Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter - The Auburn Plainsman

Students walk along the Haley Concourse on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Campus

Haley Concourse will be a wheels-free zone starting spring 2026

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | December 2

Starting Jan. 7, 2026, Haley Concourse will be a wheels-free zone, according to Student Government Association President Owen Beaverstock. The policy will be in effect from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. from Monday to Friday. According to Beaverstock, the new policy will be a pilot project that can change, revoke or even expand across campus depending on effectiveness and student reaction.

Campus

Of farmers and phages: Auburn’s College of Agriculture tackles bacterial spot in peaches

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | November 24

For the past two years, Auburn University’s College of Agriculture has conducted research to help peach farmers combat a crop-destroying disease: bacterial spot. Led by Assistant Extension Professor Dr. Edgar Vinson at the Chilton County Research & Extension Center in Clanton, Alabama, researchers aim to utilize a type of virus called a bacteriophage to counter bacterial spot.

Congressional candidate Lee McInnis talks with potential voters during an open meeting in Opelika, Alabama in Nov. 19, 2025.

Estela Munoz | Assistant Photo Editor

Community

U.S. congressional candidate Lee McInnis holds open town hall

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | November 20

U.S. House 3rd District candidate Lee McInnis held an open town hall meeting with voters to address issues around the economy, healthcare, education, veterans and farmers on Nov. 19.

Audrey Dunnam | Graphics Artist

Community

BBFD and East Alabama Food Bank face influx after SNAP suspension

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | November 14

After the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was suspended earlier in November, Beat Bama Food Drive (BBFD) and the Food Bank of East Alabama faced an influx of people in need. Although the Alabama Department of Human Resources plans to fully reinstate SNAP benefits after the resolution of the government shutdown, food insecurity in Auburn still continues, driving more community members to food banks and pantries for help.

A group of people is gathered at night, holding signs with various political messages, while some are chanting.

Roxy Duda | Photographer

Identities

'You can't be a family if you hate half of your population': Group protests TPUSA event

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief and Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | November 5

In lieu of a Turning Point USA event, protesters gathered at the intersection of Thach Concourse and South Donahue at 5 p.m. while the TPUSA event started at 6:30 p.m. The protest was peaceful and unaffiliated with any student organizations. The protesters expressed their frustration with Auburn University and their perceived lack of concern for minority issues.

Estela Munoz | Assistant Photo Editor

Community

Rural Studio continues teaching architecture students and serving rural communities

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | 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.

Community

Tensions flare at APLS hearing on 'gender ideology' material in children's sections

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter and Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | October 22

On Oct. 21, 2025, at 10 a.m., the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) board held a contentious public comment hearing on LGBTQ-related topics in the children’s section. The change to the code would deem any material that “promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders” as "inappropriate" for minors. According to the contested proposal, libraries would have to have to move all material that “promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders” to the adult section. The proposed rule change provides an exception regarding “age-appropriate materials regarding religion, history, biology, or human anatomy.”

Estela Munoz | Assistant Photo Editor

Community

Over 400 Auburn and Opelika residents gather for 'No Kings' protest

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | October 18

On Saturday, Oct. 18, over 400 Auburn and Opelika residents of all ages gathered for the “No Kings” protest outside the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Protestors stood along North College Street and held up American flags and light-up letter signs that spelled out “COUNTRY OVER PARTY.” According to the Auburn/Opelika No Kings website, they wanted to “take advantage” of game-day traffic.

Harold Rashad Dabney III, who is charged with two counts of capital murder, flashes a peace sign to his family following the conclusion of his Oct. 15 preliminary hearing. Photo by Adam Sparks, photographer for Opelika-Auburn News.

Community

Court moves forward with charges for the murder of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter and Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | October 15

On Oct. 15, 2025, the preliminary hearing for the murder of retired Auburn University professor, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, was held at the Lee County Justice Center. The hearing determined that there was enough evidence against the accused, Harold Rashad Dabney III, to move to a grand jury. While the case is still in its early stages, lots of new information surrounding the case emerged in the hearing.

End of a recess taken during the fall 2025 budget and finance meeting on Oct. 7, 2025.

Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter

Campus

SGA's fall 2025 budget and financing meeting concludes with major cuts

By Sydney Gallardo | News Reporter | October 8

On Oct. 7, 2025, the Student Government Association’s budget and finance hearing to balance fall 2025’s budget proposed and finalized major cuts to several student activity organizations. The hearing required organization representatives to propose and vote on cuts to organizations’ budget items. The SGA Senate will vote on passing these budget changes in the upcoming weeks.