College Station ISD Superintendent Tim Harkrider led a passionate discussion Aug. 25 about the district’s future amid declining enrollment and how a new administration office might fit in with CSISD’s long-term goals.

The overview: According to the latest available enrollment data, College Station ISD has decreased in total enrollment since the 2022-23 school year. Texas Education Agency data correlates with a state trend, with public schools in Texas losing thousands of students for the 2025-26 school year.

What trustees are saying: Trustee Mike Martindale said he had reservations about a completely new office space because of the declining enrollment, whereas Trustee Darin Payne argued the declining enrollment is due more to stagnation in the local economy.

What’s next: The board is set to review and potentially approve the construction of a new administration building during their Sept. 15 meeting. The project could cost $31.1 million if approved.

A planned air separation facility in Bryan is now expected to be completed in late 2027, the city of Bryan and Messer Americas recently announced.

About the project: The $65.4 million project from Messer was approved by Bryan City Council in March. It will produce industrial gases for health care, manufacturing, food and beverage, metals, chemicals and aerospace.

Based on prior Community Impact reporting, the facility will sit in Reinvestment Zone No. 34, near FM 974 and Boatcallie Road. It is expected to create at least 16 full-time jobs.

What officials are saying: According to the city, the facility will expand Messer’s presence in Texas.

Bryan Economic Development Director Todd McDaniel said the project reinforces the city’s ability to attract major private-sector investment.

“This project is about far more than a single facility,” McDaniel said in the release. “Every major investment builds momentum, strengthens Bryan’s reputation and makes us even more competitive for the next company.”
 

A new and locally owned soul food restaurant serving comfort food has opened its doors in Bryan.

About Aunt Josie's: The to-go restaurant serves southern comfort food such as meatloaf, pork chops, and baked chicken, along with homestyle sides.

As a to-go orders only business, Aunt Josie's has a small waiting area for customers.

Before you go: Aunt Josie’s is the newest business in the Bryan Towne Center, with more coming next year.

• Opened Aug. 20
• 3001 Wildflower Drive, Ste. 211, Bryan

With events centered around art galleries and gatherings, along with food, film and sports, here is a look at 10 events happening Aug. 27-30. This is not a comprehensive list.

DEGART VisiON at DeGallery: A gathering of artists of all kinds; patrons can see exhibitions and galleries and attend meetups and workshops on AI, photography and augmented reality.

• Aug. 24-31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Price depends on class (ticketed)

• 930 North Rosemary Drive, Bryan

Texas A&M Aggies Soccer Game vs Air Force Falcons: The Aggies are set to face Air Force in the second home soccer game of the current season.

• Aug. 27, 7-10 p.m.

• $6-20 (ticketed)

• 369 Tom Chandler Drive, College Station

Pack Fresh Card Show at The Brazos Center: Featuring more than 65 vendors selling Pokémon, One Piece and sports cards, the show will also feature giveaways and a way for collectors and enthusiasts to connect.

• Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• $4-12 (ticketed)

• 3232 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan

Texas voters will choose from Republican Bo French, Libertarian Arthur DiBianca and Democrat Jon Rosenthal in this November's Texas Railroad Commission race.

The details: The winner of the race will be sworn in to replace incumbent Commissioner Jim Wright in January.

French beat Wright in a May Republican primary runoff, advancing to the general election. Rosenthal ran uncontested in the March Democratic primary, while DiBianca was selected as the Texas Libertarian Party's candidate during an April nominating convention.

Did you know? The three-member railroad commission does not have any jurisdiction over the state's railroads—that authority was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation and the federal government by 2005, according to the commission's website. Instead, the agency regulates Texas' oil and gas industries.

Looking ahead: Early voting in dozens of local and state races runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

The Texas Department of Insurance must take action to promote competition and “prohibit excessive or unfairly discriminatory rate setting" in the state's homeowners insurance market, Gov. Greg Abbott said Aug. 24.

The background: Texans are paying the fourth-highest home insurance premiums in the nation, Community Impact previously reported. State data shows that the average Texas home insurance premium nearly doubled from $1,791 in 2016 to $3,506 in 2025.

The details: Abbott asked the TDI to prohibit insurers from using the age of a home and homeowners' personal data when setting rates; create a task force targeting insurance fraud; study the impact of inflated insurance claims; and require insurers to consider a homeowner's participation in a roof fortification program when writing policies.

Another perspective: "Under Greg Abbott, Texas has been one of the most expensive states in the country to own and maintain a home," Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic candidate for Texas governor, said in a statement. "If Abbott really wanted to lower costs, he would have done it in the last 12 years."