Daily News Recap (2-5-15)

By Erin Pollack
Web Editor

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is trying to find a peaceful solution to end the continuing conflict in Ukraine. Kerry met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev today and said if Russia took three steps that it would enable a diplomatic solution. According to CNN Kerry said those steps include pulling back heavy weapons beyond the range of civilian populations, removing foreign troops and heavy equipment from Ukraine and closing the Russia-Ukraine border. Kerry also said that weapons like rockets were crossing the border from Russia, which was a breach of a peace agreement signed by Russia. He urged that Russia make decisions that would lead to peace by using actions and not words.

The Middle Eastern nation of Jordan has decided to retaliate against ISIS in response to the terror organization burning to death Jordanian pilot Moath al- Kasasbeh, who was being held captive. According to CNN Jordan targeted ISIS today in Syria with airstrikes and vowed to bring “earthshaking retaliation”. After the retaliation the Jordanian fighter jets flew over the home of the slain pilot.

The Meadow Center at Texas State University is hosting the Explore Spring Lake Wildlife Photography Contest. The contest is open to the general public in effort to document the diverse wildlife that inhabits the spring lake. All submitted photos will be used along with the online wildlife database to document all of the lake’s organisms. The contest will begin February 20th until March 10th.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University continues to explore different ways to improve the screening process of applications to Student Media. This is in response to University Star‘s former editor-in-chief Odus Evbagharu’s letter of resignation last week. Journalism department officials discovered that Evbaharu was not enrolled at Texas State University for the current semester and last fall’s semester, when he was the managing editor. He also did not meet eligibility requirements to hold the higher executive positions. Evbagharu was also an intern at the Austin American Statesman. However, the Austin American Statesman’s website in regards to internships state that in order to hold an internship with them one must be an undergraduate, or graduate student in college. Statesman’s editor, Debbie Hiott, who is also a Texas State University alumna, said she had no comment for KTSW at the time. Evbagharu was also scheduled to meet with KTSW yesterday evening for a sit down interview but did show up, nor provide a reason for not attending.

Tomorrow is the deadline to apply for a position on a board or commission for the San Marcos government. This is another way for San Marcos residents to get involved in local politics and government business. These positions are open to all San Marcos residents. Some of the boards include the planning and zoning commission, parks and recreation board, and the San Marcos Youth Commission. The San Marcos city council appoints all members and those appointments will take place on February 17th.