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BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - A new company is coming to town, and along with it, local leaders say they expect local technology and innovation to challenge growth capitals in California.

Plug and Play is a company that specializes in driving and fostering growth in startup companies. With a new office in town opening Tuesday, Bryan-College Station and Texas A&M leaders hope to make the local area a leading technology and innovation hub.

The innovation-centered program was announced back in November, and the program opened a local office on Tuesday to invest in the future of Bryan-College Station.

“We have been able to build what we call the largest innovation platform in the world. If in one of the labs at Texas A&M, an entrepreneur or an engineer believes in a product that they are building, the technology they are building, what Plug and Play can do is find the best application, what we call market product fit,” explained Saeed Amidi, CEO and Founder of Plug and Play. “Then, of course, we also fund this startup with partners, and we call it to accelerate or improve their chances of success at scale.”

Plug and Play is credited for the growth of some of the top startup companies in the Silicon Valley and over 95,000 startup companies overall, according to the Plug and Play website.

On Tuesday, university leaders, city officials, and community members got to witness the launch of Plug and Play’s Innovation Triangle. The goal of the office is to connect startups and established companies with resources for growth, mentorship, connections, and funding.

The startup businesses will center around those looking to advance technology and innovation in Aerospace and Defense, but speakers said they hope to see that list expand soon.

Leaders discussed their hope to integrate the agricultural business in the area into their innovation efforts with Plug and Play, and their goal of growing bigger with time.

“I’m very excited because Texas A&M has 25,000 engineers. They have a great agriculture business, so we feel if we promote the culture of entrepreneurship and the start-up, we could do 200 startups a year on this campus per year,” added Amidi.

Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said he believes the ideas and brains are already on campus, but there’s a need for an extra push to get those projects across the finish line. He said he expects Plug and Play to offer that push.

“The missing link in this system is taking those ideas to [Plug and Play’s network], which last time I checked was 50,000 companies, and seeing who out there is willing to take a chance on this. That’s what’s going to blow Brazos County out of the water,” added Sharp.

Plug and Play leaders said they plan to launch 300 startups within the next year, and 100 of those will come from the Bryan-College Station area.

Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - The intersection at University Drive and South College Avenue is a high-traffic spot, and leaders at the Bryan-College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) said it’s one of the most crash-prone areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

According to data from the MPO, pedestrian and bicycle crashes have steadily increased over the past decade. In some areas, even tripling in numbers.

In 2024 alone, the City of Bryan reported 13 pedestrian crashes and seven cyclist crashes throughout town, with one pedestrian fatality. Now in 2025, that number is already up to five pedestrian crashes and one cyclist crash.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, College Station saw 68 pedestrian crashes, 73 cyclist crashes, and two pedestrian fatalities.

MPO Executive Director Daniel Rudge told KBTX, as the city is growing, so is the number of crashes each year.

“From an average point of view, they are increasing slightly,” shared Rudge. “We still tend to be higher than a lot of other metropolitan areas in Texas, and that’s primarily because we have one of the preeminent universities in the country in Bryan-College Station.”

According to the MPO, just 11% of Brazos County roadways account for 71% of fatal or serious crashes, and more than 80% of pedestrian or bicycle crashes.

A majority of them are happening by the Texas A&M campus off of University Drive. Rudge said that’s where the MPO’s Comprehensive Safety Action Plan comes into play. The project aims to emphasize safety for all road users.

“It tends to be when it’s around dawn or dusk when a lot of them happen,” he pointed out. “Our Comprehensive Safety Action Plan calls out for doing better street lighting on some of the corridors that are high traffic.”

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) also continues to push its public awareness campaign: ‘Be Safe. Drive Smart.’ TxDOT hopes it will remind drivers to slow down, watch for pedestrians, and avoid distractions.

“Yield when turning and always check for pedestrians and cyclists,” advised Bob Colwell with our local TxDOT office. “Follow the speed limit and adjust for conditions. If we are walking, we need to always use our crosswalks and obey traffic signals, and we need to use our sidewalks.”

As TxDOT and the MPO continue to conduct surveys and studies on pedestrian safety, they urge drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to practice safe behaviors to make the streets safer for everyone.

Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.

Texas A&M football is loaded at running back, but sometimes you have to capitalize on the opportunities before you.

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Could Texas A&M football look to pad even more depth in loaded RB room?

Texas A&M football is absolutely loaded at running back for the upcoming year. The Aggies return Le'Veon Moss, who may be the best back in the entire league, along with a veteran Amari Daniels, a resurgent Rueben Owens, and Stanford transfer EJ Smith.

That's not to mention the big time names that the Aggies are bringing in via the freshman class. The Ags have two of the nation's best from the high school ranks coming to town in Deondrae Riden, the all-time leading rusher at a storied program in DeSoto, and former Missouri commit Jamarion Morrow, who could play all over the field.

However, if we've found out one thing recently, it's that you can never have too much depth. The Aggies were stretched thin last year, with both Owens and Moss missing significant time, and Daniels sustaining a major injury near the end of the year as well.

That led to hardly any depth at all for the bowl game, which no doubt contributed to the unfavorable result. So when College Station native and former Duke Blue Devil Marquise Collins announced that he would be jumping in the transfer portal yesterday, Aggie fans perked up their ears.

This is by no means a sure thing. Collins will be hotly pursued, without a doubt, and the Aggies have a lot in the room already. But the home town connection matters, and Collins had committed to Elko at Duke beforehand. Those factors are enough to more than raise an eyebrow.

