Destination Bryan Tourism Office Update For September 2025

Media Release 10/29/2026: (AUSTIN, TX) — Texas Comptroller Don Huffines today announced an executive order barring any entity with financial participation by a convicted human‑trafficking offender from receiving a Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts contract or grant. Under the order, every contractor and grantee must certify that it is eligible under Texas Government Code Section 2155.0061, which bars financial participation by any person who, in the preceding five years, has been convicted of an offense related to the direct support or promotion of human trafficking, and must acknowledge that the agency may withhold payment or terminate the agreement immediately if the certification is inaccurate. “Human trafficking is pure evil, and Texas will not allow a single dollar of public money to flow to anyone connected to it,” Huffines said. “The government’s first duty is to defend the innocent. No agency, no nonprofit, no contractor should ever benefit from state funding if the organization has financial participation from someone convicted of such a horrific crime. “Texans should never have to worry that their tax dollars are supporting criminals engaged in the exploitation of women, children, or any vulnerable person. I am humbled and honored to defend Texans’ freedoms by ensuring our state funds are used responsibly, ethically, and in full alignment with our values. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance.” Texas law already bars a state agency from accepting a bid or awarding a contract that includes financial participation by a person who, in the preceding five years, has been convicted of any offense related to the direct support or promotion of human trafficking. That prohibition applies to state contracts but not to grants. Huffines’ executive order closes that gap by writing the eligibility certification into every contract and grant administered by the Comptroller’s office. Under the order, contractors and grantees must certify that they: Are eligible to enter the agreement under Texas Government Code Section 2155.0061, meaning no person with financial participation in the entity has been convicted in the preceding five years of an offense related to the direct support or promotion of human trafficking. Acknowledge that the Comptroller’s office may withhold payment if the certification is inaccurate. Acknowledge that the Comptroller’s office may terminate the agreement immediately, without further obligation, if the certification is inaccurate. These requirements will apply to all future contracts and grants administered by the Comptroller’s office. The agency will incorporate the human trafficking certification into all relevant solicitations and agreements going forward. The Comptroller’s office is writing payment-withholding and immediate-termination authority into its agreements to enforce the certification. The order follows Huffines’ Oct. 13 executive order banning the use of Comptroller grant money for Flock cameras, automated license plate readers, and other vehicle-identification systems; his Oct. 15 order barring taxpayer dollars for discriminatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives; and his Oct. 21 order barring businesses that demand COVID-19 vaccine passports from Comptroller contracts and grants. It is the latest in a series of new standard terms Huffines is writing into Comptroller contracts and grants to protect taxpayers and enforce Texas law. More will be announced in the coming weeks. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

Media Release 10/29/2026: (AUSTIN, TX) ⎯ Governor Greg Abbott today announced four Skills Development Fund (SDF) grant awards totaling $1,726,092 to Houston City College, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley, and local partners. These grants, administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will help provide customized training for 689 new and current workers in high-demand occupations in manufacturing, technology, logistics, and more. “Texas is the best state in the nation for job creation and economic opportunity,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will equip 689 Texans with the skills they need for high-demand careers, help businesses find qualified workers, and ensure our state remains a leader in economic growth.” “When we align local training directly with the needs of expanding industries, we strengthen the regional economy,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “These Skills Development Fund grants empower Houston City College and Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley to provide the specialized, high-demand training that employers need to succeed right here in Texas.” Yesterday, TWC Chairman Joe Esparza presented the awards to representatives from Houston City College, Tesla Inc., Watchfire Signs LLC, Texas Tissue Converting LLC, Karsten Management LLC, and other local partners during a ceremony held at Houston City College. The three SDF grants include: $782,998 to train 261 workers at Tesla Inc. as maintenance technicians, process technicians, welders, and more. $690,044 to train 300 workers at Texas Tissue LLC and Karsten Management LLC as maintenance technicians, production line operators, design specialists, and frontline supervisors. $83,963 to train 41 workers at Watchfire Signs LLC as operations specialists, industrial maintenance technicians, production supervisors, and more. In addition, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III presented a $169,087 award yesterday during a ceremony held at Rio Bank – McColl Center in McAllen. Through this grant, Workforce Solutions Lower Rio Grande Valley will provide customized training for 87 new and current workers at Denso Ten America Limited, Alps Logistics (USA) Inc., Index Fresh Inc., and Emerson Electric Co. for high-demand occupations in manufacturing, transportation, and more. SDF is the state’s workforce training grant program to help businesses upskill their new or incumbent workforce. In partnership with the public community and technical colleges, workforce development boards, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, TWC collaborates to provide customized, innovative training to Texas businesses of all sizes. The SDF grant program has provided training opportunities in partnership with more than 5,000 employers to upgrade or support the creation of over 446,000 jobs throughout Texas since the program’s inception in 1996. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

A man is behind bars after shoplifting from a Bryan antique store. 64-year-old Christopher Nelson Mayes was arrested on Tuesday at Corner of Time Antiques at 118 North Bryan Ave in Bryan. Mayes is accused of stealing $114.99 worth of merchandise including: Siam Buffalo Horn Handle Bronze Meat Carving Set ($79.99) Prince Albert Tobacco Tin ($15.00) Cow Parade “Udderly Wicked” ($20.00) He has two previous convictions for theft in Bexar County from June 12, 2026. Mayes remains jailed on $10,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.