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The discovery of a 1.8-million-year-old skull of a human ancestor buried under a medieval Georgian village provides a vivid picture of early evolution and indicates our family tree may have fewer branches than some believe, scientists say.

The fossil is the most complete pre-human skull uncovered. With other partial remains previously found at the rural site, it gives researchers the earliest evidence of human ancestors moving out of Africa and spreading north to the rest of the world, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science.

The question of whether to take the bus or drive yourself to campus might be the most insignificant and simultaneously the most crucial decision that a Baylor student makes.

The Baylor University Shuttle, or BUS, is a system of transportation operated by Waco Transit in coordination with the Baylor Department of Parking and Transportation services.

A majority of students in public schools throughout the American South and West are low-income for the first time in at least four decades, according to a new study that details a demographic shift with broad implications for the country.

The analysis by the Southern Education Foundation, the nation’s oldest education philanthropy, is based on the number of students from preschool through 12th grade who were eligible for the federal free and reduced-price meals program in the 2010-11 school year.

International students from 73 countries will showcase their Baylor spirit Saturday at the homecoming parade.

International students and students part of the Global Living and Learning program will come together and carry flags from different countries from all across the world.

It’s October, and that means it’s breast cancer awareness month. Cancer is a horrible disease that scientists will hopefully find a cure for soon, and during breast cancer awareness month, people are called to donate toward research organizations.

Some organizations, however, have turned these pink ribbons into green stacks of cash.

The U.S. national soccer team had the decision resting at its feet on whether or not to guarantee Mexico’s elimination from World Cup qualification.

All it had to do was lose against Panama on Tuesday night. Deep into stoppage time, down 2-1, midfielder Graham Zusi and forward Aron Johannsson scored to give the U.S. a comeback 3-2 win.

In light of this week being midterm week for most students, I find the recent article about three Baylor entrepreneurs who have launched a studying site to be very motivating.

For most students, our main avenue of studying is restricted to taking good notes, talking to peers and also our professors. This innovating idea of an online study interface will really benefit students, especially those who miss class and are unable to take notes. These three students truly found a correlation between studying and technology.

As with any university, there are likely some classes or professors at Baylor that are not conducive to excellent learning.

However, the Oct. 17 Lariat editorial, “Regulated curriculum helps BU,” prescribes a vague solution that could very well do more harm than good.

The Lariat is correct in articulating the importance of professor reviews. Thoughtful, honest feedback can be extremely useful to professors and department heads. But if the goal is to facilitate the best possible learning process, it is illogical to argue that “courses should be regulated for leveled experience.”

By Paula Ann Solis Staff Writer Two more Baylor students have been arrested in connection to the high-grade marijuana drug ring discovered near Baylor’s campus in August, said Lt. Joe Coy, the criminal investigator for the McGregor Police Department. Baylor junior Jay Kumar, 19, was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substances and senior Baba M. Fahnbulleh, 22, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. This is Kumar’s second drug related arrest. Kumar was first charged with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana Oct. 4 after investigators linked him to the…

Up against a deadline, Congress passed and sent a waiting President Barack Obama legislation late Wednesday night to avoid a threatened national default and end the 16-day partial government shutdown, the culmination of an epic political drama that placed the U.S. economy at risk.

Homecoming is a time to remember the past and celebrate the present. The Baylor Chamber of Commerce wants to help students, parents and staff do exactly this.

Chamber is putting together Friday Night Flashback, a display showcasing various Baylor homecoming traditions as well as Baylor history in general.

Every six seconds, a child age 5 or younger dies from hunger somewhere around the world.

Tim Jarrell, senior pastor at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, gave the statistic in a speech Wednesday at the Fast of Caring in downtown Waco.

Representatives of multiple charitable organizations around Waco congregated at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and skipped lunch for the Fast of Caring. The Fast of Caring is an event held annually in honor of World Food Day, its mission being to raise awareness of hunger issues across the globe.

Student organizations and departments proved who was fit and who wasn’t by qualifying as “Osofit” this semester. Seven departments and one student organization qualified as OsoFit. The OsoFit distinction was only open to student groups and departments.

One of the departments that qualified is the Hankamer School of Business Communications and Marketing Department. Brittany Parks, Interactive Specialist and Becca Broddaus, Publications Specialist, are the participants from this four-member department. Both Baylor alums, they now work for Baylor and are very pleased with being named an OsoFit Department.

In a relatively short period of time, Baylor football has become nationally renowned for its explosive offense. Through the first four games, the Bears were averaging 781.5 yards per game, 70.5 points per game and beating teams by an average of 54.3 points per game. All of these marks led the country.

