Hi! I grew up in a one-stoplight town in rural Nebraska and my whole family still lives there with three churches, a bar, and a courthouse. I left because I like lots of people and taller buildings, and I don't like cold weather. On those rare days in Texas when it gets snowy and icy, you'll find me inside Googling beach vacations. I don't plan to leave Texas now that I've been here for most of my adult life because the barbecue and fajitas are just way too addictive. I've worked in radio from the moment I graduated from college at the University of Nebraska, and besides getting the hang out with cool people like you every day, I love sports, great restaurants, self improvement, and meeting new people. I love all movies starring Melissa McCarthy or Julia Roberts, and all TV shows with home improvements or food in them. You'll probably hear me talk about my three daughters on the air, along with the challenges of being a single mom. I'm on several of the dating apps, because trying to meet someone in person these days is way too creepy.
Jen Austin
Underwear Buyers Help the Economy
Have you heard the crazy notion that men's underwear sales are an economic indicator?
When men's underwear sales are up, the economy is doing well. When people are not buying guys' tighty whities, the economy is in the tank.
Ladies, do you think it's true?
Time to Hit the Pumpkin Patch
As I mentioned earlier today, it's the time of year when the fall colors make for some great photo opps! We took the kids to a pumpkin patch last weekend and snapped a couple of good pics.
This photo turned out great, but what you don't see is the moment before and the moment after the picture was snapped. This is just that one, tiny split second of success where everything worked out. As any
Will You Heed the Coffee Warning?
Coffee is not an addiction right? If you enjoy coffee, perhaps the need for it every day is simply related to an intense love and appreciation. Justify justify.
Researchers have come up with a new "NOW WHAT" for us regarding coffee and why we shouldn't drink it.
Fall Colors are Starting to Arrive in East Texas
TV shows are great at making sure we always know what season it is. It's especially noticeable right now with daytime talk shows as we fully transition into fall. The sets are nicely decorated with fall colors, flowers, and vases, and sometimes we can see real live trees and autumn-colored leaves through the windows. It's very cozy, and makes you want to put on a sweater and sip some chai tea whil
Gas is Cheap in Tyler — At Least By Comparison
Sure, California has its benefits. The weather is gorgeous, movie stars abound and there are plenty of hotties walking up and down the street.
But how can anyone afford to live there? Be glad you live in East Texas, where drivers are enjoying some of the cheapest gas in the country. Believe it!
Longtime Tyler Store is Closing
Joyner-Fry, originally on the downtown square in Tyler but now in the Bergfeld Center, has been in business for 75 years, it's the oldest family-owned business in the city. Now the store is down to the last few weeks of selling men's shirts and ties.
The men's clothing store got its start in the early 1930s in downtown Tyler, and now Steve Fry is retiring and plans to close in late December. The d
Actress Daryl Hannah Arrested in East Texas
Daryl Hannah is perhaps best known for her role opposite Tom Hanks in Splash, and she was beloved in Steel Magnolias.
More recently she's become involved in political protests, and that led to her arrest yesterday right here in East Texas, in Wood County. She was released last night from the Wood County Jail in Winnsboro.
What happened?
Do You Have Firefighter Skills? Test Them in Tyler Next Week
Brookshire's Firefighter Combat Challenge is coming up Oct. 12 to 13 in Tyler, and it will give us a chance to see how we measure up to those beefy firefighting guys. We know there are plenty of in-shape gals that keep us safe from fires too and we appreciate it. They get a workout!
I know for one, I am not good at carrying a heavy fire hose any distance. I get mad when the garden hose gets a k
Amtrak from Tyler to Dallas? It Could Happen
Have you ever ridden on a train? There’s something nostalgic about it, not to mention the fact that it saves wear and tear on your own car, and the hassle of fighting with other drivers to get where you’re going.
Might East Texas get Amtrak service? There’s an Amtrak route now that runs from San Antonio to Chicago.
And there’s a push for Amtrak to extend it’s service from Shreveport-Bossier City t
Texas Rangers Find Themselves in a Nail-Biter
Even if you're not particularly a baseball fan, you may appreciate the drama today. It's making national news.
The Texas Rangers have been leading their division almost the whole baseball season, and now after 161 games, the Rangers and A's have identical records, and today's game will decide who the division champ is, and who gets the better playoff spot. It's come down to the wire.
Are you nervo
Halloween is Scary — Oh, That’s the Point!
My spouse and I have been together for 14 years, and at points along the way I've mentioned not being particularly fond of the scary parts of Halloween. So by now it should be known right?
I like the cute parts of Halloween! Like the cute, cuddlely kid costumes and the nice, harmless pumpkins.
It was a big mistake letting the spouse take the kids shopping for Halloween decorations.
Texas Loves Its Frito Pie
I have to admit, I didn't try the delicacy that is Frito pie until I moved to Texas. Growing up in Nebraska we sometimes mixed chili, cheese, and saltine crackers together, but the genius of replacing the Saltines with Fritos just didn't occur to us.
Texans are onto something! Frito Pie is delicious, and who cares how fattening.
We Texans broke a Guiness World Record on Monday with a Frito Pie tha