11/19/15

Jeff Westgate

Thanksgiving is a week away, but that doesn't mean you have to wait to be thankful. Jeff Westgate has more in this Bobcat Update.

With our country's most delicious holiday quickly approaching, many Texas State students are looking forward to a break from school and anything besides Ramen Noodles. But before students start traveling home and jumping into sweat pants, we wanted to find out what they're thankful for.
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Some students just couldn't decide.
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And some took a more practical approach.
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Stand Up

11/17/15

Marvin Parker Jr.

In recent years, the sports facilities at Texas State have been upgraded to accommodate the university's higher level of competition. The football stadium has definitely been a part of the makeover. Today's stadium puts the university in a different class, and classier still are the luxury boxes and suites -- an area of the football stadium that most of us don't have a chance to see firsthand. But Marvin Parker Junior has. Here's an inside look, in this Bobcat Update

There are no cheap seats when it comes to luxury, and yet the demand is high. A lot of people want to be in first class.
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Those who rent a suite are in for the V-I-P experience.
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Attendance is up at the home games.
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The university's master plan calls for even more upgrades in the future.
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Standup

11/16/15

Ben Kailing

The University Star in delving deeper into interactive storytelling in an effort to connect students with issues affecting campus. Ben Kailing tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

The University Star has been delivering news to students since 1911. Although media consumers desire for newsprint is fading, the hunger for in-depth reporting is not. The University Star is embracing changes in media consumption and has launched a new website to continue connecting students to campus news.
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Students consume media in many different ways. The University Star wants to be able to offer an array of content.
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The University Star wants to embrace all forms of media. Recently it launched the first in a series of photo walks and is hard at work on a large multimedia project related to the May floods.
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For more information, you can visit university-star-dot-com or pick up a newspaper at the stand. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ben Kailing.

Angelica Buitron

Place names in Texas can be tricky, especially for people who are new to the area. Angelica Buitron takes on the challenge in this Bobcat Update.
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The history behind the city's name is that in April of 1689, there was a Spanish monk expedition to Texas where the missionaries discovered a river. Being Saint Martin's day, the Spanish monks named the river after the day, thus, it's San Marcos River. This lead to the city being called San Marcos. The reason behind mispronounced words is still unknown. Political Science Professor Ed Mihalkanin says sometimes when names are created, they're mispronounced because of Anglo speakers' unfamiliarity with the Spanish language.
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Outside of the city, commonly mispronounced words are Gruene, Manacha and Buda.In the 1800's, the city of Buda didn't have a name. Trains would pass through the unnamed area. The trains would often stop late at night to refuel, and the passengers and crew had a place to sleep at night.
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Although some people may mispronounce words like San Marcos, Blanco and Bexar, these places are widely known.
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Keaton Sandberg

They may seem an unlikely fusion, but unicycles and football put together are an entertaining sport. Keaton Sandberg tells us how in this Bobcat Update.

Riding a unicycle isn't easy. Neither is playing football. But doing them at the same time is just down right hard, and a little wacky.
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San Marcos is home to the one and only Unicycle Football League.The league was started back in 2008 as the brain child of Marcus Gilday, who wanted to make his childhood dream a reality.
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Unicycle football is a semi-contact sport played on asphalt, and is much like a hardcore game of backyard football. The contest always starts with a jousting match, after which teams of five face off to see who wins.
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There are currently eight teams in the league, and they all compete for a spot in the championship round -- suitably labeled the Stuporbowl.
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Friends and family come out to support their favorite teams, dance to some good tunes and simply have a good time enjoying the vibes
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Games are always free to attend and are held Sunday afternoons at one o'clock. For Bobcat Update, I'm Keaton Sandberg.

11/15/15

Charles Duoto

Diwali, or the festival of lights, is one of the largest Hindu festivals in the world. Texas State has such a celebration, sponsored by International Student Services. Charles Duoto has more in this Bobcat Update.

(Stand Up)
Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. The Indian Student Association at Texas State honors the tradition. Of the international students attending the university, about one-third are from India.
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Diwali is celebrated with love, fireworks, sharing, and dancing.
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The celebration attracted a diverse group, highlighting the cultural blend that can be found at Texas State.
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(Stand Up)

11/13/15

Brooke Shoemaker

Some neighborhoods in San Marcos still need to be cleaned up from the floods three weeks ago. Brooke Shoemaker has more in this Bobcat Update.

