Baylor News

The hold-up comes from a congressional overhaul made to the FAFSA to make it easier to use. While current Baylor students are not expected to be affected, the application’s overhaul has caused a delay in when universities actually receive it, causing issues for prospective students. In a normal timeline, the FAFSA first opens in October and universities would be able to receive them later that month.

“If a student wants to understand historically and culturally what’s going on between the U.S. based on racial and ethnic groups and the different issues and challenges that they face, this is the kind of minor that will give them that information,” Dr. Coretta Pittman said.

Waco News

During times of economic frustration, political change and visible controversy surrounding issues such as the rights of gays and lesbians, researchers from Baylor set out to further explore how religion affects the views and beliefs of Americans in the 21st century.

For many, the underpass where Interstate Highway 35 crosses over South 5th Street in Waco marks just another section of Texas asphalt. But to others, it represents a place of hope, healing and changed lives.

State News

Tensions continued to grow over the summer between political adversaries as Texas state Sen. James Talarico called on Attorney General Ken Paxton to release internal records related to a controversial child sexual abuse case involving former Waco attorney and Baylor Law graduate Adam Hoffman.

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.