News

NEWS 4/15/26 7:34pm

Students weigh optimism, concern as AI expert discusses democracy at Elon

By Lily Mosbacher

A show of hands inside Elon University’s LaRose Digital Theatre on April 15 revealed a clear mood — more students felt concerned about artificial intelligence than excited. That tension framed a campus conversation as Northeastern University professor of law, engineering, policy, communications and computer science Beth Noveck challenged students to rethink AI not just as a threat but as a potential tool to strengthen democracy.

NEWS 4/14/26 11:10am

Burlington man charged with 20 additional charges of solicitation, sexual exploitation of a minor

By Elon News Network

A Burlington man, who worked at The Oak House coffee shop in downtown Elon as an assistant manager as of March 2026, has been charged with 10 additional charges of solicitation of a child by a computer and dissemination to a minor under 16 years of age, alongside 10 charges of sexual exploitation of a minor after initially being arrested March 5. The dissemination charges date back to November 2025. 

NEWS 4/12/26 2:36pm

Elon University looks to dismiss lawsuit from former professor

By Fiona McAllister

Elon University is seeking dismissal of former Elon professor of accounting Ray Knight’s federal lawsuit, which he filed against the university on Feb. 6. Knight alleges the university retaliated against him for whistleblowing, wrongfully denied him tenure, wrongfully terminated his employment and violated both federal whistleblower protections and North Carolina public policy. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

NEWS 4/9/26 10:59pm

Dystopia to hope: New York Times columnist urges a shift in public mindset

By Emma Perman

Dystopian worlds have defined modern culture, through survival dramas like Squid Game to zombie-filled television shows. Some of today’s most popular stories imagine societies collapsed and filled with distrust and scarcity. Negative narratives have set themselves in everyday life. The same outlook appears in public opinion, according to New York Times journalist and best selling author Frank Bruni. Bruni delivered the James P. Elder Lecture on April 9 in Whitley Auditorium at Elon University. He talked about how pessimism has shaped Americans’ views of the country and their role within it, themes all relevant in his book “The Age of Grievance.”

NEWS 4/9/26 6:43pm

Arrest made in connection to April 5 assault in Mill Point neighborhood

By Nolan Williams

Elon University officials announced April 9 that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the April 5 assault in the Mill Point neighborhood, according to a campuswide email. Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley wrote in the email that an individual, who is not affiliated with the university, was taken into custody with assistance from the Gibsonville Police Department. 

NEWS 4/4/26 11:28am

Chemical spill at Koury Fieldhouse restricts area, delays lacrosse game

By Kathan Gandhi and Trista Panagakos

A chemical spill from containers used to clean athletic gear created carbon dioxide at the entrance to the Koury Fieldhouse on Saturday morning, according to Elon University spokesperson Eric Townsend.Townsend said remnants from the containers reacted with nearby pine straw and combined to create the gas. Townsend also said an odor was reported. At 9:11 a.m. on April 4, Elon Campus Security and Police told community members that there was an ongoing investigation at the Koury Fieldhouse, according to an E-Alert. An additional E-Alert, released at 10:56 a.m., explained emergency personnel were on-site assisting with clean-up efforts, and parts of Koury Fieldhouse will remain restricted. Normal activities on the athletic fields are safe to resume. 

NEWS 4/2/26 8:58am

Elon University report urges institutions to lead response to AI’s growing impact

By Alice Morrissey

Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center released a report April 2 titled “Building a Human Resilience Infrastructure for the AI Age.” The report featured input from excerpts around the world, totaling 386 responses. The report’s central message is that artificial intelligence will play a much larger role in everyday life within the next decade. Experts warn that the biggest risk is not a sudden disaster, but people slowly losing control and relying too heavily on AI for decisions.

NEWS 4/1/26 5:36pm

Elon Poll finds 35% of North Carolinians approve of President Trump, over 50% oppose Iran conflict

By Miles Hayford

An Elon University poll, published April 1, found that 35% of North Carolinians approve of President Donald Trump, while 51% oppose the current U.S. military involvement in Iran. Director of the Elon Poll Jason Husser said the poll focused on big picture questions related to approval rating of the Trump Administration, the economy and current events like the war in Iran and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Husser said that they did not find broad support for escalation of the conflict in Iran.

NEWS 3/30/26 8:29pm

Gathering of friends celebrates life of Elon faculty member

By Abby Gravely

Students, colleagues, family and friends gathered in the Numen Lumen gathering space on March 30 to celebrate the life of Allison Keill, director of the Elon Curriculum Resources Center. She passed away March 25 at 50 years old following an 18-month battle with pancreatic cancer. The gathering of friends began with words from University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Kirstin Boswell before the floor opened up for attendees to share feelings and memories.

NEWS 3/18/26 7:31pm

Leaving for spring break? What to know when traveling

By Charlotte Pfabe

Travelers across the country are standing in longer airport security lines and paying more at the pump. Transportation and Security Administration agents just missed their first paycheck after Congress could not agree on funding related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

NEWS 3/18/26 12:45pm

Local nonprofit raises money to pay ABSS school lunch debt

By Anjolina Fantaroni

The total cost of lunch debt across public schools nationwide is $194 millions, according to a 2025 report from the Education Data Initiative. North Carolina accumulates $243,639,200 a year. However, the lunch debt from the Alamance-Burlington School System will not be a part of that number anymore — because as of right now, it has none.

NEWS 3/16/26 11:33pm

PolitiFact founder visits Elon, discusses importance of truth in polarized political climate

By Elissa Leka

Fact-checker Bill Adair once lied on C-Span to a “Brian” from Michigan about whether Republicans lied more than Democrats. To appear unbiased, Adair said fact-checkers did not “keep score.” Thirteen years later, Adair found Brian’s daughter and apologized. Adair, the founder of PolitiFact, visited Elon University’s Whitley Auditorium March 16 for the Liberal Arts Forum, a student-run organization that arranges for a variety of academic speakers to address the Elon community.

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LIFESTYLE 05/02/2026 4:12pm
Elon Odyssey seniors honored at celebration ahead of graduation

At Elon University, the journey for senior Odyssey scholars came full circle May 2. Elon’s Odyssey Program — which offers scholarships and expanded opportunities to high-achieving Elon students with high financial need — hosted its annual senior celebration in LaRose Student Commons. 

NEWS 05/02/2026 1:01pm
Concerns rise over Haw River bacterial contamination

Along a stretch of the Haw River known for tubing, swimming and quiet afternoons on the water, a different kind of presence has drawn concern in recent months. It’s one that residents say they can smell before they see.

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