WTAW - Interviews

This podcast contains comments from interim Brazos County Judge and retired state representative Kyle Kacal, visiting with WTAW's Bill Oliver on June 29, 2025.

Brazos County judge Duane Peters, who will miss his fifth consecutive meeting Tuesday (July 1) due to undisclosed health issues, has appointed someone to serve in his absence.

Getting the call last Saturday (June 28) was retired state representative Kyle Kacal.

Kacal told WTAW News he is "glad to help a gentleman and a statesman that I truly believe in (to) help continue his legacy."

Kacal also he did not hesitate to say yes to Peters request, "not when a good man asks you to step up and I am (a) proud citizen of Brazos County and this is our home and glad to serve when the opportunity is there."

He agreed with the observation that his role is to "do what's right for the citizens of Brazos County. I believe the commissioners court is in very capable hands with four outstanding commissioners. And I look forward to working with them to make Brazos County a better place to live."

Kacal will joined Fred Brown as retired state lawmakers on the commissioners court.

A statement released by Brazos County says Peters "is confident he (Kacal) will do an excellent job in his absence."Peters continues to ask for privacy and he appreciates the prayers during his recovery.

Brazos County general counsel Bruce Erratt says the appointment is until the judge returns or the end of the term, whichever occurs first.

Erratt also says the county has to get bonds issued for Kacal before he is sworn in into office. That means Kacal will not be chairing Tuesday's (July 1) meeting.

Statement released by Brazos County from county judge Duane Peters:

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, Brazos County Judge Duane Peters appointed former Texas State Representative Kyle Kacal as Brazos County Judge, to serve during his absence while he recovers from health issues.

This appointment is considered temporary and will continue until Judge Peters returns.

Judge Peters is delighted that Former Representative Kacal has agreed to serve the citizens of Brazos County in this capacity and is confident he will do an excellent job in his absence.

Judge Peters and his family also appreciate the concern and prayers during this time of recovery and, although he expects to be back at work in the near future, he does ask for continued privacy during this time.

Statement released by Brazos County from Kyle Kacal:

“I am humbled and appreciative of Judge Peters’ request for me to serve as County Judge in his absence.  

He is a longtime, highly respected friend and I do not take this appointment lightly.  

Once my bond is approved by Commissioners Court and I am sworn-in to office, I will begin official duties as County Judge.  

Until then, I’m meeting with elected officials and department heads to gather as much information as possible.

I am a public servant honored to answer a call to serve the residents of Brazos County once again and will do so as long as I am needed.” 

This podcast contains comments from the June 27, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

The College Station city council supports the initial concept from staff to add amenities at Wolf Pen Creek Park.

The presentation from parks and recreation director Kelsey Heiden included amphitheater seating, a shaded area behind the seating, a pavilion/shelter area, an updated restroom, a dedicated area for food trucks with electricity, a water feature such as a splashpad, and a designated entry that could serve as a ticket gate.

Still to be determined are the costs and the possible sources of city funding.

The 40 minute conversation also included an undisclosed private party proposing a partnership with city management and some council members to hold events and provide funding.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the June 26, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

This podcast contains comments from the June 24, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

The Brazos County sheriff's and all four constable offices are getting $18 million dollars of new technology.

That's the cost of a ten year contract that was unanimously approved at this week's (June 24) county commission meeting.

The purchase includes tasers, in car and body cameras, drones, accessories, training, and replacing the county law enforcement's records management system.

Commissioner Fred Brown shared his displeasure with being given a short time to consider the 144 page contract before the manufacturer increased the price.

There was no hesitation in the purchase from commissioners Bentley Nettles and Wanda Watson.

Not present at the meeting were county judge Duane Peters and commissioner Chuck Konderla.

Click HERE to read and download the contract that was approved at the June 24, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials shown by sheriff's lieutenant Garrett House at the commission meeting.

This podcast contains comments from the June 26, 2025 College Station city council meeting and the June 24, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit that reduces the amount of water being exported out of Brazos and Robertson counties.

In June 2024, the Texas A&M system, joined later by the cities of College Station and Bryan and Brazos County, filed the suit after the Brazos Valley groundwater conservation district (BVGCD) granted water export permits to a group of landowners.

The settlement agreement was unanimously approved Tuesday (June 24) by the Bryan city council and by a six to one vote of the BVGCD board. 

