WTAW - Interviews

This podcast contains comments from the August 29, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

College Station voters could be considering in as soon as the November 2027 election, a $65 to $80 million dollar bond issue to build a recreation center.

A majority of College Station council members at Thursday's meeting (August 28) were in favor of finalizing a location and what would a center offer.The consensus followed a review of 250 pages of consultant's reports on the project.

The consultants recommended three locations...Wolf Pen Creek, the former Macy's store that is owned by the city, and Central Park...

This podcast contains comments from the August 28, 2025 Texas A&M system board of regents building committee meeting.

The Texas A&M system board of regents approves proceeding with the flagship campus's new home of the university's visitors center, prospective student center, and new academic programs.

Funding for the $250 million dollar Aplin Center included a $50 million dollar gift in June 2022 from Arch Aplin III, the founder of Buc-ee's convenience stores.

Construction will start in September and is slated to open in February 2028.

The three story building on the former site of parking lot 100...

Colin Killian, Director of Public Communications, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the recreation center study, the Amazon drone facility, approving the budget and proposed tax rate, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Six months of attempts by new Brazos County commissioner Fred Brown to end the county's use of Diners Club credit cards is over.

At Tuesday's commission meeting (August 26), a unanimous vote was made to use a credit card that pays Brazos County a rebate based on the total amount of charges and how quickly the county makes card payments.

Brazos County will be part of a credit card account established by the state comptroller's office.

Click HERE to read and download...

Doug Vance, Executive Director of the Brazos Valley Coalition on Suicide Prevention, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber.

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 Blinn College trustees meeting.

Blinn College trustees again set a property tax rate that requires paying a penalty to the state because the rate is under the minimum of five cents.

The rate of 4.38 cents was approved at a special meeting Tuesday (August 26) by a five to one vote.Voting no was Richard O'Malley. Not present for the vote was Dennis Crowson.

During the trustees regular meeting on August 19, vice chancellor Clem Burton said Blinn paid an $870,000 dollar penalty in fiscal year 2024 and a $560,000 dollar penalty in...

This podcast contains comments from Brazos County commission meetings on August 19 and August 26, 2025.

In 2019, the Texas Transportation Commission approved Brazos County's application to create a regional mobility authority (RMA) that focuses on local transportation projects.

At the August 19th county commission meeting, opponents to the east loop highway project called for the RMA to go away.

That was followed by commissioners voting three to two to continue sharing in paying for the RMA's required financial audit.

No one on the commissioners court explained their vote, which was approved by acting county judge...

This podcast contains comments from the August 27, 2025 meeting of the Texas A&M system board of regents committee on academic and student affairs.

The start of the new academic year at the Texas A&M system's 12 universities coincides with a board of regents study into student discipline.

The regents committee on academic and student affairs (CASA) launched the study with a 45 minute discussion at their August 27th meeting in College Station.

Speakers included the system's lead attorney dealing with student affairs Jerry Brown, the director of Texas A&M's director of student community standards...

Jose Castro, Bryan's Municipal Court Juvenile Case Coordinator, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about trends in juvenile cases, Teen Court, the Youth Advisory Commission, how to sign up, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

The design of a Brazos County office complex and parking garage across Texas Avenue from the courthouse is on hold.

That's after county staff asked commissioners to consider adding a fourth floor to the office building and a larger parking area.

Commissioners at Tuesday's meeting (August 26) tabled the request until their September 9th meeting.

The proposed $10 million dollar addition is part of the county's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.

The county's project manager, Trevor Lansdown, was asked to provide information...

This podcast contains comments from the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners propose a property tax rate increase of more than three cents.

Commissioners cited two factors before the unanimous vote at Tuesday's (August 26) meeting.

One was making up for lost valuation by property owners making successful appeals of valuations set by the Brazos Central Appraisal District.

Commissioners also blamed more restrictions from state lawmakers.

The proposal calls for the Brazos County property tax rate going from .419700 to .423059.

A public hearing was scheduled for September 9th...

Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about the proposed budget and tax rate, development at Midtown Park, expanding Legends Event Center, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is an interview with the city of Bryan's director of development services Martin Zimmerman and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

An apartment complex in Bryan being considered for closure due to unsafe living conditions gets a reprieve.

A hearing before the city's building standards commission on Monday (August 25) was continued until October 27.

The city's director of development services, Martin Zimmerman, says that was to comply with state law after finding out the Canyon Village complex on Finfeather has a new owner.

Zimmerman also says due to sewer backup issues, all units in...

