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LIFESTYLE 12/14/25 11:03am

‘We've forgotten about the conversation’: HIV/AIDS still hits the South as awareness fades

By Nia Bedard

45 years after the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the U.S., the fight against this disease is far from over, especially in the South. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South accounted for 52% of all HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2023. "We know that HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate effect on people of color or queer people of color in this country," Professor of communication studies at Vanderbilt University Jeff Bennett said. "You have many people living in rural areas. You might have distrust of medical providers, you have the social stigma.”

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NEWS 12/12/25 12:25pm

Elon University students prepare for internship, job searches

By Elissa Leka

From freshmen starting to navigate the professional world to seniors preparing for post-graduate opportunities, understanding how to navigate the application process can make all the difference in landing an internship. “That doesn’t mean they need to start seeking out an internship right away,” Amber Moser, director of internships in the School of Communications, said. “Planning for it and researching and putting the pieces in place to be successful in your first year is really beneficial, particularly if students are double majoring, depending on the kind of double major they have.”

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NEWS 12/11/25 2:45pm

‘We definitely don’t want anybody to feel hungry’: ABSS navigates free meals, rising lunch debt

By Anjolina Fantaroni

At 10:32 a.m., trays clatter at Harvey R. Newlin Elementary School as cafeteria workers rush to prepare the first wave of students for lunch. At this school, most students eat for free — no forms, no payment and no questions. For many, this may be the most reliable meal they get all day. The Alamance-Burlington School System has 28 Community Eligibility Provision schools, like Harvey R. Newlin Elementary School. CEP is a program that allows low-income area schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students without requiring applications for free and reduced-price meals. 

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NEWS 12/10/25 9:53pm

Elon University, Roberts Academy hosts first ‘Discovering Dyslexia’ session

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University hosted its first “Discovering Dyslexia” session Dec. 10 in Johnston Hall, giving parents and community members an overview of dyslexia and introducing the new Roberts Academy at Elon University — a private school for children with dyslexia. Interested parent Tora Taylor-Glover said her son was diagnosed with dyslexia at six years old. “We've seen just some struggles that he was having, and he has been receiving tutoring, but we feel like just kind of continuing that and making sure that he has a curriculum that helps him learn in a way that he wants to learn,” Taylor-Glover said.

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NEWS 12/10/25 8:06am

Advocates against the death penalty react to ‘Iryna’s Law,’ potential implications

By Miles Hayford

As ‘Iryna’s Law’ potentially brings back the death penalty to North Carolina, anti-death penalty advocates are reacting to this new legislation. “It's a mess, and it's harmful, and we will stand against it as best we can with all of our partners and try to defeat the negative ramifications that have already started to take place because of it,” said Noel Nickle, the executive director of the North Carolina Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. 

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NEWS 12/9/25 10:41pm

Elon Town Council swears in recently elected members

By Alannah Klingsporn

Elon Town Council swore in new member Steve Exum during their meeting on Dec. 9. Returning council member Randy Orwig and Mayor Emily Sharpe were resworn into their current positions, with Monti Allison being resworn in as Mayor Pro Tem. Steve Exum thanked his family for their support and talked about what he is looking forward to accomplishing as a member of the town council. “I do want to be a bridge builder, a teammate, a lister,” Exum said towards the end of the meeting. “I want to help Elon grow wisely, with opportunity for all and with heart.”

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LIFESTYLE 12/14/25 11:03am

‘Hemos olvidado la conversación’: el VIH/SIDA todavía afecta al Sur a medida que disminuye la conciencia

By Nia Bedard

45 años después de los primeros casos de VIH/SIDA reportados en Estados Unidos, la lucha contra esta enfermedad está lejos de terminar, especialmente en el sur del país. Según los datos más recientes de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, el sur representó el 52% de todos los diagnósticos de VIH en Estados Unidos en 2023. "Sabemos que el VIH/SIDA ha afectado de manera desproporcionada a las personas de color y a las personas LGBTQ+ de color en este país", afirmó Jeff Bennett, profesor de estudios de comunicación en la Universidad de Vanderbilt. "Hay muchas personas que viven en zonas rurales, existe desconfianza hacia los profesionales de la salud y persiste el estigma social".

