August 15 News Roundup + Interview with Reverend Eric Howell

By Molly-Jo Tilton,

J.B. Smith

Published August 15, 2025 at 10:10 AM CDT

They also discuss some recent additions to local elections, downtown redevelopment project updates, and Baylor's recent trademark suit.

Plus, JB Smith chats with Reverend Eric Howell of DaySpring Baptist Church about his new book “Under the Francis Tree: A Practical Theology for the Church Grounds in the 21st Century.”

You can find links to some of the information from today's show below:

You can find photo walkthroughs from new Kendrick Elementary School and South Waco Elementary School at wacobridge.org.
You can also sign up for The Waco Bridge newsletter at wacobridge.org/newsletter.
You can find Reverend Eric Howell's new book "Under the Francis Tree: A Practical Theology for the Church Grounds in the 21st Century" at Fabled Bookshop & Cafe or at Barnes & Noble.

Friday Forum with The Waco Bridge

Molly-Jo Tilton

Molly-Jo Tilton joined KWBU in 2024 as the station's Multimedia Reporter. She covers all things Waco for KWBU, from City Council to the local arts scene. Her work has appeared on The Texas Standard and NPR's All Things Considered.

See stories by Molly-Jo Tilton

J.B. Smith

Before joining The Waco Bridge in February as editor-in-chief, J.B. Smith had 33 years of Texas journalism experience, most of it as local government reporter and managing editor at the Tribune-Herald. He has won numerous statewide awards for enterprise journalism, including a series on migrant deaths on the Mexico border. A Sulphur Springs native and Southwestern University graduate, he is grateful for the opportunity to build a nonprofit newsroom in his adopted hometown of Waco.

See stories by J.B. Smith