Many parts of San Marcos were affected by the Halloween weekend storms; especially homes near the San Marcos and Blanco Rivers. Barbra Williams lives on Riviera Drive, and her home was damaged.
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Williams says there was very little that she and her husband could do. They saved what they could before the water flooded their home and their car. They watched it all unfold from the balcony of their upstairs apartment.
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Many people are being forced to gut parts of their homes because of the flooding. Debris still lines the streets in some areas. Ruined cabinets, mattresses and shelves will have to be replaced. K-D-F Enterprises provides equipment to help in the recovery effort. Project Manager Chad Harrison says the company has been working for about two weeks to help clean up the city.
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The services being provided are appreciated.
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Stand-up

11/11/15

Eryka Villarreal

Government data show that nearly one-third of the federal prison population in America are Hispanic. Reducing that number is a goal of the Hispanic Policy Network, a group that met recently at Texas State. Eryka Villarreal has more in this Bobcat Update.

The Hispanic Policy Network has studied incarceration trends in America and how they affect the Latino community. H-P-N sponsored a symposium featuring speakers from across the state, including Criminal Justice Professor Martin Urbina of Sul Ross University. Dr. Urbina says the prison pipeline that exists must be reduced. He wants young people in school, not behind bars.
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Texas State Sociology Professor Dr. Gloria Ramos Martinez helped organize the H-P-N symposium. She says the purpose of the event is to educate students on law enforcement issues and to prepare the next generation of leaders.
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Sergeant Alex Villalobos, with the Texas State Police Department, says the symposium helped foster a respectful dialogue between law enforcement and the community.
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Sergeant Villalobos says it was a great opportunity to be seen in a different light besides enforcing the law. For Bobcat Update, I'm Eryka Villarreal.

11/10/15

Wesley Wilkerson

For students, creating a professional resume is an essential part of finding that dream job. If you're needing one, Brilliant Bobcats and Business Services can provide some assistance. Wesley Wilkerson has the story on this Bobcat Update.

If you're about to graduate or just looking for a job to pay for bills, having a good resume is a must. If you're in doubt about how to construct one, get some help:
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Brilliant Bobcats and Career Services host workshops on creating a winning resume.
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Workshops are held each semester. Students may also benefit from one-on-one help with career advising.
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For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Texas State website and then search Brilliant Bobcats or Career Services. For Bobcat Update, I'm Wesley Wilkerson.

11/9/15

Paloma Gray

Some students have no choice -- they have to hang around San Marcos for the holidays. And that can be problem if they live on campus. Certain residence halls will remain open during Thanksgiving break, but sign up is required. Students can sign up online at reslife-dot-t-x-state-dot-e-d-u. Sign up begins today (Wednesday) and closes on Friday, November 20th at noon. Students who fail to meet the deadline can still sign up, but there will be a 50-dollar administrative fee. The residence halls will be closed from Wednesday, November 25th to Sunday, November 29th.

Paul Yarbrough

It's time for Wurstfest in New Braunfels. Paul Yarbrough has more in this Bobcat Update.

This ten-day salute to sausage has something for everyone. Located in Landa Park, a short distance from the interstate, the event has multiple venues of food, drink and shopping, plus live music and rides that promises to be a fun time for the whole family.
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Local vendors offer a wide array of traditional German foods from bratwurst to wiener schnitzel. And there are some not so traditional foods, several fried things you wouldn't think possible. There are numerous beers to choose from...if your old enough. And a wide assortment of live music.
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Starting in 1961, this festival has gone through a few name changes from Sausage Week to Wurst Week and finally Wurstfest. It also had to change locations because the founders never imagined a small town festival that began with an attendance of two-thousand people would grow to 35-thousand during its third year. Wursfest is a non-profit organization that helps promote local commerce through tourism, that in turn, helps raise money for local civic organizations.
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Wurstfest continues through November 15th with fluctuating hours depending on whether it's weekday or weekend. Tickets are ten dollars at the gate and eight if your purchase online. Drink tickets can also be purchased in advance. Children under 12 get in for free. So don your lederhosen and find that interesting hat and come down to Landa Park. Celebrate German culture and leave knowing you helped fund a worthwhile cause. For Bobcat Update, I'm Paul Yarbrough.

11/8/15

Matt Gurevitz

Many men at Texas State are getting into No Shave November. It's a good cause that even has the University Police Department participating. Matt Gurevitz has more in this Bobcat Update.

November has its time-honored traditions, and one of them is No Shave November. Many students are participating regardless of their beard-growing abilities.
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The University Police is joining in as well and donating money to the Testicular Cancer Foundation.
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The foundation says one in every 263 males will be diagnosed with testicular cancer at some point in their lives and getting screened early is the best way to avoid further complications.
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Testicular cancer is no joke and the only way we can beat it is to raise awareness and donate to research. Growing your beard is one of many ways to raise awareness and the good news is
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For Bobcat Update I'm Matt Gurevitz.

