The Think Brazos Podcast

This week, we are honored to sit down with a true Brazos Valley icon: Scott DeLucia. After an unbelievable 59-year career in local radio, Scott recently retired from WTAW’s morning lineup. In this wide-ranging conversation, Scott brings his decades of institutional knowledge to the table. He shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories of broadcasting through the community's most defining moments—from anchoring coverage of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse to being live on the air with our congressman during the attacks on 9/11. But we don't just look back. Scott gives his unfiltered thoughts on the current state of Bryan-College Station, including soaring municipal budgets, property tax concerns, and the critical need for neighborhood integrity and smart housing density. Plus, he shares why he is a long-time advocate for B/CS Habitat for Humanity and the power of "sweat equity."Whether you’ve listened to Scott for years or you care deeply about the local policies shaping the future of Bryan and College Station, this episode is a must-listen.Think Brazos is proudly sponsored by B/CS Habitat for Humanity. Learn more about how to volunteer or donate to the ReStore at habitatbcs.org. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to stay updated on our upcoming local candidate interviews this fall!Subscribe for email updates at thinkbrazos.org

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Prentiss Madison, Sr, who is running for Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. Madison is a former two-term Bryan city councilman and has also served on Planning and Zoning, Adjustments, and Parks and Recreation Commissions. Madison and his family run a recycling business called Madison Metals.Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Andre Malone, who is running for Precinct 4 Brazos County Commissioner. A self-described "Army brat," Malone has lived in Brazos County for 45 years and is a failure auditor for the oil and gas industry.Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with Jordan Januse, who is running for Precinct 2 Brazos County Commissioner. Jordan Januse's family ran Frank's Country Store, a store beloved by many locals. Januse continued his experience with small businesses by starting a home cleaning company.Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠⁠.

Before you vote in the 2026 Texas primary election, listen to our conversation with former Bryan City Councilman Mike Southerland, who is now running for Brazos County Judge. Mike Southerland is a Vietnam veteran who served two terms on the Bryan City Council.Think Brazos is a project of Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity intended to help our community understand local government policies that impact our daily lives, especially housing opportunities. You can find our ⁠2026 Brazos Valley Candidate Guide⁠ on our website. Because this podcast is produced by Habitat, a 501c3 charitable organization, we do not make endorsements. If you would like to support our work in the community, you can make a tax-deductible donation at ⁠ThinkBrazos.org/donate⁠.

**Heads up** ⚠️ We had an audio glitch during part of our interview with David Brower. You’ll notice a dip in sound quality in the second half of the interview—but we promise it’s worth powering through. In this episode of the Think Brazos podcast, host Charles Coats speaks with David Brower, the Community Development Administrator for the City of College Station. They delve into the city's housing action plan, its goals, and the strategies being implemented to address housing affordability. David shares insights on existing challenges such as cost-burdened renters and homeowners, and the rapid increase in housing costs post-pandemic. He also highlights specific initiatives like increased density, deed-restricted homeownership programs, and collaborations with local nonprofits and employers to tackle the housing crisis. Learn how College Station plans to create more housing opportunities and ensure the community's future growth and stability. The Think Brazos Podcast is a policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Follow Think Brazos https://facebook.com/thinkbrazos https://instagram.com/thinkbrazos https://x.com/thinkbrazos Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

Addressing Housing Affordability with Rep. Paul Dyson In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, host Charles Coats welcomes Representative Paul Dyson of House District 14 in Texas to discuss the current legislative session. The conversation delves into the pressing issue of housing affordability in Texas, exploring proposed bills and solutions like House Bill 5489, which aims to impose a moratorium on impact fees to ease housing costs. Dyson also shares insights into his experiences as a freshman representative, his committee work, and other legislative efforts around water infrastructure. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and potential policies affecting housing and growth in Texas. Tune in for an in-depth discussion on how local and state governments are navigating these crucial issues. The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Learn more at thinkbrazos.org

In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, Justin Wager discusses his plans and aspirations for Bryan, Texas, as he campaigns for Place 6 on the Bryan City Council. Justin shares insights about his upbringing in Bryan, his early interest in politics, and how his background in the family restaurant business influences his perspective. He addresses key policy areas such as infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization, zoning, housing affordability, and transportation. Justin also highlights his commitment to transparency and community service. Join us for an informative discussion aimed at helping the community understand Justin Wager's goals and vision for the future of Bryan. NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. The Think Brazos Podcast is publishing interviews with the candidates for Bryan Council for the November 5, 2024 election. You can find our episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. #vote #votelocal #localgovernment #texas #bryantx STUDIO SPONSOR: We'd like to thank the Habitat for Humanity BCS ReStore for allowing us to use their space to record these important conversations. Follow them on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/restorebcs Instagram: https://instagram.com/restorebcs The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

