Water, weather, community recognition, back-to-school prep, and some surprisingly good news about your morning coffee—it's all on the agenda today. We're tracking the rising Frio River near Tilden as folks keep close watch on water levels. Rockport is getting some well-deserved recognition that has the whole community buzzing. Robstown is hosting a back-to-school event to help families prepare for the upcoming year. And apparently, America is officially in a "bean era"—we're talking about the food trend taking over the country. But here's something that'll make your morning better: new research shows coffee is actually good for you. No guilt required. This Saturday, STEM Day by the Bay is happening, giving kids a chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun way at the bay. Plus, Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation is hiring for after-school jobs—if you're looking for summer or school-year work, this could be your shot.

Today is a special one. It's my birthday, and it's also my 30th anniversary on Corpus Christi radio. Three decades. Since July 20, 1996, I've been cracking the mic here in the Coastal Bend, and I can honestly say this community has given me more than I could ever imagine. From morning shows to community events to covering the stories that matter to South Texas, it's been an incredible 30 years. Thank you to everyone who's listened, called in, supported the shows, and made this job a privilege.

But today's show is about more than just celebrating. We're covering real stuff that matters.
The Frio River near my hometown of Tilden is rising, and folks are keeping a close eye on water levels.

We're monitoring tropical development in the Northeastern Gulf—hurricane season is here and we need to stay prepared.

And we're asking the critical question: will we finally see water releases from our lakes once they reach certain thresholds? Because in South Texas, water is everything.

On the lighter side, HEB is bringing their legendary BBQ to Corpus Christi, there's exciting talk of a Farah Fawcett statue honoring the iconic actress with deep South Texas roots, and we want to hear from you. Share your shark stories! We've got the Talkback microphone open, and your encounters—whether terrifying or just plain interesting—are exactly what we want to hear today.

Thirty years. Plus it's my birthday. Watching rising rivers, tropical weather and your shark stories. That's Monday in the Coastal Bend.

🐄 Cow Appreciation Day - As someone who enjoys burgers, steaks, tacos, barbecue, I am very appreciative 
🧀 National Macaroni & Cheese Day - Who doesn't love this?! 
⏳ 55 Days Until Labor Day - The unofficial end of summer countdown is on
📏 History Lesson - July 14, 1868: The tape measure was invented. 
🥊 Happy Birthday Conor McGregor - UFC star turns 38 today
💰 Feeling Lucky? - Mega Millions up to $637 million. 

South Texas Supports Driscoll:
The South Texas Cattlemen's Roundup continues today at 11 a.m. at Gulf Coast Livestock Auction in Alice, with another event Friday at 10 a.m. in Beeville. With my son Archer still at Driscoll Children's Hospital, I can tell you personally: when South Texas supports Driscoll, you're helping real families through their hardest days. FFA members, 4-H groups, auction barns, donors, buyers, volunteers—this matters. 

Robstown ISD Mourns:
The district is grieving the loss of Richard Gillespie, a 1976 Robstown High School graduate and one of the district's most dedicated supporters.

Kingsville ISD Job Fair:
Kingsville ISD is hosting a districtwide job fair Wednesday, July 22nd, from 3-7 p.m. at the KISD Boardroom, 207 North Third Street in Kingsville. 

FM 624 Project Starting:
TxDOT is beginning a $35 million project to widen FM 624 near Calallen. Work starts near County Road 69 where traffic will be reduced to one lane with automated flaggers. Plan for delays as this gets underway.

Water Rate Dispute:
Administrative hearings are underway in a legal battle between the City of Corpus Christi and major industrial water users. Those companies are seeking nearly $80 million in water-rate refunds, claiming overcharges. This is another chapter in Corpus Christi's ongoing water story.

World Cup Delusion:
A new survey reveals 28% of Americans believe they could score in the World Cup by converting a penalty kick. The confidence is strong with this one.

BigFrankShow2GO: Where cow and cheese collide, Driscoll gets supported, and 28% of Americans overestimate their World Cup penalty skills—available on iHeartRadio.

