Peyton Till

Journalism and Political Science Student at Texas State University. Aspiring Investigative Journalist.

United States

Hi! My name is Peyton Till, I am located in the Austin metropolitan area, and am an undergrad student majoring in journalism and political science. I am currently writing as a reporter for Texas State University's student-run newspaper, The University Star.

Portfolio
The University Star
Hays County proclaims September as Suicide Awareness Month, approves $4.5 million Axon AI Era...

In its Sept. 1 meeting, Hays County Commissioners Court proclaimed September as Suicide Awareness Month and voted to approve inclusion in the budget for a $4.5 million 10-year contract with Axon, formerly TASER, with Hays County Sheriff's Department (HCSO). According to the proclamation, Suicide Awareness Month is a time to start conversation, destigmatize suicide and mental...

The University Star
Federal student loan changes take effect at Texas State

Federal student loan changes took effect on July 1 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was signed into law last year. In a May 6 press release from the Department of Education, the final rule change includes four main provisions: the elimination of the Graduate PLUS program, establishing annual and aggregate loan limits for graduate and...

The University Star
San Marcos announces participatory budget projects

The city of San Marcos announced the five winning projects of the participatory budget on August 3, a new initiative that gives residents the choice on how the city allocates $200,000 for community resources. The city announced on its Facebook page that 103 ideas, 140 project concepts and 117 votes had been submitted by community members.

The University Star
Community holds vigil for two men killed by law enforcement

Nearly 30 San Marcos community members attended a vigil to honor two men who were killed by law enforcement over the past month. Mano Amiga, an immigrant advocacy organization, hosted a vigil at the Hays County Historic Courthouse in San Marcos on July 12 for Thomas Anthony Hawkins, a 25-year-old man who was shot and killed...

The University Star
Assisted living residents evicted after facility drops Medicaid

Nearly a dozen older residents faced eviction after Brookdale San Marcos South, an assisted living facility, was purchased by Gemstone Senior Living, causing residents on a Medicaid program to lose housing. Gemstone Senior Living, an assisted living and memory care facility for older residents, left 11 residents of Brookdale South San Marcos vulnerable and faced...

The University Star
Alvin Ord's remains closed after employees walk out over abuse allegations

Alvin Ord's, a local sandwich chain widely regarded as a San Marcos staple since opening in 1978, remains closed after employees walked out and resigned, alleging years of verbal abuse and threats by the minority owner. Employees announced the walkout in an April 10 Instagram post after an April 6 meeting with majority owner Bill Martin.

The University Star
Community discusses SAVE Act as it awaits Senate vote

The SAVE Act is awaiting a Senate vote, leading Texas State students to demonstrate against the bill, urging it not to pass. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) is a federal bill that aims to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. The act will prohibit online registration and mail-in ballots and...

The University Star
Anthropology grant takes students to France for WWII recovery project

The Department of Defense awarded the anthropology department a grant, which allowed 11 graduate and doctoral students to fly to France, in hopes of uncovering and returning home the remains of four missing crewmen from a crashed B-17 World War II flight. The department received a $280,000 grant from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA),...

The University Star
Funding cuts may impact disaster assistance

Due to ongoing budget cuts and a worsening drought, Hays County is facing an increase risk of wildfires. The Hays County Office of Emergency Management (HOEM), and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) faces budget cuts impacting their ability to tend to disaster relief, mitigation and recovery within the county.

The University Star
City Council continues conversation over potential data center

At its Feb. 3 meeting, the San Marcos City Council held a public hearing over the proposed rezoning designation of a piece of land which would allow the construction of the Highlander SM-1 Data Center. Over 20 constituents spoke out against the rezoning of a nearly 200-acre plot of land located on the western side...

The University Star
City Council declines Flock Safety contract renewal

The San Marcos City Council decided against the renewal of the current contract with Flock Safety and the use of License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras at their Dec. 2 meeting. Flock License Plate Reader cameras, or LPRs, utilize an automated, cloud-connected camera system and artificial intelligence to track license plates and vehicle details to provide...

The University Star
San Marcos City Council advances grant funding allocation

At the Nov. 18 meeting, San Marcos City Council approved funding for the Human Services Grant Board (HSGB). City council members approved the funding unanimously, allowing the allocation of $750,000 from the City's General Fund and additional funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The allocation of these funds will provide financial relief to non-profit...

The University Star
Bobcat Village not available for upperclassmen housing in 2026

The Department of Housing and Residential Life (DHRL) announced changes for Fall 2026 residency guidelines at Bobcat Village, an off-campus apartment complex, that will impact upperclassmen on Nov. 5. The changes mean the upperclassmen will have to find off-campus housing, or reenter the lottery to be placed in off-campus university-owned housing.

The University Star
Federal funding cuts impact library databases, research

Federal funding cuts to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) resulted in the removal of databases, impacting student and professor access. The TSLAC TexShare program allows Texas libraries to share print and electronic media along with resource and staff knowledge, which is included in the Alkek Library.