On this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, join us for an engaging conversation with Bob Achgill, a candidate for the third single-member district of the Bryan City Council. Achgill delves into his transition from a petrochemical engineer to a community advocate, shares his experiences in Russia, and highlights his work with the deaf community. The discussion covers key issues such as Bryan's housing affordability, public transportation challenges, and policy measures to discourage large-scale housing investors. Bob also provides insights into the critical issues of water supply, space safety, and local elections, emphasizing the need for sustainable growth and a healthy, safe community. NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. The Think Brazos Podcast is publishing interviews with the candidates for Bryan Council for the November 5, 2024 election. You can find our episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. #vote #votelocal #localgovernment #texas #bryantx STUDIO SPONSOR: We'd like to thank the Habitat for Humanity BCS ReStore for allowing us to use their space to record these important conversations. Follow them on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/restorebcs Instagram: https://instagram.com/restorebcs The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Full disclaimer: https://thinkbrazos.org/about/#disclaimer Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

In this episode of Think Brazos Podcast, Charles interviews Patrick Giammalva, a candidate for City Council District 5 in Bryan, Texas. Giamalva emphasizes the need for a city council with vision focused on current community needs, advocating for infrastructure improvements, park restoration, and addressing the city's affordable housing challenges. He highlights his past efforts in clean-up initiatives and stresses the importance of local government supporting affordable housing and economic development. Giamnalva also criticizes current city strategies and calls for more citizen input in decision-making processes. NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. The Think Brazos Podcast is publishing interviews with the candidates for Bryan Council for the November 5, 2024 election. You can find our episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. #vote #votelocal #localgovernment #texas #bryantx STUDIO SPONSOR: We'd like to thank the Habitat for Humanity BCS ReStore for allowing us to use their space to record these important conversations. Follow them on: Facebook: https://facebook.com/restorebcs Instagram: https://instagram.com/restorebcs The Think Brazos Podcast is policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. As a 501c3, we do not make endorsements of any candidate or political party. Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

Shane Savage, a lifelong Bryan resident and owner of a local business, discusses his campaign for Place 4 of the Bryan City Council. Savage outlines his platform, emphasizing the need to reconnect the city council with Bryan's working-class citizens and address key issues like affordable housing and public transportation. He also highlights the importance of supporting local businesses. Savage believes his fresh perspective can contribute to the city's growth without compromising the needs of current residents. Resources and contact information for his campaign are provided for those interested in supporting his candidacy. NO ENDORSEMENTS. JUST PODCASTS. Learn more at thinkbrazos.org Studio sponsor: Habitat for Humanity BCS ReStore.

In this episode of the Think Brazos Podcast, host Charles Coats sits down with Martin Zimmermann, director of Development Services for the City of Bryan. Martin shares insights into his role and responsibilities, which include overseeing building permits and construction projects. The discussion covers various housing types, such as manufactured and modular homes, and their allowances within Bryan's city limits. They also delve into regulations surrounding rental properties, adding rooms to existing homes, and the city's approach to new developments versus infill. Learn about Bryan's unique Midtown area, accessory dwelling units, and the city's commitment to maintaining high-quality, vibrant neighborhoods. Links: Housing Rules Explained resource on Think Brazos website GIS maps for Bryan, Texas Habitat's annual Candidates Build Habitat ReStore's Facebook page Guest's email address: mzimmermann @ Bryantx dot gov The Think Brazos Podcast is a policy conversation platform produced by staff at Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity. Learn more at https://thinkbrazos.org

This episode of the Think Brazos Podcast features David Brower from the City of College Station's Community Services Department discussing the housing challenges and opportunities facing the city post-COVID. With housing prices and rents skyrocketing, Brower discusses the city's efforts through various initiatives to improve affordability, including a Housing Action Plan Steering Committee. Brower highlights the importance of community input through surveys targeting general residents, college students, and employers to help shape future housing policy. Visit the blog post for more information and links to surveys. Think local! Think Brazos!