NEWS
LIFE & ARTS
SPORTS
PAGE 2
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
2025-26 FAFSA IMPROVEMENTS
STUDENT-RUN CRAWFISH COMPANY
GAMBLING AFFECTS SPORTS FANS
TUESDAY
January 28, 2025 VOLUME 114 ISSUE 19
SCROLL NO MORE TikTok ban affects San Marcos
By Candace Taggart News Reporter
The national ban on TikTok cvaused the app to go dark for over 10 hours before it was accessible again Jan. 19, impacting small businesses that rely on the app. As per President Donald Trump’s executive order on Jan. 20, TikTok is available to U.S. residents for 75 days. This comes after the app was down for a few hours on Jan. 18-19 with the following text displayed when users opened the app, “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” Formerly known as Musical.y and rebranded in 2017 when Bytedance bought it, TikTok is a social media application and platform that allows users to create, view and interact with short-form videos, carousels and live streams. With an approximate 170 million U.S. users according to TikTok Inc v. Garland, the app became a place for users to learn and connect, especially college-age students. David Calderon is a barber at Kings Korner at 249 North LBJ St., and started using TikTok to reach a wider audience and client base in 2021. Calderon’s TikTok account @wavydavii has over 35,000 followers and he said it has changed his life. “The effect was crazy; I was charging like $30 a haircut, and within a one-and-a-half to two-year
time frame, I was able to go up and charge $75,” State. Valdez said the majority of her audience are Calderon said. “I was making probably about Texas State students. $2,000 a month, and I make close to like 10k a “I’ve been able to connect with a lot of students month now.” and help them in terms of giving them advice on According to Calderon, out things to do as a student and how to put themselves of his approximate 30 clients out there, how to get involved on campus,” Valdez a week, only a few are said. from San Marcos and Calderon said the TikTok ban made him the rest travel from realize he needed to diversify his content over neighboring cities. multiple platforms, but still believes TikTok is He said if the crucial for consumers and businesses. ban is upheld Valdez said young adults prefer after the going to TikTok for questions, extension, he recipes or issues other than doesn’t think Google because the short videos his local make it easier to use by keeping clients will viewers engaged. increase and he would still rely on clients traveling to him. Stephanie Valdez, interior design senior, has over 14,000 SOPHIA GERKE | ASSISTANT DESIGN EDITOR followers on TikTok SEE SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE 3 and focuses her content on college life at Texas
Bird flu cases found in Texas wildlife near San Marcos
Theater student provides space for comedy By Megan Weise Life and Arts Reporter
avian species, and the current species of influenza that is currently circulating is called H5N1 virus,” Matthew Gonzalez, department manager for the Hays County Health Department said. There have been 67 confirmed reported human cases in the U.S. with one death associated with H5N1 avian flu infection. There has been one case reported in Texas and no reports on person-toperson spread cases.
When Averleigh Fisher, performance and production senior, learned about community-based theater in her theatre in the community class, she created her own comedy community called San Marcos Live (SML). According to Fisher, a community-based theater is a form of artistic inspiration that supports different communities as they express their own artistic expressions. Part of the requirement for her class was to create her own community-based theater, and her love for comedy inspired her. “I was just thinking about how I could support... the group of aspiring stand-up comedians and sketch writers and comedy actors,” Fisher said. “The more time I spent with the project [of SML], the more I just became inspired by it.” Fisher’s professor for the class supported her idea and encouraged her to move the organization outside of the classroom. From there, she began to satisfy the requirements to allow SML to become an official club at Texas State. Fisher started this endeavor by creating the official SML Instagram page, which amassed over 200 followers since its creation in early December.
SEE HEALTH PAGE 3
SEE CLUB PAGE 6
MANDALYN LEWALLEN | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
A bird sits on the railing outside Sewell Park, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. By Lesdy Hernandez News Reporter
Bird flu outbreaks in Texas wildlife have been spotted, but human health risk remains low. On Jan. 9, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department confirmed that ducks found in the Austin area tested positive for Avian Influenza. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Avian Infleunza is a viral infection that spreads in wild birds, poultry and other animals. However, human cases are rare. “Avian Influenza is not the same as influenza within humans, avian influenza is specifically within
Band acknowledges truck drivers with musical debut By Sydney Seidel Life and Arts Contributor
Bikini Truck Stop’s debut single, “Black Ice,” arrives with a heavy, brooding intensity that echoes the treacherous and unpredictable realities of life on the road. Bikini Truck Stop released its first track on Jan. 24, kicking off its mission to highlight what it believed to be an overlooked profession: truck
drivers. The name “Black Ice” was created after members of the band described the song as having an ominous and dangerous tone. This realization led it to settle on that title, recognizing black ice as one of the most dangerous hazards faced by drivers, especially during the winter months. The band comprises sound recording seniors Bella Sera, drummer, and Garrett Stacha, guitarist/ bassist. The two formed the band after they recognized how underrepresented the trucking profes-
sion is, despite neither having prior knowledge of or personal ties to the industry. Bikini Truck Stop built these connections along the way and aims to raise awareness through its music of the profession. “We are trying to get the average driver to listen to the song and understand the fear that some of the people they share the road with experience in these conditions,” Stacha said.
SEE MUSIC PAGE 6