Texas universities trying to earn the coveted Carnegie “R1” title might be closer than before after a major overhaul this week.

From “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to “Friday the 13th,” Texas is an ideal landscape to shock and delight audiences and ghost hunters.

Baylor University has settled a years-long federal lawsuit brought by 15 women who alleged they were sexually assaulted at the nation’s largest Baptist school.

The university had asked the federal agency to dismiss sexual harassment complaints by LGBTQ+ students, arguing that the claims infringed on the school’s religious tenets.

Authorities say a man shot and wounded two cheerleaders in a Texas supermarket parking lot after one of them said she mistakenly got into his car thinking it was her own.

KSAT 12 Sports and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio shine spotlight on local senior student athlete.

GOP candidate Lauren Davis’ campaign surfaced a Waco police report about a prank for which Jenkins apologized in 2010. He says he was only wearing camouflage at the time.

Starr, best known for his role leading the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, died of complications related to surgery, according to his family.

Ken Starr, a former federal appellate judge and a prominent attorney whose criminal investigation of Bill Clinton led to the president’s impeachment, died Tuesday at age 76, his family says.

While the risk of exposure to monkeypox remains low, health experts say college students living in close proximity to each other could spur outbreaks. They encourage schools to share their plans and relevant information about the virus.

The Baylor Board of Regents approved a four-step plan to change the name of a campus quadrangle named after a slave-owning former university president and add more elements to provide a better representation of Baylor’s history.

Many Texas public universities have committed to accepting students who do not submit SAT or ACT standardized test scores, signaling that test-optional policies could be here to stay.

As Texas universities and colleges begin a fifth semester during the COVID-19 pandemic, many students say they are struggling with uncertainty and an indifference toward school and the future.

The Carnegie R1 status is the highest designation for research universities in the country and is viewed as an important step to recruit high-quality faculty and obtain more prestigious research grants.

While some universities in other states that hold federal contracts have mandated vaccines for all employees, many Texas universities, which collectively have billions in federal contracts, are still reviewing the executive order before it goes into effect Dec. 8.

Texas public universities forbidden from mandating vaccines are trying to entice students and faculty to get the shot. Those moves come as more people ages 18 to 29 years old in Texas are being hospitalized with the virus.

The report comes after investigations revealed Baylor leaders failed to report allegations of student sexual misconduct and protected football players accused of such behavior.

Many public university officials say they are moving forward with reopening plans as faculty and students worry about rising COVID-19 cases across the state.

Jay Hartzell said the switch to the Southeastern Conference was the best thing for UT-Austin’s student athletes and the university. Texas senators expressed disdain for the move and questioned how it came about.

The university is seeking to leave the Big 12 along with the University of Oklahoma, a move that would have wide-ranging impact on Texas college athletics.

The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oklahoma are expected to leave the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. The move throws the athletics future of several other Texas schools into uncertainty.

The decision to openly consider recognizing an LGBTQ group while simultaneously affirming the university's belief that marriage is between a man and a woman raised concerns among supporters and opponents who say Baylor is trying to "have its cake and eat it, too."

The fresh-as-can-be Baylor Bears obliterated wobbly-legged Gonzaga’s march to perfection in an 86-70 runaway in the national title game.

A report released Tuesday examining Baylor University’s connections to slavery and racism, is recommending the university relocate some statues and change building names honoring former slaveowners. Students on campus and across Texas demanded university leaders address Confederate symbols and make changes to improve diversity and inclusion. AdAt Baylor, where Black students make up just 6% of the student body, university leaders in July launched a new scholarship program aimed at recruiting more diverse students. The board of regents accepted the commission report at its meeting last month, and charged university leaders with developing an action plan. The group suggests the university commission a new mace that can be used at future Baylor graduation ceremonies.

