Brazos County Health District Update on WTAW

Texas A&M to Host Hands-On Training For Burn Planning, Fire Behavior, and Safety for Central Texas Landowners

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Texas Prescribed Fire Field Day on September 16, 2026 in College Station. The field-based program will take place from 8:00am to 5:00pm at the Texas A&M Ecology and Natural Resources Teaching Area, 1622 Observatory Road. The program is designed for landowners, fire practitioners and local officials interested in planning and carrying out prescribed fires in Central Texas. The event is free and registration is available online at tx.ag/PrescribedFire. The event offers six continuing fire training credits from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Topics covered through class and field-based lessons The event will emphasize applied learning and offers attendees the opportunity to engage directly with experienced fire practitioners in an operational setting. “The field day will provide practical instruction paired with an active prescribed burn, weather permitting, giving participants direct exposure to real-time decision-making, fire behavior and crew coordination,” said David Brooke, AgriLife Extension statewide prescribed fire coordinator in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, San Angelo. Teaching instruction will cover: Fire ecology principles relevant to Texas landscapes. Texas prescribed burn laws and liability considerations. Key components of an effective burn plan. How to assess weather conditions, fuel characteristics and fire behavior in the field. Proper equipment use and crew organization. Ignition techniques and holding strategies. Safety protocols and risk management. Post-burn evaluation and next steps for land management. Funding for this Texas A&M AgriLife prescribed fire program is made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Renewable Resource Extension Act National Focus Funds program. For more information, contact David Brooke at david.brooke@ag.tamu.edu.

Bryan ISD Board of Trustees President Joel Bryan on The Infomaniacs

Bryan ISD Board of Trustees President Joel Bryan joins The Infomaniacs in the studio to discuss Bryan ISD going back to school, the conversation surrounding a tax increase being placed on the November ballot, and more, during his appearance on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Listen to “Bryan ISD Board of Trustees President Joel Bryan on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.

Milam County Officials Issue Statement on Mistrial of Colton Coufal

The Milam County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office issued a joint statement on Tuesday regarding a recent case that ended with a mistrial: CAMERON, TX — Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore and Milam County District Attorney Brian Price issue the following statement regarding a recent mistrial in 20th District Court in the murder case against Colton Coufal. As the elected officials serving the Milam County Sheriff’s Office and Milam County District Attorney’s Office, we understand that a mistrial raises questions and concerns within the communities we serve. We also believe it is important to be clear, accurate, and concise while maintaining judicial integrity. First and mostly importantly, the case has not been dismissed. A mistrial simply ends the current trial. The charges remain pending, and we remain committed to pursuing justice for the victim in this case. The mistrial arose because new evidence was discovered while the trial was ongoing. The new evidence had not been hidden, withheld, or mishandled. The District Judge presiding over the trial specifically found that no prosecutors or law enforcement officers had engaged in any kind of misconduct. The defense simply needed more time to be able to evaluate the evidence themselves, and the need for that delay resulted in declaring a mistrial. Everyone is entitled to a thorough and fair trial in this country, and everyone involved wants to see justice done. In this case, the mistrial means the matter is expected to proceed to a new trial, tentatively scheduled for January. The mistrial does not mean the defendant is being released while the case is reset and our offices remain committed to pursuing justice in this case. Ultimately, accountability begins at the top. As elected officials, we are responsible to the people we serve and for the actions of the offices entrusted to our leadership. While this mistrial represents a delay in the pursuit of justice, we remain committed to working together to ensure that this case proceeds and that a fair trial is completed. We will continue to fulfill our responsibilities and do everything within our authority to see justice carried out.