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NEWS 12/11/25 2:48pm

‘Definitivamente no queremos que nadie pase hambre’: ABSS gestiona comidas gratuitas, aumento de la deuda en almuerzos

By Anjolina Fantaroni

A las 10:32 a. m., el sonido de las bandejas resuena en la Escuela Primaria Harvey R. Newlin mientras los trabajadores del comedor se apresuran a preparar el almuerzo para el primer grupo de estudiantes. En esta escuela, la mayoru00eda de los alumnos comen gratis: sin formularios, sin pagos y sin preguntas. Para muchos, esta puede ser la comida mu00e1s segura que reciben en todo el du00eda. El Distrito Escolar de Alamance-Burlington cuenta con 28 escuelas que participan en el Programa de Elegibilidad Comunitaria (CEP), como la Escuela Primaria Harvey R. Newlin. El CEP es un programa que permite a las escuelas de zonas de bajos ingresos ofrecer desayuno y almuerzo gratuitos a todos los estudiantes sin necesidad de solicitar comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido.

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NEWS 12/10/25 3:34pm

Defensores en contra de la pena de muerte reaccionan a ‘La Ley de Iryna,’ posibles implicaciones

By Miles Hayford

Ante la posibilidad de que la "Ley de Iryna" reintroduzca la pena de muerte en Carolina del Norte, los defensores de la abolición de la pena capital están reaccionando a esta nueva legislación. "Es un despropósito, es perjudicial, y nos opondremos a ella con todas nuestras fuerzas, junto con nuestros colaboradores, e intentaremos contrarrestar las consecuencias negativas que ya han comenzado a manifestarse a raíz de esta ley", declaró Noel Nickle, director ejecutivo de la Coalición de Carolina del Norte para Alternativas a la Pena de Muerte.

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NEWS 12/9/25 2:10pm

Elon University establishes Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

By Miles Hayford

Elon University is launching a new Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program starting in the fall of 2026. Students will have the option to choose between taking the program either at Elon’s main campus or at the university’s Charlotte campus. The program will have a hybrid model where students complete their first year of coursework in person and then complete online coursework while they have in-person clinical placements in the second year. The second year will include a 600-hour internship requirement. It will be a 60-credit program.

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SPORTS 12/8/25 12:41pm

Elon University punter outlines path for NFL Draft

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University redshirt senior punter Jeff Yurk announced on Nov. 28 that he was declaring for the NFL Draft, but he said the decision was brewing for almost a year. Yurk said he knew there was an opportunity to declare for the draft with the season he had. Entering his final season, he said if he was going to make a decision, this would be the time to do so. “I knew all along after having a good year last season,” Yurk said. “Since I was running out of eligibility this season, I felt that it was a good idea to declare for the draft.”

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LIFESTYLE 12/4/25 10:53pm

Elon University’s campus glows as Festival of Lights and Luminaries expands cultural celebration

By Mia Torres

Elon University’s Festival of Lights and Luminaries took place on Dec. 4 and was hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Luminaries lit up Elon’s campus as students walked around and enjoyed the night. The festival started incorporating themes in 2020 with each year being a new theme. This year it was, “Many Lights on One Night.” “This year the festival is bigger than ever, so the theme represents how all the small lights that each of us bring create one larger light on campus,” Hillary Zaken, the director of multifaith programming and engagement for the Truitt Center said. 

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SPORTS 12/4/25 12:09am

Strong start not enough in Elon University men’s basketball loss to Furman University

By Trevor Brader-Araje

The energy in Schar Center was palpable as the Phoenix built an early 18 point lead. However, the Phoenix couldn’t sustain momentum as Furman University surged in the second half to hand Elon a home defeat on Dec. 3. Head coach Billy Taylor said the Phoenix simply didn’t respond well when Furman started to take control. While there were encouraging moments during the game, Taylor stressed the importance of maintaining that level. “When they punched back, we didn’t respond the right way,” Taylor said. “We need more of those moments strung together over the course of 40 minutes.”

