Top legislative conservatives clamoring for Texas to adopt a school choice voucher plan proposed a series of other education changes instead Tuesday that are less controversial but could still spark heated debates.

A Justice Department investigation found sweeping patterns of racial bias within the Ferguson, Missouri, police department, with officers routinely discriminating against blacks by using excessive force, issuing petty citations and making baseless traffic stops, according to law enforcement officials familiar with its findings.

As Bearathon looms, healthier options presented By Amanda Hayes Reporter A lecture presented by Baylor Fitness department and Baylor Dining Services called “Marathon Nutrition” will be conducted Wednesday as part of the Food Fit Series. There will be two presentations. One will be for faculty and staff from 12:15-1 p.m. in the Mayborn Museum Community room, and another for students from 7 to 8 p.m. in room 308 of the Student Life Center. Jill Hamilton, registered dietician for Aramark in Baylor Dining Services, will speak about sports and exercise nutrition. Hamilton said the goal is to provide nutrition education from…

After a five-year hiatus due to noncompliance with Baylor policy, the fraternity Sigma Chi has made its way back to Baylor Campus, starting a new chapter for the 2015-2016 school year. Student activities advisers and Sigma Chi alumni reached out to the students who are currently attending Baylor.

For female college students, we must not only excel academically, but often face a persistent struggle to maintain a pleasing appearance to others. This is not to say that girls who love to apply full makeup everyday are wrong- merely that those who don’t enjoy that shouldn’t feel looked down on.

The defense continued and ultimately rested its argument Monday evening in the trial of McCahill, Hardy v. Kinghorn. Fair Oaks Ranch junior Alex Oestreich, defense attorney for Katy junior Lawren Kinghorn, student government internal vice president, called three witnesses: Monahans senior Brantley McDaniel, Houston junior Pearson Brown and senior Jailyn Parnell.

Picture this—there are a few hours standing between you and your next exam, and you’re reviewing a couple of ideas to make sure you’re fully prepared. While studying, you realize there’s a concept you need help with before taking the exam. You panic, but then realize the professor has office hours. You run to the professor’s office, only to be met with a shut door or a disheartening “Can you come back later? I have several deadlines to meet today.” Sound familiar? If you are a college student, it likely does. Office hours are a requirement of the university, which…

Speaker John Boehner left open the possibility Monday that the House might pass long-term funding for the Homeland Security Department without immigration provisions attached, as Republican options dwindled for avoiding a capitulation to the White House and Democrats. Boehner declined to say over the weekend if he would permit a vote on the Senate-passed measure, and his spokesman similarly sidestepped the question Monday. Officials in both parties predict it would pass, and end the recurring threat of a partial agency shutdown.

Students graduating in spring are encouraged to participate in Bear Faire from noon-6 p.m. today and Wednesday in the Stone Room at the Ferrell Center. Bear Faire gives students the chance to do everything they need for commencement, including purchasing regalia and ordering announcements, checking their names on their diploma and learning more about Ring Out. Students may also record a Shout Out, ask questions about student loans, purchase a senior ring and have senior portraits taken for the yearbook.

The 13th annual Bearathon will be held at 7 a.m. March 21. The Bearathon half-marathon is the “toughest half in Texas.” Proceeds from the race go to student scholarships. Both the half and the 5k will finish outside McLane Stadium. Registration will end March 20. For additional information or to register, visit www.baylor.edu/studentfoundation.

Tough Texts and Tough Questions is a bi weekly study of biblical passages and discussion of difficult questions that aren’t usually covered in church. Meetings are held at 4:17 p.m. Upcoming meetings are this Thursday, March 26 and April 9 in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center. For additional information, contact Michael_Laminack@baylor.edu.

The Concerts and Speakers Committee, Union Board, Baylor Activities Council and Student Productions Committee are all accepting applications for the 2015-16 year. The C.U.B.S. organizations contribute to various events on campus around the year, such as Christmas on 5th, Pigskin Revue and All-University Sing. C.U.B.S. is holding an interest meeting at 7 p.m. today in the Cowden Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center . For additional information, contact Pierce_Shivers@baylor.edu, Brandon_Lokey@baylor.edu or Lisa_Perry@baylor.edu.

