Would you believe — UConn, Kentucky, Butler and VCU?

Action at a recent special meeting of the Bryan city council included the proposed signature playground at Midtown Park. The contract was terminated between the council and the company that was hired to design the playground. That’s after trying since September of 2023 to come up with playground features and stay within a budget of $4.5 million dollars…of which $2 million is from a private foundation. The city will pursue other undisclosed options and will pay an undisclosed amount to the company for making multiple design options. Click HERE to read and download background information regarding the signature playground contract termination. Click HERE to read and download the signature playground contract termination that was approved at the April 22, 2025 Bryan city council meeting. As construction continues on the first phase of a data center on the RELLIS campus, the Bryan city council approved changing the formula of economic incentives being given to for phase two of the project. Phase two would be a $700 million dollar data and research center. The 230,000 square foot building containing offices and classrooms would eventually employ 100 hundred and generate an annual payroll of more than $7 million dollars. In exchange, the ten year agreement would save the owner $13 million dollars in city property taxes and the city would receive new revenue of $23 million dollars. That revenue includes more than $1 million that must be spent on quality of life programs that includes parks, senior and youth services, career and technology training, and economic development. Click HERE to read and download background information regarding the RELLIS data center tax abatement agreement. Click HERE to read and download the tax abatement agreement that was approved at the April 22, 2025 Bryan city council meeting.

Dr. Susan Ballabina, Chief of Staff for Texas A&M University’s President, visits with WTAW’s Chelsea Reber about the legal status of several international students, a quick-look assessment for the Corps of Cadets, Texas A&M 2040, Disaster Day, the Citizenship and Service Initiative, filling leadership role vacancies, and more during her appearance on The Infomaniacs on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Listen to “Texas A&M University Update on The Infomaniacs” on Spreaker.

The latest message on the website of Texas A&M’s president includes updates on the immigration status of some international students and filling leadership vacancies. From president.tamu.edu, Mark Welsh says 23 international students had their legal status in the United States revoked recently. As of last Friday (April 25), Welsh said the status of 12 students returned to legal status in the U.S. On that subject, Welsh wrote that “we need to do everything legally possible to support” international students, “both practically and emotionally”. The president also says A&M is looking into guidance to address faculty concerns about traveling outside the U.S. this summer. As for filling vacant administrative leadership positions, Welsh says finalists have been identified to be the next vice president of student affairs. That’s after three people recently participated in candidate forums. And the opening for vice president for research has an updated job description and a search committee has been formed. As for filling two vacant academic dean positions, Welsh says the new dean of the pharmacy college is expected to be announced soon. That follows two finalists completing on campus interviews. And three finalists for dean of the college of veterinary medicine and biological sciences will be on campus this week for candidate forums and to meet with faculty and staff.