WTAW - Interviews

This podcast contains comments from the September 9, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners spent time at the end of this week's regular meeting (September 9) the life of former county judge Al Jones, who died September 4th at the age of 94.

Commissioner Chuck Konderla said after he was the victim of a hit and run crash 30 years ago, Jones assisted him with contacting police.

Then acting county judge Kyle Kacal brought up his first visit with Jones, which was shortly after Kacal and his wife were married. 

That was followed by Kacal asking for a moment of silence.

A graveside service with full military honors for Al Jones is Saturday, September 13 at 10 a.m. at College Station cemetery on Texas Avenue.

This podcast contains comments from the August 27, 2025 meeting of the Texas A&M system board of regents committee on student and academic affairs (CASA).

The Texas A&M system board of regents receive an explanation for problems experienced earlier this year by prospective Aggie students. 

The chairman of the regents committee on academic and student affairs, Sam Torn, said the issue was with A&M's admissions app.

A&M associate vice president Chris Reed said the prospective students who applied the earliest were not penalized due to troubles with the university's app.

Reed said messages are going out to prospects and their parents with an apology for what Torn described as A&M's "screw up".

This podcast contains comments from the September 9, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

September 11, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of what is now Central Church at Boonville and Elmo Weedon Roads.

Bryan mayor Bobby Guiterrez read a proclamation at Tuesday's (September 9) city council meeting.

Click HERE to read and download the proclamation that was read at the September 9, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

Accepting the proclamation and delivering the invocation at the beginning of the council meeting was lead pastor Phillip Bethancourt.

The proclamation says the first 22 months of the new congregation met in the Brazos County courthouse.

What began as College Avenue Baptist Church later became Central Baptist Church and then Central Church. 

The congregation has met at four locations and Bethancourt is the church's 12th pastor.

Ellen Fuller from Wreaths Across America visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about Patriot Day ceremonies, the veterans section at the Bryan City Cemetery, the dedication of Columbaria and Veterans of Brazos Valley Memorial section markers, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast is a visit with Bryan mayor Bobby Gutierrez and WTAW's Chelsea Reber.

Bryan's mayor tells WTAW News that two more economic development projects are coming to the Texas Triangle Park complex in north Bryan.

Bobby Gutierrez says Axis Pipe and Tube is doing a $100 million dollar expansion and Amazon is building a 93,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center that is supposed to open in time to make deliveries this holiday season.

Those projects are in addition to the construction of CertainTeed's new roofing complex and Brown Oak Masterbrick manufacturing plant.

During a visit on WTAW's The Infomaniacs, Gutierrez says the Axis and Brown Oak projects are in part in response to federal tariffs.

News release from the city of Bryan and Brazos County about the new Amazon center:

City of Bryan and Brazos County Announce New Amazon Delivery Station in Bryan

Amazon announced plans to expand its investment in Texas by opening a new delivery station in Bryan. This new facility will be approximately 93,000 square feet, located along Mumford Road. Construction is currently underway, with more details will be shared in the future.

“This last-mile facility will allow us to better serve customers in Bryan and the surrounding area,” said Jessica Breaux, senior manager of economic development for Amazon. “We’re grateful for our partnership with the City of Bryan and Brazos County. We look forward to sharing more details about this facility in the future.”

The new delivery station will help power the last mile of Amazon’s fulfillment process by enabling fast, everyday delivery directly to customers’ doorsteps. Packages are transported to delivery stations from Amazon fulfillment and sortation centers, where employees then process customer packages for last-mile delivery.

“We are honored that Amazon chose Bryan for its newest delivery station,” said Mayor Bobby Gutierrez. “This expansion means our residents will enjoy expedited delivery options, and it brings positive economic benefits to our community. It shows that Bryan continues to be a place where businesses want to invest and grow.”

“Brazos County is growing and having a company like Amazon locate a delivery station here is proof of our continued growth,” said Acting County Judge Kyle Kacal. “The benefits of this will be seen by our residents in receiving faster service as well as employment opportunities from Amazon. Brazos County and the City of Bryan are committed to continually working together on bringing reputable businesses to the county.”

Since 2010, Amazon has created 89,000 full- and part-time jobs in Texas and invested more than $70 billion across the state, including infrastructure and compensation to employees. These investments have contributed an additional $81 billion to the Texas economy and have helped create more than 171,000 indirect jobs on top of Amazon’s direct hires — from jobs in construction and logistics to professional services.

This podcast is Bryan mayor Bobby Gutierrez's visit with Chelsea Reber on WTAW's The Infomaniacs about the retirement of city manager Kean Register.

The longest serving Bryan city manager has announced his retirement.

Kean Register, who was named city manager on a permanent basis in August 2012, will retire November 3rd.

Register also served as interim city manager from February 2006 through October 2006 and from September 2010 through August 2012.

Register's career with the city of Bryan began in September 2000 with BTU (Bryan Texas Utilities) as a group manager overseeing the public power provider's energy services, customer service, information technology, fiscal services, regulatory affairs, power production and power marketing.


News release from the city of Bryan:

Kean Register, city manager of Bryan, Texas, has announced his retirement effective Nov. 3, concluding a distinguished career in public service that spans over 25 years with the City of Bryan. With the city’s best interest in mind, Register moved up his initial retirement date of March 2026 to allow a smoother transition for the next city manager in front of a budget season.  

Register has served as city manager since 2010, following an earlier tenure as interim city manager in 2006. During his leadership, Bryan experienced historic growth, financial stability, and major community developments. 
 
