Friday Forum with The Waco Bridge

May 15 News Roundup + Kathleen Knight interview, Future Educator's Academy

By Molly-Jo Tilton,

Published May 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM CDT

This week, co-hosts Molly-Jo Tilton and JB Smith give an update on data centers around Central Texas and ongoing redevelopment at the former Floyd Casey Stadium.

Plus, JB Smith is joined by Kathleen Knight to talk about Waco ISD's Future Educator's Academy.

And our trivia question this week: What song, recorded after he returned to Texas, gave Willie Nelson his first big success as a performer? Listen to this week's Friday Forum to find out!

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.

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. She also co-hosts the weekly news show, Friday Forum with the Waco Bridge.

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