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The future beyond the newsroom’s rise of AI

The future beyond the newsroom’s rise of AI

Photo courtesy of Shahbaz Zaman on pexels.com One local editor says AI is helpful, but not enough to replace his own writing AUM Audio · Montgomery Independent Editor Brian Hodge is interviewed by AUM COMM student Brionna Crumpton By: Brionna Crumpler MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Like Superman faced Brainiac, journalists today face a similar challenge in navigating the rise of artificial intelligence in their work. Montgomery Independent editor Brian Hodge, in a recent interview, discussed how the news media works to maintain the human voice in its stories. Brian Hodge spent his childhood in Valley but lived in Millbrook in his…
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‘I do it every day because it’s helping somebody else’: Amanda Curran on being a meteorologist

‘I do it every day because it’s helping somebody else’: Amanda Curran on being a meteorologist

  AUM Audio · WSFA's Weather journalist Amanda Curran is interviewed by AUM student Seth Murdick By: Seth Murdick MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Award-winning WSFA 12 News meteorologist Amanda Curran sat down for an interview on Sept. 18 inside WSFA 12’s station to discuss her time as a weather forecaster, including the challenges of working in an extreme weather-prone state like Alabama and changes within the world of meteorology, such as artificial intelligence and how it could affect broadcast meteorology.  Before Curran made Alabama her second home and joined WSFA over a decade ago in 2014, she grew up in the northeast area of Litchfield,…
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When headlines fade, faith remains: Former reporter Chris Searcy traded the newsroom for the pulpit, finding purpose beyond the press

When headlines fade, faith remains: Former reporter Chris Searcy traded the newsroom for the pulpit, finding purpose beyond the press

Pastor Chris Searcy poses for a picture with AUM senior Shaniece McGhee after their interview in the Communication Department office on Sept. 22, 2025. (photo courtesy of Nichlos Cutrell) AUM Audio · Montgomery's Pastor Chris Searcy is interviewed by COMM senior Shaniece McGhee By: Shaniece McGhee Chris Searcy reporting at night against a city skyline backdrop, showcasing his role as a journalist. Before Pastor Chris Searcy stepped in front of a newsroom camera, he never imagined his life going that way. His mind was first set on pursuing a career in politics, and he believed that campaigning would be his…
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Call for Censorship

Call for Censorship

How book challenges are affecting the Autauga-Prattville Library By: Makenzie Martin and Alexis Stafford The Autauga-Prattville Public Library is under attack as book challenges are calling for the removal of LGBTQ+ material, which can have detrimental effects on the community’s accessibility to information.  Prattville parents have been striking down the Autauga-Prattville Public Library (APPL) with claims that certain materials are inappropriate for minors to have access to. This all began when a local mother, unknowing of its content, permitted her son to check out The Pronoun Book by Chris Ayala-Kronos and Melita Tirado. The children’s book has a very simple…
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Strong Tower Church

Strong Tower Church

Addressing Poverty, Violence and Health Inequalities in Montgomery By: Maya Thompson MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Strong Tower at Washington Park Church, nestled in the heart of the troubled Washington Park neighborhood in Montgomery, is on a mission to bring positive change to the community plagued by violence, prostitution, drugs and poverty. Through a diverse array of transformative programs and annual initiatives, the church is diligently striving to serve as a symbol of hope and rejuvenation within the Washington Park neighborhood of Montgomery. The church actively engages in community outreach efforts, with a recent event specifically targeting college-aged adults. The Real Talk…
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