At a Waco debate hosted by Those Meddling Kids, Democratic hopefuls J. Gordon Mitchell, Milah Flores and Casey Shepard sparred over policy, political pasts and what it would take to flip a longtime Republican seat.

The final pages of the primary ballot give voters a chance to weigh in on healthcare, housing, taxes, public safety and more. Faculty experts explain what each proposal could mean for Texas and for students.

The propositions at the bottom of the ballot touch nearly every corner of public life. Here’s what Baylor students should know before they vote.

With primary elections on the horizon, Beto O’Rourke returned to the campaign trail at Waco High School on Wednesday night, rallying local Democrats with a call to organize, volunteer and turn out in force on Election Day.

As deportations and demonstrations make national headlines, Baylor students and faculty reflect on how immigration policy is shaping campus conversations and personal lives.

Dr. Joshua Alley, assistant professor of political science, said part of the Trump administration’s interest in Greenland has to do with America’s national security strategy.

Five years after a historic winter storm crippled Texas’ power grid, even a few inches of snow can spark anxiety across the state. But as icy roads returned to Waco this week, Baylor students and engineering experts say the system, and Texans themselves, may be better prepared than before.

Although winter is identified by its harshness, many forget to remember the warmth that encapsulates it — a warmth not found in any other season. It exists in small moments, like warm hugs, warm mugs and warm encounters.

As Baylor’s student population grows, students face rising rent prices and tough trade-offs when searching for off-campus housing, from affordability to location and safety.

With registration deadlines approaching, local election leaders and student organization presidents stress the importance of student voices at the polls.

The abduction of a foreign leader was not on most students’ bingo cards for winter break. Once news headlines began appearing about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and how his wife were removed from Venezuela, most people scratched their heads in confusion, wondering where the news came from and why it happened.

Long wishlists and tight deadlines aren’t the only things stacked against consumers this holiday season. Prices are rising due to a policy put in place by Washington over the past year.

Climate change is real, but perfection isn’t the answer. Every small action matters, recycle right, save energy, do what you can. Together, our imperfect choices can build a better planet.

The penny has been in Americans’ pockets since 1793. But after Nov. 12, the U.S. Mint says it’s done making the iconic coin, largely because each one costs more than it’s worth. Economists say shoppers may barely notice its disappearance.

The Trump administration’s Liberation Day tariffs haven’t appeared to be liberating for America’s small businesses or shoppers, but trade agreements and bargaining power will likely be threatened if ruled unconstitutional.

We’re told to abandon childish beliefs as we grow up. But letting go of Santa might mean letting go of something else, too: the whimsy that makes the holidays feel magical.

President Trump’s first year of his second term has included natural disasters, an assassination attempt, economic shifts and policy reforms — here are the things economists and educators noted about Trump’s first year at a glance.

Democrats’ strong showings in blue-state elections may seem irrelevant to Texas, but political experts say these results offer an early snapshot of voter sentiment heading into 2026. With affordability emerging as a top concern and uncertainty surrounding national policy, these outcomes could influence strategies for both parties in the coming election year.

While the U.S. was wrapping up its own governmental crisis at home, world leaders prepared to take the stage at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference. America, China and India chose not to send formal delegates to the conference this year, a controversial move as three of the world’s largest polluters.

Although states are beginning to release SNAP funds in partial payments, these payments are limited and skewed. The Texas Tribune reported that some Texans have received about 65% of the typical month’s SNAP allotment, while others have received “as little as $16 for two people or no payments at all”

The government is almost back in business. The Senate passed legislation Monday in a 60-40 vote to reopen the government and end the historic government shutdown.

When walking through Foster and reviewing for an exam, students don’t always stop to wonder whether their professor or classmates are veterans. Yet for some professors and students, Veterans Day isn’t simply a holiday, but a memory of time spent in service.

“It’s a result of just near optimal conditions for the survivability of the insects throughout its life cycle,” Dr. Jeff Back, a lab instrument specialist at the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic System Research, said. “And so lots of eggs hatch, lots of immature survive to adulthood, and, voila, you have cricket apocalypse.”

For Andy Spencer and Deanna Pratt, Baylor pride is a family tradition. From the first Mr. Bear to the debut of Marigold, this father-daughter duo helped shape the legacy of Baylor’s beloved mascots, one bear suit at a time.

As censorship rises across American media and education, Dr. James Kendrick, the interim department chair of journalism and professor of film and digital media, warns that power and algorithms are shaping what ideas reach the public. From classrooms to social media feeds, he said the suppression of controversial topics limits critical thinking and open dialogue.

As Election Day nears on Nov. 4, Texans will vote on 17 proposed constitutional amendments, most related to taxes. Dr. Paul Mason, Baylor accounting professor, said many aim to help specific groups but come with financial trade-offs.

Generation after generation, Baylor students continue to return to the campus their parents called home. For these families, homecoming is more than just a campus tradition; it is a celebration of a legacy.

“Generally, tariffs are considered to be negative for economic well-being,” Davidson said. “So initially, stock markets around the world sank following the imposition of the Liberation Day tariffs. However, since then, the U.S. stock market has rebounded dramatically.”

Waking up to Canvas being down was a pleasant or unwelcome surprise that many students and faculty at Baylor encountered on Oct. 20. The Amazon Web Services outage disrupted students’ and faculty members’ day-to-day lives, revealing just how reliant the university is on web services such as Canvas.

During International Business Week, experts discussed the evolving challenges of global trade and encouraged Baylor students to build relationships, take risks, and use Baylor’s trade compliance courses to gain a competitive edge.