WTAW - Interviews

College Station Utilities energy coordinator Patrick McIntyre visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia on Friday, January 23rd, to discuss preparations ahead of winter storm Fern and looking ahead to prepare for warmer weather.

This podcast contains comments from the January 20, 2026 College Station ISD school board meeting.

In November 2023, voters in College Station ISD approved a bond issue that included $31 million dollars to buy and renovate an existing building for a new central administration office and renovate the current building.

Last November, the CSISD school board decided to build a new central office after administrators said they could not find an existing building.

At the CSISD board's January meeting, there was unanimous approval to select the general contractor. But the board was told that was not a commitment to start construction. 

The board will consider this August, a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the project.

Click HERE to read and download the memo that was part of the January 20, 2026 CSISD board meeting agenda.

At least two board members, Chris Field and Kimberly McAdams, questioned if the money to operate the new building was better spent elsewhere such as teacher salaries.

At least three board members, president Kim Ege, vice president Heather Simmen, and Darin Paine, expressed support to proceed with construction.

Board member and retired CSISD superintendent Mike Martindale said "I think if (the) administration is diligent in providing (the) board with data along the way then hopefully come August that folks will feel like they have the information needed to make a decision one way or the other on whatever GMP is proposed at that time."

This podcast contains comments from the January 14, 2026 meeting of the Texas A&M system board of regents committee on academics and student affairs.

The day when Texas A&M remembers Aggies who have died, Muster on April 21st, will also be the day of a first ever student civil discourse symposium.

Click HERE to read and download photos of the slideshow presentation at the January 14, 2026 board of regents committee on academics and student affairs.

The dean of A&M's Bush school, John Sherman, shared with a board of regents committee, four student takeaways:

• Students will appreciate how their own character and core values are critical to engaging in respectful and meaningful civil discourse.
• Students will understand how Aggie core values are an optimal foundation for civic responsibility and discourse.
• Students will identify and refine their own "North Star" values and develop tools for civil discourse in a practical setting-and understand the differences between debate and dialogue.
• Students will be able to describe how character, core values, and civil discourse have enabled key leaders to be successful.

Sherman said the symposium will combine keynote speakers, fireside chats, and student breakout sessions.

The speaker lineup had not been finalized as of Sherman's report to the regents committee. He said students and the university's government relations office are involved in the selection process.

Sherman said the projected cost of the event is between $400,000 and $800,000 dollars. Most of the money will be spent on speaker fees and the cost of private jet travel, lodging, and meals for VIP's.

The symposium is an extension of A&M's new student citizenship and service program that was created by former A&M president Mark Welsh.

BCS Library System Director Bea Saba visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia on Thursday, January 22nd, to talk about the 2026 Author Series, which will bring 11 authors to the Bryan–College Station libraries—one each month—with Jenny Lawson kicking off the series.

This podcast comes from the December 9, 2025 Bryan city council workshop meeting.

The city of Bryan's flood notification system that motorists see at low water crossings now has an online feature.

The developer of the webpage floodwatch.bryantx.gov, Jacob Torres, introduced the webpage to the Bryan city council during a December workshop meeting.

Among other things, users can monitor rainfall amounts at 20 locations around Bryan and the projections for flooding.

The webpage, which can be read in English and Spanish, is handicapped-accessible.

There is also a weather radar feature.

This podcast contains comments from the January 20, 2026 Blinn College trustees meeting.

January's regular meeting of the Blinn College trustees included an introduction of the new vice chancellor of academic affairs. Dr. April Kinkead (KINCAID) spent the last three and a half years as Blinn's dean of humanities. Before that, Kinkead was a Blinn faculty member who served three terms as president of Blinn's faculty senate. Kinkead takes over for Marcelo Bussiki, who spent seven years as vice chancellor as part of a 21 year career at Blinn.

Trustees also saw the presentation of a $25,000 dollar grant to the national champion e-sports team at Blinn's RELLIS campus location. The program has three national championships since it was established in 2020. The grant will upgrade high end computers on the competition stage at the RELLIS e-sports arena.

Blinn College news release about the e-sports grant:

Comcast Corporation has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Blinn College Foundation to provide new competition equipment for the Blinn College esports program. Comcast’s General Market Manager for Bryan-College Station, Nicolas Jimenez, presented the grant during the Blinn College District’s January Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday.The grant will be used to upgrade the high-end computers on the competition stage at the RELLIS esports arena, ensuring Blinn’s three-time national champion esports teams have the latest, fastest, and most responsive computers available. These upgrades will help keep the Buccaneers equipped with the tools they need to remain competitive at the highest level of collegiate esports.“On behalf of the Blinn College District’s faculty, staff, and students, I want to thank Comcast for this generous gift,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “This investment ensures our esports teams have access to the latest technology, helping them grow as competitors while enriching their overall college experience.” Max Hibbs, Blinn College’s Executive Dean of the Waller Campus and Director of the Esports Program, also expressed appreciation.“This support from Comcast strengthens an already outstanding esports program and directly benefits our students by ensuring they have access to state-of-the-art technology,” he said. “We are grateful for this generous partnership that will enhance the experience of our student-athletes and continue Blinn’s tradition of excellence.”“At Comcast, we know that gamers demand speed, reliability, and low latency - and that’s exactly what Xfinity delivers,” Jimenez said. “Our investment in Blinn College’s esports program reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation of competitive gamers and engineers with the best tools and technology. The new Xfinity Mobile esports arena will be a place where innovation meets performance, and we’re proud to help make that possible in Bryan-College Station.”Led by Esports Manager Kyle Murto, Blinn College esports has emerged as one of the nation’s premier programs since its launch in 2020. Competing in the NJCAA Esports and National Association of Collegiate Esports divisions, the Buccaneers also participate in tournaments nationwide throughout the fall and spring seasons. The program already boasts three national championships: the Valorant NJCAA Esports championship in spring 2023, the Call of Duty NJCAA Esports championship in fall 2023, and the Valorant National Esports Collegiate Conference Legends Division title in 2024.Blinn currently competes in six titles — Call of Duty, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Valorant — and plays across three esports arenas located at Blinn’s Brenham, Bryan, and RELLIS campuses. For more information regarding Blinn’s esports teams, visit www.blinn.edu/esports or join the team’s Discord.The Blinn Foundation, which oversees more than 300 endowed scholarships, is a tax-exempt organization that provides financial support for programs and activities that enhance the quality of education for Blinn students and expand educational opportunities. The Foundation also seeks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the College and to promote excellence in education. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.blinn.edu/foundation.

