NEWS
FORMER DEPUTY INDICTED FOR SHOOTING TXST STUDENT PAGE 4
OPINION
SPORTS
BALANCING STUDENT AND SOCIAL LIFE
MEET THE NEW TEXAS STATE MASCOT
PAGE 11
PAGE 13
TUESDAY
August 18, 2026 VOLUME 115 ISSUE 33
Welcome Back Bobcats LIBBY ALLEN | STAR PHOTOGRAPHER
SEE RESOURCE GUIDE & MAP PAGE 7-10 FOOTBALL
Cat in the Pac: looking into TXST Football’s Pac-12 debut season By Ayden Oredson Sports Editor
Texas State football is preparing to play against some of the top contenders in the nation for their first official season in the newly rebuilt Pac-12 Conference, which is quickly approaching. As head coach G.J. Kinne enters his fourth season at the helm, the Bobcats seek to make the whole world know their name, with an electrifying offense filled with experienced returners and a defense hoping to right the wrongs of the previous season. But what exactly is in store for Texas State this year? The Offense That Keeps On Kicking
One of the trademarks of the Kinne-era has been the Bobcats’ creative, highoctane offense. Texas State
has averaged over 35 points a game since his arrival, with a new starting quarterback in each season. However, Kinne will have some first-time familiarity with his QB as sophomore Brad Jackson stuck around to lead the Bobcats offense for a second year. Jackson has emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the G6 with plenty of anticipation behind him, and for good reason. His dualthreat ability led him to a breakout in his freshman campaign, setting new singleseason program records for most rushing scores (17), total touchdowns (38) and total offensive yards (3,968). Joining Jackson are his two top targets from last season, senior wide receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr.
SEE PREVIEW PAGE 12
CITY
GRAND GRAND GRAND GRAND GRAND
OPENING OPENING OPENING OPENING OPENING
AIDEN FRITSCHE | MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
Buc-ee’s San Marcos opens doors By Andrew Bencivengo Editor-in-Chief
The newest and now second largest Buc-ee’s opened its doors to the San Marcos public on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The popular Texas-based convenience store and travel center hosted a grand opening for its new 74,000 square foot location at 3245 N. IH-35. The estimated $47 million development aims to bring new economic opportunities to
the city and its residents. Local, state and business leaders were present at the event, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and Buc-ee’s founder and president Arch “Beaver” Aplin III participating in the ceremony. Mayor Hughson highlighted the economic impact that Buc-ee’s is expected to bring in her speech at the event. “We gather here to celebrate the opening of the newest Buc-ee’s and our
Buc-ees for San Marcos, a 74,000 square foot travel center with 128 fueling stations that’s anticipated to bring joy to over 10,000 visitors a day,” Hughson said. “Today is a great example of how business and government work collaboratively to grow a community’s economy while creating a welcoming, familyfriendly visitor experience.”
SEE BUC-EE’S PAGE 2
UNIVERSITY
Texas State Honors college welcomes arrival of a new dean By Anaiya Brannon & Rae Knight Life & Arts Contributor | Life & Arts Reporter
Kathy Cooke’s mission as the new honors college dean is simple: presence and accessibility. Cooke hit the
ground running, coming up with a policy centered around being available for students and staff and making the honors college more visible on campus. Cooke started her journey at Texas State on July 15, with her main goal being to make
the Honors College a resource for everyone at Texas State, not just the students enrolled in the college. CLAUDIA ROESCHMANN | COURTESEY PHOTO
SEE HONORS PAGE 6
Honors Dean Kathy Cooke attends the Stelos Scholars summer trip, July 2026, at the University Camp on 3420 Flite Acres Road.