11/6/15

Paris Benford

A San Marcos business is teaming up with city government to add a new mural downtown. Paris Benford has more in this Bobcat Update.

The Root Cellar bakery, located near the corner of Hopkins and L-B-J, is getting a new mural on its back wall. The mural features endangered species in the San Marcos River and will have the slogan Keep San Marcos Beautiful.
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It's part of the San Marcos Mural Arts Program, which is designed to enhance the city's ambiance. The program is funded by the city's hotel occupancy tax. Local businesses are being encouraged to add artwork to their properties.
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The Mural Arts Program will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of new murals for qualified applicants.
Stand Up: This is the first, of hopefully many murals that the city has funded. New artwork helps make this growing small town unique. For Bobcat Update, I'm Paris Benford.

Karlee Tobola

**anc1**
It's pretty easy these days to catch a ride when you need one. You can ride a bus, call for a cab, or tap your app for an Uber driver. Karlee Tobola joins us now to talk about Uber, which has been in the news lately for reasons that might be disturbing to those who might want to use the service.
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Yes, and what we've seen in recent days shows that drivers can be vulnerable, too. Karlee.
**Karlee**
Right. Thanks, ______. TO CAMERA: Perhaps you've seen the video clip showing the Uber driver being attacked by one of his riders. The incident occurred recently in Newport Beach, California. The driver defended himself with pepper spray, and the belligerent rider was subsequently arrested and later fired by his company. The confrontation demonstrates how vulnerable drivers and, for that matter, riders can be.

The recent attack on Uber driver Edward Caban might scare some people. Drivers AND riders have reason to be concerned.
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The ride-sharing service was launched in 2012 and has grown tremendously -- thanks to mobile apps and a demand for service. Uber has several drivers in San Marcos and Central Texas. Its partner experience survey shows that 71 percent of Uber drivers have seen their incomes go up working for the service.
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One of the benefits of having Uber in town is that it helps make the streets safer. There are fewer drunk and distracted drivers on the road because they can easily catch a ride with Uber. Drivers are drawn to the service because of the flexible work hours. That's especially helpful to students who have rigorous schedules.
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Stand up: Not only do students rely on Uber for a safe ride home from the Square, but the high demand for Uber in the San Marcos and Austin areas allows some students to even rely on the transit service app as a job to pay their bills.
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Uber drivers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and always take safety precautions. Many see the advantages of having pepper spray and dashboard cameras. Better safe than sorry. For Bobcat Update, I'm Karlee Tobola.

**anc1**
Karlee, I understand that you drive for Uber. Have you had any scary moments?
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Do you like the work? Is it something you would recommend?
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**anc1**
Thanks, Karlee. Bobcat Update's Karlee Tobola who also happens to be an Uber driver.

Claire Grose

For those graduating in December, time is running out to buy all of their apparel. The Texas State Bookstore offers everything they need. Claire Grose tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

The end of the semester is near, and while most students are getting ready for finals, soon-to-be graduates have additional preparations to consider. The Texas State Bookstore is equipped with all of the necessities required for graduation.
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Those who are graduating can place their orders online at the Texas State Bookstore website.
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The Bookstore offers online orders through November 25th.
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Texas State this fall will have commencement ceremonies on December 11th and 12th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Claire Grose.

11/2/15

Vianeia Garcia

It's a new outdoor showmanship sport that is generating a lot attention with its daring tightrope-like acrobatics. It's called slack-lining. Ben Kailing has more in this Bobcat Update.

Left foot. Right foot. Feet off the ground. Texas State student, Michael Zavala glides on nylon webbing tied between two trees.
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Aimed for the more adventurous, Slack line has caught the attention of many.
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Even though it's a difficult sport, it's not impossible.
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Just like any other sport, Slack line helps in many ways.
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It's a good way to relax and a good way to keep fit. It works all your body muscles in the process. It helps with breathing and relaxation. You can learn more about the sport by searching Keep Austin Slacklining. There's also a facebook page. For Bobcat Update, I'm Ben Kailing

11/1/15

Adrianna Garcia

They say man's best friend is a dog, but a horse can capture's hearts as well. Adrianna Garcia explains in this report.

The women of the Equestrian team at Texas State are a dedicated bunch. The team practices every week at a farm in Wimberley, and its members receive private lessons once a month.They practice year-round and compete in six shows a year. Competitions are organized by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The members say they love to ride, and they love their horses. Some of the women have been riding since before they could walk. There's a bond between horse and rider.
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The Texas State Equestrian team is looking for new members to add to its roster. The team's first show of the semester is November 14th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Adrianna Garcia.