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Friday Forum with The Waco Bridge

November 14 News Roundup + Estrellita Doolin

By J.B. Smith,
Rachel Velasco
Published November 14, 2025 at 11:15 AM CST

This week JB Smith and guest host Rachel Velasco will be discussing local impacts of the end to the government shutdown, two big developments across lake Waco, and an update on next years primary elections.

JB will also be speaking to Estrellita Doolin, CEO of Meals on Wheels Waco. She'll be discussing the organizations 'Step Up for Seniors' fundraising campaign.

You can learn more about the campaign and Meals on Wheels Waco via their website https://mowwaco.org/

This weekly show is produced by KWBU in partnership with the Waco Bridge. 

Partnerships like this are only possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this programming valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF FRIDAY FORUM WITH THE WACO BRIDGE
Year in Review: Waco Mayor Jim Holmes
Friday Forum dives into a special series inviting local leaders to reflect on the past year's challenges and preview 2026, continuing this week with Waco Mayor Jim Holmes.
Year in Review: TSTC Waco Provost Beth Wooten
Friday Forum dives into a special series inviting local leaders to reflect on the past year's challenges and preview 2026, continuing this week with TSTC's Waco Provost Beth Wooten.
Year in Review: County Judge Scott Felton
Friday Forum dives into a special series this week, inviting local leaders to reflect on the past year's challenges and preview 2026, starting with County Judge Scott Felton.
November 28 - Special Holiday Roundup
Host Molly-Jo Tilton, with guest Mark Long, dig into the holiday events coming to Waco next month.
November 21 News Roundup + Doreen Ravenscroft Interview
This week, co-hosts Molly-Jo Tilton and JB Smith will be looking at statewide redistricting news, some updates from city council and a roundup of Waco area schools in football and volleyball playoffs.
November 7 News Roundup + Malcolm Foley Interview
This week, co-hosts Molly-Jo Tilton and JB Smith will be looking at the local impact of Tuesdays election results, a new historical marker at the courthouse, and more.
October 31 News Roundup + Jeremy Everett Interview
Waco Bridge Editor-in-Chief
October 23 News Roundup + Pat Curry Interview
KWBU Multimedia Reporter
October 17 News Roundup + Tom Balk Interview
This week on Friday Forum, JB Smith and Molly-Jo Tilton dive into the news of the week.
October 10 News Roundup + Interview With Alan Parker
This week on Friday Forum, JB Smith and guest host, Waco Bridge reporter, Sam Shaw, dive into the news of the week.

Friday Forum with The Waco Bridge
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
Rachel Velasco
A love for people and the greater Waco community has always been the heart of Rachel’s work. A 2005 UT Austin graduate with a degree in English, Rachel began her career as a classroom English teacher. Through various professional opportunities in the education field, health and wellness industry, and the private business sector, she cultivated a love for building strong communities through service. She joined KWBU in August of 2023. She is also the Saturday Market Manager for the Waco Downtown Farmers Market. She has four nearly-grown children and loves tending her herbs and roses and growing things.https://www.kwbu.org/people/rachel-velasco
See stories by Rachel Velasco