WTAW - Interviews

This podcast is a visit with Jim Mazurkiewicz and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Saturday, November 11, 2023 is not only Veterans Day, but by a proclamation issued at this week's Brazos County commission meeting, it is also Polish Day.

The author of the proclamation, Texas A&M agriculture professor Jim Mazurkiewicz, is a fifth generation descendant who is one hundred percent Polish.

The proclamation commemorates "the Polish immigrants that settled in Brazos County and their many contributions in developing this state seeking religious, social, and economic freedoms".

Dr. Mazurkiewicz says by 1909, there were 6,000 Polish immigrants in the Brazos Valley.

The proclamation also included recognition of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish being established 150 years ago.

Before the parish, Mazurkiewicz says there were two priests based in Millican who served areas of heavy Polish settlements at missions in Navasota, Independence, Brenham, and Plantersville.From what he has read,

Mazurkiewicz says the St. Joseph parish was established by 12 families, seven Polish, three Czech, one German, and one French.

Click HERE to read and download the Brazos County proclamation for Polish Day and the sesquicentennial of establishing the St. Joseph Catholic Parish.

Jennifer Cain, Director of Capital Projects, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about a new interactive map online, current projects, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the November 8, 2023 Texas A&M system board of regents academic affairs committee meeting.

A Texas A&M system board of regents committee discussion about tenure includes A&M's failed hiring last summer of Kathleen McElroy to lead the university's resurrected journalism program.

Regent Bob Albritton of Fort Worth wants earlier notice from administrators who want to offer tenure to prospective hires, which is a decision that lies with the regents.

Regents chairman Bill Mahomes of Dallas said he is troubled by the idea of the board reviewing the candidate before administrators make a final offer.

Regent Mike Hernandez of Fort Worth thought there was a middle ground between what was said by Albritton and Mahomes.

Friday morning, the regents without discussion approved allowing prospective faculty members to become eligible for tenure without a probationary period if they are a member of a national academy in the sciences, engineering, and/or medicine.

Lacey Lively, Communications and Marketing Director, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the upcoming Holiday Magic event, workshops, pet vaccinations, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the situation in the Middle East, hostage negotiation, US support for Israel, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the November 6, 2023 Bryan ISD school board meeting..

Bryan ISD school board members hear the results of surprise security inspections by state officials at five locations.

BISD's assistant security director, Rich Himmel, said one undisclosed campus was unable to provide documentation.

Himmel did not share in public any of the locations of the inspections.

BISD superintendent Ginger Carrabine said a log was missing that would have provided documentation.

Carrabine also brought up inspectors finding compliance with security measures meeting state laws and BISD policies.

Board members received the rest of the inspection report behind closed doors.

This podcast is a visit with Brazos County judge Duane Peters and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Brazos County commissioners agree to buy land south of downtown Bryan and west of Midtown Park.

Following Tuesday's unanimous vote following no discussion, county judge Duane Peters told WTAW News that they sought land close to the courthouse to build a climate controlled storage facility to store county records and election equipment.

Six and a half acres off of Finfeather Road and south of Turkey Creek Road is located at 718 Ashford Hills Drive.

The purchase price, $850,000 dollars, is ten times above the appraisal district's value of $84,559.

Peters says finalizing the sale is contingent on the results of a county appraisal.

Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved at the November 7, 2023 Brazos County commission meeting.

Click HERE to read and download information about the property from the Brazos Central Appraisal district.

This podcast is a visit with College Station ISD superintendent Tim Harkrider and WTAW's Bill Oliver the day after CSISD's November 2023 bond election.

Bryan Mayor Pro Tem James Edge visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about progress in Downtown Bryan, parking, renovations at the LaSalle Hotel, development at RELLIS, upcoming events, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

The winner of the contested College Station ISD school board place 7 seat, Heather Simmen, visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Simmen is also asked about two of the four CSISD bond propositions passing and the defeat of two other bond propositions.