Baylor News
Jim Jaska has been the mayor of Ross, Texas, for 40 years. But in four decades at the helm of the 250-person community just north of Waco, he’s never seen a situation like this: plans for a $10 billion data center are underway right in the little town’s backyard, threatening its rural identity — and he wasn’t told anything about it.
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.
No. 21 Baylor finished the season with a 5-5 record, including a first-round loss to Colorado in the Big 12 Tournament. Despite the slow finish, the Bears ended up in third place in the conference.
After another 20-win season, No. 21 Baylor heads to Durham, N.C., to open NCAA Tournament play against No. 11 seed Nebraska. With a healthy roster and unfinished business from last March, the Bears are looking to chase a deeper run.
Waco News
Dominique Lewis was 6 years old when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Now, 12 years later he is an encouragement to others fighting the disease.
Georgetown freshman Audrey Hamin is channeling her heartbreak for persecuted Christians around the world to unite students on campus through prayer.
Nearly everyone agrees that texting and driving is dangerous. Many people do it anyway.
Gas prices in Central Texas are at the lowest point since December 2010, just in time for holiday and travel.
Covid-19
“Since July 1st, Baylor’s campus has had nine positives out of 48 tests,” Stern said. “And in the last month alone, we have had seven positives out of 29 tests, which is almost a 25% positivity rate.”
State News
President Donald Trump has approved the execution by firing squad of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, with the execution scheduled for 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Central Texas military installation, roughly an hour from Baylor’s campus.

