WTAW - Interviews

The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Brazos Valley chapter serves Brazos, Robertson, Burleson, Grimes, Washington, Madison, and Leon counties.

NAMI-BV board president Lakshmi Mahadevan visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver about services provided by the agency, a preview of an April 30th gala fundraiser titled “Faces of Hope: Unmasking the Stigma”, and volunteer opportunities.

Click HERE to be directed to the NAMI-BV website for more information about the gala fundraiser.

This podcast contains comments from the April 23, 2026 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council joins the planning and zoning commission (P&Z) in unanimously approving rezoning land for a large housing development that drew vocal opposition from neighboring subdivisions.

Click HERE to read and download background information about the zoning change that was approved at the April 23, 2026 College Station city council meeting.

This was the second time a homebuilder had sought rezoning on land south of Greens Prairie Road, surrounded by Greens Prairie Reserve, Sweetwater, Sweetwater Forest, Castlegate, and Castlegate II subdivisions.In November 2025, the council and P&Z defeated a proposal where around 1,800 homes could have been built.

What was approved Thursday (April 23), could result in almost 900 homes, although councilman Bob Yancy estimated a number closer to 600 because of the land that would be needed for streets and green space that the city requires.

Ten opponents who live or have an interest in Greens Prairie Reserve told the council they believed this subdivision would be composed of homes that would be rented instead of owner occupied. Just before the council vote, a representative of the homebuilder shared a letter stating they will file a restrictive covenant limiting the number of new homes that can owned by a single entity to be rented. That led multiple council members to say they hope the homebuilder lives up to that decision.

Councilwoman Melissa McIlhaney brought up the additional steps the homebuilder will have to clear with city staff before first home can be built.

Councilman Yancy also told opponents that traffic concerns at the bottleneck intersection of Greens Prairie, Arrington, and Fitch are being addressed by the Texas Department of Transportation with what Yancy described as "a fancy, overcapacitized" project that currently in design at Fitch and Arrington to "help that terrible chokepoint in our traffic."

Yancy also said a sewer line to serve the new development is on its way. And Yancy hopes the city and Brazos County will work together to address drainage issues caused by the additional homes.

City of College Station Solid Waste Division Manager Caroline Ask visits with WTAW’s Will Welch on The Infomaniacs on Friday, April 24, 2026, to talk about recycling day collection changes for some, and more.

OPAS Executive Director Anne Black visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia on The Infomaniacs on Friday, April 24, 2026, to talk about upcoming shows, special events, and more.

This podcast contains comments from the April 21, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

As construction starts on the new Brazos County courthouse annex complex, commissioners are considering moving the district attorney's office out of the courthouse.

That led to a four to one vote at Tuesday's meeting (April 21) to spend just over $120,000 dollars to study what it would take for the DA's office to move to office space in the downtown Bryan parking garage after adult probation moves to the new annex.

The contract calls for spending $114,860 on the study and reimburse the consultant for travel expenses that are estimated at $5,658 dollars.

Voting for the study was county judge Duane Peters and commissioners Bentley Nettles, Chuck Konderla, and Wanda Watson. Fred Brown voted no.

First assistant district attorney Brian Baker told commissioners it will take strategic planning not only to convert the space, but how to move evidence that includes guns and drugs between the parking garage and the courthouse.

Click HERE to read and download the scope of work of the consultant's study.

Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved at the April 21, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

City of Bryan parks and recreation supervisor Emberly Smith visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia on The Infomaniacs on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to discuss the Family Campout before the city again cancelled the event due to recent rainfall. Other topics included summer hiring and other upcoming events.

This podcast contains comments from the April 20, 2026 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Three retired division one head football coaches...all with a connection to Texas A&M...attended this week's (April 20) Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Jackie Sherill, Darrell Dickey, and Phil Bennett were on hand to promote a tackle football camp for third through sixth graders that will take place next month.

Sherill said the camp will begin May 9th with the elementary and intermediate students experiencing an NFL-style combine.

That will be followed by what is described as a "technique skills and drill camp" from May 11th through the 14th.

A $40 dollar registration fee includes the camps, an athletic physical by the Brazos County Health District, a shirt and shorts, and lunch.

