Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief

Opelika man charged with murder

On Wednesday, March 25, Opelika Police Department (OPD) responded to a call regarding shots fired and an active shooting within a residential area on Fox Run Parkway. An Alabama State Trooper was at the scene when the call was made and apprehended Marc John Love. Love has been officially charged with murder and OPD detectives are investigating the circumstances and Love's possible motive concerning the shooting.

2 men cited on wildlife abuse charges at Pines Crossing Golf Course

On March 1, 2026, a user in the "What’s Happening in Auburn and Opelika" Facebook group posted a series of images and videos that depicted two men throwing rocks at Canada Geese, as well as taking photos with one that they killed at Pines Crossing golf course. Carter Allen McCullough and Jacob Daniel Dyas Jr. were cited with the following: hunting without a license, hunting during a closed season and hunting without permission. These citations are moving to court and will be heard in the Lee County District Court on April 7, 2026.

Ivey to fly flags half-staff for Alabamians killed in Iraq

On March 12, six US Military personnel lost their lives in a plane crash involving two KC-135 aircrafts. To honor those killed, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a directive for flags to be lowered on the day of interment of Maj. John A. Klinner, an Alabama native and Auburn graduate. Ivey's directive includes mention of three of the personnel killed that were a part of the 99th air refueling squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham. Those three are: Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Prutt, Capt. Ariana G. Savino and Maj. John A. Klinner.

Forged by freedmen: Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church

Ebenezer Missionary Baptist (MB) Church is one of the oldest churches in Alabama, with its doors first opening in 1870. Now, 156 years later, the church continues to be one of the most historic sites in Auburn.

Third man arrested in daycare arson investigation

A third Tuskegee man has been arrested in connection to the Opelika daycare fires that occurred in early January. As of Feb. 24, 2026, Terrence Kareem Johnson was arrested on two counts of second degree arson. This is the third arrest in relation to these fires.

Tuskegee men arrested on charges of arson

On Jan. 13, 2026, the Opelika Fire Department (OFD) responded to a fire at By His Grace Daycare and Learning Center. Six days later, the department responded to another fire at the Children Palace Learning Center. Once both fires were extinguished, the City of Opelika Police Department (OPD) and OFD announced that they were investigating the incidents as a possible arson. Today, as of 1:25 p.m., the OPD announced that they had arrested two Tuskegee men with charges of arson related to the previously mentioned daycares.

The Loveliest Village: An Irish poem turned Auburn moniker

Auburn, in its 170 years of schooling, has claimed many names, vocations and slogans. Two of Auburn’s most recognized slogans have origins from Oliver Goldsmith’s 1770 poem "The Deserted Village."

COLUMN | I, too, dream a world

The writing world of the past was full of political commentary, and in today's age, art and music have become a common avenue of political expression. However, while many have swapped typewriters for canvases and microphones, most have lost this in regular dialogue, claiming they're "not a political person." However, in a time of political uncertainty and unrest, we can always fall back on older texts. Langston Hughes' works, “I, Too” and “I Dream a World” both offer guidance on loving our fellow man. While I, myself, am not a poet, I undoubtedly will always have the courage to love my fellow man and accept we're all America.

University issues statement on 'respect, responsibility and care for one another'

On Jan. 26, 2026, The Plainsman published a Letter to the Editor which depicted a college age male student stating, "All the Mexicans out, all the Mexicans out: shoot 'em all!" An hour after this was published, Auburn University released a statement to students via email. This email's subject was "Commitment to a campus environment grounded in respect, responsibility and care for one another."

Auburn student among seven killed in North Carolina plane crash

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.

AU Family remember your humanity .m4a

No hate, no fear.m4a

No Trump No hate.m4a