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 College Station ISD school board meeting.

College Station ISD school board members decide not to change the district's grievance policy.

Chief of staff Sara Goolsby told board members at their August regular meeting that the district had the option to not comply with a new state law.

Senate Bill 12 gives parents 60 days to file a grievance instead of 15 and allows parents to contact the central office without confronting the campus administration.

Board members wanted to keep the shorter grievance period and to start the grievance...

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

For the first time in ten years, rental prices are going up at the Brazos Center.

Recommendations from Brazos Center manager Joanna Spencer were unanimously approved at the August 19th county commission meeting.

Spencer says the prices on contracts already signed for future events will be honored.

New prices will begin in 2026, with another increase planned in 2029 and again in 2032.

Spencer says the increase is to generate revenue to pay for operating expenses.

Spencer says the Brazos...

Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber.

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

In 2022, Brazos County commissioners created a public defender's office to represent adults who cannot afford a lawyer.A state grant helped pay for the initial staff of ten people.

Commissioners at this week's meeting (August 19) accepted more state grant money to continue paying a share of keeping the original staff, and to establish new divisions dealing with juveniles, those with mental health issues, and address appeals.

The four to one vote expanding the public defender's office followed one hour of discussion. Most of...

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 Blinn College board of trustees meeting.

On the eve of the new academic year starting at Blinn College, board of trustees members are given an update on the impact of new state laws and procedures.
Executive vice chancellor Leighton Schubert said during the August regular meeting of the trustees that almost all fulltime faculty members who have taught remotely are required to return to campus. And locations have been found for an undisclosed number of returning faculty members.

Schubert also brought up rules by the Texas coordinating board...

College Station Fire Chief Richard Mann visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the students returning, the amount of equipment dispatched for a car accident, planning for a new fire station, fire truck manufacturers, challenges of vertical development, hiring and recruiting more firefighters, eating at the firehouse, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 19, 2025 College Station ISD school board.

College Station ISD school board members adopt a new policy to comply with a new state law regulating the operation of school libraries.

The unanimous vote at the August CSISD board meeting included not creating a library advisory committee.

The new state law requires the advisory committee if the CSISD board receives a petition from at least 50 parents.

According to a memo given to CSISD board members, complying with Senate Bill 13 without a library advisory committee "allows librarians to determine...

Bryan Councilman Kevin Boriskie visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about progress on the budget, tax rates, the success of Legends Event Center, Midtown Lake, Downtown Bryan gameday shuttles, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

State Representative Paul Dyson of Bryan (R-TX) visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about passing the redistricting plan, other states' plans for redistricting, remaining business in the second special session, added agenda items, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 12, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting.

The August workshop meeting of the Bryan city council included a staff presentation about a proposed promotion associated with the city's sponsorship of free shuttle bus service between downtown Bryan and Texas A&M home football games.

Deputy city manager Joey Dunn said the "Gameday on Main" concept could be expanded to all A&M games as well as other times for visitors to take advantage of downtown Bryan businesses.

The promotion could also include adding video screens and additional seating in...

This podcast is a visit with the executive director of the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization Dan Rudge and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

More than $2 million dollars given by the Texas department of transportation (TxDOT) to the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization (MPO) will be spent on two projects in the twin cities.

MPO executive director Dan Rudge says the organization's policy board approved a shared use path along East 29th Street from Carter Creek Parkway to Autumn Circle.

The other project is improving the intersection of George Bush and Timber and Bizzell.<...

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the proposed tax rate, other budget items, an upcoming report on the recreation center study, development in the midtown area, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with Debbie Albert of the Texas A&M system Transportation Institute and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Before the Texas A&M football season opens, traffic patterns before and after home games have been reviewed.

Debbie Albert at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute listed the following gameday traffic changes during a presentation this month at the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization's policy board meeting:

1. Bizzell & University: Postgame - Create dual right turns to help get traffic out of the Polo Rd area of campus

2. Bizzell & George Bush...

THis podcast contains comments from the August 18, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council will take public comments August 28th about setting the proposed property tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year budget at the highest level without requiring a public vote.

The council can lower the rate but can not increase it.What received council consensus at their August 14th meeting is slightly less than last year, but two and a half cents higher than city staff's original recommendation.

During a special meeting of the council on August 12th, members were...

Kathleen Sanderson visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about changes to this year's tutoring program, how kids can participate, the Salvation Army's clothing closet, other outreach programs, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

College Station Councilman William Wright visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about his kids going back to school, repealing the overoccupancy ordinance, the proposed property tax rate, a future convention center, the Wolf Pen Creek area, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 12, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting.

