Hurricane Florence Coverage

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NEWS 9/23/23 3:44pm

Elon University students emphasize campus resources, elections following SB747 veto

By Keely Garcia

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper recently vetoed the proposed Senate Bill 747 — a bill that would have made it more difficult for young people and people of color to vote. As a result,  Elon Votes is encouraging students to utilize campus resources and learn more about civic engagement. SB747 was proposed earlier this year and would make it more likely for absentee ballots to be thrown away as a result of minor issues. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/23/23 10:33am

Elon University junior uses comedy to bring positivity to campus

By Lilly Molina

Junior Jesse Riback said he is no stranger to making people laugh on Elon University’s campus. Head writer of Elon Tonight and founder of JRibs Entertainment, Riback said he enjoys making comedy content, whether it is through music or videos. His TikTok, @jribscomedy, consists of videos of him walking around campus, interacting with Elon students and promoting his songs. Riback said he wants his music and his content overall to exhibit a positive message through the lens of comedy. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/22/23 8:12pm

Elon University ensemble to perform this weekend

By Emilio Nunez

Elon University’s Contemporary Chamber Ensemble will be performing at 2 p.m. Sept. 24 in the CFA Black Box. The performance will have a focus of music under the category of “contemporary music”. The ensemble was created in 2021 by director Jonathan Poquette, who said he was inspired by artistic advisor for the ensemble, Andy Hudson, and the restrictions they both felt when it came to performing contemporary music. “Contemporary music isn’t really championed or put forth in this part of the region,” Poquette said. “How can we make it more of a culture here on campus, in Elon?”

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NEWS 9/22/23 4:26pm

State fiscal budget released after monthslong delay

By Joseph Navin

The North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 259 on Sept. 22 in a 70-40 midnight vote by the state House of Representatives and a 26-17 vote in the state Senate later in the morning. Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement following passage of HB259 on Sept. 22, explaining that while he will not sign the bill into law, he also won’t veto it — allowing HB259 to become law in 10 days.

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LIFESTYLE 9/22/23 2:06pm

El Centro kicks-off Hispanic Heritage Month at Elon University in celebration

By Alex Nettles

El Centro welcomed the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month at a kick-off event in Medallion Plaza. The student-planned surge of culture marks the beginning of the celebration Hispanic Heritage Month on Elon’s Campus. Hispanic Heritage Month is a national celebration of Latinx and Hispanic culture that includes the independence days of many Hispanic countries, running from Sep. 15 to Nov. 15. The event’s planning was spearheaded by a group of passionate student coordinators, including sophomore Cristina Mariné. Mariné said she started volunteering with El Centro because it gave her a reinforced sense of identity. 

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SPORTS 9/22/23 1:40pm

Elon University women’s soccer ties against UNCW

By Jack Prahinski

After holding the lead for almost an entire half of play at Rudd Field, a late goal by the University of North Carolina Wilmington forced a 1-1 draw for Elon University women's soccer Sept. 21. The only win on the season for the Phoenix came last month against Wofford College. Coming into Thursday's Coastal Athletic Association matchup, Elon had lost four consecutive matches. Elon head coach Neil Payne said he felt like Elon handled the Seahawks’ attacks well for large portions of the match. However, Payne said his key takeaway from tonight was that Elon has to learn to put teams away.

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NEWS 9/22/23 12:40pm

2023 Elon University security, fire safety report shows increase in harassment

By Mason Willett and Abigail Hobbs

Elon University released the 2023 security and fire safety report that details reported crimes located on campus and within buildings owned by Elon in 2022. According to Elon University Police Chief Joe LeMire, the university is still adding cases to the report and will officially release them next week — however, a version is available on the Campus Safety and Police reports webpage as of Sept. 22. There were 17 rapes reported within residential facilities — defined as dormitories and other on-campus student facilities — compared to 10 reported in 2021.

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NEWS 9/22/23 8:37am

Q&A: North Carolinians Against Gun Violence encourage students to contact their lawmaker

By Abigail Hobbs

Within the first month of school, there were two lockdowns at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, one resulting in the death of a faculty member. North Carolina saw 1,839 firearm-related deaths in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children in particular are suffering from gun violence now more than ever: firearm-related death rates for children ages zero to 17 increased 231.3% from 2012 to 2021, according to North Carolina’s Child Fatality Task Force. Becky Ceartas is the executive director at NCGV and spoke to Elon News Network about gun violence prevention in North Carolina.

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NEWS 9/21/23 11:04pm

Elon University common reading author encourages curiosity, thoughtfulness

By Madison Powers and Emily Stabell

Mónica Guzmán — author of Elon University’s 2023-24 common reading book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,” — said it is vital for communities to have difficult conversations to create connection. Guzmán’s lecture on Sept. 21 was a part of Elon’s speaker series — presented by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio — and explored themes of “creating together.” Guzmán, a Mexican immigrant, said it is important to listen and learn from others.

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NEWS 9/21/23 7:16pm

Author of Elon University’s 2023 common reading promotes human connection, engagement

By Camryn Banks

Elon News Network sat down with Mónica Guzmán in the studio before her speech, titled “Curious Questions, Sparking Conversations.” Guzmán's speech will focus on her book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.” All freshmen were required to read Guzmán’s book for this year’s common reading. She said her book was inspired by the political difference between her and her parents. Guzmán said she hopes students understand that people can’t control others and that not every problem is going to be solved or understood immediately. 

