WTAW - Interviews

ERCOT board chairman Bill Flores of Bryan visits with WTAW’s The Infomaniacs on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to talk about Texas power grid, load growth, data centers, future of large grid battery storage, and more.

This podcast is the April 8, 2026 groundbreaking of the new home of Scotty's House child advocacy center in Bryan. The emcee is Karla Castillo and speakers are Scotty's House board chairman Ronnie Gonzales, executive director Cary Baker, director of external relations Melanie Scarpace, and the chairman of the capital campaign John Gottfried.

This year's annual recognition of child abuse awareness and prevention month by Scotty's House child advocacy center had more meaning than usual.

That's because the Bryan based regional agency supporting child abuse victims and their families held a groundbreaking of what will be their new home.

Thursday's event (April 8) is repurposing four floors of an existing office building at 1200 Briarcrest, just east of Villa Maria.

Click HERE to read and download renderings and floor plans provided by Scotty’s House.

The agency opened in 1995, the first move was from its original home on Coulter Drive to Kent Street in 2010.

The move to the new facility that is planned for the summer of 2027 will provide three times the space of its current building.Click below to hear the groundbreaking program.

This podcast contains comments from the March 26, 2026 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council at its last meeting (March 26) unanimously approved rezoning land and changing the land use classification to build another student apartment complex north of Easterwood Airport.

Councilmembers were not told how many units would be part of the complex on Turkey Creek Road.

Responding to a citizen's request that the property be used instead for a business center, a representative of the applicant said student housing was the most profitable option.

Click HERE to read and download background information from the city of College Station.

This podcast is a visit with Bryan police officer Seth Waller and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Bryan police is asking high school seniors to be aware of the consequences for playing a game in public using water guns.

Officer Seth Waller says they responded last Friday night (April 3) to the parking lot of the H-E-B at Villa Maria and Texas following 9-1-1 calls of people chasing each other with what appeared to be real guns.

Responding officers discovered they were high school seniors with water guns playing "Senior Assassin".

Waller said all the students cooperated with officers who investigated what happened and no arrests were made.

Waller said in addition to receiving 9-1-1 calls, another possible consequence is citizens observing what appears to be dangerous or criminal activity drawing their concealed handguns.

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about how this behavior may be perceived in public and to discuss associated safety concerns.

News release from Bryan police:

On April 3, 2026, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Bryan Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance involving weapons in the 700 block of E. Villa Maria Road.

A 911 caller reported multiple individuals chasing each other with what appeared to be firearms through a parking lot.

Officers responded immediately and detained eight individuals at the scene.

Following an investigation, officers determined the individuals were high school seniors participating in a game known as “Senior Assassin,” which involves the use of water guns.

The Bryan Police Department has learned this activity is currently taking place among seniors in both Bryan and College Station.

While this activity is not inherently illegal, the way it is being conducted can create safety concerns and lead to unnecessary law enforcement responses.Important 

Safety Considerations:

• Calls to 911 are being generated by this activity
• Participants may be running through neighborhoods at night or hiding on private property
• Groups chasing each other in vehicles as part of the game
• Situations may be misinterpreted as actual criminal activity by citizens who witness the behavior
• Water guns may be mistaken for real firearms

These behaviors can create concern for citizens who observe what appears to be dangerous or criminal activity and may prompt emergency calls. They also create situations where responding officers must make quick decisions based on the information available at the time. This combination increases the potential for encounters that could escalate or result in unintended consequences.

The Bryan Police Department reminds all participants to remain aware of their surroundings while engaging in this activity. 

Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about how this behavior may be perceived in public and to discuss associated safety concerns.

The public review has started of upcoming changes to Brazos County's subdivision regulations affecting homeowners and homebuilders who live outside of the city limits of College Station, Bryan, Kurten, and Wixon Valley.

On April 1st, consultants hired by the county commission presented a first draft. 

That was followed by public comments and an open house where those who attended had the opportunity to leave written opinions.

Click HERE to read and download the consultant's presentation materials at the April 1, 2026 county commission meeting.

Click HERE to read and download materials available to those attending the April 1, 2026 consultant's open house.

County commissioner Bentley Nettles shared during a visit on WTAW's The Infomaniacs that there were a lot people of people who attended the open house. But he added "we may have to give a gift card for a burrito or something in order to get people to participate" because he "see any sticky notes on the poster boards they (the consultants) had outside (the meeting room) with comments."

According to the consultant's presentation documents, the consultants will present a final draft to commissioners sometime in May.

The consultant's timeline calls for commissioners in June to hold a public hearing and consider final action.

This podcast includes comments from the board chairman of ERCOT (electric reliability council of Texas) Bill Flores of Bryan, speaking at the April 1, 2026 meeting of the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce legislative affairs committee.

