News

Special Olympics Pushes Its Campaign to End the "R-Word"

By Michael Hansberry/Staff Writer | August 27

"That's retarded."It's such a commonly-used phrase that most people don't even notice how often they use it.But, what some people may not realize is those words can adversely affect others.This past March, the Special Olympics began an international "Spread the word to end the word" campaign to raise awareness "of the impact of the thoughtless, hurtful use of the word 'retard,'" said the campaign's Web site."The campaign's goal is to help change attitudes across the nation about special Olympians, and also those with special needs," said Allison Hall, director of the Lee County Special Olympics program.

Health Care Changes for Students

By Kendra Kelley/Assistant News Editor | August 27

Some college students are likely to be impacted by President Barack Obama's new health care plan.Full-time students who are 26 years old and younger will be covered under the new health care insurance policy.According to CNN's Truth Squad, young adults in low-income families lose Medicaid when they turn 19.In the House and Senate proposals, people in their 20s could also receive Medicaid.The Affordable Health Choices Act, passed by the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee allows coverage for students under their parents' private insurance policies up to age 26.The Obama administration's health care overhaul, consists of proposals that would provide coverage for full-time students who, under current laws, would be dropped from their parents' insurance plans at 25."A benefit of Obama's proposed health care plan is that it provides regular checkups, up-to-date vaccinations and diabetes regulation," said Dr. Frederick Kam, director of the Auburn University Medical Clinic."I have been in business for a while, and I sell health care insurance to maybe four or five students a month," said Jerry Powell, an independent insurance agent.

More Women Being Arrested for Driving While Drunk

By Helen Northcutt / INTRIGUE EDITOR | August 27

For years women have been criticized and stereotyped for their alleged poor driving skills.Now in response to a Labor Day law enforcement campaign, a new study shows the number of DUIs given to women have increased by 30 percent over the past decade.According to the campaign "Over the Limit, Under Arrest," driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most common, and deadliest, offenses.CNN reports that, even though men still out-number women 4-to-1 when it comes to arrests for driving while under the influence, the increase in women's DUI arrests has skyrocketed over the past decade by 30 percent.The Alabama DUI laws consider someone driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more as breaking the law.

Life Expectancy Rises in U.S.

By Kate Davis/Staff Writer | August 27

As life expectancy in the U.S. reaches an all-time high, unexpected problems associated with a healthy, long-living nation are starting to arise.In the 2009 report by the U.S.

230 mpg: GM's Volt Shockingly Fuel Efficient

By Sam Solomon / Associate News Editor | August 27

Two hundred thirty miles per gallon. No, that is not a typo.Hybrid technology may be coming out as a strong alternative to cars powered solely by gas, but some are looking in a new direction.General Motors has been working on a extended-range electric vehicle named 'Volt,' which will appear as part of the Chevrolet line.What makes the Volt unusual is its electric motor which directly propels the vehicle, and the secondary gas engine which serves as a generator to charge the battery.This allows the Volt to succeed where previous electric cars have failed, as the gas generator will allow the car to travel far beyond the battery's range.According to the Volt's Web site, under the Environmental Protection Agency's current hybrid fuel efficiency ratings the Volt will get an estimated 230 miles per gallon.

Quadruple the Auburn Spirit

By Ellison Langford/News Editor | August 25

It's not unusual to meet siblings who are at Auburn together. What is unusual is to meet quadruplets.

Auburn Running Back, Eric Smith, Arrested

By Abby Albright/Sports Editor | August 21

Auburn sophomore running back Eric Smith, 19, was arrested this morning for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.According to the police report, the arrest happened at 1:42 a.m.

6 Possible Swine Flu Cases Reported by Auburn Medical Clinic

By Lindsey Grubbs/Staff Writer | August 20

Six cases of the possible H1N1 flu virus were reported by the Auburn University Medical Clinic Aug. 19. With the influx of people arriving to Auburn University for football season, medical professionals are anticipating more positive identifications for the H1N1 virus in the Auburn-Opelika area.

Colonial BancGroup Failure is Largest of 2009

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | August 14

Colonial BancGroup became subject to the fifth-largest takeover of a U.S. bank, and the year's largest bank failure Friday, Aug. 14. It was seized by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and sold to BB&T Corp.

Conservative budget allows expanding city projects

By Sam Solomon / Associate News Editor | August 14

The Auburn City Council held its Mid-Biennium Budget Review on August 12 to amend the original 2009-2010 budget, and plan for future spending. Charles Duggan , Auburn city manager, discussed that despite the nation's weak economy Auburn has fared well in comparison to other small cities. This in part to a conservative budget, and the stabilizing prescience of Auburn Un

Downtown's Parking Meters Off Until Class Starts

By Ellison Langford / News Editor | August 11

Those heading downtown this week to drown their sorrows over the end of summer have a least one thing to celebrate--they don't need to worry about scrounging quarters for parking.The City has put those pesky, gray coin gobblers that contribute to the City's General Fund, paying for things like schools, public services and infrastructure, out of commission until Monday the 17th.

