Hurricane Florence Coverage

---

SPORTS 10/24/24 9:39pm

Elon University women’s soccer falls to Campbell despite outshooting them

By Miles Hayford

Despite coming into the game as the Coastal Athletic Association’s best with a chance to clinch the regular season title, the Elon women’s soccer team fell to Campbell University 1-0. Campbell upset the Phoenix thanks to resistant defense, even as Elon outshot them 18 to 5. In the end, Elon played an almost perfect game. Few teams could have found more offensive opportunities than Elon did tonight, and their defense held firm most of the game. It came down to the Camels’ rigid defense and one single moment where Campbell’s offense saw an opportunity and took it.

---

LIFESTYLE 10/24/24 5:17pm

Computer canines take stage in ‘Legally Blonde’ at Elon University

By Katharyn MacDonald

Two robotic dogs are making their debut appearance during Elon University’s fall mainstage musical “Legally Blonde." As the production prepares for its opening Oct. 25, Elon engineering students are putting final touches on the robotic dogs, bringing the show’s beloved canine characters — Bruiser and Rufus — to life. Over the past five months, engineering students have done extensive research and work to build the dogs. Senior Zoë Scherpbier built shells of artificial fur and dog features to make the robots’ outsides as realistic as possible without falling into the uncanny valley.

---

SPORTS 10/24/24 10:57am

Price of play: Impact of injury on Elon University athletes

By Miles Hayford

Season-ending injuries are an unfortunate, but common staple of collegiate athletics. Around 210,000 college sports-related injuries occurred from 2009-14, according to a Centers of Disease Control and Prevention study. Within that number, almost 4,000 athletes each year experience a season-ending injury, according to a study published in the Journal of Amateur Sport. These injuries are more than just a number, though. Each one affects a student-athlete in a different way, each student-athlete grapples with the absence of sport differently and each recovery process is different.

---

NEWS 10/23/24 11:54pm

Elon Mayor discusses community engagement with university

By Liya Rike

Town of Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe joined Elon University students in McKinnon Hall on Oct. 23 for a town hall discussion hosted by the Student Government Association. Alongside Burlington City Manager Craig Honeycutt and Alamance Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Reagan Gural, Sharpe addressed questions and concerns from students — with the event aiming to strengthen the connection between the university and the local community. The discussion also provided a platform for students to engage with local leaders and explore ways to collaborate on community issues.

---

SPORTS 10/23/24 11:08pm

Elon University men’s soccer drops fourth straight loss amid tough schedule

By Miles Hayford

Despite a strong start to the season, Elon men’s soccer dropped its fourth straight loss after falling to the University of North Carolina, Charlotte 2-0. After 10 minutes had passed, redshirt junior Ryan Manna had the first shot of the game, but Charlotte’s stalwart goalie Leo Stritter — who has nine shutouts this season — blocked it. That’s where it began to get tough for the Phoenix to climb out of the deficit. Against Charlotte’s nationally ranked defense — the team is first in goals allowed per game with 0.5 — the Phoenix’s offense stalled.

---

NEWS 10/23/24 10:53pm

Data Nexus 'Power of Women in Data' series continues with Elon alumna

By Kate Gray

Maggie Macdonald ’15 spoke at Elon University on Oct. 23 as part of the Data Nexus Power of Women in Data series to discuss the role of district boundaries and social media in elections. The assistant professor of political science at the University of Kentucky has research experience in congressional campaigns and elections, specifically concerning strategic online political communication and campaign finances. Data Nexus is Elon’s Hub for data competency, particularly designed to prepare students to understand the role of data and data analysis in society.

---

LIFESTYLE 10/23/24 12:07pm

Elon’s Chinese Club creates community

By Megan Walsh

The symbol of rising from the ashes applies to more at Elon University than the fire in 1923 and rebuilding that followed. Elon’s Chinese Club was born out of several failed attempts and a global pandemic. Now, the club hosts a variety of Chinese cultural events — positively impacting students and the Elon community. Featured events include the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, Dumplings Across Cultures event with the Italian club and Latinx-Hispanic Union, karaoke and game night events, calligraphy nights and study abroad information sessions about Chinese-speaking countries.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 10:30pm

Democratic Women of Alamance County rally around voter turnout, key issues

By Erin Hroncich

The Red, White and Blue Rally hosted by the Democratic Women of Alamance County brought in a range of community members and candidates looking to increase voter turnout Oct. 22. Around 100 people gathered in downtown Burlington to hear from local candidates and speakers about key issues in the upcoming election, such as education and voter rights. The keynote speech was given by Kimberly Hardy, a professor at Fayetteville State University’s School of Social Work. Hardy emphasized the importance of encouraging lower turnout groups to show up this election.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 9:31pm

Elon alumni speaker series continues with political misinformation discussion

By Evan Cooper

Reporter and Elon alumna Maria Ramirez Uribe ’20 spoke to attendees at Elon University on Oct. 22 about disinformation surrounding the upcoming election as part of the university’s alumni speaker series. Ramirez currently works for PolitiFact as an immigration reporter and fact checker. Ramirez started the presentation by explaining what PolitiFact is — a news organization that tracks statements made by politicians and then verifies if they are true or not. Since 2016 and the rise of misinformation online, PolitiFact has also begun to track social media posts and comments.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 8:55pm

Elon University hosts deepfake discussion 2 weeks ahead of election day

By Monika Jurevicius

Purdue University doctoral student Christina Walker visited Elon University on Oct. 22 to discuss the impact of political deepfakes on social media users and how labeling could help stop the spread of misinformation. Deepfakes are a form of artificial intelligence that can add someone’s face and voice to another user. Walker and her team capture information on who shares these systems on social media and tracks its original source when available. The main goal of the political deepfake database is to track media users’ understanding of a specific watermark for AI-generated content, which signals the material posted is fake.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 6:54pm

