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TUESDAY
October 14, 2025 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 10
Texas State terminates history professor after court-ordered temporary reinstatement BREAKING
By Ryan Claycamp News Editor
Following a court-ordered due process hearing, Texas State University administration made the decision to terminate Associate History Professor Thomas Alter on Oct. 13. “After a thorough review of Dr. Alter’s conduct and the information provided during his due process hearing, President Damphousse has notified Dr. Alter that his employment at Texas State University is terminated,
effective immediately,” Vice inciting violence.” Alter President for Marketing and was reinstated, pending Communications Sandra a due process hearing, Pantlik wrote in an email following a temporary to The Star. “There will be restraining order issued by no further comment on this 483rd District Judge Alicia matter at this time.” Key on Friday, Sept. 26. Alter was first terminated Alter said he received on Wednesday, Sept. 10, after his termination notice from videos of him speaking at an his attorney at 3:10 p.m. THOMAS ALTER online socialism convention on Monday, Oct. 13. He were published online. Texas State provided his termination letter to The President Kelly Damphousse accused Star. Alter of “conduct that advocates for “As I explained in this decision,
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I find that your remarks on Sept. 7, 2025 constitute serious professional or personal misconduct that warrant summary dismissal,” Damphousse wrote in the dismissal letter. In the letter Damphousse said Alter spoke at the conference as a representative of the university and not in a personal capacity. “You discussed your employment with Texas State University, the university’s role in training future public school teachers, and your role,
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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JEN NGUYEN | DESIGN EDITOR PHOTO BY ABEL BARCENAS | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
Troy defenders tackle senior running back Lincoln Pare (7), Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at UFCU Stadium The Bobcats lost to Troy 48-41.
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Private Park’s owner seeks protection of park’s legacy By Cady Clements Life & Arts Reporter
Private Park, a San Marcos venue for music, markets and memory-making, faces potential closure due to a recent cease and desist order. However, its five-year legacy of bringing people together continues to echo through the community it helped shape. The city of San Marcos wrote in an email to The Star that Private Park was issued a “Notice of Land Violation Code” by Code Compliance. Reported concerns included large gatherings without liability insurance, inadequate security and parking, noise complaints, no access for emergency response and reports of safety concerns related to fights and weapons. However, Laura Benavides, the owner of Private Park, said she was only made aware of parking violations and noise complaints. She has the option to address the issues with Code Compliance or request a rezoning of the property that permits Special Event Facility use. Ultimately, city council has the final say on whether an area will be rezoned, according to the city.
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TXST community, students hold vigil in solidarity with Palestine By Arabella DiChristina Assistant News Editor
Texas State students held a candlelight vigil in solidarity with Palestinians who have died in the war in Gaza on Oct. 9 at The Stallions, just hours after a ceasefire was announced between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the ceasefire was the Israeli military pulling back its troops from Gaza, freeing Israeli hostages, and releasing imprisoned Palestinians, according to AP News. On the same day, Texas State students gathered at The Stallions at 7 p.m. to hold a vigil ROBERT STEPHENSON | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER in solidarity with the people of Signs set on The Stallions for the “Honor Our Martyrs” Vigil For Palestine event Palestine who have died since Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, at the Quad. Students and faculty gathered to honor those who have died in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some leading Oct. 7, 2023. Saeed Moshfegh, faculty prayers and making speeches. advisor for the Texas State a good heart ... and it has been prisoners, opening the border with Palestine Solidarity Committee shown that previously Israel broke Egypt, allowing aid to flow and (PSC), said he wants the ceasefire the ceasefires without any reason,” withdrawing from Gaza, according to stand. Moshfegh said. “We hope [that to AP News. “I hope that it stands, but this] time it doesn’t happen and the Oct. 7 marked the second we are also a little bit worried. people of Gaza can live in peace.” anniversary of the Hamas attack First, it came from Trump that A key component of the on Israel, which started the war he supported unconditionally, the treaty’s first of 20 phases involves in Gaza. state of Israel. It doesn’t come from Israel releasing Palestinian SEE MEMORIAL PAGE 2