Hurricane Florence Coverage

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NEWS 8/21/25 4:34pm

IRS decision allows some churches to endorse political candidates, remain tax exempt

By Kate Gray

The Johnson Amendment, added to the U.S. tax code in 1964, prohibits certain nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates until a group of religious nonprofits, including two churches, filed a lawsuit that claimed the Johnson Amendment violated their free speech and free exercise rights under the First Amendment. “This amendment protects the separation of church and state by making sure that houses of worship aren't corrupted by politics,” Alexandra Zaretsky, a litigation consultant for Americans United for Separation of Church and State said. 

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NEWS 8/19/25 8:07pm

Elon University president discusses enrollment, campus wellness, growth

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University President Connie Book sat down with Elon News Network to discuss enrollment, health and wellness initiatives and campus expansions.

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NEWS 8/19/25 4:00pm

Vehicles collided in accident on West Haggard Avenue

By Charlotte Pfabe

An Elon University cushman maintenance vehicle is blocking part of West Haggard Avenue after a collision with another vehicle. According to the driver of the Cushman, he was in the middle lane to turn onto North Williamson Avenue when the other car pulled out of Circle K and hit the back lefthand corner of his vehicle. He said he then hit his brakes and his vehicle was pushed onto the curb. Both vehicles have been moved to the Circle K parking lot. According to Town of Elon Police, neither of the drivers were injured in the accident.

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NEWS 8/19/25 10:12am

Elon University launches Acorn Academy child care center with Vivvi

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University opened a new on-campus child care center for faculty, staff and students balancing careers and family life. Acorn Academy, which opened in the psychology and human service studies building, is operating with Vivvi, a company that provides employer-sponsored child care across the country. Jason Husser, professor of political science and public policy, served on Elon’s child care committee and said they were focused on finding a high quality provider. “There was a real focus on ‘let’s figure out a way to provide high-quality childcare, make the lives of the parents better, where parents can go on and do the things they need to be doing.’”

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NEWS 8/18/25 11:50am

Elon University class of 2029 enrollment decreases by 11.6%

By Nia Bedard

As Elon University prepares for the class of 2029 to arrive on campus, the enrollment of incoming new students has decreased by 11.6%. Elon University Admissions was expecting this drop in enrollment due to a demographic shift, according to a statement to Elon News Network from Vice President for Enrollment, Greg Zaiser. This demographic cliff was caused by the birth rate falling in the U.S. at the start of the Great Recession in 2008. Despite Elon’s decrease in enrollment, the National Center for Education Statistics. predicts that enrollment will increase by 7% for four-year institutions by 2031. 

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NEWS 8/13/25 6:48pm

Elon University Campus Police announces temporary delay to freshman parking lots

By Fiona McAllister

As the start of the academic year approaches, Elon University Campus Police released an update about the construction of the freshman parking lot at the Francis Center. Due to delays caused by weather, freshmen will be parking in Danieley Center lots, a section of the Hunt B parking lot, which is located behind the Schar Center, and designated parking locations on south campus. According to Elon University Chief of Police Joseph LeMire that these new changes to parking are temporary.

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LIFESTYLE 8/10/25 9:39am

Inside the hive: Alamance County Beekeepers and their fight for honeybee survival

By Lilly Molina

Ira Poston begins his day on his farm at 8 a.m. and cares for the over 70 bee colonies on his property. Poston is the Regional Director of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association, and the former President of the Alamance County Beekeepers for 10 years. The Alamance County Beekeepers is a chapter of the state’s beekeepers associations. It is a nonprofit club focused on educating the community about honeybees by visiting schools, local clubs and even teaching a bee school for aspiring beekeepers. 

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NEWS 8/9/25 11:42am

Elon University study abroad participation reaches over 94%

By Evan Cooper

Elon University ranked second for undergraduate study abroad participation among U.S. doctoral universities, according to the most recent Institute of International Education Open Doors Report. The institute reported that an estimated 94.3% of students studied abroad by the end of the 2022-23 academic year. Nick Gozik, Dean of Global Education wrote in a statement to Elon News Network that the GEC is proud of current student participation but is working to increase participation. “Elon University is deeply committed to ensuring 100% access to study abroad opportunities for its students, a principle that has contributed significantly to our exceptional participation rate,” Gozik wrote.

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NEWS 8/7/25 5:40pm

Burlington breaks ground on Paramount Theater expansion

By Nia Bedard

After closing its doors in March 2025 to begin renovations, the city of Burlington celebrated breaking ground on the expansion of the Paramount Theater during a ceremony Aug. 7. “The project includes essential upgrades and replacements of the theater and stage equipment, ensuring that performances can be supported by modern, reliable technology,” Capital Project Manager for the city of Burlington, Fred Patrick said during the event. “At the same time, we are committed to preserving the theater's historic character.” The theater will also be expanding the front lobby, adding a second floor and adding a rooftop deck.

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SPORTS 8/6/25 3:27pm

Elon University Athletics sees record high transfer numbers

By Kathan Gandhi

A successful college sports team requires many things such as premier coaching, experienced leadership and quality team chemistry. But since 2018, a new factor has become essential to building a winning program. The transfer portal. Every school has been impacted by the rise of the transfer portal, including Elon University. Elon’s Athletic Director, Jennifer Strawley, said she has seen that impact first-hand. “College athletics is operating in a more transactional nature, nationally and holistically, as opposed to  more relationship and development-based.” In 2024, 24 student-athletes transferred from Elon athletic teams. In 2025, the number increased to at least 33, a program high.

