Leocadia O'Brien

Be sure to hit the textbooks this fall and pay attention in class, because new data show a strong link between employment opportunities and educational attainment. The U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that college grads have a much greater chance of finding a job and keeping it. The latest numbers show only four-point-three percent of college grads are unemployed, which is far below the national rate which has hovered at about nine percent for more than a year. 

Caroline Cook

Fall is finally here, and temperatures are cooling down. While the Recreation Center at Texas State is a popular place to exercise, a growing number of students are burning their calories outside. The outdoor recreation center, located in Sewell Park, provides students and faculty with many rental options. Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards are popular options, as well as snorkel sets. The outdoor rec center also offers expeditions and workshops in its adventure trip program.  

Marissa Wagner

San Marcos bar patrons may soon have a smoke-free atmosphere. Marissa Wagner has more in this Bobcat update.

The San Marcos City council is considering legislation that would enforce a city-wide smoking ban for all restaurants and bars.
The co-owner of Texas Music Theater, Greg Grayson, says he's indifferent to the proposed law as long as all businesses are treated the same.
"As long as it's even across the board. You know I think that, you know, everybody should have a choice, but if the city wants to do that, I don't have a problem with it."
 The Texas Legislature considered a statewide ban on smoking earlier this year. The bill passed the Texas House but didn't get through the Senate.
ME: more than 40 communities statewide have passed 100 percent smoke-free laws.
Those in favor of the bill say that the ban will save Texas millions of dollars a year in smoking-related healthcare issues, whereas those opposed believe it to be an invasion of people's personal rights.
Musician Johnathan Siem says he understands both sides of the issue.
"I think it's a healthier decision, I guess, for everybody, in the long run because of, I guess, for everybody in the long run because of, I guess, second-hand smoke and all that, but it does…it's not very convenient for smokers. It's a choice that they have and I don't think it should be that big of a deal."
The San Marcos City Council held two public forums this summer and has created an online discussion board for residents to voice their opinions on the matter.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Marissa Wagner.

Kelsey Michelle Doyle

The trains that pass through San Marcos play a central role to the town, and now a new local hot-spot is celebrating that fact. Kelsey Doyle has more in this Bobcat Update.

Anyone who lives in San Marcos has had his or her share of frustrating train experiences.
VO: Fleury "keep rolling by"
Owners of The Railyard Bar and Grille are trying to turn those frustrations into a good time at their new restaurant. They even have a drink special based on the trains:
VO: Matt Hagemann"of my building"
The Railyard owners say they wanted to bring something new to San Marcos:
VO: Matt Hagemann"nice courtyard area"
The grand opening was last Friday. Hagemann says the weather was great, probably the best it had been in six months.
VO: Hagemann "not like that"
Located on Edward Gary, just follow the horn.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Kelsey Doyle

Amanda Pena

The fences are up again! You may have noticed the barriers in place along the San Marcos River near the Salt Grass Restaurant and Clear Springs Apartments. The drought can be blamed. Officials are concerned that endangered species, such as Texas Wild Rice, are being harmed by the lower water flow. Officials say swimming is still allowed in the area, but those who use the river must use designated entrances. 

Assignments - Week of Oct. 3-Oct. 6

RailYard, Edward Gary-Doyle
Smoking Ban Update - Bars Downtown-Wagner
Swimming Near Saltgrass/Clear Springs-Pena
Staying Fit Outdoors Now That Weather is Better-Cook
Wonder World update-Newcomb
Water Restrictions Update-Heaney
Education & Employment: How They Relate-O'Brien
Cephas House Restoration-Zuniga
Job Fair Business Perspective-Pichon
Intl Bike and Walk Day-Streety
Tattoos-Who's Got them and why?
Bike Registration on campus

Elizabeth Brinkman

October is Breast Cancer awareness month, and the San Marcos Professional Fire Fighters Association is doing its part to help. Last Sunday it sponsored a 5-K run to raise funds. Money collected as part of the Pink Heals race will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The firefighters will also raise funds at a rally later this month. You can get more information and sign up for the event by going to the firefighters website.

Leocadia O'Brien

Enter a classroom these days and you'll likely see students using their electronic devices. Having a laptop or a phone in class can be distracting. For some, class time is game time. Yes, if you take a close look, you'll find students playing Angry Birds, Words With Friends or maybe Fruit Ninja. Some professors don't seem to mind while others include guidelines or prohibitions in their syllabi. So far, the university hasn't set a policy one way or another.

Chase Joliet

Texas State students all have one thing in common…great calf muscles. Texas State University sits on 457 acres of Texas Hill Country that makes for a countless number of stairs students must trek to and from class. According to Live-Strong-dot-com students who regularly partake in stair climbing exercises three to five times a week can benefit their cardiovascular system while increasing endurance and stamina. For those who want to take the extra step, the recreation center offers a variety of ways students can continue to tone their leg muscles.

Assignments - Week of Sept. 26-Sept. 29

Soledad O'Brien at Texas State
Discover Texas State: Tours, Wine Walk, Greenfest
Sororities/Fraternities-Raising Money-Anthropology
Is Smoking Ban Being Enforced on Campus?
What is The Hitch? Mobile Eating
Future of Aquarena Center
Military Friendly-Three Years Running
Drinking on the Square-Open Containers
Student Running for Place 3 Council
What's All the Construction? Ramps near LBJ
Guy in a Cage
Honors Program-Meet the Professors
Dining Options-Striving to Find Healthy Food
Witliff-20th Anniversary
Dropoff points have changed for commuters
Calf Muscles enhanced-Climbing stairs
Popular games-Distractions in the Classroom

Kenn Zuniga

A Texas State Senior is among the candidates vying for a City Council position in San Marcos. Kenn Zuniga tells us more in this Bobcat Update.

