A student at Rice University in Houston was found dead in her dorm room Monday in an apparent murder-suicide, sending the campus into a nearly two-hour lockdown as students concluded their first day of classes, according to police and university officials.

The body of the junior student, Andrea Rodriguez Avila, was discovered by university police after a concerned family member asked for a wellness check and officers saw she had missed class Monday, Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez said.

Avila’s suspected shooter, an unidentified male who doesn’t appear to be affiliated with the university, was also found dead in the room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Based on a note from the suspect found at the scene, investigators believe the man shot Avila before shooting himself, the police chief said. The note also indicated the pair had been in a troubled romantic relationship.

“This is a speech that no president ever wants to make,” Rice University President Reginald DesRoches said while announcing Avila’s death. “Tonight, I want all of our students, our parents and the entire Rice community to know that the Rice campus is safe and there is no immediate threat, and tonight we will wrap our arms around our students,” he added.

The shooter likely accompanied Avila into her residential hall, Jones College, Rodriguez said. Earlier Monday, a university spokesperson said there were no signs of forced entry.

The discovery of the bodies triggered a campus-wide lockdown beginning around 5:40 p.m. CT, and the cancellation of all remaining classes and activities Monday, according to the university.

The university announced at 7:18 p.m. that the lockdown had been lifted.

The Rice University Police Department is leading the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department, Houston police said.

Jones College, where Avila lived, is one of 11 residential colleges that house Rice’s undergraduate students. Each year, new students are randomly sorted into a residential college, where they will stay for the rest of their undergraduate career.

Avila’s parents are communicating with the university and will fly to Houston on Tuesday, DesRoches said.

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Both presidential campaigns are targeting rural voters – with Republican nominee Senator JD Vance in Pennsylvania and Democratic nominees Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz in Georgia.

The Harris campaign is looking beyond Atlanta and its suburbs to make gains in red communities, while analysts say Trump's team aims to hold on to a base that helped them win in 2016.

Harris and Walz are taking a two-day bus tour through southeast Georgia.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Their campaign is positioning offices in rural counties like Washington and Jenkins.

Meanwhile, GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance is on the trail in Erie, Pennsylvania.

"This is a beautiful place, but it has been left behind by a lot of stupid policies from people like Kamala Harris," Vance said.

Analysts say these small-town stops can have a big impact come Election Day.

"Republicans need these voters, and the Democrats know that if they can take a few away from them that can be impactful in what's going to be a very close race," said political analyst Todd Belt.

The economy is one of the top issues in what's expected to be a close race.

Trump's edge on the matter, though, is softening, according to a new Reuters Ipsos poll, shifting from an 11-point lead over Harris in July to 3 points in August.

Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

"We're gonna drill baby drill. We got plenty of energy here in Pennsylvania," Vance said.

"The only thing these guys know about working people is how to take advantage of them, how to not pay them," said Walz.

On Thursday, Harris and Walz are scheduled to sit down for their first joint interview. The same day, Trump will hold a rally in Wisconsin.

Trump and Harris hit the campaign trail after the conclusions of conventions

New research from WalletHub reveals the best credit cards to help you save money.

The study compared more than 1,500 credit cards and identified the top choices in several categories.

For best overall, the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card stands out with no annual fee, 2% cash rewards on purchases, and no interest on balances for the first year.

For rewards and travel, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers 60,000 rewards points if you spend $4,000 in the first three months, which can be used to pay down your bill or book travel.

For students, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is recommended. It has no annual fee, offers cash-back rewards, and is suitable for those with limited credit history.

You can view the full report here.

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The Jackson Fire Department is investigating a fire that broke out at a portable classroom at Baker Elementary School.

Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Armon said the firefighters received the call about the fire at the abandoned school around 7:49 p.m. Wednesday.

Armon said the fire started at one portable, which was a total loss.

Two adjacent portable classrooms also sustained major damage according to Armon.

Baker Elementary School is one of several schools in the Jackson Public School District that consolidated and closed due to numerous issues.

Baker Elementary students consolidated with Shirley Elementary.

In April, the district's Facilities Repurposing Advisory Committee recommended the demolition of Baker and three other schools in the district.

The school board approved the demolitions at their April 18 meeting. A date for when the demolition will take place has not been set.

Armon said no injuries were reported from the fire.

A Milwaukee cyclist had a scary close call during Tuesday's storm.

A doorbell camera captured the dramatic moment. A large tree fell right in front of the cyclist, bringing down power lines and creating a dangerous situation with sparks flying.

Despite crashing into the tree, the cyclist walked away unharmed.

A neighbor described the scene.

"It pulled out the ground. The whole roots. I'm tellin' you, I heard a boom; shook the whole house. It cut off all the power," Fred Powers said.