Opinion

New COVID-19 Variant on the Rise

New COVID-19 Variant on the Rise

BY: Milton Westry In the last two years, the world has been dealing with COVID-19. Over the past year, there have been discoveries of different variants of coronavirus. The different variants that have been discovered are Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron. Omicron is the latest variant and was discovered by researchers in November 2021. Now, the Omicron variant has a subvariant called BA2. The first discovery of the variant was made in Denmark. It has been found in 55 different countries, including the U.S. This discovery comes after the first subvariant of Omicron called BA1.  This subvariant has 20 mutations—…
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5 Study Tips to Help You Excel in Midterms 

5 Study Tips to Help You Excel in Midterms 

BY: Isadora Nicolai It is midterms season, and students are at that critical moment when a failed midterm test could unbalance their average in any class. Studying can be boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to make your study days for the midterms a little bit more pleasant.  Turn on some jams.   Some people are able to concentrate and study even with a TV or music on. When studying for the midterms, make a bomb playlist and dive into whatever topic you are studying. Music makes everything lighter and enjoyable. Perhaps having good tunes on…
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Beans, Caffeine and Study Spots

Beans, Caffeine and Study Spots

BY: Alecia Hicks Coffee shops have been trending since the first Starbucks opened in 1971. Finding new quiet places to study and try different flavored coffees can be exciting. Many big cities such as Nashville, Chicago and Seattle, where the first Starbucks opened, are known for creating a so-called “vibe” when it comes to local shops. Montgomery is quickly starting to create a vibe of its own with numerous local coffee shops popping up around the downtown area. Downtown Montgomery has seen a slow progression of businesses in the past decade. With restaurants like SaZa and Wintzell’s being some of…
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Meet Your 2022 Homecoming King and Queen

Meet Your 2022 Homecoming King and Queen

BY: Jayla Brown Homecoming King Nominee Aaron Williams Mr. Aaron Williams is a 21-year-old senior from Mobile, Ala. He is majoring in K-12 Education. He aspires to become a football, basketball and track coach. He also has hopes to mentor young people to become great individuals. He is a Fall ‘21 initiate and proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated on AUM’s campus. He also serves as the Alpha Psi Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated Chapter’s president.  When asked about what winning Homecoming King means to him, Williams stated, “It means a lot to me coming…
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Check Out What AUM Has to Offer

Check Out What AUM Has to Offer

BY: Chris Porter One thing that sets Auburn University at Montgomery apart from competing universities is the endless amount of campus services that it has to offer its students. AUM prides itself on making sure they provide the resources in and out of the classroom, in hopes that students will leave AUM with the best possible college experience. Though this is the mission, times have changed. In the midst of a pandemic, it can be challenging for a student to figure out all the benefits a university offers besides classes. The Office of Student Affairs provides all the information on…
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9 Must-Go Places for Spring Break

9 Must-Go Places for Spring Break

BY: Isadora Nicolai Spring Break is right around the corner, and every college student wants to have a great time! Here are some tips on the most wanted and sunniest places available so you can make this Spring Break the best of your life. Panama City Beach, Fla.  Panama City Beach features beautiful white sand beaches, and it’s only a 3-hour drive from Montgomery, Ala. The prices are moderate, and the nightlife is outrageous. More than half a million people have visited for Spring Break in the past few years! This is an affordable and exciting option for those who…
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Love Is in the Air, but Is It Really?

Love Is in the Air, but Is It Really?

BY: Isadora Nicolai Is the 14th of February really the most romantic day of the year, or simply an overrated date to make brands profit? The lovers' day just happened, but the question that remains is: Shouldn’t every day be a celebration of love for those who have a special someone? Of course, it is important to have a day to symbolize love. After all, love is vital in human interaction. Not romantic love specifically; love comes in many shapes: family love, friend love, empathetic love for others, so on and so forth.  Dedicating a day for love is beautiful,…
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Top 7 Podcasts for College Students

Top 7 Podcasts for College Students

BY: Savanna Pruitt According to Buzz Sprout, 104 million Americans listen to podcasts on a daily basis. If you’re a college student and you’re one of those millions, or even if you’re a podcast newbie, here are a few podcasts that you should be listening to.  1. Stuff You Should Know. If you’re a college student who wants to learn more about how the world works and just about life in general, this is definitely the podcast for you. Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant cover everything from tacos and jaywalking to fortune cookies and caskets. Basically, tuning in to…
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Get Ready for Super Bowl LVI

Get Ready for Super Bowl LVI

BY: Milton Westry In less than two weeks, Super Bowl LVI will take place. The date of the Super Bowl is February 13, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. CT. The teams that will be playing are the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams, and the game will be played in Los Angeles, California. The halftime performance will feature Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige. This year’s Super Bowl was unexpected, as many people didn’t predict that these two teams would be competing for a title for their franchise because of their seeding coming into the playoffs. This…
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5 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month This Year

5 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month This Year

BY: Jayla Brown February is here! Yes, it means it is the month of love, but it also means it is officially Black History Month. What used to be known as Negro History Week is now a whole month dedicated to honoring and celebrating Black people and our history— remembering the past and looking toward the future. February is a month of celebrating trailblazers such as Mary Eliza Mahoney, the first Black professional nurse, and Martin Luther King Jr., minister and civil-rights activist, along with many other historical figures.  Searching for a way to celebrate Black History Month this year?…
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4 Tips for Last-Minute Studying

