TUESDAY November 5, 2024 VOLUME 114 ISSUE 13 www.UniversityStar.com
FBI, SMPD investigate threatening anti-Harris flyers By Ryan Claycamp, Lucciana Choueiry Senior News Reporter, News Editor At least three reports of anti-Kamala Harris flyers have been filed with the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) according to San Marcos Communications in an email to The Star.
According to SMPD, they are working with the FBI to investigate the incidents and find the individuals responsible. The flyers stated: “YOU have been identified and are now in our National Database of miscreant Harris supporters, either by social interactions with your neighbors who are on our investigations team,
or by yard signs, or vehicle bumper stickers. Rather than the hangman’s nooses of the old days, you are now guaranteed that once the magnificent Donald Trump assumes the Presidency again YOU will be IRS tax audited going all the way back to your very first tax return – and at a minimum – 4 years of painful misery and attorney’s fees.”
SEE ELECTION PAGE 3
TXST puts district judge on leave Citing alleged breach of state election law By Lucciana Choueiry, Ryan Claycamp News Editor, Senior News Reporter Texas State University has placed District Judge Tanner Neidhardt, an adjunct professor in the School of Criminal Justice, on administrative leave following an alleged violation of state election laws. Neidhardt sent an email to his students asking for their vote using his Texas State email address on Oct. 21. Tyler Key, an attorney at the Key Law Office, the same firm where Neidhardt’s Democratic challenger Alicia Key works, emailed The Star documents related to Neidhardt’s violation. On Oct. 21, the first day of early voting, Neidhardt sent an email to students saying class was canceled, and they could use the day to vote. “I ask for your vote so I may remain judge of our county here,” Neidhardt wrote in the email. “… I hope you have the confidence to vote for me.”
Interdisciplinary studies alumna Glynis Christine shows the piano she painted, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, at George’s in the LBJ Student Center. ROSEY MENDOZA & SARAH MANNING | The University Star
Nontraditional alumna makes change through art By Chloe Rawlinson Life and Arts Reporter With every piece of mosaic tile and every stroke of a paintbrush, a Texas State alumna adds a unique perspective to art around campus. Glynis Christine, interdisciplinary studies alumna, has several pieces of her art displayed throughout Texas State, including a mosaic
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SEE ART PAGE 7
Construction begins on train crossings for quiet zones By Candace Taggart News Reporter The first phase of construction to reinstate quiet zones at train crossings in San Marcos was completed on Oct. 29, with the remaining work scheduled for completion by March 2025. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), cities or counties can establish quiet zones, where trains are not allowed to sound their horns if the crossings follow specific safety regulations. However, since June, residents are hearing
in Old Main and a functional painted piano in George’s. Christine started her journey at Texas State as a nontraditional student at 39 years old. With years of advertising experience under her belt, she earned her bachelor’s in 2000, master’s in 2002 and later worked as a counselor in the LBJ Student Center. In 2017, she discovered an opportunity to create a mosaic for the university through her job.
the train horns in San Marcos for the first time since 2015, when the quiet zones were first instated. Union Pacific and the FRA inspected San Marcos train crossings in June and found they no longer met the safety rules needed for quiet zones. “I’ve been working hard to expedite all the permits to go through the approval process, and I’m hoping there’s no comments,” Senior Engineer for San Marcos Rey Garcia said. The first phase of repairs, which involved fixing missing or damaged signs and striping, began on Oct. 21 and was completed by Oct. 29 at all 18 quiet zone crossings. The city of San Marcos applied for a Public Improvement Permit that will allow the city to begin the remaining construction required to reinstate the quiet zones. Garcia said the permit application will be reviewed by Union Pacific soon. “If they’re approved, then more than likely we’ll be looking at the next couple of weeks [to start construction],” Garcia said. “If they have comments, it’ll be three to four weeks away. Hopefully, by the end of November, we’ll be permitted, and we can start [construction] in early December.”
Season midpoint review: Bobcats fall below preseason expectations By Daven Meredith Sports Reporter Texas State football currently sits with a 4-4 overall record and 2-2 in conference play after being favored to win the Sun Belt West. In July, the Sun Belt league office announced the Bobcats as favorites to win the Sun Belt West division title. Flash forward to November, and the Bobcats are currently third to last in the West division at 2–2 behind South Alabama, suffering crucial conference losses to the Old Dominion Monarchs 24-14 and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 23-17, respectively. After falling to Louisiana-Lafayette, Texas State Head Coach G.J. Kinne said bouncing back after the tough losses throughout the season.
SEE TRANSPORTATION PAGE 2 A “No Train Horn” sign sits alongside the railroad crossing located on the 400 block of East Hopkins Street, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2024, near downtown San Marcos. KOBE ARRIAGA | The University Star
SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 8 GRAPHIC BY DJ ROSS