Hurricane Florence Coverage

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NEWS 8/21/24 8:38pm

Trump visits North Carolina on campaign trail

By Anjolina Fantaroni

The grounds of the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame was filled with thousands of people waiting to hear from former President Donald Trump on Aug. 21. The rally marks Trump's first outdoor event since his assassination attempt on July 13. He spoke behind bulletproof glass, with increased security presence around the perimeter. Elon News Network was denied press credentials to film the podium area where Trump addressed the crowd. This rally took place at the same time as night three of the Democratic National Convention, which is located in Chicago.

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NEWS 8/21/24 10:44am

Democratic Party echoes ‘A Fight for Our Freedoms’

By Erin Martin , Ryan Kupperman and Abby Gravely

Democratic Party sets the scene for Wednesday night with theme ‘A Fight for Our Freedoms,’ in which the party will highlight how Harris will fight to protect the country’s freedom — while also portraying Trump’s candidacy as a threat and regression to these freedoms.  Attendees are expected to hear from Minnesota Gov. and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, former President Bill Clinton, and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi at the United Center later this evening. Programming is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT. Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson also spoke to North Carolina delegates this morning about North Carolina’s crucial role in this election.

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SPORTS 8/21/24 10:17am

Elon University alumni work 2024 Summer Olympics

By Miles Hayford

Elon alumna Zora Stephenson ’15 got to spend her summer exploring the streets of Paris with her husband and witnessing history. As a reporter for NBC Sports, she got a front-row seat to moments such as Simone Biles’ All-Around gold medal win. Caroline Brehman ’18 also spent her summer in Paris covering the Olympics and photographed various events for EPA Images. And while she wasn't in Paris, Ellie Whittington ’18 further represented Elon at the Summer Olympics through working in Stamford, Connecticut, at NBC Sports headquarters — helping create in-studio content and running various social media accounts.

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NEWS 8/20/24 4:38pm

Pro-Palestinian voices demand to be heard at 2024 DNC

By Ryan Kupperman

When Connecticut delegate Esam Boraey brought a “Stop Arming Israel” banner into the first night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, he said he never expected to be met with aggression, shouting and blocking. By raising the banner just as President Joe Biden took the stage, Boraey said his hope was to peacefully and silently deliver his message of calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Within seconds of holding it up, attendees and delegates in front and behind them began grabbing, screaming and blocking the banner before it was ultimately snatched and thrown away.

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NEWS 8/20/24 11:35am

Elon University launches AI student guide and ElonGPT to foster ethical AI usage

By Avery Sloan

For the fall semester, Elon launched a new student guide for artificial intelligence use on campus, in partnership with The American Association of Colleges and Universities. Mustafa Akben, Elon’s director of artificial intelligence integration, said Elon already has a policy on AI that will remain the same saying that AI use in classrooms will vary from professor to professor. “We are not replacing any human work,” Akben said. “Every class, every faculty and instructor has their autonomy to decide whether they are going to use, ban or partially enable students to use these tools.”

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NEWS 8/20/24 8:54am

A Bold Vision for America’s Future takes center stage

By Erin Martin and Abby Gravely

As the Democratic National Convention transitions into its second day, the theme shifts from ‘For the People’ to ‘A Bold Vision for America’s Future.’ Today’s focus will spotlight the contrasting visions for the nation’s future, with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz presenting their forward-looking agenda in supposed contrast to former President Donald Trump.

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SPORTS 8/19/24 2:22pm

Elon University’s GLC assistant director analyzes Olympic women’s boxing controversy

By Miles Hayford

One of the biggest things to come out of the 2024 Paris Olympics was the division and social media backlash around Algerian and Taiwanese boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting — whose genders were questioned on an international stage. After Khelif defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini in 46 seconds early into the Games, a social media outburst arose questioning if Khelif and Yu-Ting were eligible to participate in women’s sports as biological women. Despite both being born as women and always having identified themselves as women, there are some who question their gender and the fairness of them competing.

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NEWS 8/19/24 1:14pm

Elon University president announces AI student guide, reflects on Boldly Elon

By Abigail Hobbs

In her annual President’s Address to officially welcome the 2024-25 school year, Elon University President Connie Book announced a partnership with the American Association of Colleges and Universities to publish a student guide to artificial intelligence, which will act as a primer to AI.  The guide, titled “AI-U/v1.0,” is offered free to colleges and universities to distribute and adapt under the Creative Commons license and was developed by faculty, students and academic leaders at universities around the world. 

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NEWS 8/19/24 12:39pm

2024 DNC kicks off convention with ‘For the People’ motif

By Erin Martin and Ryan Kupperman

The 2024 Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 19 with a theme of ‘For the People,’ drawing in between 5,000 and 7,000 delegates and roughly 50,000 visitors throughout the week. The headline speakers anticipated to take the stage Monday evening include President Joe Biden, former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Over the next four days, each day of the convention will have a unique theme centered around the Harris-Walz campaign.

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NEWS 8/16/24 8:54pm

Elon prepares for DNC, final months of presidential election

By Ryan Kupperman

The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 19, hosting thousands of delegates from the country’s 50 states, District of Columbia and its territories. With President Joe Biden dropping out of the race less than a month before the convention, Vice President Kamala Harris now tops the Democratic ticket and has the chance to make history as the first woman, the first Black woman and the first South Asian American to hold the nation’s highest office. For an already unusual election, this year’s DNC has also gained national attention for its similarities with 1968’s DNC.

