Baylor News
For many Baylor students, back to school brings thoughts and fears of another year of overcrowded parking on campus. Parking and Transportation Services is attempting to relieve this congestion by providing students with new parking permit options.
Although a draft of the university’s new strategic plan will not be available until November, the Baylor family can now see how the Strategic Themes Committee has interpreted their input. The committee’s report was made available online Aug. 12, after being received by President Ken Starr and the Executive Council on June 24.
A Baylor student was charged with sexual assault on May 4, stemming from an incident that occurred off-campus in January. A warrant was issued for Robert Cole on May 4, and Cole turned himself into the McLennan County Jail on May 9. Cole was released on $25,000 bond on May 10. According to the public information release, the victim of the assault was a known acquaintance of Cole, 20. Cole is no longer enrolled at Baylor, according to Lori Fogleman, director of media relations. The incident occurred during a party at a residence located in the 1200 block of Wood Avenue.
The Hankamer School of Business received $3 million this June in two donations, further advancing the President’s Scholarship Initiative.
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.
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.
