Baylor News
“There’s an awareness that the words you share could be used by God to shape the future of thousands of lives,” Pokluda said. “My desired goal is always to point people to Jesus and to remind them that their lives matter in His story. Speaking at Passion is an opportunity to pour into the next generation of leaders, and that responsibility is one I don’t take lightly.”
The course represents a new kind of offering from the Center for Global Engagement, in that it gives students of all academic backgrounds an experiential learning opportunity with a domestic company known for its efficiency and innovation.
The national competition will take place in Norfolk, Va., from Feb. 22-23. The Ethics Bowl team will be competing with 36 other undergraduate teams from around the nation and will discuss issues from a range of potential cases including tipping culture, hostile architecture and parental rights.
Trump was sworn in at noon and gave his second inaugural address shortly after. Then, he headed to the Capital One Arena to be surrounded by 20,000 of his supporters and for the indoor inaugural parade, which saw speakers including tech billionaire Elon Musk.
Waco News
After a quick registration process and the link of a credit card on an app, a request for a ride is all that is necessary to connect with the multi billion-dollar business Uber, the drive-share company that has partners in over 200 cities.
Texas is proud of its part-time Legislature, where many lawmakers make non-political livings and only pass laws on the side. That’s why their annual pay is only $7,200 plus expenses, and sessions come just once every two years.
After ten years of preparation, Prosper Waco will host their inaugural event from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Waco Convention Center in an effort to introduce themselves to the Waco community.
The driver of a green Ford Expedition was shot and killed by police Wednesday afternoon after a car chase involving gunfire concluded near Lorena city limits.
State News
Texas voters turned out in historic numbers Tuesday, delivering victories for State Rep. James Talarico and forcing a runoff between Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the state’s U.S. Senate contest that claimed national attention. The total early-voting turnout of more than 2.5 million marks the highest ever for a midterm primary election. The results also kicked off the 2026 midterm cycle.
National
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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.
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.