🌭 National Beans 'N' Franks Day - Which sounds less like a holiday and more like something your dad made when he didn't feel like going to the store
🏈 46 Days Until High School Football - Not that anyone is counting... except every coach, player, band director, drill team, parent, and concession stand volunteer in the state
🍺 History Lesson - July 13, 1568: The Dean of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London reportedly perfected a way to bottle beer. Which means, in a roundabout way, he helped create tailgating. Thank you for your service, sir.
🎬 Happy Birthday Harrison Ford - Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and somehow still cooler than all of us at 84
💰 Feeling Lucky? - Tonight's Powerball is up to $478 million. Tuesday's Mega Millions is up to $637 million. At that point, I'm not asking for much—just enough to disappear quietly and buy snacks without checking prices.
⚽ World Cup Semifinals at Home - Spain takes on France Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. England faces Argentina Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Hear both matches on  the free iHeartRadio app. 

Former Corpus Christi Mayor Dan McQueen says he's ending his congressional campaign and plans to run for mayor of Corpus Christi again. And yes, if that name sounds familiar, there's a reason. Dan McQueen was elected mayor in 2016 and resigned 37 days into the job. 

The annual South Texas Cattlemen's Roundup is underway, benefiting Driscoll Children's Hospital. These are special auctions held at local cattle auction barns featuring baked goods, handmade items, farm and ranch items, and more—all helping raise money for Driscoll Children's Hospital. FFA and 4-H members get involved, and it's one of those great South Texas traditions where the ag community shows up in a big way for children and families. Upcoming Events:

• Today (Monday) - Noon at Live Oak Auction (between Three Rivers and George West)
• Tuesday, July 14th - 11 a.m. at Gulf Coast Livestock Auction in Alice
• Friday, July 18th - 10 a.m. at Beeville Livestock Auction Barn

Learn more: Donate.DriscollChildrens.org/Roundup

A Personal Note: With my son Archer still at Driscoll Children's Hospital, our family is especially grateful right now for the doctors, nurses, staff, and everyone who supports that hospital. When South Texas supports Driscoll, you are helping real families through some of the hardest days they'll ever face. Thank you to everyone involved—FFA, 4-H, the auction barns, donors, buyers, volunteers. South Texas takes care of South Texas.

School is getting closer, and area districts are starting to post calendars and supply lists for the 2026-27 school year. Some of these start dates are coming up quick. School Start Dates:

• Tuloso-Midway: July 15th
• London: July 22nd
• Corpus Christi ISD & West Oso: August 11th
• Flour Bluff & Calallen: August 12th

Yes, summer is still here, but school supply list season has officially arrived. Somewhere out there, a parent is standing in an aisle trying to figure out the difference between "wide ruled" and "college ruled" while silently questioning every life decision.

With school getting closer, practices, workouts, band, sports, and outdoor activities are ramping up in the South Texas heat. Starting August 1st, UIL will require high school practices to use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature system to determine when outdoor conditions are safe. This is more than just checking the regular temperature. It factors in heat, humidity, sun, and wind to better measure heat stress on the body. The Coastal Bend is in Class 3 on the heat map. If the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature gets into the orange zone (87 to 90), programs will have to:

• Take four breaks per hour, at least four minutes each
• Limit practices to no longer than two hours
• Limit players to helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts

As conditions get hotter, restrictions increase. Programs also check the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature every 15 minutes. Fun fact: This system was originally developed in the 1950s by the United States Marine Corps, with help from the Army and Navy, and it's still used by our military today. Bottom line: South Texas heat is no joke. We want kids competing, practicing, marching, playing, and working hard—but we want them doing it safely.


If your house has been feeling a little too quiet lately, this may be your sign. Several local animal shelters are working to help more pets find homes this summer, and right now there are great adoption opportunities in the Coastal Bend. Gulf Coast Humane Society:

• $70 dog adoptions for dogs at least six months old
• Through July 26th
• Goal: Help more dogs find families while creating space for more animals who need care

City of Corpus Christi Animal Care Services:

From Amish Dairy Farm to Bull Riding Champion: Marcus Mast's Unlikely Journey to the Top

The Professional Bull Riders Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals are coming to Corpus Christi this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Hilliard Center Arena, and we sit down with one of the sport's most compelling figures: 2025 Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion Marcus Mast, who's chasing his second title and his 15th career event win.

An Unlikely Cowboy Story: Marcus Mast didn't grow up in Texas or Wyoming dreaming of riding bulls. He grew up on an Amish dairy farm in Middlebury, Indiana, where bull riding wasn't even on his radar until his brother Nate started sneaking away to events. This isn't your typical cowboy origin story, and Marcus opens up about how that unique background shaped his approach to one of the most dangerous sports in the world.

