NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
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HAYS COUNTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS VOTING GUIDE
BSA DISCUSSES BLACK HISTORY DISTANCE RUNNER ABIGAIL PARRA BREAKS RECORDS AT TEXAS STATE
TUESDAY
February 17, 2026 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 21
UNIVERSITY
Celebrating 115 years of Journalism Excellence
Texas State furthers push Drought to R1 status By Arabella DiChristina Assistant News Editor
CITY
conditions worsen in San Marcos
Focusing on five areas of research, Texas State continues to meet the requirements in order to become an R1 research institution. R1 institutions are defined by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as institutions having high research activity, spending RHIAN DAVIS | MANAGING EDITOR at least $50 million annually and A sign that reads “AI runs us dry” hangs on a truck during a press conference held by the San Marcos Data Center Action graduating 70 doctoral students a year Coalition, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at 904 Francis Harris Lane, the proposed data center site. for three consecutive years. Texas State is set to achieve R1 status by 2027. council will hold its first vote on the Community members and By Arabella DiChristina Vice President for Research data center proposed by Armbrust & organizations like the San Marcos Assistant News Editor Shreekanth Mandayam said Texas Brown, PLLC, on behalf of Highlander Data Center Action Coalition have State intentionally selected the five Amid worsening drought SM One, LLC, with John Mayberry. been organizing forums, protest and main research areas to reinvest in conditions and a potential data center As stated during its first presentation public comments to oppose data center the university. in San Marcos, government officials on Aug. 19, 2025, the proposed data applications before the San Marcos Mandayam said the five research call for stricter water control. center would have up to five separate city council. areas are: Semiconductors, artificial Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra buildings with an estimated total water Becerra said the temporary pause intelligence, aging and dementia, called for Stage 4 restrictions and a usage of 20,000 to 35,000 gallons will ensure long-term water security digital humanities, and water and the moratorium, or pause, on permits for per day. for residents and agriculture. environment. industrial developments that request “However, relying solely on “We cannot allow our aquifers to “We chose these five areas based more than 25,000 gallons of water residential conservation is insufficient be depleted in a single generation,” on that ambition to be able to recruit per day. and unfair when high water demand Becerra said. “What takes a Additionally, during its Feb. industrial developments continue to be millennium to recharge can be lost SEE RESEARCH PAGE 3 17 meeting, the San Marcos city approved,” Becerra said. so quickly.”
SEE DROUGHT PAGE 3
SOFTBALL
FEATURE
Student releases debut thriller novel Bobcats open home stand with States Up Invitational By Ayden Oredson Assistant Sports Editor
AVA MILLER | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
“Still Mine” author Charles Reynolds sits in an auditorium while holding his book, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Hines Academic Center at Texas State. Reynolds is a criminal justice senior and gained inspiration for his book during his time at Hines. By Linae Lewter Life and Arts Contributor
Charles Reynolds, criminal justice senior, didn’t plan to write an entire book by the end of 2025. However, he published his debut psychological thriller “Still Mine” on Jan. 20, all while being a full-time student. Pulling inspiration from the criminal justice and forensic psychology principles he studies at Texas State, Charles used this book as equal parts creative outlet and case
study, funneling it all into his 500-plus page novel. “I wanted to show the community that you can do more, you’re not just a student full-time,” Charles said. “With the New Year, I kind of wanted to try new things … I was like, ‘You know what, let’s be creative, let’s put something together and go for it.’” The novel follows Cassandra Blake, a college student who is haunted by the legacy of her killer father and the presence of a possessive ex-lover who was thought to be dead. Later,
EVENT
she finds herself the prime suspect in a murder case and must uncover who framed her to clear her name. When he was young, Charles watched classic shows like “Law and Order” and “Criminal Minds.” This began his long-standing interest in true crime, leading him to documentaries and podcasts. Though he had no writing experience, Charles felt a novel would be the best avenue to explore his creativity and all he’d learned at Texas State.
As the softball season gets well underway, the Texas State Bobcats (5-4) returned to San Marcos to begin their month long home field advantage, starting with the States Up Invitational, which featured then-No. 18 Clemson, then-No. 11 Arkansas, BYU and Wichita State. With the Bobcats playing against some of the best programs in the sport in this early stretch of the season, head coach Ricci Woodard emphasized the experience her squad needs as Texas State looks to compete in the NCAA Tournament at the end of the season. “There’s not many mid-majors playing the schedule we have,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to understand what we have to do between now and May to get better.” Here’s how Texas State fared in its first home series of the year.
Thursday: #18 Clemson, 4-0 W In Texas State’s 2026 home opener, SEE THRILLER PAGE 6 the Bobcats began the invitational with a Thursday evening matchup against the then-No. 18 Clemson Tigers.
Filmmakers shine at local film festival By Anaiya Brannon Life and Arts Contributor
From surviving a winter storm among friends to describing the complexities of love, three up-andcoming filmmakers had their films showcased at this year’s Lost River
Film Festival. The films explored the intricacies of friendships and romantic relationships while using distinct visuals to strengthen their themes. The festival began on Feb. 5 at the Price Center in downtown San Marcos, with later showings on Feb. 8 at Texas State’s Theatre Center.
The Burrito Kim Davis Jr., electronic media alumnus, featured his short film “The Burrito” on Feb. 8. His experience with Winter Storm Uri while attending Texas State inspired the plot.
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Junior pitcher Madison Azua (22) pitches against Clemson, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
SEE SOFTBALL PAGE 7