By Lizzie Thomas | Staff WriterWaco expects the population to grow by approximately 18 percent by 2040, according to the Perryman Group’s study. Years ago, most students would come to Baylor, graduate and leave. As Waco grows, improves and offers more opportunities, that has begun to change. More and more graduating students want to put down their roots in Waco, invest in the community and take advantage of the growing opportunities. The market for creative entrepreneurial enterprises has never been more open, and companies like Allergan have seen the city as a viable location. The city is preparing for developments…

By Lizzie Thomas | Staff WriterKeep Waco Beautiful, an environmental non-profit, is opening their new office on Austin Ave. On Saturday, Baylor students will be contributing to their efforts by cleaning up the river. Until recently, Keep Waco Beautiful operated from City Hall out of a tiny office. As the city experiences growth, it needs more office space, so the city manager, Wiley Stem, revamped KWB’s grant agreement to pay for rent elsewhere. “I was super fortunate and lucky to find a downtown place as cheap as it was,” Ashley Millerd, Keep Waco Beautiful’s executive director, said. With the new…

By Elisabeth Thomas | Staff WriterOver the past few years, Waco has been inundated with tourists flooding to Magnolia. Most Wacoans love the phenomenon, but some are hesitant.The attention and development Chip and Joanna Gaines have brought to Waco has boosted the economy, empowered other entrepreneurs and revitalized downtown. After the 1953 tornado tore through downtown and businesses moved to the outskirts of town, the suburbs grew and many buildings downtown lay vacant. As businesses like Magnolia, Spice Village and Milo and community events like the Downtown Farmers Market draw development and popularity to the area, other entrepreneurs find opportunity…

By Elisabeth Thomas | Staff WriterCrowds funneled into Mutualista Hall in South Waco last night to see Robert “Beto” O’Rourke, the democratic candidate running against Ted Cruz for senator. “If you’re a Republican and you’re here tonight, you’re in the right place. If you’re a Democrat and you’re here tonight, you’re in the right place. If you’re an independent, a non-voter, if you’re gonna vote for Ted Cruz or vote for us, you’re in the right place,” O’Rourke said in his speech.Prior to the event, Beto’s campaign account tweeted “Back in Waco. We were at Common Grounds on April 1,…