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Smalls Sliders closed on Opelika Road in Auburn, Alabama.

Smalls Sliders temporarily closed until March 10

Smalls Sliders on Opelika Road closed earlier this month after approximately one year in operation, leaving uncertainty about whether the shutdown is temporary or permanent. Google currently lists the restaurant as “temporarily closed,” but community members speculate that the closure may be lasting. However, as of Feb. 16, an updated statement on the Yelp restaurant page states the restaurant is scheduled to reopen on March 10, 2026. No further reason or information has been provided by the company.

Pictures of the dogs found by Tuskegee animal control on Thursday, Feb. 5. Contributed by Audrey Salazar.

CARE Humane Society accepts 18 dogs following Tuskegee hoarding case

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | February 16

On Thursday, Feb. 5, Tuskegee Animal Control officers responded to a call reporting that a recently deceased Tuskegee resident had animals that needed to be removed from the property. When officers arrived, they found 32 small breed dogs, confined inside the home amid piles of crates, feces and debris. Four deceased dogs were also found on the property. Since the incident, CARE Humane took in some of the rescues. While all are currently in foster care, CARE hopes to make these dogs ready for adoption in the near future.

Reproductive advocacy organizations and dozens of people gather for the Our Bodies, Our Futures Advocacy Day at the Alabama State House on Feb. 10, 2026.

‘Education is power’: Reproductive advocacy groups rally against SB209

By Sydney Gallardo | Assistant News Editor | February 10

On Feb. 10, reproductive advocacy organizations held an advocacy day at the Alabama State House to urge Alabama legislators to vote against SB209. The bill would require abstinence-only education and restrict sex education in public schools. This is the third time the Alabama Legislature has introduced a bill that would require abstinence-only education. The previous bills were HB195 in 2024 and SB277 in 2025. URGE organized the event in partnership with Yellowhammer Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, Alabama Values Progress and the Alabama Reproductive, Health, Rights and Justice Coalition amongst other statewide organizations.

A brick storefront features a glass door with "OPEN" signage and a sign reading "FIZZ n FORK" above.

Fizz N Fork comes to Auburn

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | January 26

In November 2025, Fizz N Fork, the new health-focused dining spot at 234 W. Magnolia Ave., celebrated its soft open near Downtown Auburn. The emphasis on health was created through owner Danielle Shaw, who made it her mission to create tasty and healthy food. 

Protestors hold up signs that spell out 'No Ice' and 'No War' during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Ala. on Jan. 21, 2026.

'Ice belongs in Toomer's Lemonade': Indivisible Auburn-Opelika gathers to oppose ICE and war

By Sydney Gallardo | Assistant News Editor | January 21

From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 21, Indivisible Auburn-Opelika held a peaceful protest at Toomer’s Corner opposing Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and war. Almost 100 people gathered by the end of the protest. The protest was motivated by ICE’s recent actions that has caused harm to both undocumented individuals and citizens in Minnesota. Although a few passersby yelled insults at the protesters, the protest remained peaceful. The majority of interactions were positive, with several drivers and pedestrians honking or shouting in support of the protest.

A woman with shoulder-length hair sings into a microphone while playing an electric guitar on stage, surrounded by colorful lighting.

AubFest presents music and local artists at Grounds and Sounds

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter | January 19

On Jan. 18, AubFest hosted a pop-up event called Grounds and Sounds at Coffee Mafia, a local Auburn coffee shop. While some of these pop-up events function as fundraising opportunities to ensure AubFest can keep improving, Grounds and Sounds was geared towards fueling the DIY community surrounding AubFest. Guests could enjoy the night's festivities with a $5 donation although visitors could donate more.

An entrance to the Lee County detention center on Oct. 31, 2022.

Lee County deputies arrest three in connection to animal cruelty

By Amanda Machamer | Assistant Content Editor | January 12

On Jan. 12, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 10:45 a.m. regarding possible animal cruelty in the 8100 block of Lee Road 146 in the Beauregard community. Upon arrival, deputies discovered 29 deceased dogs in the backyard of the home. According to experts, the animals died between the past few months to up to a year. The defendants bonds are set at $48,700 each.

Venerable Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara leads the group of monks to Collins Farm in Cusseta, Ala. for their lunch stop after walking from Opelika, Ala. on Dec. 26, 2025.

Buddhist monks stop in Opelika on peace walk across the United States

By Ally Northridge | Content Editor and Estela Munoz | Assistant Photo Editor | December 26

On Dec. 25, 2025, roughly two dozen Buddhist monks passed through Auburn and Opelika on their 2,300-mile peace walk across the United States. Foundry Opelika Church housed the group on Dec. 25, while community members volunteered and prayed with the monks throughout the day and into the night. On Dec. 26, the group began their trek from Opelika to Cusseta, Alabama, where over 100 onlookers greeted them. Supporters are able to keep track of the monks through a live map found on their social media.

The Collegiate's new mural molds tradition, culture and community to represent the Auburn experience. Photo by Jolie Bishop, former culture editor.

Murals across Auburn

By Kristen Kloman | News Writer | December 24

Scattered throughout downtown Auburn University are several striking murals painted on the sides of businesses and buildings. A scenic walk down College Street and Magnolia Avenue reveals many of these colorful works of art.

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Auburn student among seven killed in North Carolina plane crash

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | December 18

On Dec. 18, 2025, a plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina killed NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and six others in the morning in an attempt to make an emergency landing. It has been confirmed by ESPN that Jack Dutton, an Auburn junior studying professional flight, was among those killed in the crash. Dutton was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi, a barista at Well Red and had recently became an instrument rated private pilot.

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Ham Amphitheatre and Studio Theatre almost complete at Gogue Center

By Tripp Hedden | News Reporter | December 10

As of Oct. 24, the Studio Theatre and Ham Amphitheatre projects at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center (GPAC) are substantially complete. This means that the real construction work has been finalized, and all that’s left to do is to prepare the spaces for their debut. The GPAC’s production team is currently hard at work finalizing the lighting and audio systems for the two brand-new venues.

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Hattie B's Hot Chicken to open in Auburn summer 2026

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | November 24

A flavorful new arrival will soon make its way to Auburn. Nashville-based Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is officially set to join the lineup of downtown Auburn shops and restaurants in summer 2026. The location will open at 121 N. College St. and will bring a fresh and renewed purpose to the former historic Tiger Theatre.

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