MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Sept. 16, 2026) — AUM’s student-led audio broadcast Warhawk Audio Weekly (WAW) returned with Chris and Brandi discussing cooler weather, campus developments, pop culture, artificial intelligence, international news and college football.
This week’s forecast is bringing a noticeable break from the intense summer heat, with highs in low 90s and cooling down to the upper 80s by the end of the week, according to the Weather Channel. With temperatures beginning to drop, the Montgomery area is finally starting to feel more like fall after months of extremely hot conditions.
Auburn University’s Board of Trustees has approved a 3% tuition increase for the 2027 academic year. At Auburn University at Montgomery, the increase will add approximately $350 annually for in-state students and $732 for out-of-state students, according to AL.com.
AUM has also received a three-year, $508,516 grant from the National Institutes of Health. The research will examine how entrepreneurship and employment relate to financial stress, coping and emotional well-being among adults with Down syndrome and their caregivers, as highlighted in Warhawk Weekly.
In entertainment news, Ed Sheeran has faced backlash following rapper Macklemore’s removal from his North American tour after making pro-Palestinian remarks during a performance. Sheeran said the decision was made by the tour’s promoter and not by him or his team. Several supporting artists subsequently withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore, according to a Sept. 15 Associated Press report.
WAW also discussed the connection between escalating conflict in the Middle East and the rising cost of gasoline. Saudi Arabia temporarily closed its critical East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks damaged the route. The pipeline has become increasingly important because it allows Saudi Arabia to transport oil while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has also been disrupted. Interruptions to both routes can reduce the amount of oil reaching the global market, drive crude-oil prices higher and eventually increase what consumers pay at the gas pump. The situation demonstrates how an international conflict can directly affect household expenses in Alabama and across the United States, as reported Monday by the Associated Press.
WAW examined a warning from Evan Hubinger, Anthropic’s alignment science lead, who said he believes there is a greater than 10% chance that artificial intelligence could kill all humans within the next decade. Hubinger said that although Anthropic is working to make its systems safer, researchers do not yet have a clear solution for controlling a future superintelligent system, as reported in the Monday, Sept. 14 edition of The New York Times.
For college football coverage, WAW directed listeners to Patrick Eiland’s review of Alabama and Auburn’s season-opening victories. His article examines the teams’ performances against East Carolina and Baylor while highlighting their new quarterbacks and coaching developments. Read “Bama and Auburn both win to start season: Tide and Tigers in review: week one” on The AUMnibus.
WAW will return with more campus news, pop culture, sports and major developments affecting the AUM community. Have a great week, Warhawks!