Baylor faced an unexpected challenge in its first road game on Saturday against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan. The Bears managed to escape “The Little Apple” with a 35-25 victory, but one that looked different from the display of offensive fireworks in previous weeks.

The Bears’ struggles continued with a straight set loss to in-state rival Texas Christian University on Wednesday night. The Bears lost the sets 25-23, 25-21, and 25-21. The home confines of the Ferrell Center have not been friendly for Baylor volleyball so far in Big 12 conference play.

Baylor took a deficit to begin every set, and struggled to recover.

The numbers said “Kick-Ass 2” was going to do just that. Before its theatrical release, audience tracking surveys estimated the superhero action-comedy could gross as much as $25 million its opening weekend.

Instead, the sequel took in only $13 million, finishing far behind the civil rights drama “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and earning “Kick-Ass 2” an instant reputation as a flop.

A display of improvisation is returning to Jones Concert Hall. This is the second concert by the Baylor Jazz Ensemble following its swing-themed performance earlier in the semester.

The 18 members of the ensemble will perform songs of varying styles. Alex Parker, director of jazz studies, said the preparation for the varied program will be different than it was for the first concert of the year.

A Baylor student saved a cancer patient’s life with mere drops of stem cell blood.

Seattle junior Dillon Gasper ran a 5k race for the Waco Miracle Match Marathon in 2012 and at the end of the race decided to join the registry to be a bone marrow donor.

Washington adopted rules Wednesday for the recreational sale of marijuana, creating what advocates hope will be a template for the drug’s legalization around the world.

Mexico, Uruguay, Poland and other countries and states already are reviewing the new regulations, which cover everything from the security at and size of licensed marijuana gardens, to how many pot stores can open in cities across the state, said Alison Holcomb, the Seattle lawyer who drafted Washington’s marijuana initiative.

We’ve all had that class where we show up preparing to learn something with a professor that doesn’t do much more than tell copious number of personal stories and mentally kick his feet up on a desk to teach the class.

Typically, most of these students admit they’re there because they only want to pass the class.

It’s tough being the youngest brother. The older brothers receive more attention, are able to do more activities and get to ride in the front seat of the car.

In the world of professional sports, the National Hockey League is the youngest brother. But hockey does not deserve to be condemned to the world of upper-tier cable packaging. A sport that unites power, finesse and excitement should receive similar play to the more popular sports.

I came to Baylor this August as an exchange student from Japan. I have never been to America before, so I came here for the first time. I am having an amazing life now. All of my experiences here are fresh and wonderful for me, and I have never experienced like this life before. For example, there are delicious American foods, good weather every day, and a lot of kind people.

Does anyone carry little towels with them everywhere you go? If you visit the SLC, get comfortable doing this.

I cannot count the numerous times I have forgotten to bring a towel to the SLC because I have never worked out at a gym where personal towels were required. Therefore, it is hard for me to remember to do this at Baylor.

Associated Press WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to avoid a financial default and reopen the government after a 16-day partial shutdown. The vote was 81-18 Wednesday night. The measure now heads to the House, which is expected to back the bill before day’s end. Senate passage came several hours after Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the bipartisan compromise. The bill would reopen the government through Jan. 15 and permit the Treasury to borrow normally through Feb. 7 or perhaps a month longer. Congress faced a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. That’s when Treasury…

2013 H.O.T. Fair and Rodeo from Baylor Lariat on Vimeo.

Daniel and Greg discuss Baylor’s win against Kansas State, preview the Bears’ homecoming game against Iowa State, debate the new targeting rule, weigh the MLB Playoffs against the NFL regular season and talk about Week 6 in the NFL. Follow the show on Twitter (@DFTBPodcast) and follow our hosts Greg (@GregDeVries3000) and Daniel (@D_Hill80).

Daniel and Greg discuss Baylor’s win against Kansas State, preview the Bears’ homecoming game against Iowa State, debate the new targeting rule, weigh the MLB Playoffs against the NFL regular season and talk about Week 6 in the NFL. Follow the show on Twitter (@DFTBPodcast) and follow our hosts Greg (@GregDeVries3000) and Daniel (@D_Hill80).

Waco will soon become a lot more colorful.

The Color Me Rad 5k will begin at 9 a.m October 26 at BSR Cable Park in Waco, giving the Baylor and Waco communities the opportunity support a charity.

Color Me Rad is a race known for its one main feature: throwing color. Race participants can expect to finish the race with their clothes looking more vibrant than when they started.