Bryan ISD’s Virtual Academy, a virtual learning program for students from grades 3-12, received an update on its progress at the May 16 Bryan ISD school board meeting.

What you need to know: The program is set to begin serving students with a hybrid or fully online schedule for the 2026-27 school year. The program will serve students in and outside of the district within the area. Based on prior reporting by Community Impact, the program will have advanced placement classes, dual-credit opportunities and college and career-ready pathways.

How it works: Students in third to sixth grade will have a fully online curriculum featuring the four core subjects, along with art, physical education, music and an optional elective for fourth grade and higher.

Seventh to 12th grade students will be taught the core subjects along with electives, but those who are on the hybrid schedule will have the option of taking physical education and arts classes in-person.

Next steps: The application process is now open. Admissions begin in June.

College Station City Council approved a series of measures at its May 18 meeting, aimed at facilitating new residential development near Northgate, including parking changes and multiple utility easement abandonments along Cherry Street.

The gist: Council members voted unanimously to remove on-street parking on the northwest side of Cherry Street between Nagle and Tauber streets. Later, they approved nine ordinances vacating sewer and utility easements at 603 Cherry Street, allowing a proposed apartment complex to move forward.

The specifics: City Planning & Development Services said the existing easements conflicted with the planned “high-rise” building layout, requiring relocation of underground infrastructure before construction can begin. Applicant Core Spaces said the seven-story building is set to be located at the corner of Cherry and College Main streets with amenities, a parking garage and roughly 400 units.

Also on the agenda: The city's Comprehensive Plan was amended to remove an extension of Pavilion Avenue between Sebesta Road and Hwy. 6 South as College Station ISD plans to construct an administrative facility on the property in the future.

Looking for something fun to do in Aggieland this weekend? Check out this weekend’s roundup of events happening May 22-25. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

City offices in Bryan and College Station will be closed May 25 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Bryan Yard Dogs
The Bryan Yard Dogs will celebrate the opening weekend of the baseball team’s inaugural season with games against the Beaumont Oil Barons at Travis Field.

• May 21-23, 7:05 p.m.; May 24, 6:05 p.m.
• $8-$12 (admission)
• 2200 Bomber Drive, Bryan

• May 22, 7 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 455 George Bush Drive W., Ste. 100, College Station

• May 24, 3 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 19124 Hwy. 6 S., College Station

Texas officials released a draft of their next state water plan in April, projecting that state and local governments will need to spend $174 billion in the next 50 years to prevent a water crisis.

The details: The three-member Texas Water Development Board voted April 16 to publish an initial draft of the 2027 State Water Plan, laying out what is needed to prepare for a future “drought of record,” when water demands are highest and supplies are lowest.

The $174 billion price tag is more than twice the cost projected in Texas’ 2022 state water plan, which was $80 billion.

The context: As Texas’ population continues to grow, water restrictions and shortages are becoming more common in areas throughout the state. At the same time, major companies are moving to Texas and communities are contemplating large data center projects, with some residents expressing concerns about high water use in the already drought-prone state.

The proposed plan includes 3,000 proposed water management projects and 6,700 strategies to increase Texas' water supplies through 2080.