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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.

Overdraft Expenses Weigh on Students

By Jennifer Beckett/Staff Writer | July 23

Everyone with a bank account dreads those two words that pop up because of a forgotten or miscalculated transaction: non-sufficient funds.As a result of the hectic lives many people lead, some lose track of their spending habits or make a deposit after depleting an account instead of making the deposit before."People must realize that checks written do not appear immediately on their telephone banking or Web banking transaction logs," said an executive of RBC Bank.

Envision Opelika Announces New Community Foundation

By Jaclyn Dunn/Staff Writer | July 20

Lee County's community-based organization, Envision Opelika, has announced the implementation on the Community Foundation of East Alabama, Inc."The basis of the foundation is to build funds for philanthropic purposes and non-profit organizations based on identified community needs," board member Barbara Patton said.