Baylor News

Dr. Alan Jacobs, currently the Clyde S. Kilby chair professor of English at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., has accepted an offer to become a new distinguished professor of literature at Baylor. Beginning next fall, Jacobs will lecture for the Honors Program, a program located under the umbrella of the Honors College designed to supplement the university’s undergraduate honors degree.

The massive storm that started out as Hurricane Sandy slammed into the East Coast and morphed into a huge and problematic system, killing at least 74 people in the United States.

Power outages now stand at more than 5.6 million homes and businesses, down from a peak of 8.5 million.

The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners (5-2, 3-1) are looking to bounce back after their home loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Iowa State Cyclones (5-3, 2-3) are hoping to sustain momentum after defeating Baylor 35-21. Cyclones senior quarterback Steele Jantz threw for five touchdowns last week against Baylor, but the Oklahoma defense will present more of a challenge for Iowa State. Oklahoma played Notre Dame tough last week before Notre Dame broke the game open in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma is clearly the second- best team in the Big 12 after Kansas State and they’ll be ready to play a complete game in Ames. Iowa State is dealing with a tough injury blow as the pillar of their defense, senior linebacker Jake Knott, is lost for the season after shoulder surgery. Iowa State has proven to be a resilient and competitive program under Paul Rhoads. The Sooners’ stingy defense and spread-attack offense should take care of business against Iowa State. Prediction: Oklahoma 35, Iowa State 24

Waco News

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.

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.