Baylor News

Last week, Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans passed Senate Bill 14, also known as the Texas DOGE bill, into law. The bill allows for the formation of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, which looks to emulate the recent work by DOGE and Elon Musk at the federal level. The bill promises to “cut the red tape” and other regulations that might limit the prosperity of Texas businesses and the economy.

The three Baylor students whose visas were revoked earlier this month have now had their visas reinstated, according to university spokesperson Lori Fogleman. It comes as part of a national maneuver on behalf of the DHS that saw 1,500 students nationwide have their student visa status temporarily reinstated.

Waco News

State News

INTERNATIONAL

The Iran war is now in its 46th day. Iran responded by restricting access to Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil, and moving to toll vessels transiting the strait. Waco drivers are already feeling it. The local average hit $3.38 a gallon last week, up 21 cents in seven days and 75 cents year-over-year, according to AAA data.

Gas prices in Texas have surged more than 70 cents per gallon since the U.S. went to war with Iran three weeks ago. The near-total shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil prices up more than 40%, pushing the national average to its highest point since 2023 and sending diesel past $5 for the first time in three years.

The largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East in decades unfolded as American and Israeli forces struck Iran Saturday, killing its supreme leader and triggering retaliatory strikes from the Gulf to Israel. The White House said the campaign is aimed at dismantling Iran’s military and toppling its government.