Political Science Major Nicholas Cubides' (Coo-Pee_Dez) is no stranger to riding the bull on the campaign trail. Cubides' experience includes working for John Thomaides when he ran for mayor in 2009. Now, the two men are running against each other for Place Three on the City Council.
SB
Cubides says although he's a student, he considers himself a San Marcan first.
SB
Cubides' other opponents include retired San Marcos Police Commander Terry Nichols and Seton Healthcare Contract Negotiator Toby Hooper. Cubides says he plans to run a targeted campaign.
SB
Luck isn't the only thing that Cubides has bestowed to Thomaides. 
SB
Cubides says he's looking forward to the November 8th election.
SB
(stand in) The San Marcos Area League of Women Voters is sponsoring a debate for both Place three and Place four City Council positions here at the Activity Center. You can hear the candidates, including Cubides and Thomaides, square off on Monday October 17th at 7 p-m. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kenn Zuniga.

Adrienne Enderle

Texas State's University Honors Program is making a transition to college status. The university's board of regents recently authorized the change. The Honors Program helps attract high-ability students to attend the university by offering challenging coursework in a variety of academic fields. The Honors Program will host Meet the Professor Night at five o'clock this afternoon in Lampasas Hall. At the meeting current and prospective Honors students will be able to get information on spring courses from Honors professors. 

Kelsey Manning

You may have noticed people trapped in a cage on campus this afternoon. The cage is a protest of sorts, sponsored by a group called Students for a Sensible Drug Policy. The cage consists of p-v-c pipes. You can see it next to the stallions statue in the quad. The group says it wants to call attention to America's drug policies and how certain drug offenses can result in long prison sentences. The local chapter of Students for a Sensible Drug Policy was launched this semester.

William Foster

A wildfire north of Post Road in San Marcos has been contained. The cause of the wildfire that started on Saturday is unknown. Wildfires have been common this year in drought-stricken Texas. Property owners have reason to be concerned, but, as William Foster, tells us in this Bobcat Update, measures can be taken to keep wildfires from spreading.

Three conditions exist in Texas that can contribute to the spread of wildfires -- hot temperatures, drought and gusty winds.
San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stevens says wildfires are unpredictable and can spread quickly. Stevens says there isn't a simple solution to stop wildfires, but careful landscaping can help prevent them from spreading.
(Fire Chief Les Stevens...13 secs...house)
Vegetation is any dry piece of bio-mass that burns, such as leaves, grass and brush. The combination of record-setting temperatures and high winds doesn't help either. One spark in a dry area is enough to start a small fire and winds push fires in every direction. Stevens says most wildfires are accidents and can be prevented.
(Fire Chief Les Stevens...13 secs...hour)
There is no universal answer to stop a wildfire, but certain precautions can be taken to prevent them for spreading. For more information you can contact your local fire department. For Bobcat Update, I'm William Foster.

Ashley Flores

The downtown bar scene will be a little different after a new city ordinance is implemented. The ordinance, which goes into effect next week, prohibits open containers of booze on the square. And public consumption won't be allowed after ten p.m. During October, violators will receive only verbal warnings. After that, they will likely get a citation and if they receive multiple citations, then officers can haul them to jail.

Lauren Newcomb

New construction at Texas State seems to be a constant endeavor. Projects are underway to build new facilities and renovate old ones. University officials are following a master plan to improve the campus environment. Included in the plan are more student housing, a career center and a new building for the performing arts. Also in the works are library improvements and a Bobcat Trail, which will essentially be another quad area. More information regarding the Master Plan can be found on the university's website.

Caroline Cook

Wooden ramps are being used near the L-B-J Student Center. The ramps are necessary while construction crews repair damages caused recently by a major leak at the center. The temporary ramps have been set up between the student center and the McCoy Business Building. Construction workers are repairing the damage. Cement is being replaced and new drains are being installed.

Kendra Davidson

Bobcats are standing at attention this week for being recognized as a Military Friendly school. According to military-friendly-schools-dot-com, there are over one-thousand veterans enrolled at Texas State with a graduation rate of more than 40 percent.  A student worker in the veterans affairs office, Nicole Fisher, says the university has earned the Military Friendly title the past three years. The university received a score of three-point-seven on a four-point scale from its military students this year.

Marissa Wagner

Some Texas State Students, who ride the trams that stop on Aquarena Springs Drive, risk danger when they attempt to cross against heavy traffic.The area where they disembark doesn't have a convenient crosswalk. So, students who live in one of the nearby apartment complexes have a choice of either walking to a stoplight where there is a crosswalk OR darting across a busy street. San Marcos and Texas State officials have studied the problem, but so far the city's master plan doesn't include any improvements.

Cambrian Pinchon

Students in the quad are being asked to donate their pennies and other coins. The sorority Delta Gamma is competing against the fraternity Phi Beta Sigma in a Penny War this week. The two groups are raising money to donate to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The money will also be used to train guide dogs. The effort is part of Delta Gamma's Anchor Splash, which also includes an "eye" beauty pageant and an intramural sports competition.