Railroad arms experience malfunctions in downtown Elon; intersections now cleared

By Miles Hayford

The railroad gate arms at the intersections of West Lebanon Avenue and North Williamson Avenue, West Lebanon and Church Street, and East Lebanon and Oak Street were down, according to Elon Police Chief Joe LeMire. According to an E-Alert sent at 7:21 p.m., the intersections at Oak, Williamson and Church have been cleared. These gate arms have been having issues all day and prevented the flow of traffic in downtown Elon.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 3:36pm

Elon Students for Peace, Justice walk through campus

By Fiona McAllister

The Students for Peace and Justice at Elon University walked from Medallion Plaza, throughout Young Commons and eventually ended at the Moseley Center patio. Ten advocates led the march through campus holding signs with slogans like, “Humanity must prevail.” Leading the walk was Elon junior Natalia Sendawy. Sendawy said in a speech to the crowd that their purpose for this event was to stand in solidarity with oppressed people around the world. Adviser to Students for Peace and Justice Thomas Arcaro also encouraged actions of passion and said involvement with current events is something not to be taken lightly.

---

NEWS 10/22/24 1:29pm

Former President Trump makes campaign stop in Greensboro

By Nia Bedard and Trista Panagakos

Former President Donald Trump has held multiple rallies in North Carolina in the weeks leading up to election day. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Trump is campaigning in Greensboro at Minges Coliseum. He is expected to speak at 7 p.m., but attendees have been gathering as early as 11 a.m. Trump gathers in the Tar Heel state as early voting began last Thursday, Oct. 17 and election day is exactly two weeks away. North Carolina is a swing state with 16 electoral votes, and polls have shown Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris virtually tied in North Carolina.

---

LIFESTYLE 10/22/24 9:40am

Elon English faculty host discussion on ‘Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder’

By Julia Donaghy

In honor of the annual awareness campaign Banned Books Week, promoted by the American Library Association, English professors Dan Burns and Dinidu Karunanayake decided to co-lead a reading and discussion of Salman Rushdie’s memoir “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder.” While not technically a banned book, “Knife” describes the aftermath of the assassination attempt on the controversial author in 2022. Burns hosted the second meeting covering the memoir on Oct. 21 in Carlton 224. The third and final meeting will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Carlton 224.

---

LIFESTYLE 10/21/24 10:34pm

Gala Latina empowers Latinx, Hispanic communities at Elon University

By Lauren McCowan

To end Hispanic Heritage Month, Elon University’s El Centro hosted its eighth annual gala to support and empower students, faculty and staff who identify as Latinx/Hispanic. With laughter, music and cultural food, there was a community atmosphere in LaRose Student Commons throughout the night of Oct. 18. Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams said while these events are open to all, they are crucial for the campus’ Latinx and Hispanic communities to celebrate their heritage and feel a sense of belonging.  

---

LIFESTYLE 10/21/24 6:28pm

Pop-up bookstore promotes sustainable, affordable reading in Alamance County

By Sarah T. Moore

Paper Trail Books, isn’t a typical brick and mortar bookstore. Paper Trail has no physical storefront. Instead, the duo vends at different pop-up markets and events in Mebane and the wider Alamance County area, such as Filament Coffee + Tea’s “Gilmore Girls” night. Pop-ups, co-owner Callie Oldham said, help Paper Trail engage more directly with the Mebane community.  Other co-owner Stephanie Batten said she wanted the business to contribute toward sustainable reading habits. Paper Trail Books’ next event is during downtown Mebane’s holiday reveal event Nov. 2.

---

NEWS 10/19/24 6:46pm

The Rosemary opens at Elon under Park Place

By Nia Bedard

Following a month of renovations, The Rosemary, located underneath Park Place, opened to the public on Oct. 19. There were no customers present at the time of the opening. Owner and Elon alum Derek Bates ’85 said that The Rosemary will have multiple options for students and Elon locals, including grab-and-go items, coffee, sandwiches and soups and fine dining. The Rosemary will be having a student appreciation and introduction night where they will be giving out free chicken and brisket tacos Oct. 22 from 8 to 10 p.m.

---

NEWS 10/19/24 5:37pm

Josh Stein visits Alamance County Democratic Party

By Charlotte Pfabe

With the general election swiftly approaching, Democratic candidate for governor and North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein visited the Alamance County Democratic Party Headquarters in Burlington on Oct. 19. Volunteers at the ACDP showed their support with cheers for Stein as he spoke about his plans if elected as governor this November. The event brought together both local community members, but also students from Elon University. Elon Law student Dimitri McKinney works on Stein’s campaign as a volunteer. An Alamance County native himself, McKinney said local politics are just as important as the federal elections.

---

NEWS 10/18/24 2:13pm

Executive director of OpenSecrets shares role of money in 2024 election with Elon students

By Alice Morrissey

Students gathered in the forum space of East Commons on Oct. 17 to learn about the role money plays in a political campaign. In a conversation hosted by Carrie Eaves, chair of political science and public policy at Elon University, students were able to get first-hand insights about donation tracking from Hilary Braseth,  executive director of OpenSecrets. OpenSecrets is a nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit database website dedicated to tracking where and to whom money donated to election campaigns goes.

---

NEWS 10/18/24 1:07pm

Elon’s College Democrats host town hall with state house candidates

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon University’s College Democrats hosted a panel with North Carolina House of Representative Democratic candidates LeVon Barnes and Robin Wintringham on Oct.17. The discussion was held to give students more information about both candidates and what issues they are running on. Wintringham, who graduated from Elon University’s School of Law and previously worked with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years, is running for a seat to represent District 63. Barnes, who previously worked in education as a public school teacher and coach, is running to represent District 64.

---