Updated: 4:45 PM Despite a weaker than expected job report , President Bush remains optimistic about the nation's economy. He pointed out a growth spurt that closed out last year in a speech Friday. Brazos Valley officials say 2006 will be a good year for our local economy.

Updated: 4:44 PM 9-year-old Ke'Aryan Pool was awarded the 9-1-1 hero award for making a call that saved his mother's life.

Updated: 7:26 PM Madisonville mourned the loss of a fallen husband, father, and son Thursday. Billy Jack Zachary became just the 79th DPS trooper to die in the line of duty when he was hit by a truck during a traffic stop near Monahans last week.

Updated: 8:36 PM Brazos County 911 is close to having a new director. Elizabeth Godwin was offered the job Thursday, according to the district's board chairman.

Updated: 7:26 AM The lone survivor of the West Virginia mining accident remains in critical condition and unconscious Thursday evening.

Updated: 5:42 PM Brenham's city council was set to vote on a plan to help alleviate some traffic woes on Thursday.

Updated: 8:45 PM You may not realize you're in Aggieland this week once you see all the people decked out in burnt orange to celebrate UT's win over USC. Emotions are still running high for many fans after Wednesday night's Rose Bowl.

Updated: 7:25 AM A Bryan man is behind bars accused of shooting a man at a Bryan car wash.

Updated: 7:47 AM With the drought situation growing more critical by the day, Brazos County authorities have been handing out burn and fireworks ban tickets, and have made their policies even more strict.

Updated: 6:48 PM In addition to considering an extention of the fireworks ban Friday, the Brazos County commissioners will also look at candidates to temporarily fill the vacant seat on Brazos County Court at Law #1.

Updated: 6:49 PM While exact numbers are still being worked up, the county estimates a $1,300 price tag for taking care of the lit student bonfire Sunday.

Updated: 7:49 AM A former Bremond ISD employee indicted on theft charges has died. Sandra Nolan, 47, died on Monday after a battle with cancer.

Updated: 7:50 AM An armed robber remains on the loose after a Tuesday night robbery. A clerk at the A&A Quick Stop on Woodville Road says he was held up by a man with a handgun just before 10pm Tuesday.

Updated: 7:48 AM As Bryan Police continue to investigate gang-related violence, two bonds with a message have raised a few eyebrows.

Updated: 7:51 AM Across the Brazos Valley, the reality of winter heating costs hit home with the arrival of the gas bill from last month's first winter freeze. Some local residents opened their monthly bills to find they had more than doubled.

Updated: 7:49 AM More delays plague the opening of Fire Station Number Five on Greens Prairie Road in College Station. Last year several workers walked off the site saying the general contractor, Stephens Construction based in Texas City, was not paying them. The fire department has been adjusting to the delays.

Updated: 7:48 AM The city of Bryan has a new tool to keep an eye on its employees. A fraud hotline has been created for employees and citizens to anonymously report suspicious or illegal activity by city employees.

Updated: 5:47 PM The city of Bryan is asking residents to conserve water for 24 hours starting Thursday morning, while they finish their final construction phase.

Updated: 5:44 PM Robertson County still needs approval to expand two power plants. If the they get it, the plants could hire over 2,000 workers. But they're not just sitting back and waiting. One Robertson County town is getting ready.

Updated: 9:52 AM In a stunning and heartbreaking reversal, family members were told early Wednesday that 12 of 13 trapped coal miners were dead — three hours after they began celebrating news that they were alive.

Updated: 4:36 AM A DPS Trooper was struck and killed over the weekend while conducting a traffic stop near Monahans. 32-year-old Billy Zachary was issuing a citation to a driver when he was hit by a pickup truck on Sunday. Zachary was born and raised in Madisonville.

Updated: 4:36 AM Juveniles in College Station may face the same fate as their peers in Bryan, as the College Station Police Department seriously explores a curfew for that city. It will be up to the city council to decide yes or no.

Updated: 4:03 AM A former Aggie football player has been ticketed for setting off last month's traffic-jamming pileup on Highway 6.

Updated: 4:04 AM A change of position for the Bryan Police Department which now says two shootings last week in the Beck Street area are likely not related.

Updated: 4:04 AM As grass fires continue, volunteer fire departments are running into two issues: staffing and funding.