News

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Northeast Texas economist, reflects on the cautiously optimistic assessment of the Texas economy by the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank.  The report shows a strong resurgence of manufacturing activity in Texas, but employment is a highly variable picture from city to city.  While oil prices are surging, the cause may be lower supply due to more restructive regulations, Dr. Funderburk says.

Autumn Johnson, director of Campus Recreation at Texas A&M-Commerce, says we should start using 30 spf suncreen during the spring and not wait until summer.  Autumn says we spend more time in the sun starting in the spring, and overexposure to the sun is possible even when the temperatures are still mild.

This week Luke visits with Coy Hirth, owner of Slappys Hog Trapping (Slappys Hog Trapping on Facebooik). Mr. Hirth traps hogs and uses Kubys Meat Processing to process the meat and then sees to it that that it gets on the plates of folks that can use it. In today's show Hirth explains his plan for utilizing the excellent wild pork. His plan is one that folks all across the state could put to use. 

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, enjoyed "Concrete Cowboy," starring Idris Elba, a true story of a group of modern-day cowboys in Philadelphia.  It is streaming on Netfllix.  Alice also likes "French Exit," a combination of drama and screwball comedy, starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Steve Killian, superintendent of the Cooper Lake State Park, says the parks is now offering kayaks for rental to be used in exploring the lake.  They're available at park headquarters.  Also, the park is once again open for full occupancy.  Also, the park has some part-time and summer jobs available, including a park ecucator's position.

Pud Kearns with Housewarmers of Greenville says the "African-American Experience in Hunt County" exhibit continues through Saturday, April 24 at the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville.  In addition to artifacts, it includes oral-history, video interviews with numerous citizens, inluding Melva Hill (pictured).  Some of the interviews are available on YouTube

Texas A&M University-Commerce President Dr. Mark Rudin discusses the university’s plans for a new site in Dallas at 8750 North Central Expressway, immediately north of Loop 12, during today’s North By Northeast.

April is "Child Abuse  Prevention Month" and Friday (April 9) is "Go Blue Day," in which individuals are urged to wear blue to call awareness to child abuse.  Lori Cope, the director of CASA (the Court Appointed Advocates) of Hunt County asks that you send photos of yourself in blue to the CASA Facebook page.  CASA advocated for 271 Hunt County children in foster care last year.

Bert Cooper, director of Community Seeds in Lone Oak, says the organization's incubator kitchen is finally ready for cooks to prepare food for commercial sale.  The kithcen provides the facilities for food to be prepared in compliance with the law.  Those interested by call 903-634-5673 or contact Community Seeds via its Facebook page.  Also, L-3 -Harris Technologies of Greenville has provided Community Seeds with a grant for a job training program known as the Strategic Empowerment and Emplo

This week Luke visits with his friend Jeff Rice and recaps the details of a very fun couple days spent in the wilds of east Texas hunting wild hogs and catching catfish on a trotline and spawning white bass in a creek.You can watch the action  on Youtube by searching A SPORTSMANS LIFE episode 100. 

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener, advocates "scalping" your grass (cutting it very close) when you mow it early in the spring to eliminate dead growth.  He says be patient with plants that may have been damaged by the severe cold in February, becuase they may eventually grow back from the roots.  Wayne also provides advice on using mulch and compost in the garden.

Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Director Tim McMurray discusses the 2021 Lion football schedule, which includes a game  at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11 vs.

Dr. Kent Montgomery, Texas A&M-Commerce Physics and Astronomy department head, says he knows no more about the remarkable UFO videos recorded by U.S.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, says prolific Winnsboro author Maryann Miller recently released a non-fiction book, "The Many Faces of Grief: Stories of Love and Loss From the Hospital."  She served as a volunteer grief counselor in support of her late husband, a retired Catholic priest, who served as a hospital chaplain.  Maryann has also released a new crime

Carol Taylor, the director of the Hunt County Historical Commission, relates the story of the founding of Quinlan, first as the town of Roberts to the south of the current city today, and later in 1892 at the site of today's community and under the name of Quinlan.  The town of Roberts was built by the Texas Midland Railroad, which was owned by the "Witch of Wall Street," investor Hetty Green.  Later, the Texas and Central Railroad acquired the Texas Midland Railroad and the townsite wa

Frances Dalbey, Hunt Regional Healthcare outreach specialist, says the Mako robot is now available to assist surgeons with hip replacements in addition to knee and partial knee replacements.  The Stryker Mako robotic arm is guided by the surgeon and selectively targets only the damaged part of the knee or hip.  Studies say robotic-arm assisted surgery is two to three times more accurate than manual

This week, Luke talks about a crappie fishing trip earlier this week with his good friends guide Chris Moody (www.garfishingaddiction.com)  and Larry Weishuhn. They were fishing a remote creek and  caught limits of crappie using Moody's hand made jigs. Then, Luke heads up to Lake Texoma and visits with another grea friend, Bill Carey (www.striperexpress.com) and talks spring striper catching. 

There's more to chairtable giving to what you might think. In this week's North By Northeast, Texas A&M University-Commerce Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement Keturi DeLong describes the insider's perspective on philanthropy. We discuss the ethics of donor-centered fundraising, the relationship between human behavior, and an old lesson we learned as kids: It really is better to give than to receive.

Sharline Freeman, director of the Northeast Texas Children's Museum in Commerce, says the annual Easter egg hunt is Saturday (March 27).  Actually, there are two separate Easter egg hunts, the first at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m.

Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager Paul Voss says the annual "Bois D'Arc Car Show" will return on the downtown square Saturday, May 1.  The show was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Also, the Chamber will host a golf tournament Friday, April 23 at Sand Hills Country Club.  We also discuss the Chamber's new web page, featuring a video created by David Lay.