WTAW - Interviews

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the length of council meeting agendas, the demographic of the new council, the former Macy's store building, the decision to sell a parking lot in Northgate, reinstating the conditional use permit requirement in Northgate, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Caden Jones of the Destination Bryan tourism office visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver about November's First Friday, the "Lights On" holiday event on November 22nd, and a reminder to register for the downtown Bryan lighted Christmas parade on December 12th.

The First Friday preview includes an invitation to check out a new mural, which is the first major public art project funded by the city of Bryan's arts and culture development grant. The mural is located on the back side of Rabbit Hole & The Attic Antiques at 118 South Bryan Avenue. The official unveiling is Friday (November 1) at 5:30.

This podcast is a visit with Hilton College Station owner Rick Minicozzi and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

The owner of the Hilton College Station says with the completion of three new venues, work will start in December on 240 guest rooms.

Rick Minicozzi, who acquired the property in November 2022, says he appreciates the community's reception of the new pool area, the Reveille rooftop bar and kitchen, and the recently opened restaurant named "The Dean".

With 60 guest rooms already renovated, Minicozzi says the remaining rooms will have a complete teardown renovation to the studs and receive new wall finishes and carpet, new plumbing and fixtures, and new furniture.

Minicozzi says the Hilton is now one of 90 certified by the International Association of Conference Centers for its meeting facilities.

Dr. Susan Ballabina, Chief of Staff for Texas A&M University's President, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about President Welsh's investiture, increasing on-campus housing, remote learning, the future tennis center at Midtown Park, involvement with NASCAR, the second fall Ring Day, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Peggi Ondrasek, President and CEO, and Maggie Montoya Gray, Development Manager, visit with WTAW's Chelsea Reber in this week's United Way of the Brazos Valley update.

This podcast contains comments from the October 21, 2024 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

The Bryan ISD school board recognizes two on campus lifesaving rescues that have taken place during the fall semester.

Rudder High principal Rachel Leighton shared the response of what happened in August, when an unconscious man was found in a parked vehicle. The man, who had delivered an ID for a Rudder student, had been in the vehicle for three hours during 100 degree temperatures.

Bryan High principal Lane Buban shared the response of what happened in September when a substitute teacher became unconscious.

The man who was rescued at Rudder was among those at Monday's board meeting (October 21) presenting gifts to those who were involved.

Buban says the teacher who was rescued has resumed working at Bryan High.

This podcast contains comments from the investiture ceremony of Mark Welsh as Texas A&M's 27th president on October 25, 2024.

Speakers are A&M student body president Cade Coppinger, A&M provost Alan Sams, congressman Michael McCaul, A&M faculty senate speaker Angie Hill Price, Texas A&M system board of regents chairman Bill Mahomes, the chairwoman of A&M's staff council Kat McLelland, and A&M system chancellor John Sharp.

This podcast contains comments from the investiture ceremony of Texas A&M's 27th president as Liz Beechinor, the daughter of Mark Welsh, introduces her father, followed by remarks from Mark Welsh.

The formal installation of Mark Welsh as Texas A&M's 27th president took place Friday morning (October 25).

Welsh said when he was first asked to do an investiture ceremony, he "gave it a pretty flat no". Then he learned it was a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages and he said "Aggies value tradition."

Welsh also said the ceremony is more about the university, adding the president's job is an opportunity and a challenge to earn the trust of A&M's faculty, the confidence of the staff, the respect of current and former students, and the support of the A&M system leadership, the board of regents, and the legislature. Welsh said "accepting that challenge publicly holds me accountable. And I do believe in accountability."

Welsh recognized his parents. His father was an Aggie who fought in World War two, Korea, and Vietnam. 

His mother raised seven children while working as an elementary school teacher.Introducing Welsh was his daughter, Liz Beechinor, A&M class of 2010.

Symbols of the investiture, the university mace and a medallion, were presented by A&M system chancellor John Sharp.

Congressman Michael McCaul, whose wife and three of their children are A&M graduates, presented Welsh with a congressional resolution.

Also speaking were A&M system board of regents chairman Bill Mahomes, A&M faculty senate speaker Angie Hill Price, university staff council chairwoman Kat McLelland, and provost Alan Sams.

Jennifer Cain, Capital Projects Director, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about a road rehab project on William D. Fitch, new courts at Anderson Park, development of baseball fields at Veterans Park, new water wells, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Congressman Michael McCaul visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the Texas Semi-Conductor Summit he is in town for, water issues,  manufacturing facilities, the conflict in the Middle East, his predictions if Donald Trump is elected, North Korea's involvement in the Ukraine conflict, interference with his race, problems with the postal service, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.