WTAW - Interviews

This podcast is the presentation at the 2023 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce banquet of the citizen of the year award and remarks from award recipient Travis Bryan III and 2023 chamber board chairman Jason Cornelius.

This podcast is the presentation at the 2023 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce banquet of the volunteer of the year award and additional remarks by 2023 chamber board chairman Jason Cornelius.

This podcast is the remarks from the keynote speaker at the 2023 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce annual banquet. Texas A&M interim president Mark Welsh is introduced by College Station mayor John Nichols.

This podcast is the presentation at the 2023 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce annual banquet of the ambassador of the year award by chamber president Glen Brewer.

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the high speed train project, upcoming city council issues, housing, holiday events, land sales, the former Macy's building, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from a visit with Texas A&M interim president Mark Welsh and WTAW's Bill Oliver, following remarks during the November 13, 2023 Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce annual banquet from chamber president Glen Brewer.

The Texas A&M system board of regents announced on Tuesday that a special meeting will be held Friday morning, in part to consider the chancellor's recommendation that Mark Welsh be named sole finalist as the next president at Texas A&M.

Click HERE to read and download the board of regents meeting notice from the Texas secretary of state's office.

This follows the chancellor's office issuing a statement Monday evening confirming that John Sharp notified the board of regents chairman and members of the A&M faculty senate's executive committee of his intent to name the interim president to take over on a permanent basis. The speaker of the faculty senate brought up the meeting Monday afternoon during the senate's monthly meeting.

The statement from the chancellor's office says in part that “Like many of you, I am pleased with the direction of Texas A&M under General Welsh’s leadership,” Sharp said. “He is moving decisively to advance the university’s mission, and he is doing it while ensuring that faculty, staff, and others are properly informed and included.”

The statement also says "The Chancellor said there is an urgency to reach a final decision and bring further stability to the university administration. It will help with academic and administrative hiring decisions as well bringing renewed momentum to a wide array of initiatives."

Click HERE to read and download the statement from the Texas A&M system chancellor's office.

WTAW News asked Welsh for his reaction to Sharp's recommendation after Monday night's chamber of commerce annual banquet, where Welsh was the featured speaker.Welsh said "nothing has happened yet" and that "we'll have to wait to see what the board of regents has to say."

During the banquet, chamber president Glen Brewer told attendees of what was then the reports of Sharp's recommendation. That drew applause from the sold-out audience.

This podcast contains comments from the November 8, 2023 Brazos Valley council of governments board meeting.

The Brazos Valley council of governments (BVCOG) renews its opposition to Texas Central's high speed rail project.

The resolution, which was first adopted in 2016, did not receive a unanimous vote among the city and county leaders from the seven county region.

College Station mayor John Nichols voted no, saying that the city and the chamber of commerce are both on record supporting the high speed bullet train.

Grimes County judge Joe Fauth said the reason to renew the resolution is to keep it in front of state lawmakers. Fauth said during a trip to Austin earlier this year, about half the people they spoke with thought it was a dead issue.

Also speaking in favor of continuing the resolution, were Leon County judge Byron Ryder, Leon County commissioner Joey Sullivan, and a Robertson County member of the BVCOG board, Jimmie McCullough of Hearne.

The resolution states the Texas Central project will not meet the threshold of public benefit that historically justifies the use of eminent domain.

Click HERE to read and download the resolution that was renewed during the November 8, 2023 BVCOG board meeting.

Hear Friday's ceremony of the unveiling of a new statue on the RELLIS campus honor Buzz Aldrin. Speakers include Kelly Templin, Director, Texas A&M - RELLIS, Vivek Lall, Chief Executive, General Atomics Global Corporation, John Sharp, Chancellor, Texas A&M University, and Robert Charles, Navy Lt. Cmdr.

This podcast is the recording of the Texas A&M athletics director Ross Bjork news conference about the firing of Jimbo Fisher on November 12, 2023.

This podcast is the Bryan/College Station Salvation Army holiday campaign kickoff program from November 10, 2023.

Speakers, in order of appearance, are Bryan/College Staton Salvation Army Captain Marianne Villanueva, Bryan city councilman James Edge, chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board Stephen Vincent, president of the Aggie Salvation Army Lyle Majors, Blue Baker president Zach Langenkamp, Bryan Broadcasting's Allison Harrell, and closing remarks from Salvation Army Captains Luis and Marianne Villanueva.

The Bryan/College Station Salvation Army launched its holiday campaigns on Friday (November 10).

Captain Luis Villanueva says the Angel Tree gift program will benefit 2,200 local children.

Click HERE to be directed to the B/CS Salvation Army Angel Tree website.

And this year's goal to raise money from the local Red Kettle bell ringing campaign is $200,000 dollars.

Click HERE to be directed to volunteer as a bell ringer at the registertoring.com website.

Speakers at Friday's kickoff included the chairman of the local Salvation Army advisory board, Stephen Vincent, and Bryan city councilman James Edge.

Another speaker was the president of the Aggie Salvation Army. Lyle Majors says they are hosting a concert called "Rock The Red Kettle" on Thursday, November 16, from 5-8 p.m. at Rudder Plaza. Also participating are current and former NFL players and the Aggie Yell Leaders.

The kickoff was held at the Blue Baker restaurant on University in College Station. All three Blue Baker locations in College Station have Angel Trees where children can be adopted. Blue Baker president Zach Langenkamp was among the speakers.

Another speaker was Allison Harrell of Bryan Broadcasting, which is a corporate sponsor of the B/CS Salvation Army Angel Tree and Red Kettle drives.