Metal band Avenged Sevenfold's self-titled fourth album is so close to being great it hurts, according to Carl Zielinski. But its flaws undermine what could have been a big step forward for the band. Check inside for Carl's review and watch the video of A7X's first single from the album.

In an impressive tuneup for the 2008 IHSA state meet later this winter, the Uni chess team placed second Saturday at one of the most challenging events of the season, Bloom Trail High School's Knights of the Round Table Tournament. Junior Gordon Ruan won all five of his games in the top section and finished second overall out of 288 players.

The next three weeks are going to be busy ones for cast members of this year's Student Productions. The annual Uni showcase of student-written and -directed plays will take the North Attic stage on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The north and west entrances to Uni were locked this morning after the administration received word from the University of Illinois police of a possible security situation at Champaign Central High School. The "soft" lockdown is expected to last until the end of the school day.