Gamma Alpha Omega’s first co-ed kickball tournament, Kick it for Kids, is accepting early registration until Friday. The tournament will be held March 28 and 29. Early registration is $10 and includes a T-shirt and meals for both days. Late registration will cost $15 and will end March 20. Proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams must have at least of six players to register. The grand prize is $500. For additional information, contact Kryssy_Duran@baylor.edu.

Bears Against Breast Cancer is having an interest meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in 110 Cashion Academic Center. Bears Against Breast Cancer is a group that plans events to raise money and awareness for Susan G. Komen Central Texas. For additional information, contact Brooks_Byers@baylor.edu.

Author and criminal justice reform advocate Bryan Stevenson will speak at the Academy Lecture Series at 6 p.m. today in Waco Hall. The series is hosted by The Academy for Leader Development and aims to attract speakers who can attest to the needs a leader must meet in today’s society.

Pepe’s smelly emissions are not banned from campus. The area around Castellaw Communications Center is nothing short of a jungle. We have cats, a fox, possums and skunks. This makes for an interesting walk to the car at midnight. The saying around here should be changed to “When the cat’s away, the skunks will play.”

The 62-year-long tradition of All-University Sing came to a close Saturday night, and the winners were announced following the nearly four hour show. First place was awarded to Phi Kappa Chi, second place went to Kappa Omega Tau and third place was given to Pi Beta Phi.

The first ever Heart of Texas Chili Festival was a success despite cold temperatures and freezing rain. Over 20 teams participated in the chili cook-off, to see who has the best chili in central Texas.

Returning guest Tammy Kernodle sang and discussed the role of black women activists who used music as a nonviolent strategy Thursday evening in Castellaw Communication Center. “I ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around, gonna keep on walkin’, keep on talkin’, marchin’ on freedom’s way,” Kernodle sang, leading the audience as the female activists did 50 years ago.

Though one would struggle to find evidence of persecution of Christians on Baylor’s campus, students and researchers can visit the archives of the Keston Center for Religion, Politics and Society to learn what living in a society without religious freedom is like. The center holds thousands of books, journals, documents and testimonies on the persecution of churches and religious expression in former communist countries, mostly in the former USSR.

This police and fire incident information for the week of February 21 to February 27 was collected from reports at www.baylor.edu/dps and is provided freely as public information under the Clery Act.

When fans and spectators sit down to watch a Baylor basketball game at the Ferrell Center, they will notice a lot of energy comes from behind the basket. Originally a club, the Baylor Bear Pit looks to create a unique fan experience for each spectator that walks through the doors of the stadium.

An investigation into a University of Texas fraternity whose portrayal of Hispanics at a party offended students has been completed and no sanctions are forthcoming, a university official said Thursday. Phi Gamma Delta did not violate any school rules during the Feb. 7 party at their house just north of campus, Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly said.

Loretta Lynch won approval from a key Senate committee Thursday to serve as the nation’s next attorney general, as divided Republicans clashed over her support for President Barack Obama’s immigration policies. The 12-8 vote in the Judiciary Committee sent Lynch’s nomination to the full Senate. Three Republicans joined all committee Democrats in voting “yes.”

For the first time in Lariat history, we are taking part in a global news broadcast called the Global News Relay. Twelve universities around the world have each compiled a 15-minute newscast on poverty in their individual regions. Universities from Australia, India, the U.S. and other countries will compile their videos into a three-hour newscast that airs today. Look for the hashtag #GlobalNewsPoverty on our Facebook, Twitter and Daily Headlines email to watch the LIVE event at 11 a.m. CST.

Baylor’s campus was coated with snow Wednesday, and students took the chance to take pictures, throw snowballs and dance in the icy weather. The snow fell for about two hours, starting around 8:15 a.m. and lasting until around 10:30 a.m., when it turned into a cold rain. The ground did not stay white for long, as the day warmed to a high of 52 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recording a professional resume interview or YouTube video can now be done in one trip to the library, courtesy of the TechPoint Video Booth in Moody Memorial Library.

President and Chancellor Ken Starr announced the appointment of Dr. Todd D. Still as Dean of George W. Truett Theological Seminary on Wednesday Feb. 25. Still will begin his term as dean June 1.

My favorite part of going to the baseball park when I was younger was the Icee machine. My parents were always distracted and usually wouldn’t realize that I’d use the whole $5 they gave me on Icees.