The Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University is launching a new Cabaret Series, and Grammy- and Emmy-nominated actor and singer Cheyenne Jackson opens it with two nights of “That Guy from That Thing” on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 26-27, at 7 p.m. in the center's Studio Theatre, Auburn University announced. The show mixes songs and stories from Jackson's career, with a repertoire running from Nat King Cole and Elton John to Sara Bareilles and… Read More
Author: Jerry Katz
Just One More Email… Really?
Okay, I get it. I already get too many emails in the several email accounts I have. But when I get an email that helps me speed through an activity and helps plan the week, well, that’s different. After several weeks of design, trial, and redesign, I have one more you might find helpful. It arrives Monday morning: a list of events for the week (from the Opelika Daily News) and a list of each… Read More
What It Costs Just to Get By in Lee County: $84,504 for a Family of Four
A bare-bones budget for a Lee County family of four with two young children came to $84,504 in 2024, or $42.25 an hour of combined full-time pay. Part 2 of our Understanding ALICE series breaks down the bill. Read More
Opelika Police Report: Oct. 5-11, 2026
OPELIKA, Ala. — The Opelika Police Department reported the following arrests and incidents from Oct. 5–11, 2026. DUI Arrests Theft Reports Oct. 6 — Theft of Property, First Degree, 600 block of Old Columbus Road Warrant Arrests Oct. 6 — Outstanding warrant for Theft of Property, Second Degree Other Arrests Oct. 5 — Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer By the Numbers Anyone with information about a crime can contact CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867)… Read More
Sunday Funnies
Isaias Strengthens to Category 3; Lee County Should Expect the Worst From 7 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Saturday
Hurricane Isaias strengthened to a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds Friday morning and is moving northeast at 15 mph toward a landfall expected tonight, Auburn University's Office of Emergency Management said in its 8 a.m. update. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency expects landfall between 9 p.m. and midnight somewhere between Gulf Shores and Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Lee County remains under a Tropical Storm Watch . Tropical Storm Warnings reach as far north… Read More
Isaias Weekend Changes: On the Tracks Postponed, Opelika’s Tour de Fright Canceled
Hurricane Isaias is already changing Friday and weekend plans around Lee County. Here is what has been announced as of Friday morning, updated as new information comes in. Tour de Fright — canceled. Opelika Parks and Recreation canceled Friday night's Tour de Fright because of the potential for bad weather. The city said it will not be rescheduled and pointed families to its other Halloween events later in October. UPDATE, 11:25 a.m. Friday — On… Read More
Alabama Public Schools Lost About 12,000 Students Last Year, Nearly Double the Prior Drop, State Superintendent Says
Preliminary numbers show about 702,000 students enrolled in Alabama public schools for the 2025-26 school year, down roughly 12,000 from the year before, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told the State Board of Education on Thursday, the Alabama Reflector reported. The prior year's drop was about 5,800. “We had thought it would probably stabilize this year,” Mackey said. “It turns out this year's loss is more than double, or essentially double, what last year's was.” The… Read More
Ethics Commission Says Alabama Officials May Use Campaign Money for Lawsuits Tied to Their Office
The Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved an advisory opinion saying state law allows candidates and officeholders to spend campaign contributions on legal fees for civil lawsuits, criminal cases or investigations related to the duties of the office they hold, the Alabama Reflector reported. The opinion was requested by state Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, who has threatened to sue Alabama Values PAC over mailers ahead of the May Republican primary that he says misstated… Read More
Lee County Under a State of Emergency as Hurricane Isaias Heads for the Gulf Coast; Rain, Gusts and Isolated Tornadoes Possible Saturday
Lee County is one of 40 Alabama counties under a state of emergency declared by Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday as Isaias moves toward the northern Gulf Coast, the Alabama Reflector reported. Chambers, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa counties are also included. The order runs through Oct. 14. "While I hope for minimal impacts, we must take preparations seriously," Ivey said. Isaias became a hurricane on Thursday. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency expects landfall Friday night… Read More
Zach Bryan’s Jordan-Hare Concert Saturday Is Still On, Auburn Says, as It Watches Isaias
Zach Bryan's concert at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, is still on, Auburn University said Wednesday, though the school is keeping an eye on Isaias, CNAW2 News and AL.com reported. Auburn said it is monitoring the weather with the National Weather Service in Birmingham and local partners. "At this time, the Zach Bryan concert remains on as scheduled," the university said. The show is the final stop of Bryan's With Heaven On Tour, with… Read More