Graduates at a Texas A&M University's commencement ceremony at Reed Arena in College Station in December. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? Greg Abbott announced that he will lift the statewide mask mandate and other COVID-19 restrictions starting Wednesday. Austin Community College, Baylor University, Paris Junior College, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Southwestern University, the Texas A&M University System, Trinity University, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at El Paso are keeping their current COVID-19 guidelines — which include mask mandates — in place. Disclosure: Baylor University, Lamar University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at El Paso and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

The University of Texas at Austin is suspending the SAT and ACT test score requirement for fall 2022 applicants, citing continued limited access to testing opportunities for students due the COVID-19 pandemic. AdLast year, multiple Texas universities temporarily scrapped the testing requirement for the 2021 applicants, including Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University and Southern Methodist University. In Austin, St. Edward's University had been planning to permanently waive ACT and SAT requirements for months, Dean of Admissions Drew Nichols told The Texas Tribune last spring. Last year, the University of California system announced its campuses would begin phasing out the ACT and SAT immediately. AdDisclosure: Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University, St. Edward’s University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Shifa Rahman, left, and a fellow protestor, hold signs at the base of the William Marsh Rice statue on campus. Students at Rice University demanded removal of the monument of the school founder, William "Willy" Rice, a slave owner. The residence was named after Simkins in the 1950s to intimidate Black students after the Supreme Court decision that integrated schools. But Black students, who total 6% of student body, said administrators were still limiting when it’s appropriate to talk about race. Disclosure: Baylor University, Facebook, Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Diagnosticians process COVID-19 testing samples at the new state-of-the-art COVID-19 testing lab and research facility in Waco, developed through a new partnership between Baylor University and My Labs Direct. Baylor University began the spring semester on Jan. 19, with weekly testing an important part of comprehensive COVID-19 measures to ensure a safe learning community. If they miss three tests, they’ll also lose Wi-Fi access on campus, with the goal of limiting student activity in campus buildings. Officials would not share how much the multimillion-dollar lab and weekly testing costs. All students, faculty and staff were also required to have a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus at Baylor.

During today's inauguration ceremony Joe Biden becomes the 46th president of the United States. SAN ANTONIO – Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and Live From the Southside, a new local- and Latina-owned magazine that works to improve & expand community relationships through promoting events, stories and businesses. Today, our South Side San Antonio community beamed with pride as we watched McCollum High School graduate Jeremy McBride (Class of 1997) perform at the 2021 inauguration. A huge congrats to you, Jeremy, on all your accomplishments and know that you’re an inspiration to your South Side community. 15 hidden gems on San Antonio’s South SideMiss Plus San Antonio wins Miss Plus Texas, advances to nationalsFlaco Jimenez’s former food truck ‘Tacos Jimenez’ revived by son, will open on South Side next week

The University of Texas at Austin's final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas was cancelled after a COVID-19 outbreak infected nine players and 13 staff members. The University of Texas at Austin’s final football game of the regular season against the University of Kansas has been canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak infecting nine players and 13 staff members. The UT game against Kansas had already been rescheduled due to an outbreak on the Kansas team last month. It’s the only game Texas did not play this fall amid the pandemic. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

The University of Texas at Austin said it could test up to 5,000 asymptomatic students, faculty and staff weekly. Texas A&M University trumpeted a similar goal of testing more than 5,000 students each week – about 7% of the student body. UT-Austin, which has more than 50,000 students, has only required students to be tested before attending football games. That included the 1,198 students tested for the first home football game on Sept. 12. Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of North Texas and Baylor University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

“It’s like walking into a ghost town,” Julie Amberg said from behind a burnt orange mask. Credit: Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERSOutdoor gatherings in Austin are still capped at 10 people or less, but Gov. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePregame celebrations near the stadium were virtually nonexistent; university officials banned tailgating on school property. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for the Texas TribuneAs students filtered in, staff explained the rules for keeping distanced from each other. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribunePeople generally masked up while walking through the stadium, but many fans ditched their masks once they were seated.

This weekend marks the start of an unusual season for major college football programs in Texas. UT-Austin game attendees must wear masks in the stadium and there will be signage and floor markings to encourage social distance. “We anticipated a rise in cases as we returned to campus and we took this into account as we made our plans,” Texas Tech spokesperson Matthew Dewey said in an email. Officials blamed off-campus parties hosted by Texas Tech students. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Texas’ college football players won’t be the only people with butterflies in their stomachs this weekend. SMU played last Saturday against Texas State University, but the TCU-SMU game would have been the first involving a Big 12 school. This weekend, two Texas schools in that conference will take the field: the University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University. A third was supposed to play, but Baylor University postponed its weekend game after several Louisiana Tech players tested positive. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