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NEWS 12/3/25 10:52pm

Elon University fire alarm system running following fiber optic line cut

By Nia Bedard

Elon University’s fire alarm system is back to normal and will alert authorities if a fire alarm goes off following the cut of a fiber optic line in Greensboro, according to an E-alert sent around 10:22 p.m. Dec. 3. Elon Campus Safety and Police sent an E-alert in the morning on Dec. 3 after the fiber optic line was cut writing that the fire alarm systems may not alert authorities if they are activated. Elon University Chief of Campus Safety and Police Joe LeMire previously wrote in an email statement to Elon News Network on Dec. 3 that this cut was caused by construction in the area. 

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NEWS 12/3/25 1:31pm

Elon University fire alarm system may not alert authorities per E-alert

By Nia Bedard

Elon University fire alarm systems may not alert authorities if they are activated, according to an E-alert sent out around 1:00 p.m Dec. 3. The E-alert wrote that if a fire alarm goes off, evacuate the building and choose someone to call 911 once in a safe area. According to the E-alert, a fiber optic line was cut in Greensboro, which is the cause of issues with the alert system. A similar issue occurred on Nov. 18 when a fiber optic line in Greensboro was cut, causing issues with Elon University’s alarm system.

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SPORTS 12/3/25 12:27pm

Elon University quarterback plans to enter transfer portal

By Nia Bedard

After winning Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Coastal Athletic Association, Elon University quarterback Landen Clark plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a statement made by his agent. This past season Clark, a redshirt freshman, threw for 2,321 yards and rushed for 614 yards. Clark scored 29 total touchdowns during the 2025 season. The transfer portal for college football opens on Jan. 2, 2026 and closes Jan. 16, 2026.

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NEWS 12/2/25 11:21pm

Burlington swears in first female mayor

By Alice Morrissey

Surrounded by friends and family, Burlington’s first female mayor, Beth Kennett, was sworn into office at the Burlington City Council meeting on Dec. 2. The meeting was held in the Hugh M. Cummings High School auditorium, which was filled with Burlington locals and supporters of Kennett. Before adjourning the meeting, Kennett reaffirmed her commitment to being a voice for the people of Burlington. “I’m not here to make your choices; I’m here to work with you to make Burlington the best it can be,” Kennett said.

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SPORTS 12/1/25 6:37pm

Elon University women’s basketball transfer center hopes to bounce back after season-ending surgery

By Benjamin Berfield

Graduate center Quinzia Fulmore had nothing but painful memories of last season. After a productive start to last season as a transfer addition for the Memphis University women’s basketball team, she suffered a foot injury that sidelined her for the rest of the year. Fulmore said she had never been injured before and was sick of not being on the court. “It was painful,” Fulmore said. “Just a nerve-wracking feeling that I couldn’t finish the year out and had to sit and watch.”

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NEWS 12/1/25 1:13pm

Elon’s Festival of Lights and Luminaries moved to Dec. 4

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Elon University’s annual Festival of Lights and Luminaries has been rescheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. due to forecasted rain on Dec. 1 into the morning of Dec. 2. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 100% chance of precipitation in Alamance County on Dec. 2 with rain mainly before 11 a.m.Aside from the date change, all other aspects of the event will remain the same, according to an email from Vice President of Student Life Jon Dooley.

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SPORTS 11/28/25 7:00pm

Elon University punter declares for NFL Draft

By Benjamin Berfield

Elon University punter Jeff Yurk has declared for the NFL Draft following his redshirt senior season. Yurk announced his decision on his Instagram account Nov. 28. Yurk has totaled 9,645 yards punting throughout his collegiate career at Elon. During his freshman season in 2021, Yurk played all 11 games. The following year, Yurk was named to the third team all Coastal Athletic Association. Yurk’s performance in 2022 helped the Phoenix qualify for the Football Championship Subdivision playoff. During the last two years, Yurk also led the conference in punt yards per game at around 48 yards.

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