Man Arrested for Wielding Scythe While Walking Along Bryan Roadway

Texas DPS Discovers Cesium-137 Buried in Midland County

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in collaboration with several local, state and federal agency partners, successfully recovered a Cesium-137 (Cs-137) radioactive source in Midland County over the weekend. DPS has a Radiological/Nuclear Threat Detection (Rad/Nuc) Unit to detect and interdict radiological and nuclear material out of regulatory control to prevent dangerous attacks and mass casualty incidents. The unit is currently comprised of one Lieutenant, one Sergeant, and six Corporals stationed throughout the state. DPS is currently issuing a personal radiation detector (PRD) to every Trooper and training them to serve as primary radiological and nuclear threat screeners. On Friday, July 24, 2026, a Corporal assigned to the Unit received an alarm from his vehicle-mounted radiation detection system near S. County Road 1210, which is within the city limits of Midland, but not in the heart of the city. The Corporal determined the Cs-137 was emitting radiation from beneath the ground and was buried approximately 7-inches below the surface. It was identified as a 100-millicurie (100 mCi) sealed radioactive source manufactured in April 1967. According to Stanford University, 100 mCi is the jumping point between the moderate and high hazard categories. On Saturday, the DPS Rad/Nuc Unit and other responding agencies – including the FBI, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Midland Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, Midland Health Department, Midland Emergency Management and Chevron security representatives – were able to safely excavate the Cs-137. Radiation exposure levels were closely monitored, and personnel rotations were conducted in accordance with established safety protocols. The operation concluded with no injuries, no personnel contamination, and no threat to the public.    

Governor Abbott Reappoints Ten Judges To Texas Business Court

PRESS RELEASE (AUSTIN, TX) – Governor Greg Abbott today reappointed all ten judges of the Texas Business Court Divisions to new two-year terms beginning September 1, 2026. “Businesses choose Texas in record numbers because Texas delivers results,” said Governor Abbott. “The Texas Business Court has resolved complex commercial disputes with unmatched speed and expertise. Hundreds of cases already filed and scores resolved prove these judges fuel Texas’ status as the economic engine of America. I have reappointed these skilled judges to protect that success and to ensure that Texas’ business jurisprudence is on steady ground for years to come.” Since its creation, the Texas Business Court has delivered monumental success. Specialized judges now handle the most complex commercial matters with the expertise and speed Texas businesses demand. Cases move forward efficiently, which gives companies the certainty they need to invest, expand, and create jobs. The judges being reappointed today have strengthened Texas’ position as the top state for business and drawn national attention as models for commercial dispute resolution. First Business Court Division:  Andrea Bouressa of Murphy has served as a Judge for the First Business Court Division since September 2024. She previously was Judge of the 471st Judicial District Court and served a two-year term as Local Administrative District Judge for Collin County. William “Bill” Whitehill of Coppell has served as a Judge for the First Business Court Division since September 2024. He previously served as a member of Condon Tobin Sladek Thornton Nerenberg PLLC, where he was head of its appellate and special issues practice group, and is a former Justice of the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas. Third Business Court Division: Melissa Andrews of Austin has served as a Judge for the Third Business Court Division since September 2024. She previously served as an equity partner at Holland & Knight, an attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd and First Court of Appeals Justice Harvey Brown and was a law clerk for Judge Don R. Willett, while he served on the Texas Supreme Court. Patrick K. Sweeten of Austin has served as a Judge for the Third Business Court Division since September 2024. He previously served as the Principal Deputy General Counsel for the Office of the Governor and Deputy Attorney General for Special Litigation for the Office of the Texas Attorney General. Fourth Business Court Division: Marialyn Barnard of San Antonio has served as a Judge for the Fourth Business Court Division since September 2024. She previously served as Judge of the 73rd Judicial District Court in Bexar County, Bexar County Commissioner for Precinct 3, and spent 10 years as a Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals. Stacy Sharp of San Antonio has served as a Judge for the Fourth Business Court Division since September 2024 and currently serves as the Administrative Presiding Judge Pro Tempore. She previously served as an attorney and owner of Sharp Appellate PLLC and an adjunct professor at The University of Texas (UT) at Austin. Eighth Business Court Division: Jerry Bullard of Colleyville has served as a Judge for the Eighth Business Court Division since September 2024. He previously served as a shareholder and attorney with Adams, Lynch & Loftin, P.C. and has over 30 years of experience in state and federal court litigation, including both trial and appellate law. Brian Stagner of Fort Worth has served as a Judge for the Eighth Business Court Division since September 2024. He previously served as counsel and a former partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP and as an adjunct professor at Texas Christian University teaching business law. Eleventh Business Court Division: Sofia Adrogué of Houston has served as a Judge for the Eleventh Business Court Division since September 2024. She previously served as a partner with Diamond McCarthy LLP. She is founder and editor of the Texas Business Litigation Treatise (ALM), now in its 6th Edition, dedicated to the Texas Business Court, and at the outset of her career, she clerked at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Grant Dorfman of Bellaire has served as a Judge for the Eleventh Business Court Division since September 2024 and currently serves as the Administrative Presiding Judge. He previously served as a Visiting Judge and is a former Deputy First Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Texas Attorney General, Judge of the 334th Judicial District and the 129th Judicial District both in Harris County, former counsel for Sheehy, Ware, Pappas & Grubbs, P.C., and former Senior In-House Counsel to Nabors Industries. In 2023, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 19 to establish the Texas Business Court, a specialized trial court designed to resolve complex commercial disputes and maintain Texas’ position as the top state for business.

