For generations, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has been a staple of holiday traditions. From classic films to stage productions, Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from miser to redeemed man returns each December, boasting familiar lessons and a sense of warmth. This year, Baylor University added its own twist, bringing the tale to life inside the Carroll Science Hall during Christmas on Fifth with an immersive, walk-through performance that invited visitors to step directly into the story.

I transferred from Syracuse University last year, and its absence policy was determined on a professor-by-professor basis. Some classes had stringent attendance policies, while others had none. While that is the complete opposite of Baylor’s policy, I feel there should be a middle ground that balances regular class attendance with more situational leniency on the students’ part.

Baylor hosted its first TEDxBaylor event this weekend, bringing together professors, students and community members for a day focused on sharing stories and ideas that inspire change at the Hurd Welcome Center.

“We sit under shade trees we did not plant,” Baylor Regent Dr. Michael McFarland said in reference to the forced labor by which Baylor was built. “We drink from wells we did not dig. And we are warmed by fires that we did not light … Baylor’s story, like the story of our great nation, is both complicated and redemptive.”

The Memorial, which was recommended by the Commission on Historical Campus Representations in 2020, addresses Baylor’s historical relationship with slavery. It recognizes the university’s construction through enslaved labor and Judge R.E.B. Baylor’s own possession of enslaved people, while continuing to acknowledge all parts of Baylor’s story.

The nation’s capital feels half-awake. The marble monuments still gleam under the fall sun, but the museums that give them voice stand dark and locked. Tourists wander quiet streets where government offices sit empty—a city paused by a shutdown now stretching into its third week.

During the Q&A, the District-17 U.S. representative gave some background on his 24 years as a congressman, family insights and motivation to continue civil discourse among students and citizens.

Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed the legislation banning the sale of THC vapes in Texas, a move that has began to change both student usage patterns and local business operations in Waco after the Senate Bill 2024 took place on Sept. 1.

Baylor won decisively against Samford at McLane Stadium Saturday, 42-7. The defense put on its best showing to date, but still has room to improve before the first Big 12 game next week.

Attendees stood with arms raised in worship as Daigle sang hits throughout the night, such as “Look Up Child,” “Trust In You,” “Rescue” and her new single, “Let It Be a Hallelujah.” In between songs, she interacted with the crowd by signing a poster, shouting out a fan who brought her Super Bowl jersey and listening to the worship as she let the voices in the crowd cry out during choruses.

In the most recent fiscal year ending in May, the advancement department raised $192 million. Over the last 10 years, the Give Light Campaign has raised over $1.5 billion towards campus improvements.

Since mankind has been able to fly, companies have been looking at ways to capitalize on it. Howard Hughes had his Spruce Goose, Jeff Bezos has Blue Origin and Elon Musk has SpaceX. The United States is embarking on a unique era of space travel. We aren’t competing with the USSR to put a man on the moon anymore; the entire paradigm has shifted to looking for the most affordable and accessible ways to get people into space.

There seems to be a trend in America over the last few years of people feeling justified in committing property damage. Yet, they don’t seem to realize that they’re hurting individual people instead of the company.

These decisive actions are exactly what the American people voted for in 2024. It is great to see a president prioritizing national security and law enforcement instead of other less critical initiatives. While the implementation of these orders has and will face undue opposition from the left, everyone in the Trump administration seems to understand how bad the situation at the border is.