Kyra O'Connor

Kyra O'Connor '23 is studying journalism and creative writing at Elon University. O'Connor serves as executive director at Elon News Network. As a multimedia reporter, O'Connor focuses on local politics and the stories of the Elon and Gibsonville communities. When she is not reporting, O'Connor enjoys reading, hiking and exploring North Carolina.  See O'Connor's best work on her online portfolio here. 

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Recent Articles

NEWS 2/1/23 10:14am

Vice President addresses importance of small businesses, community lenders

By Kyra O'Connor

Community lending initiatives are grassroots movements to connect communities to economic opportunities, according to Senior Vice President of the Latino Community Credit Union Vicky Garcia — but for places like Alamance County, they are few and far between. The LCCU is a community development financial institution with a primary mission to provide local communities with ethical financial products and education to “empower and ensure” economic opportunity for all, according to its mission statement. The first branch opened in 2000 and in 2020 exceeded $594 million in assets. 

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NEWS 1/30/23 12:49pm

Vice President travels to Raleigh

By Kyra O'Connor

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to business leaders in downtown Raleigh on Jan. 30. 

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SPORTS 12/7/22 8:16pm

Former Elon University football player joins Carolina Panthers practice team

By Kyra O'Connor

Cheek signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in the spring after starting 40 games in his five year career at Elon. 

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NEWS 12/1/22 2:49pm

Former Elon University admissions staff member dies unexpectedly

By Kyra O'Connor

Meredith Smith, former Elon University admissions staff member, died unexpectedly on Nov. 27 at 35 years old. Smith started her work in admissions as an undergraduate student and worked with the university for over 18 years.  

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NEWS 11/10/22 2:14pm

Experts, young adults reflect on pursuing a GED

By Kyra O'Connor

Students in North Carolina can drop out of high school at age 16, when most students are in 10th grade. In the 2020-21 academic school year, nearly two students in every 100 dropped out of school — a 27.1% increase from 2019-20, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Male students accounted for 63.3% of all dropouts. 

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NEWS 11/9/22 12:50am

Stephen Ross elected to NC House for District 63

By Kyra O'Connor

Incumbent Ricky Hurtado, who became the first Latino Democrat in the North Carolina General Assembly two years ago, was defeated by Stephen Ross. Ross did not respond to Elon News Network’s multiple requests for comment prior to publication.

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NEWS 11/9/22 12:20am

Amy Galey reelected to NC Senate for District 25

By Kyra O'Connor

The North Carolina senator currently represents District 24 and will represent District 25 following the state’s redistricting. Galey grew up in Union Ridge, a town in Alamance County, and attended University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina School of Law. Galey is licensed to practice in N.C., S.C., and Washington, D.C.

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NEWS 11/3/22 9:00am

Protecting Confederate monuments: How statues across the state of North Carolina remain standing

By Kyra O'Connor

Walking through downtown Graham, citizens and visitors alike are greeted by locally owned businesses and restaurants, colorful murals and the historic Alamance County Courthouse — home to one of 42 Confederate monuments that stand across the state of North Carolina.

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NEWS 11/1/22 10:51am

Cheri Beasley to visit Burlington polling station ahead of midterm election

By Kyra O'Connor

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cheri Beasley is bringing her “For the People: Get Out the Vote” tour to Alamance County on Tuesday, Nov. 1. 

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LIFESTYLE 10/31/22 9:36pm

Elon University to celebrate Homecoming 2022 all week long

By Kyra O'Connor

Elon University Homecoming 2022 kicked off with trick or treat in the Moseley Center today and will conclude with crowning Homecoming Royalty during the Homecoming football game. Read below for the full schedule of events. 

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NEWS 10/31/22 7:33pm

College Coffee moved to Moseley Center

By Kyra O'Connor

College Coffee this week will take place in the Moseley Center rather than Phi Beta Kappa Commons, according to an email to students from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley. 

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NEWS 10/26/22 10:59am

Town of Elon council approves new residence hall

By Kyra O'Connor

Beginning in June 2023, Elon University will be home to an additional residence hall in East Neighborhood. The new building will have 90 beds as well as a common area for students located at the front of the building. 

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NEWS 10/24/22 10:16pm

Town of Elon welcomes new police officers, discusses Link Transit

By Kyra O'Connor

The town of Elon welcomed two new police officers, discussed the addition of Link Transit to the town and approved development plans for Elon University’s campus at the Oct. 24 work session. 

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NEWS 10/19/22 11:25pm

Campaigning for ABSS Board of Education: Seneca Rogers hopes to address teacher recruitment and retention issues, school safety and preparing students for the future

By Kyra O'Connor

Seneca Rogers ran for the Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education in 2020, when the world was experiencing the height of the global pandemic, and much of his campaign took place on Zoom. 

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NEWS 10/11/22 11:05pm

New Elon University residence hall plans shared with Town of Elon council

By Kyra O'Connor

Construction plans for a new Elon University residence hall were presented to Elon Town Council at the regular meeting on Oct. 11. The council also approved a budgetary amendment and heard a presentation from the town of Elon Fire Chief Landon Massey. 

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NEWS 10/11/22 7:37pm

Alamance County candidates pound the pavement ahead of midterm elections

By Kyra O'Connor

Music, food and people filled Gibsonville this weekend for the second annual Fall Festival. While some community members were there for the pumpkins and face paint, others were pounding the pavement: campaigning for the midterm elections in Alamance County. 

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NEWS 10/6/22 8:13am

Tai Verdes to headline Elon SUB's fall concert

By Kyra O'Connor

Tai Verdes will perform at Elon University SUB's fall concert Nov. 2.  

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NEWS 9/30/22 1:43pm

10 rapes reported at Elon University in 2021

By Kyra O'Connor and Sophie Rosenthal

According to the annual Fire & Safety Report, all rapes were reported on campus and in residential facilities.

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NEWS 9/27/22 12:02am

Town of Elon council passes downtown social district

By Kyra O'Connor

The town of Elon council voted unanimously to create a social district in downtown Elon during the Sep. 26 work session meeting. 

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LIFESTYLE 9/23/22 9:13am

Gibsonville’s first female-owned tattoo studio leaves its mark

By Kyra O'Connor

Annie Bella dips the needle in her hand into one of the caps of ink on the table to her left. She drags the needle across Dominic Adame’s skin, adding color to a depiction of Remy from the Disney movie “Ratatouille.” 

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