AU missing student returns home

By Patrick Dever / Sports Editor | July 31

Auburn University student Michael Harrie, missing since July 16 in Thailand, has been found and is on his way home."The University was notified by Harrie's parents that investigators learned from Thailand immigration that Harrie had exited the country," said Chance Corbett, associate director of emergency management.Corbett said the University has been working with the Harrie family and will continue to help them until everything is figured out."We are here to help the parents and family in any way that we can," Corbett said.Harrie was supposed to meet his parents in Tokyo July 16 after going on a sight-seeing trip to Bangkok, Thailand.Thailand immigration authorities reported that Harrie left July 29 en route to the United States.His parents have been in California since their trip to Tokyo waiting for the 29-year-old southern California native's return.

Sarah Newton was Appointed as the President Pro Tempore of the Auburn Board of Trustees

By Holly Hereth/Staff Writer | July 28

Auburn Board of Trustee member Sarah Newton was appointed as the president pro tempore of the Auburn Board of Trustees for the 2009-2010 academic lead the Board in its affairs in the absence of Governor Bob Riley, the president of the Board."I want to use this time to promote Auburn," Newton said.

UPDATE: Dean Tim Boosinger Speaks About Missing Auburn University Student Michael Harrie

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | July 28

Dean of the Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine, Tim Boosinger, spoke at a press conference Tuesday and said he and the University are holding on to hope that missing student, Michael Harrie, will return safely to his family."We are very concerned for Michael and will continue to be concerned till he is safe," Boosinger said.

Auburn Student Michael Harrie Missing in Thailand

By Staff Report | July 28

AU NEWS (NEWS RELEASE)Parents of Auburn University student Michael Griffin Harrie, who went missing during a study abroad trip to Japan are asking for the public's help in locating him.Harrie, a student in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was last seen in Thailand on July 14.Harrie, a 29-year-old native of Southern California, was participating in a study abroad program at Iwate University in Morioka, Japan.

Auburn Educators Talk About New Teacher Code of Ethics

By Sarah Craft/Associate Copy Editor | July 28

The Alabama Legislature is working to enforce a new code of ethics for educators and cracking down on the inappropriate behaviors found in schools.The new code of ethics contains provisions regarding conduct standards for teachers, unlawful acts and maintenance of student confidentiality.According to the new code of ethics, teachers can be disciplined if they engage in behaviors such as using inappropriate language on school grounds, failing to provide adequate supervision to students and exposing students to unnecessary embarrassment."The code protects the health, safety and general welfare of students and educators; outlines objective standards of conduct for professional educators; and clearly defines actions of an unethical nature for which disciplinary sanctions are justified," reads the code's introductory text."I support the Alabama Education Association (AEA), but (the new code) could be abused," said Jason Wright, principal of Auburn Junior High School.

Swine Flu Incident at Local Summer Camp Event

By Callie Garrett/Staff Writer | July 24

Two children attending the Kaleidoscope camp at Auburn Junior High School on July 15 were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza.The parents of the children, both from the same family, informed the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation who had organized the summer camp."The parents notified us that the children had been diagnosed last Wednesday," said Becky Richardson, director of Auburn Parks and Recreation.

Dance Group Displays 'Man'

By Jennifer Beckett/Staff Writer | July 23

Auburn's new performance dance group called the Layman Group performed its first exhibition, "Man," Thursday night at the Jule Collins-Smith Museum.Through a correlation of music, dialogue, audience response and improvisational dance, the one-night performance "Man" addressed the stereotypes and ideals of the meaning of manhood at home and within the larger society, according to the JCSM Web site."The purpose of 'Man' is not to make statements about masculinity, but to let people watch and listen and form their own opinions," said Doc Waller, executive artistic director of the Layman Group.

Prisoners Get Artistic

By Sarah Phillips/Staff Writer | July 23

When it comes to creativity, Auburn University has found a new outlet for a group of people society forgets and often ignores: prisoners.The Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project was created in 2004, using grants from various foundations, including the Alabama Humanities Foundation, and began as an outreach with only one poet teaching in one prison.Today, this project has grown into more than 35 instructors teaching in 12 correctional facilities in Alabama with courses ranging from drawing to Southern literature."Education is good for everybody," said Kyes Stevens, director of the Alabama Prison Arts + Education Project.

Testing Scores Between Black and White Students Narrow in the South

By Andrew Sims/Online Editor | July 23

The South is narrowing, but not closing, the gap between black and white students' performances on tests, a new federal study released July 14 shows.In the study by the U.S.