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Mega prize: Lotteries fund education across the South – except in Alabama

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Across the South, state-run lotteries fund education and other public services. The state of Alabama is one of the last hold-out states without a lottery.

Auburn Planning Commission discusses implementation of Downtown Master Plan

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn's city planning commission met Tuesday afternoon to discuss the implementation of the city's newly approved downtown master plan.

Auburn aviation programs show strength after years of turbulence

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn’s Professional Flight Management and Aviation Management programs have faced serious trouble over the last decade. The programs were on the verge of closing just two years ago.

I Run 4 organization builds important friendships

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Jane Farr visited her friend Kerstin Soell in Oklahoma for the first time on Sept. 26, 2015 when she ran with her in the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma’s annual 5k race.

Judge refuses motions in Hubbard corruption pretrial hearings

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker refused to rule on motions to quash several subpoenas in Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial during a hearing on Tuesday morning, Oct.

Mayor defends city council during confrontational meeting

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Mayor Bill Ham set out to defend the Auburn City Council and its members at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, during which the council members faced an onslaught of concerned citizens.

Former Auburn patrolman Justin Hanners speaks to students

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Hanners made national news when he said he was fired from the Auburn Police Division for speaking out against the department’s policy of ticket quotas, a method of requiring a predetermined number of citations to be written.

Speaker Mike Hubbard's defense team works to prove prosecutorial misconduct in pretrial hearings

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Former Assistant Attorney General Sonny Reagan finished his testimony in Tuesday's hearing in Speaker Mike Hubbard's corruption trial.

Barbara Dooley to speak at Women's Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn alumna, author and radio personality Barbara Dooley will be the headline speaker at the Women's Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon. The fall luncheon will be hosted at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center on Nov. 13, 2015.

At-large senators propose changes to SGA election laws

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Will Gibson, at-large senator, proposed the second of four amendment proposals to the election law at Monday evening's meeting.

Leading Alabama political columnist and historian visits Auburn and Opelika

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Political columnist and former state representative Steve Flowers visited Auburn and Opelika Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers meets with local veterans affairs council and Medal of Honor recipient

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, met with the Third Congressional District Veterans Affairs Advisory Council on Monday, Nov. 9 to discuss major issues affecting local veterans. Rogers, who represents Auburn in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the council were joined by Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins.

CENTCOM Commander says he feels 'pretty good' about the likelihood that 'Jihadi John' is dead at middle east discussion

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Jihadi John is just one of the many heads of the ISIS hydra.

African American student leaders at Nov. 16 meeting: Auburn should "be a family like we're supposed to be"

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Aariyan Tooley, a freshman studying theatre, had just spent a fun night at the play with four friends when her view of Auburn, and the country, changed. "It made me more aware about racism and discrimination in this country," Tooley said. "Even though it happened to me and four other girls, I couldn't feel bad for myself." Tooley was leaving a Nov.

Citizens concerned with Auburn's growth can now track all active construction permits

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn citizens concerned about the city's rate of growth will now have the opportunity to track all issued building permits on the city's new interactive construction permit map. The new interactive map, which is available on the city’s website, displays a red pin on every active construction permit in the city of Auburn.

Presidential candidates set to visit Alabama

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Southern states joined together and passed legislation last year to move their primaries to March 1, a date now being dubbed the "SEC Primary." 

City Planning Commission approves Samford Avenue townhouse subdivision

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

The Auburn City Planning Commission has approved the plats for Southside Townhouses, a seven-lot townhouse subdivision, along the 200 block of East Samford Avenue.

Purpose-built student housing will not be permitted in the downtown urban core

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Purpose-built student housing will not be allowed in Auburn's downtown urban core. Under the Auburn Planning Commission's preliminary regulations for the new Downtown Master Plan, which is set to be implemented in March of 2015, multiunit housing specifically for students will not be permitted in the urban core.