Jacob Hall

Today is Election Day, and voters have been encouraged to make choices on issues that could affect their local communities. Bobcat Update's Jacob Hall has the story.

The City of San Marcos had early voting through last week, and one of the polling locations was at Texas State. Many students saw it as an opportunity to participate in local issues and vote on possible solutions.
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Hays County Election Administrator Jennifer Anderson says voting in local elections is just as important as voting on statewide and national tickets. Anderson says that's because local elections have been the biggest impact on the community.
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Daisy Colon

San Marcos has millions of dollars to spend as a result of two historic floods four years ago. Bobcat Update's Daisy Colon reports on the city's efforts aimed at getting local feedback on how the money should be spent.

The city has until March of next year to submit a Mitigation Action Plan, which will outline how 24 million dollars will be spent to help prevent or reduce damages resulting from disasters. One city official said the community's input is vital in taking the next step forward in the decision-making process.
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Residents are being asked to take a survey to rank the most critical needs of the community. The results of the survey will help determine which concerns will be given priority and how funding will be divided. One resident questions if the grant will be enough.
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The needs of the community are important factors to take into consideration when deciding which projects get looked at first. San Marcos officials say they hope to prevent disasters from happening again.
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Stand-Up

Conner Yarbrough

Daylight savings time ended this past Sunday and, while many enjoyed the extra hour of sleep, others wonder why they had to set their clocks back at all. Bobcat Update's Conner Yarbrough has more...

Since President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act of 1966, most people have participated in the biannual ritual of re-setting their clocks twice a year - once in the spring and again in the fall.
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Supporters of the time change claim it allows people to make better use of daylight, especially farmers. But, as the U-S economy became more reliant on service and technology, daylight savings time seems less necessary.
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Many grow up with daylight savings time without knowing its purpose and don't think getting rid of it would change much of anything.
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[Stand-up] States like Arizona and Hawaii have already stopped switching their clocks, and many others have proposed legislation to do the same. For Bobcat Update, I'm Conner Yarbrough.

Will Wadsworth

Texas State students can expect their tuition and fees to go up again next fall. That was clearly the consensus at an open hearing yesterday. Bobcat Update's Will Wadsworth reports on the hearing, which was conducted by the university's Division of Student Affairs along with Finance and Support.

More than 70 students filled a small backroom in the L-B-J Student Center to find out why tuition keeps growing at the university. Some students are angry with the rising costs of college.
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When it comes to curtailing the expenses, university officials say their hands are often tied. Every year, budget writers face unfunded mandates ordered by the state and a rising number of low-income, first-generation and military-connected students. Texas State's Vice President of Finance and Support says another big issue is the state's funding allocation for higher education continues to shrink.
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Algoe says Texas State wants to become a national research university, which could attract more federal dollars.
Stand-Up

Darreane Valles

Autumn is in full effect and seasonal activities are underway. Bobcat Update's Darreane Valles tells us about one such event, called Farmer Fred's Carnival.

The San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department organizes the carnival, which consists of pumpkins, a costume contest and lots of games. People of all ages are welcome, but children probably have the most fun because they can win prizes as they play.
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Several Texas State students volunteered to help at the event. Organizations such as the Women of Gold ran many of the games as well as passed out candy.
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SU: That's a wrap for the fall carnival. For more information on events, visit San Marcos Community Service on Facebook. For Bobcat Update, I'm Darreane Valles.

Breann Barrow

Halloween will be celebrated later this week, and the city is full of spirit. And, as Breann Barrow tells us, costumes are in high demand.

Halloween is a popular holiday in San Marcos, and multiple costume shops have popped up around the city within the past month. Spirit Halloween is one of the more popular stores, housing over 250 costume options for men, women, and children. The famous character Penny-wise from the movie sensation "IT" seems to be a hot costume this year, already being sold out at the store. Other popular costumes are in stock:
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Men and women alike are finding something to wear this Halloween.
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Most students are hoping to wear budget-friendly costumes or simply to use clothing they already own.
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There are a lot of options for creating something fun or scary.
Stand Up.

Michelle Rivera

Texas State is changing learning experiences for students with augmented reality for geographic education. Michelle Rivera has the story…

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The interactive Augmented Reality museum at the Hispanic Cultural Center will open in San Marcos this Saturday. Tours will be offered that will cover Mexican migration, the history of segregation in America, and struggles for equality.
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The main goal is to create a more enjoyable learning experiences for students through new technology.
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The museum will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 to 6 p-m and Saturdays from 10 to 2. To get the most out of the experience, curators suggest you download the H-P Reveal app for the tour. There's additional information online. For Bobcat Update, I'm Michelle Rivera.

Syd Smith

Hidden away on campus is a bike shop for Texas State students and faculty. Bobcat Update's Syd Smith tell us more.

