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
The Best Seat in the House Is…
It’s almost summer vacation season, and if you’re headed out by plane you’ll want a comfy seat, especially if it’s a long flight. No one wants to have to park it in a loud, bumpy seat on a flight all the way from Dallas to Hawaii. You may have a great time surfing and sunning yourself once your get to your destination, but it could be tainted by crying babies, a lack of leg room, and noise along
Could We Have a Cooler Summer in East Texas This Year?
Last summer was hot. Miserably hot. But meteorologists are predicting that this summer might not be so bad.
East Texas Offers Many Ghost Towns
What happened to all those rural places in East Texas where early settlers started to build a life, and then somebody else decided the spot where the Tyler loop now sits would be a better place?
Camps became homes, then small school houses joined the homes, then all that was deserted in favor of greener pastures - or should we say more populated areas. And thus, the Texas ghost towns are born.
We
Friday May 4 is GenTX Day…Wear the Gear!
Next week you may be seeing college t-shirts everywhere in Texas.
Next Friday, May 4 is the second annual GenTX Day, when students across the state spend the day surrounded by people wearing college t-shirts. You’ll see college t-shirts at the office and at stores and restaurants, and even teachers and staff at schools will trade the business casual clothes for big bold letters and mascot faces,
Lake Season Stresses Out Some Women
Ladies, have you tried on a bathing suit yet?
It's almost time to head to East Texas lakes like Sam Rayburn, enjoy the sunshine, hang out with friends and family, float in a boat, and grill some great food. I've got a friend with a lake house at Lake Cypress Springs an hour or two north of Tyler and that's a quaint spot to relax by the water and roast marshmallows too. It all sounds like a grea
Three Texas Towns Make ‘Most Expensive’ List
Are you still in "stay-cation" mode, or will you be jetting off to some exotic location this year on vacation?
A new report from Cheaphotels.org tells us that three cities in Texas are among the most expensive in the nation for overnight stays. At $81 per night for the cheapest available double room, Austin is #16 on the list. What other Texas cities made the list?
Tyler Spot Participates in Record Store Day
Saturday, April 21 is the day hundreds of artists release new and limited edition material exclusively to Mom and Pop stores to encourage music lovers to buy locally, and help local record stores stand out in the digital age. Indie shops across the US, Canada, and the UK are participating in Record Store Day, and that includes a store right here in Tyler.
Robert E. Lee Students Take Play to Regionals
It seems like each time these students perform the play, the win awards and just keep advancing.
Names of Texas Towns Can be Tongue Twisters
Are you sure you know how to pronounce Alto? East Texans are all over it. It's AL-toe of course. Have you heard outsiders get it wrong? It's not ALL-toe.
East Texas Takes Part in Statewide Clean-Up
Have you run across a pile of trash like this recently? Volunteers got after issues like this over the weekend, on a quest to clean up East Texas.
The Texas Trash- Off happened Saturday, and it was the state's largest one-day litter cleanup event. Everyone from Girls Scout troops to church groups got involved and picked up hundreds of pounds of trash.
More Bike Trails are Coming to Tyler
Cyclists have every right to share streets and highways with cars. BUT new trails in Tyler will give them a place to ride that might be safer than next to all those crazy drivers who don't particularly want to share the road with them.
Where will the new trails be?
East Texas Snakes Are Making Appearances — Seen Any?
The right combination of rain and sun makes snakes happy, and they're starting to emerge in East Texas in greater numbers.