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College Station kicks off first phase in Harvey Road Corridor Redevelopment Plan

College Station held a kickoff event June 23 at City Hall to gather community input and present data during its first phase of creating the Harvey Road Corridor Redevelopment Plan.

The overview: According to the project website, the overall goal of the plan is to provide a “comprehensive roadmap for transitioning the area into a dynamic, mixed-use destination with a strong identity and economic trajectory, while tailoring it to the unique needs and opportunities of the area, including the consideration of the area’s existing conditions, current economic landscape, key attributes, and future growth potential.”

The redevelopment of the Harvey Road corridor, according to city Principal Planner Heather Wade, has been included in the city’s Comprehensive Plan since 2009. She cited the importance of revitalizing the 1970s-era infrastructure and of gathering public input as critical to the Planning and Development Services’ efforts.

“We want to do everything we can to bring it back to life,” Wade said.

 
County Coverage
Brazos County adopts AI policy, emphasizing human oversight

Brazos County commissioners approved a new artificial intelligence policy at its June 23 meeting, establishing rules and expectations for how county departments may use AI tools.

The policy was approved to create guardrails for data security and appropriate use of technology across county offices.

About the policy: According to agenda materials, the policy provides guidelines for how county staff may use AI tools in daily operations. The framework is designed to ensure human oversight remains in place for decision-making, data handling and public-facing functions.

The policy is expected to serve as a baseline document for future technology decisions as departments explore efficiency tools and automation.

Commissioners did not discuss an individual software system or vendor, and the policy was passed without discussion, as it was already drafted.

Get involved: Commissioners Court will meet again at 10 a.m. July 7 at the Brazos County Administration Building.

 

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Around Town
Music performances and markets: 10 things to do in Aggieland, June 25-28

Aggieland will be hosting a variety of events during the June 27 weekend surrounding the arts, markets and history.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch at The Theatre Company: Featuring performances for this weekend only, The Theater Company’s new show features glam-rock, stand-up comedy and an East German singer immigrating to Kansas after a botched sex-change operation.

  • June 25-27, show starts at 7 p.m.

  • $25 (adult tickets)

  • 3125 South Texas Avenue. Suite 500, Bryan

Museum of the American GI: History Storytime 250th at Clara B. Mounce Public Library: The museum is hosting a WWII interactive event targeted towards children and families.

  • June 27, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • Free (admission)

  • 201 East 26th Street, Bryan

Pride Book Fair: A family-friendly book fair that highlights LGBTQIA authors, culture and history.

  • June 27, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • Free (admission)

  • 801 University Drive East, College Station

 
Latest Education News
Texas education board OKs mandatory public school reading list

Texas education officials gave preliminary approval June 23 to the state’s first mandatory reading list, which includes nearly 200 literary works that public school students would begin reading as soon as 2030.

The overview: The proposed list incorporates about a dozen stories from the Bible, including the tale of David and Goliath in second grade and direct biblical excerpts beginning in fourth grade. In total, students would be required to read more than two dozen texts in early elementary grades and about 10 literary works per year from sixth grade through high school.

What's happening: Members of the Republican-led State Board of Education voted 9-5 to cut several titles from the reading list June 23, following nearly eight hours of public testimony a day earlier.

More than half of those who testified June 22 asked the board to shorten the list, include more diverse authors and remove religious references. Others praised the SBOE for creating a list that they said would teach students about “American exceptionalism” and prioritize classical literature.

 

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