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NEWS 8/13/24 11:06am

Elon University copes with Title IX injunction

By Nia Bedard

Following an injunction filed by the Kansas federal district court, Elon University and other institutions across 26 states will not be able to implement the 2024 Title IX regulations, which were supposed to go into effect on Aug 1.  The most recent attempt to expand Title IX protections happened in 2021 when President Joe Biden issued Executive Order 14201, which the Department of Education published in April 2024. Because of the injunction, hundreds of schools across the country must now remain compliant to the 2020 regulations until the litigation can be ruled upon.

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NEWS 8/8/24 10:33am

Elon University closes for Tropical Storm Debby

By Nia Bedard

Jon Dooley announced in an email that Elon University will be closed due to incoming weather from Tropical Storm Debby and potential flash flooding. At 10:18 a.m., the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning that is in effect until 4 p.m. Dooley later sent out a list of university offices that are open for the day, which include Campus Safety and Police, Belk Library, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Dining Services, Moseley Center, Student Health Services, Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic and Undergraduate Admissions. Despite Undergraduate Admissions remaining open, campus tours have been canceled. Mail Services are also closed for the day.

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NEWS 8/7/24 4:43pm

Attorney General campaigns for governor race at Burlington Dream Center

By Avery Sloan

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein emphasized improving the state’s public education system and urged people to vote — particularly in what Stein said will be a tough election. Stein, the Democratic candidate for governor, spoke Aug. 7 at CityGate Dream Center in Burlington. Stein told Elon News Network that college students specifically should elect him this November, as he is focusing on issues that will also matter in their future. Stein said his platforms include tackling the climate crisis, decreasing violent crime and protecting women’s reproductive rights.  Stein also said in this election, his vision is in competition with Republican governor candidate Mark Robinson’s campaign.

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SPORTS 8/6/24 10:37am

Elon Athletics fosters academic excellence in student-athletes

By Miles Hayford

Elon University Athletics recently received some of its highest Academic Progress Rates scores in history from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. APR scores are a way for the NCAA to measure the academic performance of collegiate athletic departments. It is based on eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes. APR scores are based on a percentage of how much student-athletes retained from their total possible APR points. All 17 sports at Elon have multi-year APR rates of 980 — 98% — or above. The most recent scores are based on a multi-year rate that includes scores from the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years.

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NEWS 8/2/24 8:30pm

Thunderstorm causes power outage in parts of Elon

By Nia Bedard

Damage from a thunderstorm in the Alamance-Burlington area leaves the traffic light intersection at Williamson Avenue, as well as Danieley buildings A,B and C, without power Aug. 2. Due to the storm, a tree also fell across from the Root Trackside on West Lebanon Avenue. Town of Elon Police report that the town’s transformer and breaker are down, and according to Duke Energy’s website, the power is expected to be restored at 1:45 a.m. Aug. 3.

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NEWS 8/2/24 6:34pm

Elon University announces speaker series program for 2024-25 academic year

By Nia Bedard

During the 2024-25 academic year, Elon University will host six speakers, including retired U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Pulitzer Prize winning author Jonathan Eig who will give the Martin Luther Commemorative Address. This year’s speaker series will thematically explore “foundations for leadership and innovation,” according to the university’s website. All tickets for the speaker series will be free for students, staff and faculty and cost $15 for those without an Elon ID. 

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NEWS 7/31/24 6:53pm

Driver of hit-and-run sentenced to five years probation for killing of Elon University student

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Jackson Yelle, a 21-year-old former Elon student and member of Elon’s Club Baseball team, was killed in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in April 2023. The driver, 45-year-old Jason Sauro of Myrtle Beach, pled guilty to first-degree assault and a felony related to the deadly crash. Sauro was sentenced to 10 years in prison and suspended to five years probation. Though typically, a judge will dismiss a case if someone successfully fulfills their probation — meaning it’s possible Sauro will serve no time in prison after completing his probation. In an interview with Elon News Network, Yelle’s mother Andrea Yelle said the Judge’s sentence was sad and disappointing.

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NEWS 7/30/24 1:24pm

New Alamance-Burlington School System superintendent announced

By Avery Sloan

Alamance-Burlington Board of Education approved Aaron Fleming as the next superintendent during its July 29 board meeting. This was a 6-1 decision, with the only opposition coming from vice chairman Donna Westbrooks. Westbrooks said at the meeting her concern was because Fleming has not served as a school principal. Emily-Lynn Adkins, chief communications officer of ABSS, said the board of education felt Fleming was the strongest candidate due to his prior job experience. The former superintendent, Dain Butler, resigned March 4 and previous superintendent Bill Harrison has been serving as interim since. Fleming will begin his role on Sep. 18.

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NEWS 7/29/24 12:44pm

Elon community reacts to President Biden stepping down

By Nia Bedard

Just over a week ago, President Joe Biden announced that he would be stepping aside as the Democratic nominee just 107 days ahead of election day and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Since then, Harris has gained the endorsement of many high profile members of the Democratic Party. Now less than four months away from election day and a few weeks away from the Democratic National Convention, Elon professor of political science and policy studies Carrie Eaves said the final few months heading into this election will be unprecedented.

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SPORTS 7/25/24 5:30pm

Elon University football player named preseason defensive player of the year

By Miles Hayford

Elon University safety Caleb Curtain has been named the Coastal Athletic Association Football’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. The prestigious award for the junior defensive back is the cherry on top of a long line of recognition this offseason. Curtain comes off a fantastic sophomore campaign where he led Elon with 80 total tackles, 54 solo tackles and four and a half sacks. At CAA Football Media Day on July 25, Curtain said he is excited about the award — as well as the opportunity to improve in this upcoming season. 

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