From 18-Year-Old Rookie to 150+ Career Rides: We take Marcus back to that 18-year-old kid who won his first jackpot in Van Wert, Ohio. Now, with 155 career rides under his belt and knocking on the door of his 15th event win, he reflects on what about the "pro life" would surprise that younger version of himself the most. The journey from dairy farm to professional arena has been anything but conventional.

Rising from a Career-Ending Wreck: In 2023, Marcus went through a massive wreck that many thought would end his career. Now he's in Corpus Christi fighting for his second Velocity Tour title. We ask the tough question: when he's in the chutes and that gate is about to crack, is that history a weight on his shoulders, or is it the fuel that keeps him on for the full eight seconds?

The Mental Game: Marcus has spent time training with the legendary Gary Leffew, who's famous for teaching the mental side of bull riding. For fans who just see a guy holding on for dear life atop 1,800 pounds of muscle, Marcus reveals one mental trick he uses to stay calm when matched up against some of the toughest bulls in the sport.

The Road to Fort Worth: Five riders leaving Corpus Christi this weekend earn berths to the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, May 7-10, with only those riders advancing to the second weekend at Dickies Arena May 14-17 where a World Champion will be crowned. As a veteran leader for the Kansas City Outlaws and a top contender, Marcus discusses what it would mean to his legacy to walk into Fort Worth with that second Velocity Tour buckle on his belt.

What to Expect This Weekend: Over the two-day event, 44 of the sport's top qualifying riders—who've traveled coast to coast competing in 25 events throughout the season—will advance to two full rounds taking on some of the toughest bulls in the sport. After two rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores attempt one final bull for a chance at the event title.

Entertainment Beyond the Arena: After the bull riding action, fans get world-class entertainment: Friday night features country star Carly Pearce, while Saturday brings comedy legend Larry The Cable Guy to the stage.

This conversation captures the grit, determination, and mental toughness required to compete at the highest level of professional bull riding. Marcus Mast's journey from an Amish dairy farm in Indiana to championship bull rider defies every stereotype about the sport—and proves that sometimes the most unlikely paths lead to the greatest stories.

PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals - Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m., Hilliard Center Arena, Corpus Christi

BigFrankShow2GO: Where Amish farm kids become bull riding champions and eight seconds can change everything—available on iHeartRadio.

BigFrankShow2GO: "Panic Pouches, Birthday Slang & Why Your Office Might Be Making You Sick" Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Available on iHeartRadio
Today's show is all about the quirks of modern life—from generational divides to unexpected science, mental health tools that actually work, and why that "free money" from your tax refund deserves a strategy.

You're Officially Over 30 If... A painfully accurate list is circulating online that instantly outs you as over 30, no matter how young you look or act. The telltale signs: loving the air fryer, thinking TikTok is too loud, considering a 7 p.m. party start time as "late." If this hits too close to home, welcome—us Gen X'ers have been waiting for you. 

Gen Z Slang Decoder: There's a new phrase bouncing around TikTok that means two very different things depending on context. "You the birthday" can be a compliment—you're the vibe, the energy, the moment. 

What Americans Are Doing with Tax Refunds A new survey found 70% of Americans are getting tax refunds this year, and surprisingly, most aren't blowing it. 

Panic Pouches: Mental Health in Your Bag Gen Z might've named it, but this idea works for everybody. Panic pouches are mental health first-aid kits you keep in your bag, car, or desk for when anxiety kicks in. 

Side Hustles Aren't Optional Anymore According to Money Talks News, nearly 44% of Americans now rely on a side hustle just to get by. 

Sick Building Syndrome Is Real If you feel fine at home but start feeling awful about ten minutes after arriving at work, it might not be allergies—and it's not in your head. 

Public Restroom Truth Bomb Toilet seats aren't the dirtiest thing in public bathrooms—we've been focusing on the wrong thing. 

BigFrankShow2GO: Where air fryers out your age and science explains why your office makes you sneeze—available on iHeartRadio.

BigFrankShow2GO: "Gamers As Air Traffic Controllers & Taylor Swift Should Represent Earth to Aliens"
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 - Available on iHeartRadio

Sometimes the best conversations happen when we stop talking about the news and start talking about us: how we work, what we want, and why we do the weird things we do. Today's show dives into the quirks of modern life, career surprises, and scientific discoveries that feel almost too good to be true.

Work Email Warning: Think that smiley face emoji softens your work emails? New research says it might not be doing what you think. 

