Brian Rea

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Recent Articles

LIFESTYLE 4/19/21 1:47pm

22-year-old cancer survivor prepares for cross-country bike ride

By Brian Rea

At 16 years old, Catherine Nester was diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, that she would battle for the next three years. Now at 22 years old, Nester has been recovering from nerve damage to her legs and ankles following treatment. Nester, a junior at Elon University, is preparing to tackle her next challenge — a 4,000-mile bike ride across the United States over 50 days.

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NEWS 4/12/21 9:12am

Q&A with Elon University physician Dr. Ginette Archinal

By Brian Rea and Margaret Faust

Elon University Physician Dr. Ginette Archinal discusses the future of the university's COVID-19 restrictions, vaccine policies and what to expect when receiving the vaccine.

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NEWS 3/23/21 1:42pm

‘It was very depressing’: Alamance Regional workers reflect on a year of treating COVID-19 patients

By Brian Rea

Fewer than 10 Alamance County residents had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 22, 2020. Since then, there have been more than 16,000 positive cases in the county and 237 people have died, according to data from the state health department. One year later, frontline staff at Alamance Regional said they are tired, anxious and traumatized.

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LIFESTYLE 2/23/21 12:20pm

Burlington baker uses generational skills at Black-owned business

By Brian Rea

Right next to the hustle and bustle of Route 49 in Burlington stands a gray brick house — separated from the road by a lawn — with a sign in the window that reads “life is sweet.” Inside, Alicia Wingate is living her childhood dream. Wingate learned how to bake from her mom and said she encourages aspiring Black and female business owners to take a leap and follow their dreams.

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NEWS 11/3/20 5:03pm

Elon Votes sees increase in student voter registration, expects greater turnout in 2020 election

By Brian Rea

Elon University students historically have had lower political participation. The Princeton Review ranked Elon six in the country for colleges with the least-politically active students, based on students’ ratings of their own political awareness. Since August 2020, 32% of Elon students have registered for the first time with Elon Votes.

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LIFESTYLE 10/26/20 5:28pm

Local couple opening smoothie bar in Elon amid coronavirus pandemic

By Brian Rea

Jenipher and Jerry Smith, of Whitsett, are co-owners of Deep Roots, a smoothie bar that they hope to open in Elon this December. The couple said they began their own wellness journey and wanted to bring a healthy quick-service option to the area.

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NEWS 10/12/20 2:35pm

Rep. Ted Budd and Navy veteran Scott Huffman face off in U.S. House 13th District race

By Brian Rea

Two-term U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Scott Huffman, a Navy veteran and small business owner, to represent North Carolina’s 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Budd was first elected in 2016 — winning 56% of the vote — and won reelection in 2018. Huffman has never held public office, and this is his first time running. 

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NEWS 9/27/20 12:28am

Protesters call for end to racism during ‘March On, Graham’

By Brian Rea

Protesters were chanting for the removal of the Confederate monument in downtown, the end of police brutality against Black Americans and in remembrance of Breonna Taylor, following the grand jury decision that did not charge the cops involved in her killing. 

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NEWS 9/9/20 3:09pm

In suicide prevention month, Elon club baseball player reflects on depression, growth

By Brian Rea

September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness to the issue. One student is working to bring awareness to mental health issues.

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NEWS 8/26/20 3:16pm

COVID-19 affects abroad travel plans for students

By Brian Rea

Most international travel during fall semester has been canceled under the university’s reopening plan, except for the business dual degree program. Students in the program spend two years on campus and two years at a partner business school in Germany, Spain, France or Italy. At the end of four years, students receive a degree from both Elon and their institution abroad. 

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NEWS 8/18/20 5:15pm

Ways to limit potential exposure to COVID-19

By Brian Rea

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, being closer than six feet to someone for 15 minutes or more puts you at risk for getting COVID-19. Elon University physician Dr. Ginette Archinal discusses ways to limit the spread of the virus. 

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NEWS 7/8/20 11:53pm

New ICE policy leaves international students concerned over immigration statuses this fall

By Brian Rea

Visa-holding students attending schools with in-person classes, like Elon, can take a maximum of one class online under the new regulation, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. If a mixture of online and in-person classes are offered, students can take more than one online class.

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NEWS 6/23/20 10:37am

Low census response rate could cost Alamance County, Elon funds

By Brian Rea

54.1% of Elon residents have completed the 2020 Census, which began collecting responses in March, according to data released from the U.S. Census Bureau. Alamance County could lose more than $7 million in annual funding based on nonresponse to the census, a report from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management said.

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LIFESTYLE 6/8/20 11:24am

Coronavirus pandemic’s negative impact on mental health

By Brian Rea

As the coronavirus began spreading around the country and states began issuing stay-at-home orders, Kelsi Stewart, a senior at Elon University, was going through a change of her own.

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NEWS 6/4/20 3:33pm

Elon University students reflect on police brutality, racism amid national protests

By Brian Rea

Elon University students discuss racism, police brutality and how they want the university and their peers to address racial injustice on-campus.

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NEWS 4/10/20 12:31pm

International students endure global pandemic away from family

By Brian Rea

Kimheng Larch and Winnie Yang are two of the 64 visa-holding international students at Elon remaining in the U.S., according to Kristen Aquilino, associate director of international student services. That includes on-campus, in North Carolina and other states across the country. There are a total of 134 undergraduate international students currently enrolled at Elon, according to the university fact book.

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LIFESTYLE 2/20/20 12:26pm

Encouraging positive body image through exercise

By Brian Rea

Approximately 80 percent of women and 40 percent of men don't like how they look, according to research by the Melrose Center. 

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NEWS 11/21/19 2:53pm

'It helps me not be as anxious': Seeking emotional support from animals at local shelter

By Brian Rea

When students go away to college some are forced to leave their furry friends behind. Burlington Animal Services is trying to help pair animals with owners looking for affection.

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NEWS 11/18/19 11:35pm

Elon student's vision of community gymnastics club reaching new heights

By Brian Rea

What started as fun has turned into a life passion for Elon sophomore Ashley Barron as she and Alamance Club Gymnastics get set to compete against other college and community club programs.

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NEWS 11/5/19 6:58pm

Experts warn this flu season could be bad

By Brian Rea

It’s November, which means the flu season is looming in the distance. And there’s concern this flu season could be bad. 

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