WTAW - Interviews

This podcast is a visit with Kathy Polzer of the Brazos Valley groundwater conservation district and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

The Brazos Valley groundwater conservation district (BVGCD) and Brazos County commission are hosting an education meeting for those interested in learning about water supplies in Brazos and Robertson counties.

The "Aquifers 101" gathering is Tuesday (June 30) starting at 6 p.m. at the Brazos Center.

Kathy Polzer of the groundwater conservation district says they are hearing more questions about water sources in light of proposed data centers, what may be happening in Grimes County, and severe shortages in Corpus Christi.

Polzer also said "Maybe up until now we've just kind of taken it for granted that the water is going to come whenever we need it and it's going to be there for us. And so, people have questions (of) all of a sudden we're concerned that it (the water is) not going to be there when we need it."

Tuesday's meeting consists of a presentation and a question and answer period.

Visiting on WTAW's The Infomaniacs with Tucker Young, city of College Station principal planner Heather Wade reviews the city's first public meeting about the new Harvey Road corridor study and the city's assistant communications director Bobbie Lehrmann previews the city's July 4th event.

For the 23rd time in 24 years, the Brazos County Historical Commission gets a distinguished service award from the Texas Historical Commission.

Chairman Henry Mayo accepted the state award from county judge Duane Peters at this week's (June 23) county commission meeting.

Burleson, Washington, and Milam counties were among the 62 counties who also received the state award, which is based on local activities during the preceding year.

The general manager of the private company that operates the Travis Field complex for the city of Bryan, Travis Triola, and marketing coordinator Brady Bell visit with WTAW's Tucker Young on The Infomaniacs June 25, 2026 about upcoming events.

This podcast contains comments from the June 23, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners respond to a public speaker's request to do more public awareness about risks associated with the migrating New World Screwworm.

The request during Tuesday's meeting (June 23) came from local veterinarian Gina Mosavi. Her message was targeted to the owners of domestic animals to be on the lookout for the insect that is affecting the livestock industry.

Mosavi's request was taken up at the end of Tuesday's meeting. Commissioner Bentley Nettles and county judge Duane Peters agreed to get an agent from the Brazos County extension office to provide an update and to post links on the county's website to provide information about the insect.

Sheriff Wayne Dicky added that his livestock and animal control units are being trained in what to look for. And Dicky said he'll be contacting the health district to offer their assistance.

This podcast contains comments from the June 9, 2026 Bryan city council meeting.

Action at the June regular meeting of the Bryan city council included borrowing more than $65 million dollars.

More than $36 million is being borrowed for Bryan streets and drainage projects, almost $26 million is going to Bryan's new animal center and Midtown Park projects, and $3 million was borrowed for new fire engines.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials about the Bryan city council approving issuing $65 million dollars in certificates of obligation.

The council also approved refinancing almost $11 million dollars inbonds issued by BTU in 2017 that will save $1.5 million dollars in interest and prevent raising base electric rates for the near future.

Now retired BTU general manager Gary Miller says paying the debt early will prevent an increase in the base electric rates in the near future.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials about the Bryan city council approving refinancing BTU debt.

This podcast is a visit with Brazos County 85th district court judge Kyle Hawthorne and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

On the eve of the United States 250th anniversary, 75 people will gather at the Bush Library and Museum Thursday morning (June 25) to become naturalization citizens. 

Brazos County district judge Kyle Hawthorne will administer the oath of allegiance as he had done more than 40 times in 12 years.

Hawthorne told WTAW News that naturalization ceremonies and adoptions are the two things where 50 percent of the people are not mad at him.

The judge says the ceremony in the museum pavilion, where a Marine One helicopter and train engine are located, sends a tingle up his spine.

Hawthorne encourages everyone to attend the ceremony, which starts Thursday morning at 10, where "these people (those who are becoming citizens) really get excited about it."

And the judge is impressed with the four to five year effort that is made to become eligible to become American citizens.

This podcast contains comments from the June 23, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners vote four to one to sell to Burleson County, 286 road signs for $100 that are no longer used by the road and bridge department.

Commissioner Fred Brown, who voted no, asked why Brazos County wasn't using the signs.County engineer Prathana Banerji said the signs have been in storage for more than ten years because they are out of compliance with state regulations.

When Brown asked Banerji why Burleson County wanted the signs if Brazos County could not use them, Banerji told Brown that was a question to ask Burleson County officials.

Click HERE to read and download the interlocal agreement approved at the June 23, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

College Station mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Tucker Young and Will Welch on The Infomaniacs June 24, 2026. Topics includes a review of the first public meeting of the city's future plans along and near Harvey Road between Texas and the freeway and a preview of the upcoming city council continuing discussion of the future development of the Northgate District.

This podcast contains comments from the June 16, 2026 College Station ISD school board meeting.

Around 1,500 College Station ISD employees are dealing with a new provider of health insurance.Price was the driving factor in the CSISD school board decision's at their June 16th meeting.

Changing to Baylor Scott & White (BSW) starting September 1 was going to save between $87 and $455 dollars a month, depending on the plan, compared with staying with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Texas for the 2026-2027 school year.

CSISD board members were told Blue Cross was raising their rates 28 percent because the dollar amount of claims they paid last year was nine percent above the revenue they received from CSISD employees.

More money paid in claims over revenue from premiums was also the reason CSISD received four proposals out of soliciting 17 health insurance carriers.

Board members were told as many as one-fourth of CSISD employees will have to switch providers from the St. Joseph to the BSW network.

Much of the CSISD board discussion was about the short amount of time that members and employees were given to review the proposals.

Click HERE to read and download a memo about CSISD health insurance that was part of the agenda of the June 16, 2026 CSISD board meeting.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials at the June 16, 2026 College Station ISD school board meeting.