Baylor News
The start of the school year brought the opportunity to live in the newly renovated Collins Hall. What was once known as “Crusty Collins” by some of its residents has now undergone a $41.7 million renovation. The renovation included a new building entrance, a grand lobby, a faculty-in-residence suite and a fitness room.
The Baylor Center for Microscopy and Imaging held a ribbon cutting and demonstration for the recently acquired $8 million microscope. Dr. Bernd Zechmann, director of the Center for Microscopy and Imaging, said the transmission electron microscope has multiple uses and benefits.
Dr. Coretta M. Pittman is settling into her new position as associate dean of diversity and belonging in the College of Arts and Sciences. As the first to hold this position, Pittman will review the DEI committee’s recommendations for improving standards of diversity and belonging.
A renovation project on the building began earlier this summer after approval from Baylor’s Board of Regents during its annual May meeting. Dr. Douglas Henry, dean of the Honors College, said via email that the renovation will focus on creating a home for faculty and staff of the four Honors College departments.
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.
National
Politics
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.