A University of Texas football game at Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium in Austin on Sept. 7, 2019. Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Daily TexanNeed to stay updated on coronavirus news in Texas? There is no testing requirement for fans who aren't UT-Austin students, nor is there a requirement for visitors from El Paso. Students, however, were not required to test negative before returning to campus or attending in-person classes. Greg Abbott, however, allowed Texas sports to resume with limited fans in the stands. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at El Paso have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Students sit outside the Peter T. Flawn Academic Center at the University of Texas at Austin. As Texas college towns see rising COVID-19 cases with the return of hundreds of thousands of students to campus, a small but increasing number of universities are disciplining students who attend or host house parties or Greek rush events. But while reports of those crackdowns are beginning to increase, most Texas universities arent penalizing individual students for partying that takes place off-site. Many of the Greek events have since been halted, he said, but the off-campus parties continue. Penalize organizations, not peoplePerhaps the most power that Texas universities can wield over off-campus student behavior comes through its recognized organizations, from sororities to student government and beyond.

Public health experts say Texas universities should increase testing of all students to prevent community spread of the coronavirus as classes resume. Texas A&M University reported 327 new positive tests the week ending Aug. 29, down slightly from the 371 it reported a week prior. UT-Austin, Texas A&M University and Texas Tech University encourage participation in asymptomatic testing but stop short of requiring it. Texas Christian University does not offer routine testing for students without symptoms, according to The Dallas Morning News. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

The game against Southern Methodist University, scheduled for Sept. 11, was canceled Friday after some TCU football athletes and support staff tested positive for the virus, said Jeremiah Donati, TCUs director of intercollegiate athletics, in a statement. The TCU-SMU game would have been the first Big 12 game of the season. Texas Tech University, Baylor University and the University of Texas at Austin all have games scheduled for Sept. 12. A handful of Texas teams that play outside the Power Five conferences SMU, Texas State University, Houston Baptist University, the University of North Texas, Stephen F. Austin University and the University of Texas at El Paso have games scheduled for Saturday. Disclosure: Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at El Paso and University of North Texas have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

The start of the Big 12 Conferences college football season will move forward as scheduled, conference officials said Wednesday, meaning four major Texas football programs are one step closer to playing this fall. Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin are Big 12 members. #WeWantToPlay Charlie Brewer (@CBrewer16) August 10, 2020We want to play football in the fall, Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp told The Texas Tribune on Monday. Greg Abbott in a Tuesday interview said while he supported what the student athletes wanted to do. Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Baylor University students must test negative for the coronavirus before they can return to campus for the start of the fall semester, school officials said Tuesday. According to an email announcing the policy, students will get results in 48 hours. Requiring negative results before campus entry is a relatively unique policy across Texas universities preparing for a fall return. Testing of all students, faculty and staff for COVID-19 before allowing campus entry (entry testing) has not been systematically studied, the CDC website reads. A Baylor University spokeswoman did not immediately respond to questions about how much testing there would cost officials.

In response, many Texas universities are becoming test-optional through 2021, waiving the traditional requirement for test scores to gain admission. Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University and St. Edward's University have all temporarily scrapped their testing requirements through 2021. And some universities that were doubting the value of test scores even before the pandemic see an opportunity to change the admissions process altogether. In the absence of scores, school performance will disproportionately count towards an application, he said. My goal is to get him to college, however that happens.Disclosure: Baylor University, Texas Tech University, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors.

Founded by a forensic anthropologist at Baylor University, Reuniting Families has reached a milestone-- its first identification of human remains found in Brooks County, an area notorious for immigrant deaths. She said the remains identified were of a woman who was buried as an "unknown" more than 1,400 miles from her family in Honduras. She said after the woman's remains were unearthed by University of Indianapolis students, they were taken to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University for analysis. Baker said the DNA match was made possible by an Argentinian forensic team in Honduras that collected a sample from the woman's family. Ad"You can see the extent of the agencies and how they all had to work together," Baker said.

FALFURRIAS – Teams of forensic students at Baylor University arrived in Brooks County on Saturday to begin the somber task of exhuming bodies of unidentified immigrants buried in the Falfurrias Cemetery. Related: Students on mission to ID human remains near borderAdTheir mission in Falfurrias will involve exhuming more than 50 grave sites through May 28. Brooks County has experienced a record number of deaths last year, with 129 bodies recovered on area ranches. AdShe said their work will be at no cost to Brooks County, and their expenses will be out of their pocket. However, Baker said in return, the Baylor students will get valuable real-life experience as they prepare for careers using their forensic skills.