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
UT Tyler Program Is Nationally Ranked
UT Tyler students are smart! Criminal justice majors there recently took the Major Field Test examination and their scores were in the top 10 nationwide.
Top Baby Names of 2012 Revealed
America has a fascination with boys' names that end in the letter N.
And with girls' it's all the rage to end the name with an A.
Babycenter has revealed their Top 100 Baby Names of 2012, and judging by the list, kindergarten classes in five years will be well-populated with Aidens and Sophias.
Your Packages Are On the Way…Cyber Monday Sales Were HUGE
The Research firm ComScore says sales this past Monday were around $1.46 BILLION. That's up 17 percent from the $1.25 billion total of 2011. We spent dollars like crazy online Monday. Don't you wonder how much of that was done at work? We didn't get much done at work that day. We were too busy shopping.
The UPS guy has been to my house two days in a row with deliveries. Does anyone else have
Large Crowds Expected at First Monday Trade Days
It's the Christmas shopping season, the weather will be warm and gorgeous, and flea markets are just plain fun. All of those things are expected to factor into huge crowds this weekend at First Monday Trade Days in Canton.
Can You Think of Anyone Who Doesn’t Have a Cell Phone?
New Pew Center research says 85 percent of Americans now have cell phones. Everyone we know has one, right? Except maybe Grandma. She's in that 15 percent that miraculously moves through life without a mobile phone.
One out of every two people over the age of 18 owns a smart phone.
What do you do with your smart phone? If you actually talk on it, you're one of the few!
Trees Destroyed by Wildfire Will Be Replaced Thanks to East Texas
It was a little more than a year ago that the most destructive wildfire in Texas history destroyed much of the vegetation in Bastrop County near Austin. It was a major setback for the renowned Lost Pines ecosystem. The fire covered 32,400-acres, destroyed 1,660 homes and killed 1.5 million trees.
Now, one East Texas town is coming to the rescue. Eleven-hundred pounds of tree seeds that were almost
Does a Full Moon Really Make People Nuts?
How many times have you heard someone say when a kid is acting crazy, "Blame it on the full moon!" Is there really any truth to that? Can the shape of the moon make a child act a fool?
I know a pediatric dentist that has noticed that patients under the age of 12 become more unruly when the moon is full. She believes with all her might that the full moon can leads to misbehavin' and ac
Houston Authorities Are Headed to East Texas to Investigate Plane Crash
A small plane crashed happened about 9:30 last night in Cherokee County.
Drivers noticed debris on Texas Highway 7, near the Cherokee-Angelina County line, and authorities traveled from Houston overnight to comb over the scene.
The wreckage was discovered in a wooded area, in 4700 block of Cheeseland Road in Pollok.
Christmas Parades Planned Throughout East Texas
At some stores and homes, the Christmas decorations were up before Thanksgiving.
Those of us that did put up the Christmas tree before carving the turkey have been accused of breaking holiday rules, but rather than rebellious it seemed convenient to me. We got the decorating out of the way early, and could concentrate on matters like shopping!
Police Investigate Early Morning Shooting in Tyler
Tyler police say two people were shot and wounded in a night club shooting early Monday.
A news release from Tyler police says the victims were taken to the hospital and Trinity Mother Frances Hospital hasn't released their condition.
No Powerball Winner Saturday Night, Jackpot Grows
The winning numbers in Saturday night's Powerball drawing were 22-32-37-44-50 with Powerball 34, according to the Powerball lottery's website.
Saturday night's jackpot amount was the fourth largest in the game's history, but no one matched all of the numbers. There was no winner. So...how high will the jackpot climb now?
We Survived the Busiest Shopping Day of the Year. Which Day is LEAST Busy?
The longest lines on Black Friday were reported at Target, Walmart, and Best Buy in Tyler. Broadway Square Mall was jam packed most of the day Friday too.
If you want to avoid the crowds, which day this holiday season will be the least busy?
It's coming up in the next five days.