From outside the Bike Cave looks like another plain building on campus, but once you step inside you will find a busy shop decorated with cycling gear. The shop opened 12 years ago with tools and workspace provided to students free of charge. Bike Cave workers repair bikes of all kinds -- no matter how strange or challenging the request might be.
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There is a row of used bikes along the wall for sale at affordable prices. Some students like having an alternative to renting the yellow Veo Rides that can be found on campus.
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The Bike Cave is a great educational resource. Workers offer safety tips and they even teach customers how to make basic repairs.
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Haley Ray

The Texas State Outdoor Center offers a great way to de-stress and connect to nature. Bobcat Update's Haley Ray has more.

Located at the headwaters of the San Marcos River, the Outdoor Center at Sewell Park is unique. Its mission is to provide the Texas State community with education, recreation and adventure -- all in an outdoor setting. The center provides tube and boat rentals. There's also the University Camp in Wimberley.
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The Outdoor Center also organizes an Hawaiian backpacking trip, hikes at the Enchanted Rock State Park and canoeing at Big Bend National Park.
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Lexi Hogan, a therapeutic rec major at Texas State, says being outdoors can be extremely beneficial to one's mental health.
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Texas State and San Marcos are rich in resources for outdoor enthusiasts.
Stand up: "So come out and enjoy the beautiful San Marcos River. If you have any other questions about the Outdoor Center at Texas State you can follow them on instagram at @txstrec. For Bobcat Update, I'm Haley Ray."

Dalton Williams

With Halloween right around the corner, some folks are looking for thrills and chills, and they might just find what they're looking for at the House of Torment. Bobcat Update's Dalton Williams has been there and lived to tell about it:

Halloween is less than a week away, and the House of Torment in Austin is one of the scariest places to be.
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The House of Torment has other amenities for those who are not fans of the haunted house itself.
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The house offers a V-I-P package for one hundred dollars, which includes access to a private lounge where customers can visit some of the onsite monsters, and the package also provides price reductions for food and drink and a skip-the-line pass. 
Stand Up
The House of Torment will be open from now until November 9th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Dalton Williams, keep your lights on.

Conner Yarbrough

Student government leaders and a political group on campus have been at odds lately. Bobcat Update's Conner Yarbrough tells us more...

The two sides -- student government versus young conservatives -- have come to verbal blows over what's called Coming Out Day. Every year, members of the L-G-B-T-Q community celebrate National Coming Out Day. A political group called The Young Conservatives of Texas decided it would have its own day and call it Conservative Coming Out. The Young Conservatives even set up a closet door on the quad to draw attention. This prompted student government leaders to approve a resolution condemning the effort.
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Now, The Young Conservatives of Texas claim that student government is discrediting their freedom of speech on campus.
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Some believe the group's decision to host Conservative Coming Out Day makes a mockery of the observation and comes across as homophobic.
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The student government's resolution does NOT prohibit Conservative Coming Out Day from happening in the future but does make clear that it doesn't support the event. For Bobcat Update, I'm Conner Yarbrough.

AJ Sanchez

The recent controversy surrounding video game publisher Blizzard Entertainment has gamers up in arms. Here's Bobcat Update's A-J Sanchez with more.

Blizzard Entertainment, known for games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Hearthstone, has come under fire for actions it took against one of its high profile players. Hearthstone streamer Chung Ng Wai, known as Blitzchung, got into trouble after expressing his support for protesters in Hong Kong and their fight for democracy. As a result, he was banned from competition for a year and his prize money was forfeited.
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People took to social media to condemn Blizzard for its apparent hypocrisy. The company touts itself as a forum where every voice matters. Some accuse the company of being motivated by its business connections to China. There's even talk of launching a boycott against Blizzard products.
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In the wake of the controversy, Blizzard issued a statement saying Blitzchung broke game rules that participants are supposed to follow. Blizzard, though, later reconsidered and gave Blitzchung his prize money and reduced the ban to six months.

Kyle Emmott

A Texas State student is pleased to have been invited to the White House. Kearyn Bolin recently attended the 2019 Black Leadership Summit in Washington D-C. Bobcat Update's Kyle Emmott has the story.

Bolin is president of the Texas State chapter of Turning Point U-S-A. She attended the summit and had a chance to meet President Trump in the East Room.
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Bolin says her trip to the nation's capital for the leadership summit was an incredible experience -- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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Bolin describes the White House as beautiful and classy. While waiting to take the stage, she spent most of her time in what is called the money room.
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Bolin says student leaders who attended the Black Leadership Summit set some important goals.
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[Stand Up -- Kyle Emmott]

Jacob Hall

This year's Common Experience theme at Texas State is Truth. Truth may actually be harder to find in this information age. Messages reach us with ease but not all convey what is true. Bobcat Update's Jacob Hall looks at how the university is addressing the issue.

