Baylor News

In an article last week, The Baylor Lariat covered Baylor’s Spring 2022 Hazing Report issued toward the Baylor Chamber of Commerce. In the report, chamber faced several punishments, including the prohibition of hosting Diadeloso in the spring 2022 semester and the prohibition of hosting new member education until several requirements are met.

With a peak of Omicron cases in the United States at the beginning of 2022, statistics show that in certain areas of the country, COVID-19 cases are declining, while in other states, they continue to be critical.

In fall 2020, Wall Township, N.J., senior and Graphic Design Student Association president Abigail Granata set out to create a space where Baylor students could develop their portfolios, meet with professional designers, get real world preparation and collaborate with peers who share a love for design.

Last week, Baylor University announced the recipients of the 2022 Alumni Awards. The university also announced that a celebration recognizing the recipients and “honoring the impact of alumni around the world” will be held on Feb. 18. This year’s recipients include Thasunda Brown Duckett, MBA ‘01 as the Alumna of the Year and Alex Le Roux, BS ‘15 as the Young Alumnus of the Year. Rebekah Naylor, BA ‘64, MD was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia Medal of Service, and Susan Peters, BA ‘86 received the Pro Texana Medal of Service. Giancarlo Guerrero, BM ‘91 and Chris Charles Scott III, BA ‘04 each received the Medal of Service for Contributions to the Professions. Fran George was named the Merrie Beckham Alumni By Choice of the Year.

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.