WTAW - Interviews

Jim Rollins, Site Coordinator for AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about the free tax preparation and e-filing service for Brazos Valley residents.

Four nuclear reactor companies are coming to the RELLIS campus to build small modular reactors, also known as SMRs. Hear the Texas A&M Univeristy System news conference.

This podcast is a visit with Bryan mayor Bobby Gutierrez and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Motorists who regularly drive FM 1179 in Brazos County between Boonville Road and Easterling Drive are encouraged to complete a survey on current plans to improve that portion of the highway.

The city of Bryan is promoting an online survey that is available until February 28th.

Mayor Bobby Gutierrez is interested in collecting as many opinions as possible.

Results of the city survey will be incorporated in the city's response to the Texas department of transportation (TxDOT), which is in charge of the project.

TxDOT is proposing a four lane highway with a center median and dedicated left turn lanes at selected locations, roundabouts at the intersection with Coyote Run Road and the intersection with Merka and Steep Hollow Roads.

Click HERE to be directed to the city of Bryan's survey about the FM 1179 project.

News release from the city of Bryan:

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Bryan District is developing plans to widen FM 1179 from Easterling Drive to FM 158 (Boonville Road) in order to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and modernize the roadway configuration to current design standards. 

The total length of the project is approximately 3.6 miles and 39 acres of proposed right-of-way would be required. 

FM 1179 is owned and managed by TxDOT, not the City of Bryan.

The proposed project includes:

Widening the existing two-lane roadway to four lanes, with two lanes in each direction separated by raised medians with dedicated left-turn lanes at selected intersections.

Constructing roundabouts at the Coyote Run Road and Merka Road/Steep Hollow Road intersections.

Providing pedestrian and bicycle accommodations within the project limits, including the construction of a shared-use path — a wide sidewalk that can be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.

Adjusting the roadway alignment to current design standards.Additional information:

Fact Sheet


Exhibit Boards

TxDOT’s 1179 Widening Project Webpage

TxDOT has asked the city for written support of this project, and we want to hear from you. If you are a frequent traveler on FM 1179, please provide your input by completing the online survey by Friday, Feb. 28.

WTAW's Chelsea Reber visits with Peggi Ondrasek, President/CEO of United Way of the Brazos Valley, and Blake Jennings, Founder/President of OnRamp.

This podcast is a recording from the January 22, 2025 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce economic outlook conference.

Those attending the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce economic outlook conference heard about the impact of the president's proposal to increase tariffs.

Economist Lori Taylor, who is a department head at Texas A&M's Bush school, expects "substantial increases" in the price of a new vehicle. She recommended buying a new vehicle in the next month to avoid higher prices caused by the increased cost of components that are imported to manufacture vehicles.

Taylor also said the increased tariffs vary. For instance, the tariff on cotton shirts is different than silk shirts, the tariff on cotton suits is different than wool suits, and the tariff on men's golf shoes is five percent while the tariff on women's golf shoes is 10 percent.

Taylor showed a slide in her presentation stating if increased tariffs are implemented, the impact in the Brazos Valley includes:

• A sharp increase in prices for tradeable goods
• The Federal Reserve may delay interest rate cuts to fight the inflationary impact
• There will be slower economic growth
• Job losses in import consuming industries
• A net overall loss in jobs
• And an ambiguous impact on sales tax revenue

Speakers include Mary Hensley, Chancellor, Jim Kolkhorst, Chair Blinn Board of Trustees, State Representatives Paul Dyson and Trey Wharton, Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez, College Station Mayor John Nichols, and Kenny Lawson, Chair Bryan Campus Advisory Committee.

Jennifer Cain, College Station's Capital Projects Director, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about her recent update at the city council meeting, water issues, the new fire station, Thomas Park, the online capital projects map, Rock Prairie construction, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

State Representative Trey Wharton visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about his last week during the legislative session, a bill he submitted, school vouchers, the number of school districts in his district, receiving committee assignments next week, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with College Station city councilman Bob Yancy and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

A College Station councilman is investigating repurposing the city owned Macy's store located at Post Oak Mall for indoor pickleball.

Bob Yancy told WTAW News people have reached out to him and he has determined there is room for 20 pickleball courts without making major renovations.

Yancy said this would address a shortage of courts in College Station and Bryan.

He also said this would increase customer traffic at mall, adding "I just believe that it's unfair to the other businesses, the tenants at the mall for us (the city) to leave it (the former Macy's building) empty in an open ended manner."