4 Tips for Last-Minute Studying

BY: Savanna Pruitt It’s time for finals, which means college students everywhere are studying like crazy and trying to cram in late-night review sessions. Even though relying on last-minute studying to pass your finals isn’t advised, there are a few things you can do to optimize your pre-finals cram sessions.  1. Set the mood in your space. It’s extremely important that you choose a place to study that’s organized and free of distractions. If you’re studying at home, take a few minutes to really straighten up your desk space and get rid of the clutter before you get down to…
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5 Christmas Gifts for College Students

5 Christmas Gifts for College Students

BY: Savanna Pruitt The holiday season is officially here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about who’s on your gift list and what you’re going to get for them. Stuck when it comes to what to get the college student in your life? Don’t worry— here are a few easy ideas.  1. Healthy care packages. A healthy care package like this one is a great way to show any college student how much you love them. This specific care package comes with thirty treats ranging from granola bars to fruit snacks. It’s great for college students who need…
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How to Decorate Your Dorm on a Budget for the Holidays

How to Decorate Your Dorm on a Budget for the Holidays

BY: Savanna Pruitt The holiday season is right around the corner! That means it’s almost time to start decorating your space for the occasion. If you’re living in a dorm room, chances are you’re working with limited resources and space. Don’t worry— there are lots of things you can do to spruce up your dorm for the holidays that won’t break the bank. 1. Get a mini Christmas tree. It can be tempting to go all out with a six-foot tree, but it’s better to stay on the smaller side if you’re on a tight budget. Even if you get…
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Ways to Volunteer and Give Back in the River Region

Ways to Volunteer and Give Back in the River Region

BY: Savanna Pruitt There’s nothing quite like giving back to your community. It’s a great way to help out your neighbors, it’s an excellent way to meet new friends, and it looks great on any resume. Wondering where you can spend your time serving others in the River Region? Here’s a quick guide to several volunteer opportunities in our area. Brantwood Children’s Home- Montgomery Mission: “Serving youth through a caring, therapeutic environment where hurts are healed; hope is nurtured.”Volunteer Opportunities: Through Brantwood’s Be a Friend Mentoring Program, mentors meet with an assigned child or teen in person at least once…
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Holiday Travels

Holiday Travels

BY: Alecia Hicks Seasons are changing, the leaves are falling, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. Everyone is excited to be finishing up the Fall 2021 semester. For some people, this means traveling to a different state. For others, this might mean hopping on a plane to go back to a completely different country. For some, this means taking a short trip across town to see family. Whatever transportation you have to take, it is always a good idea to take the safest measures possible when traveling during the holidays. The National Safety Council (NSC) says that…
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Biden and Afghanistan

Biden and Afghanistan

BY: Kendra Carpenter In 2001, right after United States citizens’ lives completely changed with 9/11, Afghanistan was taken by storm to capture leader Osama Bin Laden. Since 2001, the U.S armed forces have been fighting while continuing to be attacked. In 2014, the Afghan National Security Forces were put in charge and still took multiple defeats. The U.S sent more troops over in 2017 to continue to attempt to overthrow the Taliban’s troops. Between 2020 and 2021, attacks have gotten increasingly worse. Women having rights is also at high risk as well.  The Taliban do plan on reversing the rights…
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Flammable Vol. 1: The Beginning

Flammable Vol. 1: The Beginning

BY: Alecia Hicks Music fuels our souls. It is what makes us sing. It is what makes us dance. Music can bring us tears, or it can make us smile from ear to ear. The music industry is always changing and bringing forth new icons and legends for people to look up to. Macio Malone (also known as MC Burn Em), a student at AUM, is looking to be one of the many legends that we look up to in the music industry. Malone was influenced by music at a very young age. At 13 years old, he began writing…
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Early Registration at AUM

Early Registration at AUM

BY: Alecia Hicks Alecia Hicks  Registration for spring is near. One of the many tasks as a college student is to make sure that you are signed up for classes. The earlier the better.  Priority Registration for seniors, UHP, athletes and graduate students begins on Oct. 29. For juniors, the first day is Nov. 1. For sophomores and freshmen, the first day is Nov. 2. These dates are swiftly approaching, so students should make sure to talk with their advisors so that they might be fully prepared for next semester. All of these dates can be found on AUM’s website. …
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Restaurant Owners Sue New York Over Vaccine Mandate

Restaurant Owners Sue New York Over Vaccine Mandate

BY: Kendra Carpenter As we all know, COVID-19 is getting worse before it gets better. Businesses are in desperate times and the individuals who own the businesses are trying their best to keep their heads above water. I am pro-vaccination and masks, but I also believe in your rights. If someone is not comfortable with masks or vaccination, it shouldn’t keep that individual from running his or her business. In New York City, a group of restaurant owners plans on suing Mayor Bill de Blasio and the entire city over the vaccine mandate. The City announced a rule requiring people…
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Mask Refusal Results in Jail Time

Mask Refusal Results in Jail Time

BY: Kendra Carpenter In Singapore, a man by the name of Benjamin Glenn was recently recorded refusing to put his mask on his face in public. He loudly chanted, “I’m not going to put that mask on my face,” while shouting curse words. Glenn was sentenced to six weeks in prison for mask refusal. Glenn is forty years old and has been caught several times breaking COVID-19 protocols in the country. As we all know, COVID-19 has been getting a lot worse before it has gotten better, and the world still does not seem to be taking it seriously. Even…
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