Call Center Company in Corpus Christi, TX

The program originally started in Brownsville area back in 2021. Once the program showed signs of success, leaders wanted to branch out to Corpus Christi.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas A&M Extension Service agency project manager Bill Rohram has a mission: he wants to help students understand is that it doesn't matter whether you're a doctor, a lawyer, or even a tv news reporter, having extra skills is necessary to meet the needs of an everchanging job market.

RELATED: A&M-K fire also causes issues with student transcripts

He plans to do it through the Texas A&M Coastal Bend Occupational Advanced Skills Training (COAST) program, which will be housed in the heart of Corpus Christi's downtown off Chaparral Street.

"With our overall goal of: Train here, work here, live here," he said.

That effort that will cost the Texas A&M System around $12.5 M.

The program originally started in Brownsville area back in 2021. Once the program showed signs of success, Rohram said they wanted to branch out to the Corpus Christi area.

"There's also a lot of new industry that's coming into the region as time progresses. We do courses such as leading fundamentals, problem solving and a series of other courses," he said.

Rohram said the program is geared toward five key categories that drive our local job market. Some of those include machine troubleshooting, cybersecurity and hospitality.

It's a soft skill Rohram said can have a powerful impact when it comes time to fill out a job application, regardless of where you're applying.

"Hospitality actually includes anything that is encompassing customer service," said Rohram.

It's a skillset Marty McPies co-owner Amber Flatt said is imperative when it comes to hiring quality employees.

"Anticipating customer's needs," she said. "You already kind of expect what people are going to ask, like, 'Can I have an extra side of ranch or can I have a box? Or where are the drinks at? Or we're out of lids."

Flatt and her husband opened their brick-and-mortar location last year. She said when it comes to the bottom line, she knows exactly how she wants her customers to feel when they walk in.

"I think just that first interaction right there just lets them know, 'Hey, whatever I need, these people are going to take care of me.' Let's them know I'm going to have a good time," she said.

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The first named storm in the Pacific Basin formed on Thursday morning. Tropical Storm Alvin will move north, likely weakening as it approaches the Gulf of California.

The forecast cone shows Alvin becoming a remnant low by Saturday. This weakening trend will likely be because of strong wind shear that sets up between an area of high and low pressure.

While this will not be a direct threat to the Coastal Bend whatsoever, some of the upper-level energy from this storm may work its way on Saturday.

The setup in the upper levels with a low pressure over Baja California, and a high pressure in the Western Gulf will have a southwest flow taking that energy into Northern Mexico and possibly South Texas. It's still not a guarantee, but a possibility.

At the same time, a cold front will move near the Coastal Bend and may not pass all the way through. It will likely stall somewhere between San Antonio and Corpus Christi. This will increase our chances of rain on Saturday, but it won't be the front by itself. Alvin will have moisture pulled by the upper-level winds into Texas.

Right now, there is no tropical cyclone activity expected in the Atlantic Basin over the next seven days.

The Tropical Weather Outlook gives 2-day and 7-day chances of tropical development. These are areas of convection in the tropical Atlantic Ocean that are not organized but show signs of strengthening or the potential for organization. The National Hurricane Center will give these areas a low, medium, or high chance of developing into at least a tropical depression. This is so they are ready when activity starts to pick up.. These outlooks are updated at 7 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM, and 1 AM daily.

Hurricane Season officially starts June 1, but NHC started their routine outlooks May 15.

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The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak of the climatological peak of the season happening on September 10.

Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Names are given to tropical cyclones (tropical storms and hurricanes). The name lists rotate every six years, but if a storm name is retired, it's replaced with a new name the next time that list is used. These names were last used in 2019 - Dexter replaced Dorian.

Remember to not "anchor" to the first forecast you see - forecasts change. Also, rely on a credible source for your tropical information and forecasts.

Army Lt. Col. Joshua Meador assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Corpus Christi, Texas, from Army Lt. Col. Timothy Owens during a change of command ceremony May 28 onboard Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Navy Rear Adm. Michael York, commander, DLA Distribution, officiated the ceremony.

York lauded Owens' leadership over the past two years, citing his exemplary service and the DLA Distribution Corpus Christi team's dedication to supporting warfighters and whole-of-government partners worldwide. He highlighted the remediation of over $500 million in Army aviation material, a critical effort that returned vital assets to the warfighter and freed up resources for the Army's aviation fleet readiness. York also mentioned the facility's crucial role in wholesale distribution of major components for helicopter repair missions and foreign military sales customers, noting their unmatched commitment to ensuring warfighters have the right equipment when they need it.

York also shared anecdotes from Owens' time in command, including his commitment to community service through volunteering and his innovative approach to improving stock storage awareness training, comparing repairable aviation components to "brand new Ferraris."