Brazos County Commissioners Court Meeting Recap 07/28/2026

The Brazos County Commissioner’s Court met Tuesday morning. Austin Fannin (Director of Strategic Program Development for Texas A&M) made a presentation of the plans for the university’s Sesquicentennial “Celebrating 150 Years of Texas A&M.” Texas A&M officially turns 150 years old on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Celebrations will take place throughout the school year, starting with an opening ceremony on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 4:00pm on the steps of the Jack K. Williams Administration Building. That night, there will be a special 9:00pm yell practice at Kyle Field, followed by a drone and fireworks show. The week of October 4-10 is focused on student celebration, with birthday meals, treats, and celebrations at Aggie dining halls. $1.50 ice cream sandwiches at the Moore Family Creamery on game days, and a Sbisa pig roast prior to the Arkansas game on 10/3. In the spring, there will be an Aggie Family Parade. On April 10, 2027, the university plans to have floats and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade style balloons. The route will start at the Albritton Clock Tower at 9:00am, moving through and around campus, then ending at College Station City Hall. The celebration will conclude with the Aggie 150th Festival April 30th & May 1st at Aggie Park. Music, food, carnival rides, and more. Learn more at 150.tamu.edu. Trevor Lansdown (Director of Project Management) and Bob Lamkin (Director of Facilities Services) made a presentation on deferred maintenance in regards to regular agenda item #1. The resolution to commit $20-million for deferred maintenance from the general fund balance, which was passed. The pair stressed the importance of getting ahead of maintenance issues, because it can save time and money to be proactive. For example, there is currently a broken chiller that has been down since January. They have been waiting seven months on parts and in the interim, they must incur the expense for rental chillers. There was also mention that major elevator repairs could take 32 weeks, so preventative maintenance is crucial versus waiting until after something breaks to fix it. The court approved the resolution to move $20-million from the general fund balance to go towards deferred maintenance. $221,203.00 was also approved to expand the Juvenile Justice Center. The court approved all 19 items on the consent agenda: FY 25/26 Budget Amendments 21.01 – 21.10. Approval of Payment of Claims Approval of the following appointments to the Brazos County Child Welfare Board with terms of August 28, 2026 – August 28, 2029: A. Gail Bradbury B. Suzanne Phelps Approval of the following appointments to the Brazos Valley Council of Governments Board of Directors with terms of October 1, 2026-September 30, 2029: A. Linda Edge B. Bobby Gutierrez C. John Nichols Approval requested from Human Resources for acceptance of donated funds in the amount of $8,285.14, from the Texas Association of Counties to be used for Employee Safety Equipment. Funds must be used through the TACRMP website. Approval for payment of claim to Kendrick Bob in the amount of $233.66 for damage to personal property. Approval of a BTU Utility Easement and Damage Waiver to install electrical poles, service lines, and a transformer at 2617 W. St. HWY 21. Approval of the Treasurer’s Report for May 2026. Approval of Personnel Change of Status for Department Heads. Approval to increase the Brazos County mileage reimbursement rate from $0.725 per mile to $0.76 per mile per the IRS revised rates for business travel occurring on or after July 1, 2026. Request authorization to wire transfer up to $1,000,000.00 to Health and Human Services Commission for the Uncompensated Care Demonstration Year 13 for the benefit of participating hospitals using funding from the Local Provider Participation Fund. Approval of Deductive Change Order to RFP # CIP 24-608 Jail Shower Renovations with R.E.C. Industries, Inc. in the amount $79,527.11. Approval to accept donation of TEA allotment for JJAEP textbooks. Award of IQ # 27-001 Fire Protection Services. Recommended Vendor: Brigade Fire Solutions, LLC. Consider and take action on the Wickson Creek SUD utility permit to construct road bore on Collette Lane to provide water services to address 4797 FM 2223. Site is located in Precinct 2. Final Plat Bertram Grove Subdivision Phase 1, Lot 7R, Block 2, Being a Replat of Lots 7 and 8, Block 2, Phase 1; 2.17 Acres; Samuel Davidson Survey; Abstract Number 13. College Station, Brazos County, Texas. Site is located in Precinct 1. Consider and take action on the Brazos Wifi utility permit for Collette Lane and Scott Lane. Project consists of conduit being installed within the south ROW of Collette Lane from FM 2223, South-west to Scott Lane for 450 feet and one (1) road bore of Scott Lane with additional conduit being installed within the west ROW of Scott Lane for 100 feet to the North-west. Site is located in Precinct 2. Consider and take action on the Wickson Creek SUD utility permit to construct road bore at 6980 Coyote Run to provide water services. Site is located in Precinct 2. Consider and take action on the Comcast utility permit to install 2-inch conduit by directional bore within the right-of-way of following County Roads and Falls Creek Ranch Subdivision. Sites are located in Precinct 4. A. Mumford Road – 5,464 feet in ROW B. Hilton Road – 2,025 feet in ROW and 2 crossings C. Steamboat Run – 3 crossings D. Telluride Way – 3 crossings E. Vail Lane – 3 crossings F. Keystone Drive – 1 crossing   The court approved all items on the Regular Agenda: Resolution 26-014 Commitment of General Fund Balance for Deferred Maintenance. $20,000,000 of General Fund Balance will be committed for deferred maintenance and major repairs of Brazos County Buildings in accordance with Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 54. Approval Requesting Temporary Variance to Compensatory Time Policy for Landscaping Department. Approval of Brazos County Proclamation and Certificate of Recognition Policy and Guidelines. Approval of Amendment #1 to 25-151 Legal Representation of Juveniles with Gendron & Flanigan to extend another year at a reduced rate. […]