By: Rut Labrada, Arts & Entertainment Editor The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners announced at a regular meeting on Oct. 27 that an ordinance draft will be released Nov. 2 following the ending of the 60-day moratorium on applications to build artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Many Lowndes residents still feel skeptical, however, and the issue has continued to incite ...

By: Rut Labrada, Arts & Entertainment Editor    The mayor of Valdosta shared plans to allocate $24 million to increase foot traffic downtown among other topics at a press conference with journalism students on Oct. 8.  According to Mayor Scott James Matheson, he has big projects in store for the city of Valdosta in the coming years.  The improvements to ...

By Tahmira Fryson, Sports Reporter   Following a two-week break, the Blazers return to Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Oct.ober 24 at 3 p.m. to face Shorter University in their annual Homecoming matchup.   With the home crowd behind them, the Blazers look to make a statement as they return to the field for one of the university’s most anticipated traditions.   The Blazers ...

By Rut Labrada, Arts and Entertainment Editor A new immigration policy restricting duration of stay for international students has sparked concern among VSU students and community members. The policy, enforced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), went into effect on Sept. 15, affecting all universities in the country. According to the DHS, the new policy seeks to end the ...

By Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor VSU will look to return to the win column when it hosts Erskine at 12 p.m. Saturday at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The Blazers enter the matchup after a 44-41 loss to UNC Pembroke on Sept. 19, their first loss of the season.  VSU is ranked No. 16 in the D2Football poll, No. 18 in the AFCA ...

By Dionte Daniel,  Assistant Sports Editor   Although VSU football could not claim a victory this week, they were able to take home most of the awards from the Gulf South Conference, with women’s soccer taking home an award of their own as well.   Sophomore Running Back Shawn Paschall was awarded GSC Offensive Player of the Week. Junior outside ...

By: Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor  VSU rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, but its final drive ended on a sack in a 44-41 loss to UNC Pembroke on Saturday, Sept. 19. It was the Blazers’ first loss of the season. Running back Shawn Paschall rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard run that pulled VSU within three ...

By: Lloydrica Hudson, Sports Editor After another slow start, No. 15 VSU found its rhythm on both sides of the ball Thursday night, with a 59-10 victory over Warner to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Blazers entered their first-ever matchup against Warner coming off a 38-10 season-opening win over Emory & Henry. Through two games, VSU has outscored ...

By Dionte Daniel, Assistant Sports Editor The Valdosta State men’s and women’s cross-country teams will begin their 2026 season on Sept. 4 at Freedom Park when they have a chance to start answering the doubters who picked them 10th in the Gulf South Conference preseason polls.  Both the VSU men and women were picked 10th in the GSC Coaches Preseason ...

By: Rut Labrada, Staff writer On April 14 and 15, the VSU Debate Team competed in the Regents Cup Tournament in Columbus, Georgia, winning first place in individual debate.  VSU received three awards in the competition. The school tied for second place in the overall competition; Cassandra Ayers, a sophomore communications major, won first place as Individual Debate Champion; and Ava Peeples won second place for Individual Novice Debater.   Competitors from all over Georgia participated in the Regents Cup, which included 16 schools, such as Columbus State University, University of Georgia, ...