York then welcomed Meador, highlighting his extensive experience in logistics and operational planning. A native of Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, Meador’s career includes a recent assignment as a Joint Logistics Planner at DLA Headquarters, with a deployment to Kuwait as the DLA Support Team-Middle East Military Deputy Forward. Prior to DLA, he served with Army Human Resource Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky. A graduate of West Virginia University and the Florida Institute of Technology, Meador's early assignments include deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 25th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division, command of the 110th Transportation Company, and service as an instructor at Army Sustainment University. He also served with America’s First Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, supporting multiple training rotations and pandemic response efforts.

“I understand the vital role DLA Distribution Corpus Christi plays in supporting our nation,” Meador said. “Let us continue to build on the strong foundation laid by Lieutenant Colonel Owens and ensure we remain a critical component of our warfighter’s success.”

Owens, who is headed to the Pentagon to serve as the strategic planner in the Immediate Office of the Secretary of the Army, thanked the DLA Distribution Corpus Christi team for their efforts, including support for strategic airlift missions and to Corpus Christi Army Depot, improving material accuracy and increasing efficiencies.

“Your commitment to DLA’s mission is truly inspiring. I’ve been consistently impressed by your professionalism, your willingness to go the extra mile, and your dedication to supporting those who defend our freedom,” Owens said. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such dedicated professionals.”

CORPUS CHRISIT, Texas — A new wave of Asian cuisine is reshaping the food scene in the Coastal Bend, led by the team behind one of the area’s most popular sushi restaurants.

Umiya, a sushi and Asian fusion restaurant in Corpus Christi, has built a loyal following for its menu, ranging from traditional nigiri and sashimi to Texas-style sushi rolls. The restaurant is one of nine Umiya locations operated by a family-owned group with roots in China and more than 20 years of experience in South Texas.

“They own 30 or 40 restaurants everywhere,” said general manager Valentino Yang. “But Corpus had the first Umiya.”

The restaurant’s staff reflects a broad mix of Asian cultures. Umiya originally brought in sushi chefs from Japan. Some of its current staff members are from Guam and Yang was born in Indonesia, mirroring the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Texas.

“That’s what America stands for, diversity,” Yang said.

Building on Umiya’s success, the group is preparing to launch a new dining concept for Corpus Christi: Zodiac Pot, a multi-Asian experience that combines all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue with traditional Chinese hot pot.

The restaurant will open soon near Umiya across South Padre Island Drive from and will be the first of its kind in Corpus Christi according to Yang.

“Hot pot is getting bigger everywhere,” he said. “We don’t want people to have to travel to Houston or San Antonio anymore for good food.”

Hot pot, a communal dining style that originated in China, features a simmering pot of broth at the center of the table. Diners cook ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and tofu at their own pace. Korean barbecue offers a similar interactive experience with tabletop grilling.

Zodiac Pot is expected to open this summer, within the next one to two months. An official opening date has not yet been announced.

Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, May 28, 2025:

Texas could soon require Ten Commandments in every classroom

The House passed a bill mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public school classrooms. If the Senate signs off, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to make it law.

Houston Public Media politics reporter Andrew Schneider joins Texas Standard with more.

Texas backs off law that overwhelmed rural polling places

A 2023 law expanded polling place requirements – but many small counties couldn’t keep up. Now a new bill that rolls back those mandates is headed to the governor.

Natalia Contreras, reporter for VoteBeat Texas, joins the Standard with the story.

War in Ukraine intensifies as global tensions rise

Massive Russian attacks on Kyiv, Trump’s criticism of Putin, and Germany lifting limits on weapons for Ukraine are reshaping the global response to the war.

Jeremi Suri, historian and professor at the University of Texas at Austin, joins the show with an update:

Corpus Christi’s water future looks uncertain as Tesla builds nearby refinery

Corpus Christi is already under drought restrictions, with city officials warning their main water sources could dry up by 2027. And with Tesla planning a new lithium refinery in the region, that outlook’s more uncertain.

Texas Observer reporter Justin Doud joins Texas Standard with more.

Van Cliburn contestants tackle a brand-new challenge piece

Every competitor at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition plays the same new work, written this year by one of the judges, to show off their interpretation and creativity. KERA’s Bill Zeeble reports.

The ‘Queen of the outlaws’ left her mark on Wild West Texas

Belle Starr was a legendary figure of 1800s Texas, known for her brushes with the law and reputation as a pistol-packing outlaw. Texas Public Radio’s David Martin Davies reports.

Military gear floods the border. Is it helping?

Combat vehicles and surveillance towers are now common sights along the Texas-Mexico border as part of a military buildup ordered by President Trump. But critics say it’s unclear if they’re effective. Carlos Morales reports for the American Homefront Project.

All this, plus Alexandra Hart with the Texas Newsroom’s state roundup and Wells Dunbar with the Talk of Texas.

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.