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NEWS 9/21/23 3:10pm

Acorn Coffee Shop reopens at Elon University

By Miles Hayford

Acorn Coffee Shop reopened at its new location on the first floor of Belk Library on Sept. 21. The new location — within the Koenigsberger Learning Center — is a fresh start for the shop, which was previously located in downtown Elon at 116 N. Williamson Ave.  Following its closure in 2022, Mediterranean Deli will be taking over Acorn Coffee Shop’s previous location on Williamson Avenue. The deli will reopen in 2024 following a fire at its sister location in Chapel Hill. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/21/23 1:16pm

Hillel, Chabad celebrate Rosh Hashanah, bring Elon University community together

By Nia Bedard

Elon University Jewish student organizations Chabad and Hillel gathered from Sept. 15 to 17 to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah — which means “head of the year” — consists of many different practices throughout the weekend, including community dinners, services and holiday’s traditions. The blowing of the shofar — a ram’s horn — as well as dipping bread and apples into honey to signify the desire for a sweet new year are just two of the many traditions for the holiday.

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SPORTS 9/21/23 9:25am

Community weighs transgender sports ban

By Miles Hayford

North Carolina lawmakers overrode Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act with the power of the Republican supermajority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. The new law went into effect at the start of the academic year and bans “students of the male sex” from playing on all “athletic teams designated for females, women or girls.” This includes teams at the middle school, high school, intramural and collegiate level. With the passing of the bill, North Carolina joins a long list of states that have prohibited transgender women from playing in women’s sports. 

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SPORTS 9/20/23 7:00pm

Historical halfback play surges Elon University football to first conference win of season

By Benjamin Berfield

With an experienced offensive line, along with redshirt sophomore running back Jalen Hampton primed to build off a 1,000 yard freshman campaign, there were high expectations for the Phoenix to continue its success with run games, according to head coach Tony Trisciani. While Elon averaged 116 rushing yards per game in the first two losses against Wake Forest and Gardner-Webb, Triscianni said Saturday night’s 27-3 victory over the North Carolina A&T Aggies was the type of dominating performance the Phoenix were counting on.

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NEWS 9/20/23 4:01pm

Bike to Burlington brings Elon University students into community

By Audrey Geib

Elon Outdoors’ will host a Bike to Burlington event Friday, Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. in which participants will use the Burlington Greenway to make the three-mile journey from the Koury athletic center to downtown Burlington. Harer said this will give students the opportunity to experience the accessibility of the greenway and downtown Burlington. Registration is required through a form on the sustainability website. Bikes are provided for students who wish to borrow an Elon Outdoors bike, but participants are welcome to bring their own. The event is open to everyone. 

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NEWS 9/20/23 8:12am

App launches as hub for Elon University recreation, wellness events

By Anne Thyfault

Elon’s Campus Recreation and Wellness released RecWell, an app designed to provide students with information on various recreation and wellness activities. According to Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Larry Mellinger, the app released in late August and already has a good response from students with over 1,000 downloads. Personal training sessions, Elon Outdoor Adventures and HealthEU resources are all available on the platform. Students are able to sign up for programs, rent equipment and pay for events directly from the app by logging in with their Elon username and password. 

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NEWS 9/19/23 12:03pm

Elon University expands academic opportunities at Charlotte Regional Center

By Erin Martin and Madison Powers

Elon University officially announced a greater presence in Charlotte through the Charlotte Regional Center. The university held an opening ceremony Sept. 19, where university representatives made various announcements for the future of Elon in Charlotte, including the Elon Law FLEX program, a summer finance program and new events to be held at the center. The Charlotte Regional Center is located at 330 W. Tremont Ave. in South End, which is an expanding Charlotte neighborhood.

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NEWS 9/19/23 1:09am

Alamance County board of commissioners highlight needed repairs for ABSS facilities

By Joseph Navin

The Alamance County board of commissioners voted unanimously to hire engineers and assess heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems within both the Alamance-Burlington schools and Alamance County facilities. In the wake of the discovery of mold within roughly 30 ABSS schools and facilities in August and September, Builder Services Inc. of North Carolina was hired to conduct remediation services. Ben Bass, the executive vice president of Builder Services, warned the board that roof leaks inside ABSS facilities will lead to a resurgence of mold unless the district takes immediate action.

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NEWS 9/18/23 4:52pm

ABSS receives bomb threat, Sheriff Office gives all-clear

By Madison Powers

Alamance Burlington School System received threats by email stating the existence of “multiple explosives” in a “district school” this morning, according to a press release by the Alamance County Sheriff's Office. Les Atkins, public information officer at ABSS, said other North Carolina districts, like Alleghany County, received similar emails. Atkins said ABSS believes this email was a “swatting email” — meant to falsely report a situation in order to provoke an emergency response. Atkins also said instructional hours were not severely interrupted.

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NEWS 9/18/23 2:51pm

Elon University students concerned for school safety

By Anne Thyfault

Following the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill's two firearm-related lockdowns within the first month of the 2023-24 school year, Elon University students express concerns over the possibility of gun violence occurring on campus. Elon sophomore Addison Fry said the stress she felt following University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s recent lockdowns impacts her daily life — down to the start of her daily routine with getting dressed for movement and practicality over comfort and looks. With UNC, Chapel Hill roughly 45 minutes away from Elon University, other Elon students said they have been hyper aware and conscious of their safety. 

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