News

A young man with short, wavy brown hair and a blue sleeveless shirt stares directly at the camera against a plain background. Zane Hanson Lynch, 22, of Auburn.

Auburn man charged with possession of child sexual abuse material

By Tripp Hedden | Assistant News Editor | July 17

A 22-year-old Auburn man was arrested on Tuesday for the possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the Auburn Police Department.

A red brick clock tower features two large round clocks with Roman numerals and a pointed roof.

Transition underway for switch to PAAC, provost says

By Amanda Machamer | Editor-in-Chief | June 11

In a message Wednesday to Auburn University faculty, administrators, A&P and staff colleagues, Vini Nathan, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, announced steps the University is taking to transition from previous faculty governance to the Presidential Academic Advisory Council (PAAC). The announcement comes less than a week after the Auburn University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to dissolve any current university senate, university faculty or faculty governance body.

A missing person notice features a young man with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and details about his height, age, and last seen location.

Auburn University student missing in Japan, search underway

By Amanda Machamer | Editor-in-Chief and Jennifer Santiago | Content Editor | June 3

A search is underway for James "Weston" Higginbotham, Auburn University junior in biosystems engineering, after he went missing in Kyoto, Japan, on May 29.

A large sign displays "Bailey-Alexander Complex, City of Auburn, Water and Sewer Services" in front of a brick building and trees.

Phase II Drought Warning remains in effect, city says

By Amanda Machamer | Editor-in-Chief | May 8

The City of Auburn announced today that the Phase II Drought Warning, which took effect May 1, remains in place despite recent rainfall. The city recommends that citizens continue water conservation measures and confirms that water restrictions remain active. Those whose water use exceeds the monthly thresholds are subject to surcharges.

Protesters stand outside the Alabama State House and hold a sign reading “Black Voters Matter” with a quote from the Allen v. Milligan case under it.

Protestors rally at Alabama State House over redistricting and voter rights

By Sydney Gallardo | Newsletter Editor | May 7

After Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session in anticipation of possible redistricting, nearly 400 people rallied in front of the Alabama State House on May 4 to protest the session and changes to Alabama’s districts. The proposed legislation — HB1 and SB1 — would set up special congressional and state Senate primary elections for the affected districts based on Alabama’s original 2023 maps, and the Alabama Legislature passed both bills on May 7.

Mugshot of a person with curly hair standing against a light blue wall, wearing a dark shirt with a buttoned neckline.

Registered sex offender arrested in Lee County on SORNA violations

By Gracie Goodman | News Editor | May 7

A 21-year-old registered sex offender was arrested earlier this week in Phenix City, Alabama, after violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), according to authorities.

Students of suspended UA magazines file federal lawsuit against university

By Gracie Goodman | News Editor | March 31

Eight students at the University of Alabama (UA) filed a federal lawsuit against the university on March 23 following the suspension of two student publications in December 2025. The plaintiffs argue that the university violated their First Amendment rights by suspending the magazines based on their disagreement with the magazine's editorial perspectives regarding race and gender. The publications, Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice Magazine launched in 2020 and 2015, respectively.

View of Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Oct. 24, 2025.

Auburn kicks off signature speaker series with Condoleezza Rice and Margaret Hoover

By Sydney Gallardo | Newsletter Editor | March 30

Auburn University’s America250 celebration kicked off its first signature speaker series with a conversation between 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and “Firing Line” host Margaret Hoover. The event took place in the Gogue Performing Arts Center from 6 to 7 p.m. on March 30.

A man with a beard wears a striped prison uniform, standing against a light blue wall.

Opelika resident arrested in connection to fatal shooting

By Amanda Machamer | Editor-in-Chief | November 30

Early Sunday morning, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest following a fatal shooting in an Opelika neighborhood.

People gather around a table, carving pumpkins and decorating them, with a backdrop of spider webs.