Texas State's Department of Philosophy hosted an open dialogue last week at the San Marcos Public Library on detecting fake news. The aim of the dialogue was to educate attendees on finding reliable sources of news and exploring methods for discovering truth.
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Philosophy Dialogue Coordinator Jo Ann Carson says investigating news sources can go a long way in helping audiences gain knowledge and find context.
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Jose Valenzuela

San Marcos city officials are putting off to another day what they plan to do about Cape's Dam. Bobcat Update's Jose Valenzuela has the story.

The fate of Cape's Dam has been an unknown for years. Should the dam be removed, or should it be reinforced and continue as a local landmark? -- The San Marcos City Council is having a hard time answering those basic questions. The council has again failed to resolve the matter. Last week the stalemate continued when three council members voted in favor of renovations while three members voted to remove the dam. Mayor Jane Hughson says postponement is the best option for now, even though some locals will be upset.
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Some residents think there's no problem with the dam.
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Others believe removing the dam will bring benefits to the environment.
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The next city council meeting is scheduled for November 5th. For Bobcat Update, I'm Jose Valenzuela.

Darreane Valles

The rapper and activist Common says everyone has a responsibility to help make the world a better place. Common spoke last night at Texas State as part of the L-B-J Distinguished Lecture series. Bobcat Update's Darreane Valles has the story:

The university has adopted a theme this year for lectures, debates and general discussion. That theme is truth. Speaking to truth last night was Lonnie Lynn, better known as Common. He nearly filled Strahan Arena for his speech. He told those gathered that it's important to find a purpose in life.
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Common's speech was well received. It's clear the university had attracted an influential figure to deliver a message.
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The L-B-J Distinguished Lecture Series is a flagship event at Texas State. Some were excited to see such a high profile African-American in the spotlight.
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Stand up: Common's Speech last night brought in the largest crowd of any L-B-J distinguished lecturer since the series first began in 1982. For Bobcat Update, I'm Darreane Valles.

Daisy Colon

One German eatery in downtown New Braunfels offers more than just a cold beer and hot schnitzel. Bobcat Update's Daisy Colon has more.

Krause's Cafe, located in the heart of New Braunfels, welcomed dozens of dachshunds on Sunday to its Dasch for Cash event in its outdoor beer garden. The event included a costume contest and wiener dog races for cash prizes. Dachshunds from all over Central Texas competed in the event, as the breed is quite popular in both the area and German culture.
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Since re-opening in 2016, Krause's main focus has been giving its customers an experience where the whole family can come out and enjoy Texas-German cuisine in a mess-hall style dining area.
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Those participating in the races say they'll definitely be back because the event is unlike anything else they've been a part of.
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Krause's will host another dachshund race in January of next year.
STAND-UP

Breann Barrow

The Bobcats football team is hoping to bounce back soon from last week's loss to the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Losing the HOME game to U-L-M was disappointing enough, but another disheartening factor was attendance, or rather, the lack of it. Bobcat Update's Breann Barrow has the story.

The football team is now 1-and-1 in the Sun Belt Conference, 2-and-4 overall.  The team seems to be making progress under head coach Jake Spavital, but the Bobcats are still lacking support on game day. Fans just aren't showing up in sufficient numbers. Some students say better promotions would help.
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Students say they love the game-day experience. Even when the Bobcats fail to win every time out, it's important to have an energetic student section.
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A few students suggest having pep-rallies in the quad during the week prior to home games.
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Another suggestion: having giveaways of Bobcat-related merchandise to encourage more student attendance.
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Some say lowering the cost of food and drinks would attract more fans.
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Next up for the football team will be Arkansas State on October 26th in Arkansas. For Bobcat Update, I'm Breann Barrow.

Sydney Smith

The Meadows Center hosts sunset kayak tours at Spring Lake. Bobcat Update's Sydney Smith tells us more.

The Meadows Center partners with the R-E-I Outdoor School to offer educational tours of Spring Lake. The sunset kayak tours explore the history of Edward's Aquifer, which provides water to two million people in Central Texas.
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Kayaks are provided on the tours, and participants are instructed on how to prevent species contamination in the lake. Anyone above the age of twelve can go on the tours. No kayaking experience is necessary.
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The one piece of gear that you'll want to bring on the tour is a headlamp, so you can see where you are going once the sun sets. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sydney Smith.

Michelle Rivera

Texas State is promoting inclusion and diversity in the Bobcat community. Michelle Rivera tells us what the effort is all about.

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L-G-B-T-Q-I-A activists Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary are trying to raise awareness in conjunction with National Coming Out Day. Several campus organizations -- including Queer Cats, Bobcat PRIDE, Lambda and Transcend -- are hosting events.
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Students can find resources to help them on their journey.
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The purpose of the week is to spread a positive message as well as seek equality and recognition. For more information, you can visit the Twitter or Facebook page of QueerCats. For Bobcat Update, I'm Michelle Rivera.