The College Station city council unanimously approved the agreement on Thursday (June 26).

According to the settlement agreement that was provided to WTAW News by the city of College Station, "the parties mediated their disputes" earlier this month.

Click HERE to read and download the settlement agreement that was approved at the June 26, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

WTAW News was also provided a summary of the agreement by BVGCD general manager Alan Day.

Click HERE to read and download the BVGCD summary of the settlement agreement.

The settlement reduces the amount of water that can be exported from 100,000 acre feet per year to 50,000 acre feet per year (AFY). The new limit will be phased in over a 14 year period. The cap that is in place until January 1, 2034 is 23,000 AFY. Between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2039, the cap is 39,000 AFY.

College Station city attorney Adam Falco said during Thursday's council meeting that the company exporting the water will pay more than $180 million dollars over a 30 year period to cover the costs of local users drilling deeper wells to access the underground aquifers.

College Station councilman Mark Smith said the settlement "was the best possible outcome that we could get. The fact that we got a cap and they're paying an export fee which will help pay for the mitigation of the impact of their drilling, these are all good things (and) these are great outcomes."

At Tuesday's Bryan council meeting, councilman James Edge said "I know the options that we've had as a city have been limited. And unfortunately none of those options are optimum." "The settlement that's been proposed has been the best option probably that we could negotiate. I feel like moving forward, in an effort to try and preserve water for our future citizens that is necessary that we limit the damage moving forward and hopefully at some point the legislature will come through and deal with the law in order to protect cities like Bryan and College Station in the future."

At the BVGCD board meeting, there were no comments before the board vote.

As of June 27, no action has been taken by the Brazos County commission or the Texas A&M system board of regents.

Kelsey Heiden, Parks and Recreation Director, visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about improving Wolf Pen Creek Park, the annual report given to council this week, Texas Independence Park, city swimming pools, the recreation feasibility study, the "I Heart America" celebration, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the June 4, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

A three time candidate for the Bryan city council who ran following his opposition for moving the municipal golf course and turning that land into Midtown Park has died.

Patrick Giammalva was a regular public speaker during council meetings the last eight years.

He ran for Bryan mayor in 2019 and Bryan council in 2022 and 2024.

During his last appearance at a regular meeting on June 4, Giammalva began by telling the council "Y'all are doing a great job."

That was followed by saying "You know, my goal for the last ten years was to clean up my neighborhood, which is Midtown Park now and the lake, Williamson Park, and Astin Park."

Giammalva then asked the council to use two water wells at Midtown Park to create a lazy river and a splashpad.

The obituary notice from Hillier Funeral Home said Giammalva was a skilled carpenter by trade and also had a talent for remodeling homes and working with his hands.

Bryan Firefighter Chris Lamb visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about summer weather, firework safety, heat safety, hydration advice, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

This podcast contains comments from the June 12, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

Concerts could be coming to the Northgate promenade.

That's after the College Station city council approved an agreement giving money to the Arts Center of the Brazos Valley if ACBV is successful in receiving a grant that the city is not eligible to apply for.

Assistant tourism director Jeremiah Cook said general fund money would be used as a match to stage concerts to improve the quality of life for College Station residents.

If the grant is awarded, Cook says city staff would join the Arts Center in bringing seven to ten concerts a year to the promenade for three years.

The grant, which has a maximum of $40,000 a year, would be matched by the city.

Click HERE to read and download the agreement that was approved at the June 12, 2025 College Station city council meeting.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials at the June 12, 2025 College Station council meeting.

College Station Mayor John Nichols visits with WTAW's Scott DeLucia about the proposed water agreement with the Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, a report on Wolf Pen Creek, the upcoming city council agenda, and more during his appearance on The Infomaniacs.

This podcast contains comments from the June 17, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.

For the fourth time, Brazos County commissioners are being asked to replace a 14 year old telephone system.

Chief information officer Eric Caldwell told WTAW News that there are more than 1,100 phone numbers that the public can call. And Caldwell told commissioners that there six remaining lines that could be assigned before they would have to combine or eliminate some numbers to reapply.

Caldwell also told commissioners that technical support for the current system will end December 31.

And there are complaints about the current system not taking care of jury notification notices when potential jurors call to learn whether to report.

Caldwell said during his update on June 17 that he was planning to make a formal request on July 1.

Click HERE to read and download presentation materials from the June 17, 2025 Brazos County commission meeting.