Baylor News

Most fraternities and sororities participate in national philanthropic efforts, but the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega are bringing it a little closer to home. As part of Viking Week, which is named after the fraternity’s mascot, Alpha Tau Omega will host a variety of fundraising events next week benefiting CoHOPE — an international nonprofit named after Coho Menk, who died in 2017.

Waco is home to a wide variety of gyms, from the on-campus McLane Student Life Center to facilities like Train Waco, Crunch Fitness and Gold’s Gym. Each one offers distinct experiences, but the pros and cons of each have kept students’ decisions on where to work out into an ongoing debate.

Founded 12 years ago to combat human trafficking in Waco, Unbound Now has become a global nonprofit organization. Unbound executive director Kristi Hayes said it started with a small local church group that refused to let the issue go unnoticed in the community.

Waco News

For some people in Waco, food is not an easy thing to find. The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service defines food insecurity as a reduction in the quality, availability or desirability of food or a disruption in eating patterns and reduced food intake.

Seventeen miles north of Baylor, in West, is a little piece of old-world Europe. Czech Stop, a combination bakery and deli, provides travelers and Central Texas residents alike with authentic Czech kolaches, sandwiches and sweets. Czech Stop is highly successful, serving close to 600 customers on busy days, but things were not always so good.

Two candidates running to represent District 4 in the Waco City Council elections discussed economic development and education Monday in a forum hosted at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce building.

State News

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.