Auburn's 37th Annual Pumpkin Carve takes place at Dudley Hall

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | November 3

On Friday, Oct. 31, the 37th annual Pumpkin Carve, an Auburn tradition since the 80s, took place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. outside of Dudley Hall. The Halloween event is hosted by Auburn’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and is open to all students, faculty and community members for a day of activities and fun, including the namesake pumpkin carving contest.

A view of Samford Hall on Sept. 27, 2022.

Federal aid suspended for SNAP benefits in November

By Gracie Goodman | News Editor | November 3

A month after the government shutdown at midnight on Oct. 1, the Trump administration announced that SNAP benefits will be suspended starting Saturday, Nov.1. As Washington remains polarized in a political deadlock, the effects are being felt far away from Capitol Hill. For now, Alabama families are encouraged to check with their local food banks and community organizations for aid.

Rural Studio continues teaching architecture students and serving rural communities

By Sydney Gallardo | Newsletter Editor | November 3

For Auburn University architecture students, Rural Studio offers hands-on experience and a way to give back to their community. During their time at the program, students work in teams alongside professors and experts to choose their projects, create designs, figure out budgets, and build homes and community centers.

Lee County Historical Society hosts annual Syrup Sopping Festival

By Amanda Machamer | Editor-in-Chief | October 25

On Oct. 25, the Lee County Historical Society hosted the annual Syrup Sopping Festival at Pioneer Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held for over 50 years, the event features food, live music and pop-ups by small businesses in the area. Among these vendors were local businesses selling products like custom hydrographics and jewelry, while others were there on behalf of organizations.

UPC hosts first live Auburn Bachelor

By Lindsey Niles | News Writer | October 16

On Oct. 15, the University Program Council (UPC) hosted its first ever live Auburn Bachelor. The event brought 14 male students together on stage to compete for the chance to be named Auburn University’s most eligible bachelor. By the end of the night, contestant J.D. Merithew emerged victorious as the first Auburn Bachelor.

Brandon Stoker posing with Aubie at the starting point of the Auburn Walking Tours.

Fright nights: Return of Haunted Auburn Walking Tours

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter | October 13

On Oct. 3, the annual Haunted Auburn Walking Tours returned for the 13th year in a row. The tours are the ideal way to learn about paranormal events that have happened around some of Auburn’s most iconic landmarks.

Brilyn Hollyhand makes stop at Auburn for campus tour

By Tripp Hedden | Assistant News Editor | October 9

On Oct. 6, Brilyn Hollyhand, an Auburn freshman studying political science, held his “One Conversation at a Time Tour” at the Science Center Auditorium. The event, organized in coordination with Auburn’s Turning Point USA chapter, aimed to promote the involvement of the next generation of conservatives in the political process.

Ashlyn Powers crowned Miss Auburn University 2026

By Landi Rutledge | Former News Editor | October 4

On Oct. 3, Ashlyn Powers won the title of Miss Auburn University 2026 after competing against 11 other contestants. Held in the Student Activities Center, the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition consisted of several categories for judging, such as talent, evening gown and on-stage conversation, with many participants winning various awards.

Mayor Ron Anders holds 2025 State of the City Address

By Sydney Gallardo | Newsletter Editor | October 3

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders presented his seventh annual State of the City Address at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Oct. 2. The address focused on the city’s challenges and successes over the past year.

Create and Cultivate: Innovation and Research Commons MiniMake Series

By Landi Rutledge | Former News Editor | September 25

Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Office of Sustainability partnered with the RBD Library Innovation and Research Commons to introduce Create and Cultivate, just one event in the MiniMake series.

Pioneering civil rights attorney Fred Gray speaks for Constitution Day 2025

By Isabella Hidalgo | Columnist | September 18

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Sept. 17, Civil Rights Movement attorney Fred Gray spoke at Auburn University’s annual Constitution Day lecture in the Foy Hall Ballroom. At the lecture dedicated to the signing of the United States Constitution, Gray spoke about his legal career in arguing for the constitutional rights of African Americans.