November 14 News Roundup + Estrellita Doolin

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.

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