“I have been honored to serve the residents, employees, and elected officials of Bryan,” said Register. “The city’s success is a direct reflection of the incredible dedication of our staff, city council members, and mayors over the years. Bryan’s employees always find a way to get the job done.”
 
Legacy of Leadership

Under Register’s tenure, the City of Bryan achieved a number of significant milestones, said Mayor Bobby Gutierrez, pointing toward the city’s strong financial position, major developments, and steady economic and social growth.
 
“As a city, we are on sound footing financially and maintaining strong community growth, thanks to Kean’s stewardship,” said Gutierrez. “He’s a special leader who has been a tremendous asset for our community.
 
Since taking the reins as city manager in 2010, the City of Bryan has:

• Returned to Fiscal Soundness: The city has maintained a stable tax rate that has not increased in over 15 years, and has resulted in several tax rate reductions. The city strengthened its finances by turning a negative $500,000 fund balance in 2010 into a policy-driven 100-day reserve, a standard it continues to meet today that contributes to Bryan’s excellent bond ratings. Bryan also significantly reduced its retirement debt and Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) obligations.

• Attracted Economic Development: Register has overseen transformative projects including Axis Pipe and Tube, Amazon, Certainteed, Travis Bryan Midtown Park, Legends Event Center, Topgolf, Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus, and the proposed development of a $13 billion semiconductor chip manufacturing facility.

• Expanded Housing & Growth: Register guided significant increases in homebuilding and neighborhood development to meet Bryan’s expanding population. One special highlight is the substantial increase in the city’s annual residential building permits.

• Improved Public Service & Employees Programs: During his tenure, Register worked closely with the city council to support employee benefits, professional development, and operational excellence.

Despite a positive economic and community story, Register said his most difficult moments of his service occurred during times of loss noting the line-of-duty deaths of four city employees: BTU employee Dennis Mowbray in 2010, firefighters Eric Wallace and Greg Pickard in 2013, BTU Transmission employee Earle Robinson in 2014. Additionally, in the 2013 fire, firefighters Ricky Mantey and Mitch Moran sustained life-threatening burns but survived and continue to serve the community.

“Nothing compares to the heartbreak of losing employees in the line of duty,” Register said. “Those moments are the toughest any city manager can face.”

Gratitude

Register expressed deep appreciation for his family, city leaders, and staff, while thanking his wife, Vita, and sons, Dustin Paul and Justin, for their patience, love, and understanding during his many long absences; the mayors and city council members, whom he described as each doing “the best in their own unique way” and always working tirelessly for the good of the city; and the employees and direct reports who, he said, form “a remarkable team that makes Bryan a great place to live, work, and play.”

He added he has always been amazed by the countless hours city council members dedicate, often without personal gain and with more criticism than thanks, yet always putting the city first.
 
Looking Ahead

Following retirement, Register plans to remain active in the Bryan community, spend time with family, enjoy traveling, and embrace whatever opportunities the next stage of life presents.

Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez visits with WTAW's Chelsea Reber about new development projects and expansions, the movie-bowl-grille complex at Midtown Park, upcoming Christmas events, the Corridor Beautification Partnership, Bryan ISD bond propositions, personnel news, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the September 9, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners unanimously adopt the budget and property tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year.The tax rate will be the same as this year, which is less than what was first proposed.

Some commissioners were caught off guard by acting county judge Kyle Kacal, who made the motion to keep the tax rate the same.

The commission's discussion before the budget vote included Fred Brown proposing that next year, "we need to start weaning" non profit agencies off of receiving county money. Commissioner Wanda Watson supported county assistance as recipients continue fundraising.

News release from Brazos County:

Following months of meetings with department heads and residents, the Brazos County commissioners court today adopted a budget and tax rate.The budget for the county for fiscal year 2026 is set at $548,257,939. This includes investments for public safety and roadway infrastructure. It protects core services, honors previous obligations, and preserves the ability to serve the public effectively and efficiently.

Regarding the 2025 tax rate, acting County Judge Kyle Kacal made a motion and commissioners unanimously voted to keep the tax rate at $0.419700/ $100 valuation, the same as the 2024 tax rate. The rate had been proposed at $0.423059/$100 valuation.

“The commissioners and I are all taxpayers and are watching out for your interests and well as our own,” said acting County Judge Kyle Kacal. “The tax rate is staying flat. We’re doing our best and you’re helping us get there. We have to look at numbers going through to the 2030 budget. I would hate to put commissioners Nettles and Brown in a position to have to go to the voters for a tax increase in the future just to keep the county running.

This week's United Way of the Brazos Valley update features partner agency Twin City Mission.

This podcast contains comments from the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Brazos County commissioners unanimously agree to spend $435,000 dollars to hire a consultant to review employee pay and job descriptions.

Click HERE to read and download the agreement that was approved at the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

A 62 page proposal was adopted at the August 26th meeting.

Click HERE to read and download the proposal that was approved at the August 26, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Another county document say the study will begin in mid-October and is projected to be finished in March 2026.

Click HERE to read and download the timeline for the study.

The unanimous vote followed commissioners Bentley Nettles and Chuck Konderla voting against seeking proposals at the May 6th meeting.

After the vote, Brazos County human resources director Jennifer Salazar thanked the commission, saying Brazos County's human resources director told commissioners that the study is "a tremendous statement about the value you place on our employees" and their decision "reflects a balanced and responsible approach to taxpayer funds, investing wisely in a one time project that will provide lasting benefits."