime At Moorer - Mobile Public Library (9:00 AM)
• Music and Movement Storytime - West Regional Library (9:00 AM)
• Good Listeners Storytime At Semmes - Mobile Public Library (9:30 AM)
• Tales For Toddlers - West Regional Library (9:30 AM)
• Preschool Power Storytime - West Regional Library (10:00 AM)
• Wacky Wednesdays! - Mobile Public Library (3:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Coast Diagnostics will be running a drive-thru COVID testing site in Mobile through Jan. 7. (FOX10 News)
• On Sunday evening, a robbery victim was grazed by a bullet when a gunman opened fire Sunday evening near the University of South Alabama. (FOX10 News)
• Spring Hill College announced that masks will once again be required in all indoor spaces. (NBC 15 WPMI)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.