Sherrill was hired last year by retired Bryan city manager Kean Register as an advisor to the new Bryan Youth Sports Association, whose mission is to strengthen youth athletics and community engagement.

Sherill told BISD board members the association will add more sports.

As for the football camp, Sherill said this will give the opportunity for junior high coaches to recruit future players.

Sherill says the instruction that will be given at the camp will be the same systems that are used at Bryan High and Rudder High.

Also involved in the youth sports association is the retired executive director of the Texas A&M athletics lettermen's association, Cathy Capps. She shared with BISD board members that the association is soliciting sponsorships to assist camp participants and programs.

Click HERE to read and download a flyer about the youth football camp, provided by the city of Bryan.

News release from the city of Bryan:

The Bryan Youth Sports Association (BYSA), formed to advance and support new athletic programs for children in Bryan, is gearing up for a major program: a tackle football spring combine and mini-camp for young athletes.

The BYSA was ratified by Bryan City Council last September. Former Texas A&M football coach Jackie Sherrill is on the board of directors and is leading the upcoming program.

The combine and mini-camp are designed to elevate skill development and techniques, build confidence and introduce the fundamentals of tackle football within a structured environment that reflects the pride of our community. Coach Sherrill will be assisted by several accomplished coaches.

This podcast is a visit with the executive director of the OPAS performing arts series at Texas A&M Anne Black and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Season 54 of the OPAS performing arts series at Texas A&M has the theme of "True Colors".

The season opens September 13th with a production honoring the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks titled "Behind The Lines: A 9/11 Story".

That is followed on September 18th with a concert by Aiden Ross, the Texas A&M student from College Station who won season 28 of The Voice.

Click HERE to be directed to the OPAS website for more information about the 13 events during the 2026-2027 season.

News release from OPAS:

Filled with vibrant music, colorful characters in musical favorites and a spectrum of honest storytelling, the 2026-27 OPAS season, themed “True Colors,” illuminates a kaleidoscope of performing arts events selected to enlighten, entertain and inspire audiences of the Brazos Valley.Beginning in September, OPAS will present a season filled with a slate of entertaining Broadway musicals, concerts and theatrical experiences no fan of live entertainment should miss. 

The lineup of performances to be presented from September 2026 to March 2027 includes five events on the Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage series, three events on the Intimate Gatherings series, two on the Singular Sensations series, two Family Time events and one very special concert event by current Texas A&M University student Aiden Ross, winner of the NBC television show – The Voice Season 28.

OPAS Executive Director Anne Black states, “This season really came together beautifully…and colorfully! We’ve got the bright lights of Neil Diamond’s life in A Beautiful Noise, the neon signs of two diners with Waitress and Mystic Pizza and of course, the colorful characters of Clue. And for families, who can resist The Cat in the (red and white) Hat or those vibrant furry creatures created by the enormously imaginative Jim Henson in Fraggle Rock?” 

Anne concludes, “It’s been a pleasure putting together this season with our wonderful committee of volunteers and I can’t wait for everyone to experience these performances in Rudder beginning in the fall.”

Of special note, the September 18th Aiden Ross concert, entitled “Homecoming,” will be performed on a Friday night before a Saturday football game in Kyle Field. Anne explains, “We’re really trying something different. We hope that traveling Aggies arriving to town for the game against Kentucky will join us on Friday night.” Immediately following the concert in Rudder, patrons can stroll across the street in plenty of time for Midnight Yell. Whoop!

The OPAS Program Advisory Committee, a team of community and TAMU student volunteers, worked with Anne and OPAS staff to select the performances for the 2026-27 season. This year’s committee was chaired by Janét Falcone, and included Gary Pfrehm, Kara Holmgreen, Mike Ashfield, Zou Cherry, Tracy Corrier, Merrilee Prochaska and students Katie Rice, Reagan Carlton, Laci Hartgroves, Alex Lawson and Maya Morris.

Season ticket packages may be ordered beginning on June 2 at the MSC Box Office (979-845-1234) and online at OPAStickets.org. Most season ticket packages offer savings opportunities ranging from 10-15% off regular ticket prices in select seating zones. Season ticket package buyers are assigned seats before single ticket buyers. 

Single tickets will go on sale in August.

Single tickets to the Aiden Ross concert will go on sale July 24. 

