Brazos Matters

Monica Martinez, Executive Director of Emergency Management & Dion Delao, Emergency Management Specialist & Meteorologist at Texas A&M University's Office of Emergency Management discuss their background and professional history, the benefits of having a meteorologist on staff, Code Maroon, coordinating closures with cities, school districts and the county, weather thresholds for al...

Krista Oldham, Director of University Archives & Sean Buckner, Director of Preservation at Texas A&M University Libraries address Jay's anxieties relating to what he should do with his physical and digital items. They discuss different types of items, media migration practices, fragility of digital content, how to organize photos, and what to do with physical photos and videos after digi...

Shel Winkley, Weather & Climate Engagement Specialist with Climate Central discusses what his workdays look like since leaving KBTX, local climate trends in Bryan/College Station, economic impacts, an AARP study featuring B/CS, urban heat islands, effects of green spaces in cities, how cities are working to reduce heat island effect, and examples of the impact of the built environment on temp...

Adam Drake & Jerrod Lane with the Brazos Valley Live Music Association discuss the origin of their organization, identifying a need for it, why each of them got involved in the first place, the evolution of the Bryan/College Station music scene, how they support both artists & venues, musicians with ties to B/CS, genres they represent, their concert calendar, and live music on Northgate.

Pam Thomure - Executive Director of Empowering Women out of Prison and Cindy Billington - volunteer for Empowering Women out of Prison and the Prison Entrepreneurship Program discuss the history of these programs, difference between the men's and women's programs, current locations & success rate, stories of impact, the importance of volunteers, incentives for participants, second chance empl...

Texas Monthly writer Mike Hall discusses the new Texas Monthly Presents segment about the Dabney Hill freedom colony in Burleson county, the current state of the historic structures on the property, plans for restoration and preservation, challenges facing this project, the Texas freedom colonies project, the relationship between the print article and visual story, Texas Monthly's entry in to more...

Gracie Dolan speaks with fellow graduating KAMU seniors Alisha Patterson and Tabina Hassan about their experiences working at KAMU, at Texas A&M University in general, and post-grad plans.

Brazos County landowners Kyle & Beverly Greenwood, representing noeastloop.com, discuss the potential TxDOT inner loop east project and how they believe Brazos County officials have handled the planning, so far.

Brazos County Judge Duane Peters discusses the inner east loop project, including public hearings, and determining need & alignment. He also discusses updates on the Brazos County Medical Examiners office. Finally, he discusses the new courthouse annex building, why there is a need for the building and its enclosed walkway, and which departments will be housed in this new building.

Scott Shafer, Executive Director of Campus and Community Enrichment at Texas A&M University discusses his history with Hensel Park, the current vision for redevelopment, factors driving the studies, potential timeline, phases & cost of redevelopment, changes in the surrounding area including population density and high rises, partnership with both cities, and potential academic opportuni...

Becca Dawson, director of the 2025 Big Event and Caroline Ask, Solid Waste Manager with the City of College Station discuss Big Event's preparation leading up to the day of the event, how they're working to increase volunteer signups, coordination with and involvement of the cities of Bryan and College Station, other Big Events across the country and things they have learned from other schools.

Danielle Laperriere, Sustainability Manager for Texas A&M University discusses her background, her definition of what sustainability can be, campus examples, current students' ideas about sustainability, highlights from the STARS report and A&M's ranking, sustainable commuting options, the Aggie Green Fund, and Campus Earth Month.

John Friebele, Executive Director of Destination Bryan and Jeremiah Cook, Assistant Director of Tourism for Visit College Station discuss things to do when visitors come to town, activities that complement a student budget, tourism outreach efforts, and more.

Tom Turbiville discusses his background with Jay at WTAW, why he began featuring veterans' stories, the beginning of the Veterans of the Valley program on KAMU-TV, notable interviews, where to watch interviews, and the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial in Veterans park.

Kevin Russell, Managing Director of Economic Development for the City of Bryan discusses his background at the city, Downtown Bryan's past, redevelopment of the Downtown's north end, the city's relationship with Texas A&M, Biocorridor expansion opportunities, growth on Highway 47 including the RELLIS campus and the Army Futures Command, Bryan Business Council, and the Greater Brazos Partnersh...

Dr. Leonard Berry, University Distinguished Professor of Marketing at Texas A&M University discusses his research on Never Words and Never Phrases in healthcare environments, what they are, impacts and harm of these statements, and examples of them.

Dr. Kirby Goidel & Dr. Todd Kent from KAMU's Inside Political Science podcast discuss the origins of the podcast, their teaching styles at The Bush School of Government & Public Service, observations from the 2024 election, where younger people are getting their news and information, looking ahead to the 2025 Texas Legislative Session, Texas politics vs national politics, and predictions...

November 18, 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of when 12 Aggies died when Bonfire collapsed. KAMU remembers that day in this documentary. These reflections are from John Comstock, a survivor of the collapse; Randy McGregor, a first responder who was on the scene; Neva Hand, the mother of one of the students who lost their life; and Truett Marrs, a current student born a few years after the collaps...

Mary Jo Prince, Project Specialist with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension discusses the Watch Your BAC & Reality Education for Drivers programs, choices currently facing college students, what is involved with her classes, things parents can look out for, outcomes of the programs, next steps, and how to request more info.

Chief Dean Swartzlander with the Bryan Police Department discusses his background and what brought him to Bryan, the K9 programs at Bryan Police Department, awards and recognitions over the years, the current state of BPD staffing, the Bryan Police Academy, recruiting challenges, connections to the community, strategic proactive policing, current crime trends in Bryan, and more.

Kelsey Heiden, Director of College Station Parks & Recreation discusses her background, thoughts on College Station parks & programs, birding at Lick Creek Park, the new budget year, facility upgrades, pickleball, the Lincoln Recreation Center, Thomas Park renovation, Texas Independence Park, and her favorite park in College Station.

Kelli Hollinger, Director of the Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center discusses the Howdy greeting on campus, the visitor center, the Aggieland Saturday event, student tour guides, her background at the Mays Business School, visitor impact on the local economy, future hopes & plans for the visitor center, who is welcome to take a campus tour, and more.

Molly Watson, Co-chair Brazos Valley Gives discusses what community foundations are, how Brazos Valley Gives works, the giving nature of the Brazos Valley, requirements for non-profits to participate, and what BV Gives day looks like.

Ashley Rodriguez-Bishop with the Bryan Animal Center discusses her background, jurisdictions of the Bryan Animal Center and other shelters, animal control services, Brazos County Regulations, what kinds of animals they see, funding, and future facility plans.

Dr. Holly Hudson and Samantha Clement with Texas A&M Global Engagement discuss who Global Engagement are, what attracts international students to A&M, immigration compliance functions, preparing for the upcoming semester, acclimating international students to A&M, promoting study abroad programs, upcoming global welcome party, how to make international students feel welcome, and mor...