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NEWS 7/30/25 8:24am

Elon University announces pause on hiring vacant faculty, staff positions for 2025-26

By Nia Bedard

Elon University President Connie Book announced in an email sent to all university faculty and staff on July 8 that Elon University will be pausing the hiring of vacant faculty and staff positions following a 6% decrease in new student enrollment. According to a statement to Elon News Network from Mike Haskins, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, hiring and budget managers will be evaluating open positions to determine if they need to be filled immediately or if the hiring process can be postponed.

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NEWS 7/28/25 7:17pm

N.C. House and Senate Republicans prepare to override Gov. Stein’s vetoes

By Abigail Hines

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein’s 14 vetoes from this year’s legislative session could  be overridden by the North Carolina House of Representatives and Senate when the legislative bodies reconvene on July 29. The Senate and House would need to obtain a three-fifths vote from present and voting members in order to successfully override Stein’s vetoes. Currently, Republicans hold a three-fifths majority in the Senate. House Republicans gained a supermajority in April 2023 when Rep. Tricia Cotham, elected as a Democrat, switched parties during her term.

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NEWS 7/24/25 2:07pm

Elon students showcase summer research at annual SURE poster presentation

By Lilly Molina

On July 24 students participating in Elon University's Summer Undergraduate Research Forum. SURE is a high intensity research program that students can apply for where they spend a portion of the summer on campus working on their research project with a specific goal in mind. Elon University also holds a Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, for students to show off the research they have conducted throughout their time at Elon. While students who participate in SURF can spend a large portion of their time at Elon working on their research, students who participate in SURE spend eight weeks working on theirs.

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NEWS 7/19/25 8:47am

Elon University HealthEU center construction delayed by weather

By Evan Cooper

The HealthEU center has shifted its opening to fall of 2026 due to weather causing delays in construction. The center is being built on Elon University’s Innovation Quad, and was initially set to open in summer of 2026 when the project was announced in the spring of 2024. “We've had some significant wet weather this summer, so we're constantly adjusting the activities to compensate for weather delays,” David Haught, senior director for planning, design and construction management at Elon, said. Haught said the construction team is hoping to complete most underground work before move-in day for the class of 2029, Aug. 22, 2025.

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NEWS 7/15/25 10:15am

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reports one case of measles in NC: What to do

By Fiona McAllister

Measles cases in the United States have reached a record high since the disease was declared eliminated in the states in 2000. The recent outbreak shows the highest number of U.S. measles cases in 33 years. Similar to the mumps outbreak on campus in 2019, Dean of Student Health and Well-Being Jana Lynn Patterson said that the team was able to partner with facility services and provide vaccinations to students. “We organized and had a mass vaccine clinic on campus within two days,” Patterson said. “They went to the state and got the vaccines, and they brought their nurses over here and vaccinated hundreds of people.”

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NEWS 7/11/25 9:06am

Community efforts bring hope to central North Carolina after flood damage

By Anjolina Fantaroni

After Tropical Storm Chantal brought torrential downpours with seven inches of rain, 40-mile-per-hour winds and flooding to central North Carolina on July 6, communities in Alamance County and surrounding areas are in a state of emergency, including the City of Mebane, which is currently in a water shortage. Elon senior and Mebane resident Faith Almond said there are resources available to help those without water. “I know that there's a phone number that you can call, and people will deliver water to your door,” Almond said. “I think that's really good for people that maybe can't drive or can't go out to get water.”

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SPORTS 7/11/25 6:22am

Elon University athletic director outlines Phoenix Rising initiative

By Benjamin Berfield

When Elon Athletics released its new program initiative Phoenix Rising, it was with the intention of establishing a refreshed vision of the athletic program through a five-year strategic course plan. With elements such as name, image, and likeness, the transfer portal, and the House v. NCAA settlement ruling in favor of colleges to pay athletes, Phoenix Rising is an opportunity for Elon Athletics to become more innovative in their approach toward navigating the college athletics. “We have to bring it to life through the student athletes, coaches, and the people in our department, and engagement with the campus,” Athletic Director Jennifer Strawley said. 

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NEWS 7/8/25 7:27pm

Alamance County in Local State of Emergency following Tropical Storm Chantal

By Nia Bedard

Alamance County is now in a Local State of Emergency following storm damage caused by Tropical Storm Chantal on July 6. One person was confirmed to have in died in Alamance County due to the weather event, according to Alamance County Sheriff's Office. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein visited Alamance on July 8 to survey damage due to the storm. "Our hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one during the storm," Stein said during a press conference at Lake Michael Park in Mebane.

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NEWS 7/6/25 7:10pm

Alamance County recovers from floods following Tropical Storm Chantal

By Anjolina Fantaroni

On July 6 Tropical Storm Chantal made its way through central North Carolina, including Alamance County, flooding the county and leaving over five thousand homes across the county without power, according to Duke Energy. According to the National Weather Service will continue to lift north to Virginia, slowly weakening. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Haw River until July 8. “This may possibly be the worst flooding we have had in Town in decades,” Elon Mayor Emily Sharpe wrote in the statement to Elon News Network. “Our only goal is to keep everyone safe.”

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NEWS 7/5/25 5:38pm

Elon University releases spring 2025 violations for two fraternities

By Elon News Network

Elon University added Sigma Chi and Sigma Pi to its Student Organization Disciplinary Status page following the end of the spring semester. Both fraternities are members of Elon’s Interfraternity Council. Sigma Pi has been placed on disciplinary probation until Sep. 2 of this year following “reported behaviors of unauthorized consumption of alcohol at an unregistered event hosted by the organization,” according to the violation summary. According to the violation summary for Sigma Chi, anonymous reports of hazing were filed against the fraternity chapter, however those reports were not confirmed.

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