All events will be performed in the Rudder Theatre Complex at Texas A&M University in College Station.

The full 2026-27 schedule of performances follows.

Ann Cobb Wiatt Main Stage Series

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE – The Neil Diamond Musical November 10 & 11, 2026 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

WAITRESS January 19 & 20, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

SHUCKED January 26 & 27, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

CLUE February 16 & 17, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

MYSTIC PIZZA March 22 & 23, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

Intimate Gatherings Series

BEHIND THE LINES: A 9/11 STORY September 13, 2026 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Theatre

CHURCHILL & ROOSEVELT: The Christmas That Saved the World November 5, 2026 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Theatre

BOTH SIDES NOW: The Music & Lives of Joni Mitchell & Leonard Cohen March 9, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Theatre

Singular Sensations Series

THE PHIL COLLINS STORY October 7, 2026 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

KODO ONE EARTH TOUR: LUMINANCE February 24, 2027 • 7:30 PM • Rudder AuditoriumFamily Time

OPAS Family Programming Supported by OPAS Encore!

JIM HENSON’S FRAGGLE ROCK: BACK TO THE ROCK LIVE October 30, 2026 • 7:30 PM & October 31, 2026 • 11:00 AM • Rudder Auditorium

DR. SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT – LIVE ON STAGE! February 20, 2027 • 11:00 AM & 4:00 PM • Rudder Auditorium

Special Event

AIDEN ROSS: HOMECOMING Winner of The Voice Season 28 September 18, 2026 • 7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

OPAS programs are made possible in part through Hotel Tax Revenue funded from the City of College Station through the Arts Center of Brazos Valley. For more information about all the events coming to the new OPAS season including descriptions and videos, please visit www.OPAStickets.org.

This podcast is a visit with Brooke Arellano of Keep Brazos Beautiful and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

National Arbor Day is Saturday. 

It is being celebrated by the local non-profit Keep Brazos Beautiful (KBB) with a family event in Bryan at Sue Haswell Park Saturday morning (April 25) starting at nine a.m.

KBB director Brooke Arellano says this is the first time in years KBB is observing the national event that takes place in the spring. The organization will continue observing Texas Arbor Day in the fall.

Saturday's event includes activity tables from multiple organizations focusing on environmental stewardship.

There will also be multiple tree plantings, including a 200 gallon live oak that will be dedicated to the late Ron Schmidt, who was a founding member of the organization.

And making a special appearance is Smokey Bear, who will be promoting wildlife prevention.

News release from Keep Brazos Beautiful:

Keep Brazos Beautiful will host a community Arbor Day Memorial Tree Dedication and Tree Planting Event on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Sue Haswell Park in Bryan.

The free event will offer residents an opportunity to participate in tree planting, learn about native tree care, and enjoy family-friendly activities focused on environmental stewardship.

A highlight of the event will be a special appearance by Smokey Bear, who will be on site to promote wildfire prevention and take photos with attendees.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring the community together while encouraging long-term investment in the local environment.

“Planting trees is one of the simplest and most impactful ways we can improve our community,” said Brooke Arellano. “We’re excited to invite residents of all ages to come out, learn, and be part of something that will benefit Brazos County for years to come.”

The event is held in partnership with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M Forest Service, Fuji Film, Texas Master Gardeners, Texas Master Naturalists, Scouting Troop 327, and City of Bryan Parks and Recreation.

Community members are encouraged to register in advance by visiting: https://forms.gle/spZoztpRptx3WCn16

This podcast contains comments from the April 21, 2026 Brazos County commission meeting.

While rain cancelled Tuesday's (April 21) groundbreaking of the new Brazos County courthouse annex project, during the county commission meeting public comment period that would have followed the ceremony, district judge David Hilburn thanked those involved in the project.

Hilburn said "this building is the next hole poked in the justice system's belt which can allow and relieve that strain (for space), even just for a short time" and "is a great step in the planning for the needs of this growing county."

Hilburn also said "eventually, the courthouse proper will likely be just that...a house for the courts."

The complex includes a four floor office building, a four floor parking garage, and a skywalk over Texas Avenue to connect to the courthouse.

This will be the new home of adult probation, the public defender's office, and precinct four justice of the peace and constable offices.