The Bryan city council receives its third annual report from the operators of the city owned Legends Events Center.

General manager Jamie Cox says since opening in December of 2022, there have been 635,000 users.

Councilmembers were also told there have been 79 special events, 279 meetings and parties, almost 10,000 sports practices, and more than 850 games.

The director of the Destination Bryan tourism office, John Friebele, says in less than three years that Legends has generated an estimated economic impact of $30 million dollars and...

This podcast contains two interviews...with Brazos County juvenile services volunteer and mentor coordinator Cornelius Gray and with the CEO of the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley, Leslie Bowlin.

Since 2008, the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley (ACBV) has led a summertime arts project involving teenagers who are residents at the Brazos County juvenile services center.This summer's project was painting murals on skateboard ramps at Brian Bachmann Park in College Station.

Juvenile services volunteer and mentor coordinator Cornelius Gray has administered the project the last six years. He says 13 children between the ages from 14...

This podcast contains comments from the July 24, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

The annual report from the landfill agency co owned by the cities of College Station and Bryan to the College Station city council included updates on multiple projects.

The deputy director of the Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency (BVSWMA) brought up the expanding drilling of wells at Twin Oaks landfill by a third party energy company that captures landfill gas and converts it to natural gas. Samantha Best said that will generate almost $3 million dollars in revenue this year. Next year's projected revenue...

This podcast contains comments from the August 14, 2025 meeting of the Texas A&M faculty senate.

Monday (August 11) WAS the final regular meeting of the Texas A&M faculty senate after more than 40 years as an independent body.

Faculty senates at public universities around Texas lost their independence as the result of legislation passed during the regular session. 

Senate Bill 37 was supported by all lawmakers representing the Brazos Valley.

Click HERE to read and download Senate Bill 37 from the 2025 session of the Texas Legislature.

Speaker Andrew Klein says the future of t...

Lacey Lively, Bryan’s Communications & Marketing Director, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about fall activities, the Parks and Recreation Department, Aggie Football Game Day shuttles, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the August 12, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

In June of 2024, the Bryan city council voted six to one against rezoning land at Copperfield and Boonville for a $67 million dollar luxury apartment complex.

Tuesday night (August 12), the council approved the rezoning by a six to one margin.

The vote came after more than two hours of comments from 15 public speakers, 13 who opposed the project, along with detailed presentations from three representatives of the development.

The land at the northwest corner of Copperfield and Boonville is currently zoned for townhomes.<...

This podcast contains comments from the August 12, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council is told there is $144 million dollars available to borrow for capital projects.

Councilmembers spent 60 minutes during a special meeting Tuesday (August 12) sharing their opinion about the future of 14 projects.

That was followed by 30 minutes of discussing those preferences with city manager Bryan Woods.

Woods takeaway at the end of the 90 minute exchange was "as far as we need, I think we've (city staff) got it. We'll take a shot at it, and if it's good...

This podcast is a visit with the executive director of the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization Dan Rudge and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Two studies were given the green light last week by the policy board of the Bryan/College Station metropolitan planning organization (MPO).

MPO executive director Dan Rudge says in the 2026 fiscal year, a consultant will be hired to do what Rudge describes as prioritizing vulnerable road grade separations along University between Texas and Agronomy Road as part of a complete streets plan that also includes the South College/College Avenue corridor.

...

Bryan mayor Bobby Gutierrez visits with Scott DeLucia on WTAW's The Infomaniacs August 13, 2025.

Topics includes development of the 2026 fiscal year Bryan city budget.

This podcast contains comments from the August 7, 2025 special meeting of the College Station ISD school board.

A new state law affecting the operation of public school libraries was discussed during a special meeting of the College Station ISD school board by members, administrators, and three parents who spoke during a public comment period.

The CSISD board will consider action to comply with Senate Bill 13 at regularly scheduled monthly meeting on August 19.

Click HERE to read and download Senate Bill 13 from the regular session of the 2025 state legislature.

Superintendent Tim Harkrider described SB 13 "...

This podcast contains comments from the August 4, 2025 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

No one on the Bryan ISD school board continues to express any opposition about a possible $397 million dollar bond issue election this November.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the August 4, 2025 Bryan ISD board meeting.

During the BISD board's August 4th meeting, one concern was state mandated ballot language saying that the bond issue would result in a property tax rate increase.BISD's new chief financial officer Norma Friddle repeated the state required language was required because the bond...