WTAW - Interviews

This podcast contains the comments of Republican candidates for Brazos County commission precinct two Jordan Januse, Kyle Greenwood, and Jeff Murski at the B/CS chamber forum on February 9, 2026.

This podcast contains the comments of Democratic candidates for the state representative in district 14 Janet Dudding and David Kessler at the B/CS chamber of commerce forum on February 9, 2026.

This podcast contains the comments of Republican state senate District 5 candidates Charles Schwertner and Larry Nance.

This podcast is the B/CS chamber of commerce candidates forum on February 9, 2026, with state senate district five Democratic candidates Kevin Nelson and Paul Thomasson.

This podcast includes comments from Bill Watkins YouTube channel "Thoughts While Thinking".

A former owner of WTAW Radio who also built Bryan/College Station's first FM radio station has died.

Bill Watkins came to Bryan/College Station in 1961, where he would manage WTAW, then at 1150 AM, for 18 years. In 1964 he built WTAW-FM. Then he would own the stations between 1979 and 1986. Also during his 25 years at WTAW, he took the AM signal from a daytime hours only to a fulltime signal.

Watkins, who at 93 considered himself the oldest YouTuber in Texas, shared on his "Thoughts While Thinking" channel bringing on a 16 year old Scott DeLucia (now the lead on WTAW's The Infomaniacs) to do Consolidated High School basketball play by play on the new FM station.

Watkins YouTube commentaries also included the 1973 hiring of Sunny Nash as a newsperson, before she became the first Black graduate of Texas A&M's journalism school.

Another commentary shared the 1964 WTAW promotion of the movie "The Yellow Rolls Royce", which included stars of the movie appearing in downtown Bryan at the Palace theater. Watkins said that event put WTAW on the map.

According to Bryan Broadcasting president Bill Hicks, Watkins was born and raised on a farm/ranch in Cranfills Gap TX where he was given the nickname “Cotton” due to his shock of white blond hair. Enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school. Following his service, he used the G.I. Bill to attend and graduate from Texas Tech.Watkins started in radio sales in Abilene TX then went to Port Arthur before arriving in Bryan/College Station. Watkins chaired the board of the Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) and Hicks says Watkins was one of the first members of the TAB's pioneer broadcasters group.

Hicks says Watkins lifelong dream was to separate Bryan/College Station from the Temple/Waco SMSA/DMA (standard metropolitan statistical area/designated market area) and start a new local TV station. That dream was fulfilled with the start of KYLE-TV in 1994.

Watkins shared the following biography on his YouTube channel "Thoughts While Thinking": Beginning my ninety fourth decade, I’ve lived through remarkable changes in society, technology, and culture. Each era demanded adaptability and resilience — the ability to stay relevant while holding onto the lessons and values that stand the test of time. From my early days as a Ranch Hand to serving as a Navy Veteran, from charting new frequencies in Radio to studying at Harvard Business School, my path has been one of grit, growth, and gratitude. “TWT” represents my interpretation of the bigger picture — the threads that connect experience, purpose, and progress. My journey through the broadcast industry, including my time as a TV station executive and Past President of the Texas Association of Broadcasters, has been more than a career; it’s been a lifelong pursuit of connection, learning, and service.

This podcast is a visit with United Way of the Brazos Valley president Lizett Hawkins and the program manager for the Brazos Valley region of 2-1-1 Texas Hilda Salazar visit and WTAW's Bill Oliver about the free services that are provided ahead of the recognition of National 2-1-1 Day on February 11th.

News release from United Way of the Brazos Valley:

On February 11, the United Way of the Brazos Valley with our 2-1-1 program joins communities across Texas in celebrating National 2-1-1 Day, recognizing the essential role 2-1-1 plays as a trusted access point to health and human services.

Our 2-1-1 team is part of 2-1-1 Texas, a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. 2-1-1 is known as the lifeline for help with basic needs, connecting Texans to numerous community and faith-based resources through its 24 call centers statewide. Calling 2-1-1 Texas is simple and convenient; the service is free, confidential and available 24/7/365 and offered in more than 90 languages (or chatting with at 211texas.org).

In the Brazos Valley, the 2-1-1 Texas program is managed locally by United Way of the Brazos Valley and supported through strategic partnerships and responsible use of contract funding that sustain staffing, training, technology, and outreach. These investments allow the program to respond to emerging needs, identify trends, and ensure callers receive accurate, timely referrals to critical services. 

Throughout the year, the 2-1-1 team can be found at health fairs, distributing school supplies, and collaborating with our Early Literacy program to promote awareness of 2-1-1 services across the community.