Video Games = Career Training? If you've got a teen who loves gaming but has zero interest in coding or engineering, listen up. The FAA is actively recruiting video gamers to become air traffic controllers. 

The Driveway Pause Explained: Ever pull into your driveway and just... sit there? Not scrolling, not texting, just staring through the windshield or listening to one more song? Turns out you're not weird—you're human. 

Life Goals You Don't Actually Want: Someone on Reddit asked a freeing question: "What's a popular life goal you secretly don't want?" The responses were eye-opening. 

Gen Z Chooses Trades Over Desks: There's a major shift happening with younger workers. New research shows 75% associate desk jobs with burnout and instability, and nearly one in four have seriously considered a trade career. 

Taylor Swift, Earth's Ambassador: Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson says if aliens ever made contact, the best person to represent humanity wouldn't be a politician—it'd be Taylor Swift.

Science Validates Cheese & Chocolate: A massive study of over three million people found that eating chocolate, cheese, and fermented dairy could help you live longer. If science says cheese helps keep me alive longer, I just want it noted I would've arrived at this conclusion on my own with enough time.

BigFrankShow2GO: Where gaming becomes a career path and cheese becomes longevity research—available on iHeartRadio.

From 3rd Grade to Leaders: How 4-H Shaped Two George West Seniors
National 4-H Week Special - Available on iHeartRadio

During National 4-H Week, we sit down with two outstanding young leaders from Live Oak County who embody everything the 4-H program stands for. Camarron Guerrero and Jenna Lee, both seniors at George West High School, share their transformative journey through 4-H and how the organization shaped them into the confident, capable young women they are today.

More Than Animals and Projects: While many people think 4-H is just about livestock shows and agriculture projects, Camarron and Jenna reveal how the program goes far deeper. They discuss the leadership skills, public speaking abilities, community service mindset, and personal confidence they've developed over their years in 4-H, skills that will serve them long after high school.

The 4-H Journey: Both young women reflect on their experiences from their early days in the program through their senior year. They share memorable projects, competitions, and achievements, but also talk about the challenges they faced and how 4-H taught them resilience, responsibility, and teamwork.

Leadership in Action: As seniors, Camarron and Jenna now serve as mentors and role models for younger 4-H members. They discuss what it means to lead by example, how they've learned to guide and encourage others, and why giving back to the program that gave them so much matters. Leadership isn't something they learned about in 4-H: it's something they practice every day.

Life Skills That Last: The conversation explores the practical skills 4-H has taught them: time management, financial literacy through project budgets, record-keeping, goal-setting, and decision-making. These aren't abstract concepts. They're real-world abilities that prepare young people for college, careers, and life beyond their hometown.

Community Connection: Both young women emphasize how 4-H connected them to their community in meaningful ways. Through service projects, county events, and working with local businesses and volunteers, they've built relationships and understanding of how communities function and thrive. 

Their Message to Young People: When asked what they'd tell someone considering joining 4-H, Camarron and Jenna offer genuine, heartfelt advice. They acknowledge that it requires commitment and sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone, but the rewards—friendships, experiences, skills, and personal growth—are worth it. 

The Four H's: Throughout the conversation, we explore how the organization's core values—Head, Heart, Hands, and Health—manifest in real life. It's not just a motto; it's a framework for developing well-rounded young people who think critically, care deeply, work diligently, and live healthfully.

What 4-H Means for Rural Communities: Camarron and Jenna also discuss 4-H's special significance in rural areas like Live Oak County, where the program provides opportunities for youth development that might not otherwise exist. It's a place where every kid can find their niche, discover their passion, and develop skills regardless of their background or interests.

This National 4-H Week conversation celebrates not just an organization, but the young people it empowers and the communities it strengthens. Camarron Guerrero and Jenna Lee are living proof that 4-H's mission isn't just words on paper. It's transformation in action.

Learn more about 4-H programs in your area and how young people can get involved by visiting 4-H.org or https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/

It's National 4-H Week, taking place through Saturday, October 11th. The theme for 2025 is "Beyond Ready," focusing on how 4-H programs equip young people with the skills and experiences needed for future success in college, careers, and life. Our 7th grade son, Archer, joined me to talk about his experience as a 4-H member, and share his enthusiasm for the organization. Archer was recently recognized as the San Patricio County Silver Star Award winner, and is a member of the West Sinton 4-H Club.