United Way of the Brazos Valley president Lizett Hawkins visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver about four upcoming events, Farmer's Fight Night on April 9th, a profit share at both Double Dave's Pizza locations on April 23rd, Mario Craver's football camp on May 2nd, and the rescheduled Sneaker Soiree on June 12th.

This podcast includes comments from ERCOT board chairman Bill Flores, speaking at the April 1, 2026 meeting of the Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce legislative affairs committee.

Local nuclear energy projects was the subject this week of two announcements and a part of a presentation at a Bryan/College Station chamber of commerce committee meeting.

The governor's office issued a news release that the state's new Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office has opened applications to receive a portion of $350 million dollars to support the development and commercialization of the advanced nuclear energy industry, the nuclear supply chain, and its associated manufacturing capacity in the state.

The activity of the advanced nuclear energy office was included in a presentation to the chamber's legislative affairs committee by the board chairman of the ERCOT power grid, retired congressman Bill Flores of Bryan.

And a Texas A&M system spokesman told WTAW News that they will be applying for grant money from the state nuclear energy office. The spokesman said "The legislation (that created the office) and RFP (request for proposals) specifically include university-led technology development, and that’s an area where the Texas A&M System is already a national leader. We’ll be looking at this across the System and in collaboration with industry partners as the applications move forward."

And on the same day as the state's news release, the city of Bryan announced joining the Texas Nuclear Alliance, which is described as the only nuclear industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology. A city news release says membership connects Bryan to those involved in emerging technologies such as small modular reactors and next generation power systems.

News release from the city of Bryan about joining the Texas Nuclear Alliance:

The Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA) today announced the City of Bryan has joined the organization, continuing its more than 115-year legacy of energy innovation.

“The City of Bryan has a long history of seeking solutions to meet growing energy needs and is now emerging as a hub for nuclear innovation through its partnership with Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus and Energy Proving Ground, where advanced reactor technologies are being developed,” said TNA President Reed Clay. “Combined with Bryan’s forward-thinking leadership and strong industrial base, these partnerships position the region to drive economic growth and help lead the future of nuclear innovation in Texas.”Bryan’s membership in the Texas Nuclear Alliance reinforces the city’s longstanding commitment to safe, reliable energy and forward-looking economic development. The city owns and operates Bryan Texas Utilities, a municipally owned electric utility that has served the community for more than a century and reflects Bryan’s tradition of local leadership in energy infrastructure and reliability.“

As the Texas Triangle continues to experience rapid population growth and increasing electricity demand, nuclear energy is emerging as a critical component of a resilient and diversified energy portfolio,” said Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez. “By joining the Texas Nuclear Alliance, Bryan signals its intent to remain at the forefront of innovation, infrastructure planning and next-generation power solutions.”“Bryan has long been a community that looks to the future while building on strong partnerships — particularly with the Texas A&M University System and the research and innovation ecosystem that surrounds it,” continued Gutierrez. “Energy independence and grid resiliency are essential not only to Texas’ continued economic growth but also to our nation’s security. The Texas Nuclear Alliance is helping position Texas at the forefront of energy innovation, and Bryan is proud to have a seat at the table as advanced energy technologies are developed and deployed. ”Membership in the alliance connects Bryan to industry expertise, policy discussions and emerging technologies related to advanced nuclear energy, including small modular reactors and next-generation power systems, which are expected to play a significant role in providing safe, reliable and carbon-free electricity.

City Manager Andrew Nelson noted the broader economic and strategic benefits of the partnership.“Reliable and affordable energy is foundational to economic development,” said Nelson. “Our participation in the Texas Nuclear Alliance connects Bryan to new opportunities for investment, innovation and job creation while helping us responsibly plan for long-term growth.”Bryan’s participation in the alliance also strengthens collaboration with industry leaders, academic institutions and policymakers working to advance nuclear energy development across Texas.

About the Texas Nuclear Alliance:

TNA is the only industry association in Texas dedicated to the advancement of nuclear technology in the state. Formed in 2022 in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, and comprising of over 70 member entities today, TNA is based on the fundamental premise that if Texas and the world want low-carbon, reliable energy, it can no longer turn its back on nuclear energy. TNA was formed with a singular mission: to make Texas the Nuclear Capital of the World.

Brazos County Commissioner Bentley Nettles visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia on The Infomaniacs on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to talk about proposed changes in subdivision regulations, economic incentives given to the world's largest privately owned industrial gas company, and the recovery of $400,000 dollars in an e-mail hack from Brazos County emergency services district one.

Lina Adams of the Destination Bryan tourism office visits with WTAW's Bill Oliver about the recent Troubadour Festival that was held for the first time in Bryan and previews April's First Friday and Downtown Street And Art Fair taking place in downtown Bryan.