WACO, Texas — KWBU and The Waco Bridge are evolving their partnership to strengthen the local nonprofit news and public-media services both organizations provide to Waco and McLennan County.
As part of this transition, Waco Bridge staff will step away from weekly co-hosting duties on KWBU’s “Friday Forum” to focus more deeply on in-depth local reporting and coverage. KWBU and Waco Bridge will continue to collaborate through occasional guest-hosting opportunities and shared news coverage.
Both organizations remain committed to one another’s work and to a shared mission: delivering trustworthy, reliable, community-centered journalism that helps Waco and McLennan County residents stay informed. Continued donor support for both KWBU and Waco Bridge is essential to sustaining a strong local nonprofit news ecosystem and ensuring the community continues to benefit from independent reporting, public-service programming, and reliable information.
J.B. Smith, Co-host of Friday Forum and Editor-in-Chief of The Waco Bridge, states that "We've enjoyed working with KWBU in the startup phase of The Waco Bridge, and I expect that relationship to grow and evolve as we both work to serve the community with news and information about local government, schools and elections."
Friday Forum Co-Host and KWBU reporter Molly-Jo Tilton, adds “Friday Forum allowed both of our newsrooms to grow our reach and impact. In the past year, we’ve opened the door to collaborative coverage both through the weekly show and in co-reported projects. Re-envisioning this partnership allows both teams to expand our local coverage.”
To mark the transition, KWBU’s “Friday Forum” will become “The Brazos Bulletin.” Hosted by KWBU’s Molly-Jo Tilton, the weekly Friday program on 103.3 KWBU will shift from a co-hosted news roundup to a news-magazine format featuring local reporting, interviews, context, and stories from across Waco, McLennan County and around the state.
Listeners can continue to expect timely, thoughtful coverage from both KWBU and Waco Bridge, along with future collaborations that connect the organizations’ reporting and audiences.
“The Brazos Bulletin” will air weekly on Fridays at 11am and 8pm on 103.3 KWBU. Visit KWBU.org or wacobridge.org to learn more about both organizations.
About The Waco Bridge
The Waco Bridge is an independent, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to empowering Wacoans with high-quality local news and information. Supported by The Texas Tribune, The Waco Bridge provides accessible, free, digital-first reporting and public events that connect communities, encourage civic engagement, and help residents understand what is happening in Waco and why it matters. The Waco Bridge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
About KWBU
103.3 KWBU is Waco and Central Texas’ public radio station, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing trusted news, thoughtful conversation, and distinctive cultural programming that informs, inspires, and connects the communities it serves. KWBU brings listeners local reporting alongside acclaimed national programming while creating a platform for Central Texas voices, stories, music, and ideas. Through broadcast, news, and community engagement, KWBU works to strengthen an informed and connected region.