It will be interesting to see if the Aggies pursue Collins. I think it would be a worthy addition, but some might consider it overkill. Whoever ends up with the former Blue Devil, though, will be getting a great player.

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom, the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, announces its newest facility coming to Bryan, Texas, located at 3125 S Texas Ave, Bryan, Texas 77802. The state-of-the-art facility, which will span 49,150 square feet and feature 17 professional-grade indoor courts, is targeting an opening in Fall 2025. This new location, led by franchisee Sheryl Miller, adds to the growing number of locations in Texas, including those already open in Plano, Dallas, Pflugerville, and soon-to-open Fort Worth. Pickleball Kingdom is the premier pickleball destination in the region.

"Texas has long been a hotspot for pickleball," said Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "College Station is the perfect place for us to expand to, especially with Texas A&M bringing incredible energy and a strong sense of community to the area!"

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The College Station facility will offer:

• Indoor, Climate-Controlled Courts: Play year-round in comfort, regardless of weather.

• Lessons & Clinics: For all skill levels—led by experienced coaches.

• Court Reservations & Open Play: Book your court or drop in to play.

• Leagues & Tournaments: Organized for players seeking competitive play.

• Pro Shop: Gear up with top brands' paddles, apparel, and accessories.

• Youth Programs: Inspiring the next generation to embrace and enjoy the sport.

• Community & Corporate Events: Building local connections through engaging pickleball events.

Sheryl Miller shared, "I'm ready for the opportunity to serve my community. It's an honor to grow a business that brings all generations together to play the most fun sport in the world in a comfortable, indoor setting. Pickleball Kingdom College Station will be where people come for fitness, competition, and fun events."

Beyond the courts, Sheryl is also focused on creating local partnerships. She says, "We're providing opportunities for people to play and connect while supporting the local economy and building a team that feels like family." She is committed to giving back to organizations in the community that give a hand up to the poor, hungry, or homeless.

Rob Streett, President and Chief Global Officer, said, "This marks another important step in bringing our vision to more communities. Sheryl's passion for people, her deep roots in the area, and her commitment to excellence make her the perfect franchise partner. We're confident she'll create an incredible experience for everyone who walks through the doors."

Sheryl Miller, a Texas A&M graduate and long-time College Station resident, brings a wealth of experience in business and technology to Pickleball Kingdom College Station. With a successful track record leading an IT consulting firm and currently serving as the Director of Technology for a nonprofit, Sheryl combines her professional expertise with her passion for racquet sports. Her deep community roots and commitment to excellence position the new facility for tremendous success.

Donald "Donnie" French will serve as the General Manager of Pickleball Kingdom College Station. A lifelong resident of Bryan-College Station and a U.S. Army veteran who served four years in the 1st Infantry Division, Donnie brings strong community ties and a reputation for outstanding leadership. With a passion for both service and sport, he is committed to making the facility a vibrant, welcoming hub for players of all ages and skill levels.

For more information and updates on the College Station location:

Website: https://pickleballkingdom.com/college-station-tx/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickleballkingdom.collegestn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.collegestn/ Email: [email protected]

About Pickleball Kingdom Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise, dedicated to fostering community and providing world-class facilities. With a mission to create a global network of pickleball venues, Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. Pickleball Kingdom offers franchisees the highest industry AUV (average unit volume) per location, demonstrating the strength of its business model and the comprehensive support provided to franchise owners. As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Pickleball Kingdom invites driven individuals to explore franchise opportunities and join this exciting growth. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/.

For Franchise or Media Inquiries: Mitch Kistner, Sr. Director of Marketing Email: [email protected] Phone: 888-725-0072

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

The Baltimore Ravens are urged to find an immediate difference-maker.

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The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2025 NFL Draft with few glaring needs, but there are some there, nonetheless. More specifically, the Ravens need help on the defensive side of the ball. Many expect them to look at the secondary in the first round, as they lack a starting cornerback opposite Nate Wiggins on the boundary. They could also go with an edge rusher, as they lack a ton of youth at the position and could be looking to move Odafe Oweh.

While the Ravens have been one of the best drafting teams in the NFL, there is always room for error when it comes to the unpredictability of the draft. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report went through every team to point out one prospect they should avoid, and named Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart as someone the Ravens should steer clear of.

"There are two things the Baltimore Ravens just love to do during the NFL draft," Sobleski writes. "First, the organization is probably the best at simply standing pat and letting a top talent come to them. Second, the front office enjoys drafting toolsy, developmental edge-rushers. If Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart is available, he fits both criteria. Really, the Ravens need to resist. Yes, Stewart presents tremendous upside. He's an elite athlete with the type of profile that signals a 10-sack-per-season career. But he's never been that prospect at the collegiate level. Furthermore, the Ravens don't have time to waste on waiting another three or four years hoping Stewart develops, as Odafe Oweh eventually did. With Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level on an annual basis, the Ravens need immediate impact additions."

Being in win-now mode does make the draft a bit of a double-edged sword for teams like the Ravens. Obviously, you want to find prospects that you can develop for the future, but would love even more if there are players that can be immediate difference-makers, which isn't always the case when it comes to rookies. Baltimore would almost be better off calling around and looking for any potential star they can acquire with that pick to help them get to the Super Bowl.

Make sure you bookmark Baltimore Ravens On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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JARRETT BAILEY

Jarrett Bailey has covered the NFL since 2020 for various outlets, including The Sporting News and USA Today. He is the host of The Pump Fake Podcast and a lover of Batman lure and Professional Wrestling