Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Auburn, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Kiese Laymon in conversation, a British Invasion concert, and an overlooked waterfall escape + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Auburn protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Honors for preparedness excellence: Attorney General Steve Marshall presented Beauregard Elementary in Opelika with the 2025 Safe School Award on February 23, recognizing strong safety measures and partnerships with law enforcement across the campus — see what earned the award.

Explore an overlooked escape: Right here in Auburn, Chewacla State Park is a 696-acre day tripper’s dream with a waterfall, forested trails, a 26-acre swimming lake, camping, scenic views, and easy fishing — read the full story.

Global firm expands in Alabama: German manufacturer KettenWulf will open a production facility in Auburn, investing about $34 million and creating 70 jobs. City and state partners helped bring the project to the Auburn-Opelika area — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Join Temple Legacy’s pickleball scholarship tournament
• Create a one-of-a-kind junk journal
• Celebrate global cultures with food and dance

🫶 We got your back

Crave-worthy bagel stacks: Whether you’re team breakfast or lunch, Big Blue Bagel & Deli turns fresh-baked bagels into legit sandwiches. The Tiger Melt with Boar’s Head meats hits the spot, especially with those dangerously snackable bagel chips. A low-key Auburn staple for quick, satisfying, unfussy bites.

Trail time, anyone? From mellow lakeside loops to legit mountain bike runs and mini-waterfall photo ops, Chewacla State Park delivers a quick midweek reset. Pack a snack, pick a trail, and let the pines do their magic… stress out, joy in.

Little joy, no screens: Whether you’re stashing birthday surprises or saving a rainy afternoon, Born Childrens Boutique has fun covered with Jellycat snuggles, Magna-Tiles builds, Melissa & Doug classics, and pick-up-and-play books and crafts. It’s the neighborhood go-to that swoops in when the dreaded “I’m bored” hits.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎸 East AL Community Band: British Invasion @ Auburn Junior High School | Monday (3/16) at 6:30 PM – Skip the queue at Heathrow and hit the Auburn Performing Arts Center for a free British Invasion, all winds, no jet lag. Holst, Vaughan Williams, Scarborough Fair, Beatles, Bond, and a Doctor Who wink. Bring your inner Anglophile, and a few dollars for donations.

💬 In Conversation with Kiese Laymon @ Telfair Peet Theatre (Auburn University) | Thursday (3/26) at 6:00 PM – Clear your brain for a real one. MacArthur “genius” Kiese Laymon is in conversation about race, family, and American life, the kind of talk that lingers on the drive home. Auburn Oil has the books, your seat is free, your excuses are not.

🥚 Egg Hunt @ Martin Luther King Park | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Round up the crew for the annual free egg hunt with a live martial arts demonstration. Nothing says spring like plastic eggs, flying kicks, and kids sprinting like they found rent money. All ages welcome, low-stress fun, high-quality people watching.

🐕 Bark in the Park @ Kiesel Park | Saturday (3/28) at 9:00 AM – Bark in the Park is taking over Kiesel Park with adoptable pups, local vendors, and a nudge toward responsible dog ownership. Auburn Parks and Rec and CARE Humane Society are hosting, so expect training tips, treats, and polite sniffing. Bring your dog, and your patience.

🌍 5th Annual Global Community Day Festival @ Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics | Saturday (3/28) at 9:30 AM – The SportsPlex Amphitheater goes global, so you can travel the world without leaving Opelika, or your folding chair. It’s free and family friendly, with a Parade of Flags, live music and dance, a vendor fair, international food trucks, crafts, games, and passport-not-required mingling.

📚 Author Pop-Up: Anthony Baldwin @ Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers | Saturday (3/28) at 11:30 AM – Free author pop-up with Anthony Baldwin and A Different Path, a warm, funny, practical guide for grandparents navigating life with an autistic grandchild. Expect real talk from a parent, not a textbook, with stories, insight, and heart that pairs with coffee, curiosity, and reading glasses.

🧗 Women Rock the Wall @ AU Campus Recreation and Wellness Center | Monday (3/30) at 8:00 PM – Think you climb only when the step stool wobbles? Auburn Outdoors is running a women-only night at the Climbing Wall, all levels welcome, with friendly coaching, no bravado, and plenty of laughs. Meet new partners, learn the ropes, try routes you never thought you could.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Auburn report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 16%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

—

Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 8%

Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 7pm and 1am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 54, with temperatures rising to around 61 overnight. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Alabama but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This 5-bed, 5.5-bath Sugar Creek floorplan spans over 4,400 square feet, featuring a chef’s kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero, a formal dining room, and a dedicated office. The primary suite sits on the main level. Outside, a sprawling living area shines with a fireplace and kitchen, and lawn maintenance is included.

Take a peek inside →