Blinn College news release about other business at the January 20, 2026 trustees meeting:

The Blinn College District Board of Trustees approved a measure during its January meeting authorizing the College to negotiate and execute contracts for classroom furniture and specialty training equipment for the new Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex.The Board approved contracts with Workplace Solutions, Inc., for the purchase of classroom, laboratory, and ancillary furniture, and with Johnson Supply for the purchase of specialty laboratory equipment to support HVAC workforce training at the facility. Funding for the approved contracts is available in the Blinn College District’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget.Located at 30029 Binford Park Road, the new complex will include more than 80 parking spaces and state-of-the-art learning environments tailored to meet the needs of students and local industry. Construction on the facility is underway and scheduled for completion in time for summer 2026 classes.The Waller Workforce and Technical Education Complex will feature three lecture classrooms, a computer learning lab, a medical learning lab, a mechatronics/advanced manufacturing lab, a skilled trades lab, and faculty and staff offices.Blinn plans to offer a wide array of programs at the new facility, including expanded mechatronics and advanced manufacturing courses, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)-Basic certification, phlebotomy, certified clinical medical assistant, HVAC, carpentry, and construction management. The health sciences lab will include low-fidelity simulation bays for students pursuing EMS, phlebotomy, and certified nurse aid training.Blinn already offers HVAC courses in partnership with Waller ISD, and with the new facility, high school graduates will be able to seamlessly transition into Blinn’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in HVAC program. In addition, the new location will allow Blinn to expand beyond its current evening offerings at Waller ISD facilities to provide daytime classes, creating greater access and flexibility for students.The new complex is located less than a block from the future site of Blinn’s Waller Campus, which is scheduled to open its first building in fall 2027, and just minutes from the Daikin Texas Technology Park, one of the region’s largest employers. Blinn currently offers evening courses at Waller ISD facilities, and these will remain available as the College develops its new campus site.To help students get started, Blinn has opened a Waller administration office at 31406 FM 2920, Suite B203. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and assists with applications, payments, academic advising, and financial aid. While the office does not offer in-person classes, it provides workstations and direct connections to Blinn’s advising and financial aid services, helping students enroll at any Blinn campus and navigate the enrollment process with ease.

This podcast contains comments from the January 12, 2026 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

Bryan ISD school board members get an update on the district's bilingual services during its January 12th meeting.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the BISD board's January 12, 2026 meeting.

Topics included the BISD administration's plans to consolidate how Spanish speaking pre-kindergarten through sixth grade students learn English.

Jones elementary principal Alma Velez says this will allow Spanish speaking students to be exposed to English from their classmates. 

And Velez says this will improve student communication with their non-English speaking families.

Board members were also told that for adults, free English as a second language classes are available at the Bryan adult learning center which is located behind Jones elementary.

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia to discuss utility expenses, raised medians, potential changes to new and existing routes in College Station, impact fees related to infrastructure, upcoming events, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

This podcast is a recording of the Aiden Ross Day program at the city of College Station's tourism building on January 20, 2026.

The winner of season 28 of The Voice received proclamations from mayor John Nichols and state representative Paul Dyson of Bryan.

That was followed by Ross performing three songs, finishing with one Ross said had no title and was composed four days ago.

This podcast contains comments from the January 13, 2026 Bryan city council meeting.

The cost of the Bryan Midtown Park's signature playground increases by $361,596 dollars.

That's after the city council at its January 13th meeting approved additions as presented by special projects director Frank Clark, which includes:

• Train Caboose Climber connected to original train engine
• 12’X12’ Cool Topper above the main slide to help keep it cool and modified shade structures at several places increasing the square footage of shade from 11,201 to 12,031
• Added seven (7) tables, twelve (12) benches, seven (7) trash receptables, four (4) bike racks, and three (3) grills located at the pavilions, plus additional concrete slabs for the grills, benches, and trash receptables
• Free standing equipment including three (3) 16" pod steppers, one (1) 10" Pod Stepper, and two (2) foot print balance beams
• Additional custom themed signs

Click HERE to read and download background information from the January 13, 2026 Bryan city council meeting.

While showing architect renderings that included one with a playground name, Clark emphasized that no decision has been made on the name of the more than $4.5 million dollar playground.

Click HERE to see and download architect renderings of the additional Midtown Park signature playground equipment that was purchased at the January 13, 2026 Bryan city council meeting.

The city's share of the cost is more than $2.5 million, while the rest comes from a $2 million dollar grant.Completion of the signature playground is scheduled for April of 2026.

Yet to be considered, are restrooms.