Baylor News

While a space like this has previously existed, it is being “rebranded” and moved to a more central location: the first floor of Moody Memorial Library. One half of the space is a quiet area where people can engage in deep prayer and meditation, and the other is a more relaxed area for people to sit and engage in conversation.

Waco News

A 19-year old female Baylor student was hit by a car on Tuesday afternoon at 1:45 on campus at the corner of South 4th Street and Bagby Avenue while trying to cross a crosswalk.

The student was taken to Hillcrest Hospital for minor injuries. According to Hillcrest Hospital, the student was discharged at 7:03 Tuesday night.

Who thought something as small as a mosquito could cause such a big problem?

A recent outbreak of the West Nile virus has occurred in the Waco-McLennan area, resulting in 32 confirmed cases and one confirmed death, according to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District’s website.

Extraco Events Center will host the 17th Annual Margarita & Salsa Festival for an evening of fun and music Aug. 25.

President and CEO of the Extraco Events Center, Wes Allison, said this event usually draws about 10,000 people to Waco for the festival.

Construction is under way on the new Baylor Stadium after a $35 million contribution from the Waco City Council passed unanimously.
The first vote took place July 17. Both votes unanimously supported contributing the TIF funds which includes the public contribution.
The Waco City Council voted Aug. 7 during a public hearing to provide the Tax Increment Financing Zone funds to the stadium project, which was the second of two required votes.

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.