Hilda Salazar, 2-1-1 Texas Program Manager for the Brazos Valley, has been answering calls for help since 2005. In 2026, Salazar will celebrate 21 years of service, bringing deep institutional knowledge and a steady, compassionate presence to a program that often serves people during their most vulnerable moments.“When people call 2-1-1, they’re often overwhelmed and unsure where to turn,” Salazar said, “Our role is to listen first and help them take the next right step. Knowing that a single call can ease someone’s stress or change their situation is what has kept me here for more than two decades. 2-1-1 is about more than referrals; it's about helping people navigate complex systems and connect to resources that can stabilize their lives. Every successful connection matters.”

During the most recent reporting year, the 2-1-1 Texas Brazos Valley call center supported 39,715 calls, connecting individuals and families to essential resources. A total of 8,662, requests were addressed across the region, reflecting the widespread and diverse needs within our community. The top five needs included Housing & Shelter (2,743 calls), Utility Assistance (2,039 calls), Food Security (929 calls), Healthcare (790 calls), and Individual, Family, & Community Support (567 calls).

Beyond individual assistance, 2-1-1 Texas plays a critical role in strengthening the community safety net by collecting and analyzing call data. This information helps the United Way of the Brazos Valley, and its partners identify service gaps, track trends, and guide strategic investments that improve outcomes for residents.

Lizett Hawkins, President & CEO of United Way of the Brazos Valley, emphasized the broader impact of the program.“2-1-1 Texas is a critical access point for our community,” Hawkins said. “Through strong partnerships and responsible use of grant funding, we ensure people receive accurate information and timely support, no matter their situation. Behind every data point is a person seeking help. 2-1-1 allows us to respond in real time to community needs while also using data to inform long-term solutions.”

The purpose of National 2-1-1 Day is to raise awareness and remind the community that help is always available no matter the challenge.2-1-1 Texas is a free information and referral call center, connecting residents to community resources. 

Whether you need help finding childcare, food pantries, care for an aging friend or programs for substance abuse, 2-1-1 Texas is the number to call when you don’t know who to call.

Trained Information & Referral Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and services are available in over 90 languages. 

2-1-1 Texas offers a wide variety of referrals including food, shelter, utility assistance, housing and rental assistance, employment assistance, childcare, health care, immunizations, voting precinct locations, prescription assistance, counseling and many more other needs and services.

Learn more at uwbv.org/211texas.

This podcast contains comments from the February 2, 2026 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Bryan ISD school board members decide to spend money that's remaining from a bond issue in 2020 to pay for one of things approved by voters in last November's $397 million dollar bond.

It will cost $282,000 dollars for new semi-trailers that are custom built for the bands at Bryan High and Rudder High school.

Board members joined administrators in proceeding with the new semi-trailers now instead of waiting for 2025 bond money to become available later this year.

Deputy superintendent Brian Merrell said there was a need of replacing Bryan High's trailer after multiple repairs.And this is the first trailer for Rudder's band.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the February 2, 2026 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

College Station Police Chief Billy Couch visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia to discuss crime statistics and trends, challenges in the Northgate area, mental health resources, radio encryption issues, the department’s A.I. Draft One initiative, interactions with ICE, job openings, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Friday, February 6, 2026. 

This podcast is a visit with Destination Bryan tourism office director John Friebele and WTAW's Bill Oliver.

Thursday (February 5) begins four days of sports tourism events in Bryan/College Station where three events will combine to bring in as many as 545 teams.

The director of the Destination Bryan tourism office, John Friebele, says the popularity of sports tourism is a testament to local cooperation. 

That includes city departments, Bryan and College Station ISD's for allowing the use of their facilities, the operators of Legends Events Center and Veterans Park, and volunteer ambassadors assisting the out of town teams and fans.

Thursday and Friday, Friebele says 45 teams are competing in a UIL wrestling regional. Saturday and Sunday, 300 volleyball teams and 200 soccer teams are playing at various locations.

Friebele says the events will generate multiple millions of dollars in local economic impact.

The timing of these events takes place during February's First Friday event in downtown Bryan. This month's list of activities includes a Valentine’s Day card station at the Destination Bryan booth, a free photo booth at the Carnegie History Center, and extended hours at the Brazos Valley African American Museum.

Bryan Texas Utilities division manager of customer services Meagan Brown visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia to discuss how BTU monitors weather conditions across Texas and the nation, the financial impact of weather monitoring on utilities, low-cost power options like solar and wind, the upcoming youth tour, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs on Thursday, February 5, 2026.